How to Become a Pistol Instructor
Level 1 Pistol Instructor Training is focused on exceeding the minimum state requirements for a Certified Pistol Instructor rating. It addresses the key question “How to Become a Pistol Instructor” It is a major component part of our extremely popular Hell Week™ Pistol Firearms Instructor Event held in strategic locations across the United States.
Course Overview:
- Duration: 4 Days, 2 Weekends
- Hell Week Package Duration:
4 Consecutive Days. - Firearms: Single-Action, Double-Action, Semi-Automatic Pistol
- Location: See Event Calendar
- Tuition: $1,200.00
Classroom Training
Our Pistol Instructor Training Certification program holds instructors to the absolute highest standard throughout the United States and its territories. Attendees must meet or surpass course standards which are considered significantly higher than other certification programs. We understand instructor candidates come from a variety of backgrounds, including Military, Law Enforcement, Security Guards, and other training venues. We work hard to ensure every aspect of firearms instruction is passed on to our instructor candidates who in turn pass those skills to their students.
Range Training
Our Pistol Instructor Training Certification extends to the range. Simple to complex drills are conducted to measure the instructor candidates shooting abilities.
Instructors must have the ability to transfer basic to complex firearm shooting concepts to their students. If the instructor cannot explain, demonstrate, and perform the drill as required, their credibility is called into question. Level 1 Firearms Certified Pistol Instructors must demonstrate their proficiency in each of these areas.
Training Curriculum
Our Certified Pistol Instructor training goes far beyond the “Basics”. There is more to training other than showing someone how to load, cock, and shoot a gun. This is why the Level 1 Certified Pistol Firearms Instructor program is the gold standard for other programs to beat. Our Certified Pistol Instructors receive over 30 hours of training in all aspects of firearm training.
Pistol Instructor Course
State-specific requirements vary; sometimes dramatically. The list below includes our standard training course but may require additional classes or course alterations based on the state’s specific requirements. In these instances, Level 1 Firearms Training LLC will change or modify our standard pistol instructor course to meet these state-specific requirements.
- Principles of Firearm Training.
- Principles of Learning, Teaching, and Tranfersing Skills.
- Performance-Based Training
- Outcome-Based Training
- Principles of Objective-Based Training.
- Coaching and Skills Development.
- Working as a Training Team.
- Course Structure and Design.
- Lesson Plan Development.
- Principles of safe pistol handling, safety rules, and selecting storage devices.
- The gun owners’ ethical responsibility for securing firearms.
- Why a firearm is considered a tool of last resort.
- Types of pistols, nomenclature, and actions.
- Common causes of stoppages and how to remedy them.
- Ammunition Knowledge – Target versus Self Defense.
- Fundamentals of Marksmanship.
- Target to target transitions.
- Shooting from Cover.
- Shooting while Moving.
- Single hand shooting and manipulations.
- Additional Shooting Positions.
- Correcting Bad Shooting Habits.
- Cleaning and maintaining a pistol.
- Understanding Indoor and Outdoor Ranges.
- Competitive Pistol Training Opportunities.
- More.
Pistol Instructor Candidate Requirements
During the course of training, instructor candidates are held to high training standards that exceed other pistol instructor training courses. Instructor candidates are expected to:
- Adhere to and demonstrate pistol safety protocols.
- Demonstrate skills and proficiency with all pistol types and actions.
- Ability and willingness to learn new skills while being open to retraining bad habits.
- Display the ability to run an indoor or outdoor range with live-fire exercises and drills.
- Display the ability to apply core lesson goals and use them to teach new students.
- Create a course of fire, communicate the expectations, and demonstrate the drill.
- Have a complete understanding of E.D.I.P. training methods.
- Have a complete understanding of performance-based training.
Written Examinations
The Pistol Instructor Training Course is presented in several modules, each building on the previous. All modules and training exercises along with the student’s demeanor, attitude, and teaching ability are taken into consideration as a whole. The Lead Instructor will have the final say as to the level of achievement the instructor candidate has attained. If necessary the Lead and or Assistant Instructors will provide advice on how to improve their overall performance in other instructor-level courses.
Required Equipment
- Single-Action Revolver.
- Double-Action Revolver.
- Semi-Automatic Pistol.
- Appropriate trigger locks for all firearms brought to class.
- Two Speed Loaders.
- Two Speed Loader Pouches.
- Three Magazines.
- Double Magazine Pouch.
- Double and Single Action Revolvers can be .22 caliber or larger.
- Semi-Automatic Pistols must be .380 caliber or larger.
- Pistol or gun cleaning kit for each caliber you will be using.
- Eight or more snap caps or practice dummy rounds for each caliber you will be using.
- Belt mounted inside or outside the waist holster; dominant side.
- Sturdy belt of at least 1.5″ wide.
- Over the Shoulder Holster Purse designed for Concealed Carry.
- Closed footwear suitable for rapid movement, turning and stopping.
- Casual, comfortable clothing suitable for cover and concealment pistol carry.
- Water, ice chest, or any other suitable beverage for remaining hydrated.
- Baseball cap or other suitable covering from heat and cartridges.
- Wear clothing that blocks spent cartridges from entering between the shirt and body.
- Electronic hearing protection.
- Wrap around eye protection rated for shooting activities.
- Notebook, paper, a large binder, pens, paper, and highlighters.
Ammunition Requirements
- Ammunition count: Approxiamently 1500 rounds.
- Ammunition must be factory fresh from the manufacturer – no reloaded ammunition is permitted.
- Ammunition must fit pistols and revolvers brought to class.
- Steel ammunition is not allowed.
- Only lead core ammunition can be used on steel only.
- No green/brown tip, armor-piercing, or surrogate ammunition to be used on steel at any time.