2023 Course Dates (CLICK HERE TO REGISTER)

 
IMPORTANT NOTES: This course is limited to 12 persons. Portions of this course will be held indoors, and if you wish to wear a mask, you may, but it is not required. ADDITIONALLY: This course has Federal and MD instruction on the LAWS of firearms in MD.

NRA Basic Pistol Course Syllabus

Classroom & Range Location: Thurmont Conservation and Sportsman's Club (TCSC), 11617 Hunt Club Road, Thurmont, MD 21788

Course Goal: To teach the basic knowledge, skills and attitude necessary for owning and using a pistol safely.

Course Length: 9 hours (w/HQL) including a 30-minute lunch break (The course length may vary depending on the instructor to student ratio and the participant's abilities.)

Additional fees may apply if you are borrowing a firearm or buying ammunition.  (Drinks and other snacks are usually available for a nominal charge)

Once registered, download and complete the two forms below and bring them with you to class. All participants must be registered and have the two forms with them to participate.
 
Click here to DOWNLOAD the Student Release Form.

Notes:

• Class starts at 9:00AM and will last until about 6:00PM or 7:00PM. (Maybe shorter or longer depending on the students)
• Students must bring a pistol (any caliber), 100 rounds of ammunition, eye and ear protection. (unless prior arrangements were made)
  • NO AMMUNITION IS ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM.
  • TCSC can/and will provide ear and eye protection if needed.
  • If you do not have a pistol to use, please let us know in advance, and we will try to make arrangements for you to use one. There will be an additional fee of $30.00 (Covers cleaning time, maintenance costs and ammunition).
• TCSC will provide the NRA textbook (yours to keep) and class materials. Please bring a lunch, snacks and drinks for during the day. There will be sodas, water and coffee for purchase.
• Maryland Handgun Qualification considerations and issues are discussed in association with this course. This course can be used as the training requirement to apply for an HQL in Maryland.

IMPORTANT! Please be aware that PREGNANT WOMEN should discuss the use of firearms with their physician prior to taking part in this course or any firearms use. Specifically, you should discuss the effects of exposure to loud sounds.  If you are pregnant and/or nursing, you should not handle any chemicals, lubricants or solvents unless you have discussed doing so with your physician.

A firearm is allowed and should be available to each student during the course.  NO AMMUNITION IS ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM. Please read your manual and be somewhat familiar with your firearm before coming to class.  Specifically, you should know if you CAN or CANNOT dry fire your particular firearm. In MOST cases, you should NOT dry fire any rimfire firearm and in MOST cases you can dry fire most center fire firearms.

Curriculum:

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• State the course goal and any special requirements for the lessons
• Identify the principal parts of a pistol and  the types of pistol  actions, and demonstrate how they function
• State, explain and apply the NRA rules for safe  gun handling
• Demonstrate how to handle a pistol safely
• Identify the different components of a pistol cartridge
• Explain the firing sequence of a cartridge
• Explain how to properly identify and store ammunition
• State the major types of cartridge malfunctions, and how to react to them
• Explain the fundamentals of pistol shooting
• Safely demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to assume the one-Handed / two-handed standing shooting position and bench rest position
• Safely shoot a pistol from the one-handed / two-handed standing shooting and bench rest position using the fundamentals of pistol shooting at a target on a range
• Safely demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to conduct live fire training on a range
• Properly score a pistol target
• Explain the basic guidelines for selecting and purchasing a pistol
• Identify the materials needed to clean a pistol
• Demonstrate how to safely clean a pistol
• Identify several ways to pursue pistol shooting after the course
• Successfully complete the NRA basic pistol shooting course written examination

Note that all times are approximate

LESSON I: PISTOL KNOWLEDGE AND SAFE GUN HANDLING - 2 Hours 8:00-10:00

• Gun owner’s responsibilities
• Reasons to own a pistol
• Pistol action types
• Main parts of a pistol
• Parts of a revolver
• Parts of a semi-automatic pistol
• Functions of a semi-automatic pistol slide
• Types of semi-automatic pistol actions
• Causes of firearm accidents
• NRA rules for safe gun handling

LESSON II: AMMUNITION KNOWLEDGE AND THE FUNDAMENTALS OF PISTOL SHOOTING - 2 Hours 10:00-12:00

• Cartridge components
• Rimfire and center fire cartridges
• cartridge firing sequence
• Cartridge designation and identification
• +P and +p+ cartridges
• Ammunition storage
• Types of cartridge
• malfunctions
• Dominant eye
• Position
• Elements of the one hand, two hand, and bench rest position

LUNCH - 30 Minutes 12:00-12:30

LESSON III: FIRING THE FIRST SHOTS - 1 Hours 12:30-1:00

• Range layout and limits
• NRA rules for safe gun handling
• NRA rules for using and storing a gun
• General range safety rules
• Questions/problems on the firing line
• Hygiene  guidelines
• Range commands
• Adjusting the sights

LESSON IV: SCORING TARGETS, AND SELECTING AND MAINTAINING YOUR PISTOL - 1 Hour 1:00-2:00

• Scoring targets
• Types of pistols
• Selecting a pistol (factors & procedure)
• Caring for the pistol
• Gun cleaning equipment
• Gun cleaning procedure
• Pistol storage

LESSON V: CONTINUED OPPORTUNITIES FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT - 30 Minutes 2:00-2:30

• Winchester/NRA marksmanship qualification program
• NRA training opportunities
• Competitive shooting
• NRA clubs
• NRA programs
• NRA history & goals
• Benefits of NRA membership

** LESSON VI: LIVE FIRE EXERCISE ** - 2 Hours 2:30-4:30

• 30 Rounds minimum/ 15ft / Bench rest Position
• 10 Rounds / 7ft / Two Hand Standing
• 10 Rounds / 4ft / One hand Standing

IMPORTANT! A parent or guardian must be present during the live fire exercises for any youth attendee (under 21). Because we cannot determine exactly when the live fire exercises will start due to class size, experience, etc., all parents or guardians must be at the classroom by 2:00 PM. Please DO NOT bring ammunition into the classroom when you arrive.

WRITTEN TEST - 30 Minutes 5:30-6:00 - NRA Portion is DONE

• 50 questions
• 25 multiple choice -  25 true / false

HQL - Maryland Law - 2 hours - 5:00-7:00