Handgun Training & Standard Drills

Handgun owners, or those looking to purchase a handgun, should always consider attending a handgun safety class as well as handgun training that teaches accuracy and effective shooting.

  1. Basic Handgun Safety Course

    • Many states, such as California, require that a handgun safety course be completed before an individual can legally own a handgun. The handgun safety course uses a curriculum that varies by state, but it generally covers the safe operation of the firearm, firearm maintenance and the laws that restrict and regulate firearms use in the respective state. Most shooting ranges also offer some form of this course to familiarize new gun owners with their firearms and with range procedures.

    Concealed Carry Training

    • To carry a concealed handgun in most states, an individual must obtain a concealed carry permit. This permit often requires an additional level of training and qualification, including a shooting test and a review of laws that relate to concealed carry in public places. Concealed carry laws vary greatly by state and municipality, so check with your sheriff's department about local laws and training requirements.

    El Presidente

    • The "El Presidente" is the best-known handgun standard drill. It involves placing three targets one yard apart from one another, and ten yards from the shooting line. The shooter starts facing away from the targets and, on the whistle, spins around and fires two shots into the center zone of each target. The shooter then reloads and fires two more shots at each target before time is stopped. The objective is the lowest time with all shots hitting the center of the target.

    Shoot Houses

    • For a more realistic training environment, many police and military agencies create shoot houses for live-fire training. A shoot house is a building that simulates an indoor environment with doors and walls, but contains safety measures that allow the range operator to safely manipulate targets without endangering the participants. Shoot houses are best suited for handgun drills--such as room clearing--that are impossible from a static shooting position.