Marksmanship, Gun Handling, Mindset / Tactics - Excellence in Firearms Training
From contact distance to a hundred yards, from static positions to using vehicles and cover, PFT's Defensive Handgun courses provide the skills, gun handling, and tactics/mindset necessary for success in handgun engagements.
We have five levels of handgun training which provide an outstanding value for shooters of all experience levels.
Course equipment recommendations are listed at the bottom. Please come properly equipped!
Course Costs Page
8-10 Hours, 300 rounds recommended.
This course introduces the student to techniques applicable to defensive use of the handgun. Emphasis is put on shooting skill development for application in real-life circumstances. The fundamentals of Mindset, Gun-handling, and Marksmanship are covered in lecture while the practical aspects are taught on the range.
Other course topics include Situational Awareness, equipment selection, safety, handling, loading, unloading, malfunction clearance, drawing and firing techniques, single handed firing, firing from cover, multiple targets, movement, and tactics. This course will qualify the student for a Concealed Carry License / Concealed Weapons Permit.
8-10 Hours, 500-600 rounds recommended
This course begins with an evaluation of the performance expected at the conclusion of Defensive Handgun I (or equivalent), and progresses quickly into an emphasis on applying more advanced techniques under more difficult real-life situations. The development of Reflexive / Subconscious ability is taught.
Topics include increased speed or weapon deployment, increased difficulty of shooting problems and scenarios, disabled and/or injured shooter exercises, shooting from disadvantageous firing positions, shooting while on the move, shooting moving targets, drawing and firing from concealment, as well as many more advanced tactics.
16-20 hours, 500-700 rounds
This course focuses on the conditions encountered in most handgun engagements. Heavy emphasis is placed on deployment of the handgun from concealment, close distances, movement and close-proximity to structures and vehicles. It features extensive use of reality-based scenarios, shooting house work including low light shooting, vehicles, and moving/reactive target engagement. Scenarios requiring interaction with role players and shoot/no-shoot decision making will be conducted. Attendees must have completed Defensive Handgun I (prior completion of Defensive Handgun II is strongly encouraged). Successful completion of previous comparable training may be considered. Class size is limited to 14 shooters.
24-30 hours, 1200-1500 Rounds Primary, 50 Backup
This course is structured for those who have successfully completed Defensive Handgun I and II or other school's equivalent. Performance of all Level I and most Level II skills on demand will be expected. A brief review and marksmanship / gun handling skills 'tune-up' will be conducted initially. This will be followed by a Skills Inventory demonstration by each shooter. Performance will be elevated to an extremely high level by pushing the balance of accuracy versus speed shooting against stationary, multiple and moving targets. Other subjects featured include difficult targets, close range emergency reaction, reflexive malfunction clearance, use of space, movement techniques within confined areas, multiple indoor and outdoor tactical simulators, low light, vehicular techniques, backup weapon use, and weapon retention. This course is offered in 1, 2, and 3-day formats (facility-dependent). The 3-day version features multiple interactive and low light exercises. A quality flashlight (Surefire-type or other high output) and concealment garment are recommended, but optional. Backup guns are allowed and can be used on some exercises, but are not required.
4-5 hours, 150 rounds
This course focuses on the unique aspects of low-light / night encounters. Topics include types of low light, visual capabilities and perceptions, equipment, firing techniques, and practical scenarios. Prerequisite for the Low Light Seminar is PFT's Defensive Handgun I or the equivalent.
5 hours, 200 rounds
This course addresses the effective concealed carry and use of the small 'pocketable handguns popular today. The course will address the advantages and disadvantages of the various types, models, configurations and calibers of such Handguns, as well as the most effective support equipment and methods of concealed carry. The program consists of both classroom discussion, and live fire drills on the range. Suitable guns for this program include (but are not limited to the specific models used as examples) J-Frame (2-3") Revolvers, Kel-Tek's P-32/380's, Kahr PM, Ruger LCP, etc. As a rule nothing bigger than a Glock 26/27 or M&P Compact is acceptable for this program. A fully loaded weight of less than 20 ounces is the standard we use for determining suitability. Exceptions to this 'guideline' will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The prerequisite for this course is prior attendance in our Defensive Handgun I (or other instructor's comparable equalivalent) course. Due to the time constraints of this program, it is not a course intended to provide proof of training for concealed carry purposes (our Handgun I does that) but rather to actually better understand and use the small guns many shooters actually carry day to day. We strongly suggest attendees have a spare magazine for autos and speed strips/loaders for revolvers in order to train more efficiently.
16-20 hours, 600 rounds
The realities of modern life mean that we spend considerable time in and around vehicles. Most conventional firearms training fails to adequately address the circumstances, techniques and tactics related to these events. This 2-day course is designed to cover the dynamics of potentially lethal interpersonal confrontations and incidents involving vehicles.
Topics covered and situational drills conducted will include:
This is not an entry-level program. The pre-requisite for this class is prior completion of our Defensive Handgun II course (or a comparable equalivent program from a school/instructor whom we recognize and respect).
*Note: Defensive Handgun Courses may be taken individually on different dates, or as a two or three day course. Admission to Defensive Handgun II and III require successful completion of the appropriate previous level of instruction or an equivalent course taken elsewhere. Students must demonstrate the skills appropriate for the level of the course being taken.