nra Basic pistol course syllabus

Course Goal: 

To teach the basic knowledge, skills and attitude necessary for owning and using a

pistol safely.

Course Length: 

10 hours (The course length may vary depending on the instructor to student

ratio and the participants’ abilities.

**Classroom and range locations will be determined depending on the State the course is being

held**

Curriculum:

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. State the course goal and any special requirements for the lessons

2. Identify the principal parts of a pistol and the types of pistol actions, and demonstrate how

they function

3. State, explain and apply the NRA rules for safe gun handling

4. Demonstrate how to handle a pistol in a safe manner

5. Identify the different components of a pistol cartridge

6. Explain the firing sequence of a cartridge

7. Explain how to properly identify and store ammunition

8. State the major types of cartridge malfunctions, and how to react to the

9. Explain the fundamentals of pistol shooting

10. Safely demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to assume the one- Handed /

two handed standing shooting position and bench rest position

11. 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

12. Safely demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to conduct live fire training

on a range

13. Properly score a pistol target

14. Explain the basic guidelines for selecting and purchasing a pistol

15. Identify the materials needed to clean a pistol

16. Demonstrate how to safely clean a pistol

17. Identify several ways to pursue pistol shooting after the course

18. Successfully complete the NRA basic pistol shooting course written examination

LESSON I: PISTOL KNOWLEDGE AND SAFE GUN HANDLING (1 Hour)

1. Gun owner’s responsibilities

2. Child access prevention

3. Reasons to own a pistol

4. Pistol action types

5. Main parts of a pistol

6. Parts of a revolver

7. Parts of a semi-automatic pistol

8. Functions of a semi-automatic pistol slide

9. Types of semi-automatic pistol actions

10. Causes of firearm accidents

11. NRA rules for safe gun handling

12. (Louisiana Instruction) One hour of instruction on handgun nomenclature and safe

handling procedures of a revolver and semi-automatic pistol.

LESSON II: AMMUNITION KNOWLEDGE AND THE FUNDAMENTALS OF PISTOL

SHOOTING (2 Hour)

1. Cartridge components

2. Rimfire and centerfire cartridges cartridge firing sequence

3. Cartridge designation and identification +P and +p+ cartridges

4. Ammunition storage Types of cartridge

5. malfunctions

6. Dominant eye

7. Position

8. Elements of the one hand, two hand, and bench rest position

9. (Louisiana Instruction) One hour of instruction on ammunition knowledge and

fundamentals of pistol shooting

10. (Louisiana Instruction) One hour of instruction on handgun shooting positions

LESSON III: FIRING THE FIRST SHOTS (1 Hour)

1. Range layout and limits

2. Rules for safe gun handling

3. Rules for using and storing a gun

4. Child safety for having a firearm in the house

5. General range safety rules

6. Questions/problems on the firing line

7. Hygiene guidelines

8. Range commands

9. Adjusting the sights

9. Louisiana Instruction One hour of instruction on child access prevention

LESSON IV: SCORING TARGETS, AND SELECTING AND MAINTAINING YOUR PISTOL

(1 Hour)

1. Scoring targets

2. Types of pistols

3. Selecting a pistol (factors & procedure)

4. Caring for the pistol

5. Gun cleaning equipment

6. Gun cleaning procedure

7. Pistol storage

LESSON V: Deadly Force (3 Hours)

1. Deadly Force…What is it and when should it be used.

2. (Louisiana Instruction)Three hours of instruction on the use of deadly force and

conflict resolution which will include a review of L.R.S. 14:18 through 14:22 and which

may include a review of any other laws relating to the use of deadly force

LESSON VI: LIVE FIRE EXERCISE (2 Hours)

1. 12 Rounds / 6ft

2. 12 Rounds / 10ft

3. 32 Rounds / 15ft

(Louisiana Instruction) Live range fire shall include 12 rounds each at 6 feet, 10 feet, and

15 feet for a total of 36 rounds,

ii. Each applicant or permittee must perform at least one safe reload of the handgun at

each distance,

iii. Each applicant or permittee must score 100% hits within the silhouette portion of a

NRA B-27 Type silhouette target with at least 36 rounds.

4. Written Test

- 50 questions 25 multiple choice - 25 true / false