prime development inc firearms training

04/12/23Prime Development Inc. www.discountguns.us

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NRA FIRST Steps PistolNRA FIRST Steps Pistol

Prime Development Inc Safety and Firearms Education

Welcome!


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Preliminaries Preliminaries

Introductions Registration Orientation Goal:

To provide beginning shooters with an introduction to the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to own and use a specific pistol model safely.


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Preliminaries Preliminaries

Facilities. Do you have any firearms with you? Do you have any live ammunition with

you? Handbooks, brochures and other

materials.


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Schedule Schedule

10am Lesson I11am Lesson IINoon Lesson III1:30pm Lesson IV

Even asking questions, done by 2pm Ten minute break between lessons if

we have the time. Shooting portion is in Lesson III


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Prime Development Inc Safety and Firearms Education

Lesson IIntroduction to Pistol Safety,

Parts and Operation


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Lesson I: Pistol Safety, Parts, and Lesson I: Pistol Safety, Parts, and OperationOperation As a result of this lesson, you will be

able to:– State the goal of the NRA FIRST Steps

Pistol Orientation.– Name the three fundamental NRA rules of

safe gun handling and demonstrate them with a specific pistol model.


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Lesson I: Pistol Safety, Parts, and Lesson I: Pistol Safety, Parts, and Operation, cont.Operation, cont. As a result of this lesson, you will also

be able to:– Name the three major components of a

pistol and describe their functions.– Safely demonstrate loading and unloading

procedures for a specific pistol model with training ammunition.


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Pistol SafetyPistol Safety

What do you think is our primary concern when handling firearms?

Safety is always the primary concern when handling firearms.


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Pistol Safety, cont.Pistol Safety, cont.

What do you think are the major causes of gun accidents?

IGNORANCECARELESSNESS


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Pistol Safety, cont.Pistol Safety, cont.

NRA Rules of Safe Gun Handling(the blue brochure, first fold-out)

Please read the rules aloud…


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#1: ALWAYS keep the gun #1: ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe directionpointed in a safe direction What do you think is meant by a “safe

direction”? Term: safe direction Term: muzzle

If the gun were to discharge, it would not cause injury or damage.


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#2: ALWAYS keep your finger off #2: ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shootthe trigger until ready to shoot If your finger is kept off the trigger,

where should it be? Term: trigger Term: trigger guard Term: frame

The finger should rest outside the trigger guard or along the side of the gun (on the frame).


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#3: Always keep the gun #3: Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to useunloaded until ready to use How do you know whether or not a gun

is unloaded? Term: magazine Term: action Term: chamber

Check that a gun is unloaded by removing the magazine, opening the action, and inspecting the chamber.


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Safe Pistol HandlingSafe Pistol HandlingPractical ExercisePractical Exercise How do you hand a firearm to another

person?


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Pistol Parts: Major ComponentsPistol Parts: Major Components

Turn to Page 1 of the handbook. Term: frame

– Backbone of the pistol to which the other parts are attached

Term: barrel– Metal tube through which the bullet passes on the

way to the target Term: action

– Group of moving parts used to load, fire, and unload the pistol


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Revolver: Frame PartsRevolver: Frame Parts

Grip panels Backstrap Trigger guard Rear sight


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Revolver: Barrel PartsRevolver: Barrel Parts

Bore Rifling (Handbook Page 2) Muzzle Front sight


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Revolver: Action PartsRevolver: Action Parts

Trigger Hammer Cylinder Chamber Cylinder release latch Loading Gate (on single actions) Ejector Ejector rod


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Semi-Automatic: Frame PartsSemi-Automatic: Frame Parts

(Manual) safety Slide stop (sometimes “slide lock”) Decocking lever Grip panels Backstrap (with tang at the top) Trigger guard


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Semi-Automatic: Barrel PartsSemi-Automatic: Barrel Parts

Bore Chamber Rifling (Handbook Page 2) Muzzle


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Semi-Automatic: Action PartsSemi-Automatic: Action Parts

Hammer Slide

– Front Sight– Rear Sight– Ejection port

Magazine (in the magazine well) Magazine release Trigger


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Pistol Parts ReviewPistol Parts Review

What are all the parts on the frame of your gun?

What are all the parts on the barrel of your gun?

What are all the parts on the action of your gun?


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Pistol OperationPistol Operation

Besides “firing,” there are four basic operations of most pistols:

– Loading– Cocking– Uncocking– Unloading


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Revolver LoadingRevolver Loading

Keep the gun in a safe direction, with your finger off the trigger…

Load cartridges into the cylinder, with the muzzle downward.

Close the cylinder (or loading gate on single actions).

Turn the cylinder to index it, if it is not locked.


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Semi-Automatic LoadingSemi-Automatic Loading


Load cartridges into the magazine. Firmly insert the magazine into the

magazine well. Cycle the slide to chamber a cartridge.

– Pull the slide to the rear.– Release the slide, don’t “ride” it forward.


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Pistol CockingPistol Cocking


Place the hammer under spring tension to prepare it to fire

Semi-automatics: cycling the slide may cock the hammer

Decockers must be disengaged to cock the hammer


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Pistol DecockingPistol Decocking


Relax the hammer’s spring tension so it is not in a position to fire the gun.

Term: trigger bar (revolver) Term: decocker (semi-automatic) Some guns should not or cannot be

decocked.


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Revolver UnloadingRevolver Unloading


Release the cylinder and swing it out. Turn the gun so the chamber mouths

are facing downward. Briskly operate the ejector rod. Check by sight and feel that all

chambers are empty.


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Semi-Automatic UnloadingSemi-Automatic Unloading


Press the magazine release, and remove the magazine.

Cycle the slide. Lock the slide open. Check by sight and feel that the

chamber is empty.


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Pistol Operation Practical ExercisePistol Operation Practical Exercise

What are the three rules of safe gun handling?

Demonstrate the correct loading, cocking, uncocking, and unloading procedures for your pistol.


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Lesson I SummaryLesson I Summary

What is the goal of the FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation?

What are the NRA’s three rules for safe gun handling?

What are the three major components of a pistol and what are their functions?


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Lesson I SummaryLesson I Summary

How do you load and unload your pistol?

What are your questions? Take a break until 11am! We’ll

continue with more lecture on ammunition and the fundamentals of pistol shooting.


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NRA FIRST Steps PistolNRA FIRST Steps PistolPrime Development Inc

Safety and Firearms Education

Lesson IIIntroduction to Ammunition

and the Fundamentalsof Pistol Shooting


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Lesson II: AmmunitionLesson II: Ammunition

As a result of the first part of this lesson, you will be able to:

– Identify the three items you need to check to determine the proper ammunition for your pistol.

– Identify the three major types of cartridge malfunctions, and how to respond to them.


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Lesson II: Fundamentals of Lesson II: Fundamentals of Pistol ShootingPistol Shooting As a result of the second part of this

lesson, you will also be able to:– Determine your dominant eye.– Explain the six fundamentals of pistol

shooting.– Demonstrate the six fundamentals from

the benchrest position.


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Pistol AmmunitionPistol Ammunition

In the blue brochure, read the rule: “Use only the correct ammunition for your gun.”

How do you know what type of ammunition should be used for a particular gun?

– Most firearms have the ammunition type stamped on the gun itself (often on the barrel).


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Pistol Ammunition, cont.Pistol Ammunition, cont.

How do you know whether the ammunition you have is the correct type for your gun?

– Ammunition type is identified on the box and sometimes on the base of the cartridge as well.


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What three items should be checked to be sure that you are using the correct ammunition for your gun?

– The barrel of the gun– The box of ammunition– The base of the cartridge


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Be aware that certain ammunition with different designations may be compatible with certain guns.

.357 Magnum and .38 Special 9mm Parabellum, 9mm Luger, 9x19 Refer to your owner’s manual!


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Cartridge MalfunctionsCartridge Malfunctions

Term: misfire– A failure of the cartridge to fire after the

primer has been struck by the firing pin. Term: hangfire

– A perceptible delay in the ignition of a cartridge after the primer has been struck by the firing pin.


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Cartridge Malfunctions, cont.Cartridge Malfunctions, cont.

If the cartridge fails to fire immediately, what should you do?

– You don’t know if it’s a hangfire or a misfire:

Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction; Wait 30 seconds; Then unload safely.


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Term: squib load– Development of less than normal pressure

or velocity after ignition of the cartridge. What may indicate that a squib load

may have been fired?– Unusual recoil or noise.


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What action should be taken if a squib load is suspected?

– Stop firing immediately.– Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction,

and your finger off the trigger.– Unload the gun.– Determine if a bullet is lodged in the barrel

with a cleaning rod.


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Determining the Dominant EyeDetermining the Dominant Eye

Each individual has a dominant eye, which should be used to aim the pistol.

How many participants are cross-dominant?

Try to use your dominant eye, but in general use the hand and eye that’s most comfortable.


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Fundamentals of Pistol ShootingFundamentals of Pistol Shooting

What does the word “fundamental” mean?

– Basic– Essential

Fundamentals are the essential elements of performing a skill.

In the case of shooting, the skill is “firing a shot.”


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Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting, Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting, cont.cont. In brief, the fundamentals of pistol

shooting are:– Position– Grip– Breath Control– Sight Alignment– Trigger Control– Follow-Through


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PositionPosition

What do we mean by “position?”– Position refers to the way you hold your

body when firing a shot We will cover two positions in this

course:– Two-handed standing position


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Position, cont.Position, cont.

A position should be comfortable, balanced, relaxed, and properly aligned with the target.

– Sit behind the bench or table facing the target.

– Both arms extended fully in front.– Wrists are supports by sandbags.– The head is erect.


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GripGrip

What do we mean by “grip?”– The grip is the manner by which the pistol

is grasped and held. Keeping the gun pointed in a safe

direction, and finger off the trigger, use the non-shooting hand to place the pistol in the shooting hand.


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Grip, cont.Grip, cont.

Fit the web of the hand as high as possible on the backstrap or tang.

Align the gun with the wrist and forearm.

Grip the pistol with the base of the thumb and lower three fingers of the shooting hand.

Pressure of the grip is directed straight towards the rear.


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Hold the pistol firmly, but without undue shaking.

Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. The finger should lie along the side of the frame.

The thumb should lie along the other side of the frame, not behind the slide of the gun.


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Place the heel of the non-shooting hand against the heel of the shooting hand.

Firmly wrap the fingers of the non-shooting hand around the fingers of the shooting hand.


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You should grip the pistol the same way each time you hold the pistol.

Your grip on the pistol should not change as you fire the shot.


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Breath ControlBreath Control

Why do you think breath control is important in shooting?

– In order to minimize body movement while shooting, the breath cycle must be interrupted.

Before each shot, take a breath, and let it halfway out so you are comfortable.

Generally the breath should be held no more than six to eight seconds. Rest if you get tired!


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Sight AlignmentSight Alignment

What two parts of the gun are used for aiming?– The front and rear sights.

The top of the front sight should be even with the top of the rear sight.


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Sight AlignmentSight Alignment

There should be an equal amount of space around the front sight post in the notch of the rear sight.

The eye can only focus on one distance at a time. It cannot keep the front sight, rear sight, and the target in focus simultaneously.


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Sight Alignment, cont.Sight Alignment, cont.

The shooter must focus on the front sight.

– The front sight should be sharp and clear.– The rear sight and the target should be

blurred. Sight picture is obtained by achieving

proper sight alignment and then putting those aligned sights into the proper relationship with the target.


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There will always be some movement of the aligned sights relative to the target.

Movement can be minimized but not eliminated.

Misalignment of the sights introduces error that increases at distance.

Try to keep both eyes open when shooting.


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Sight adjustments can be made on some guns. Move the rear sight in the direction you want your shots to appear on the target.

Optical and electronic sights eliminate the need to align a front and rear sight.


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Trigger ControlTrigger Control

What is the function of the trigger?– When squeezed, the trigger activates the

hammer and fires the gun. The index finger is placed with the

trigger halfway between the tip of the finger and the first joint.

The trigger is squeezed in a smooth, continuous manner directly to the rear, while maintaining sight alignment.


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Trigger Control, cont.Trigger Control, cont.

While squeezing the trigger, each shot should come as a surprise.

Trigger squeeze and sight alignment must be done simultaneously while minimizing gun movement.

Try using training ammunition and dry fire practice to improve your trigger control.


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Follow-ThroughFollow-Through

How is follow-through important in sports like tennis and golf?

– In golf and tennis, it is the continuation of a motion after the golf club or tennis racket has hit the ball.

Follow-through means continuing to do everything that was being done at the time the shot was fired.


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Follow-Through, cont.Follow-Through, cont.

Follow-through prevents unnecessary movement of the barrel before the bullet exits.

With focus on the front sight and good follow-through a shooter should be able to “call the shot” and identify its location on the target.


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Fundamentals ReviewFundamentals Review

Which are the two most important fundamentals?

– Sight Alignment– Trigger Control

The other fundamentals help to minimize disturbance of sight alignment and trigger control.


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Lesson II SummaryLesson II Summary

What three items do you need to check to determine the proper ammunition for your pistol?

Define the three major types of cartridge malfunctions and the actions required when they occur.

How do you determine your dominant eye?


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Lesson II SummaryLesson II Summary

Explain the six fundamentals of pistol shooting.

Describe the benchrest position. What are your questions? Take a break until noon! We’ll pick up

with pistol shooting from the benchrest and two-handed standing positions.


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Prime Development Inc Safety and Firearms

Education

Lesson IIIIntroduction to Pistol Shooting

from the Benchrest andTwo-Handed Standing Positions


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Lesson III: Pistol ShootingLesson III: Pistol Shooting

After completing this lesson, you should be able to:

– Explain the three range commands, the procedures to be followed if one has a problem with a firearm or drops ammunition, and any applicable range rules for the facility being used.


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Lesson III: Pistol ShootingLesson III: Pistol Shooting

After completing this lesson, you should also be able to:

– Discuss and explain the eight NRA safety rules to be followed when shooting and storing a pistol.

– Safely shoot a target from the benchrest position using the six fundamentals.

– Safely shoot a target from the two-handed standing position if time allows.


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Range Safety;Range Safety;Shooting Facility OrientationShooting Facility Orientation Range layout

– Indoor shooting range with shooting lanes.– Shooters will be paired up and will shoot

in “relays”. Range personnel

– There will be several instructors and coaches to help shooters.

– The facility also has Range Officers.


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Range CommandsRange Commands

“Load”– Keep the gun in a safe direction, with your

finger off the trigger… – Shooters may load their guns only after

this command has been given.– Revolvers: load the cylinder and close it– Semi-automatics: place the loaded

magazine into the gun and close the slide.


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Range Commands, cont.Range Commands, cont.

“Commence firing”– When this command is given, you may fire

at your target when you are ready.– You are not required to begin

immediately.


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“Cease firing”– Stop shooting immediately.– Keep the gun in a safe direction, with your

finger off the trigger… – Await further instructions from the Range

Officer, coach, or instructor.

Anyone may call for a cease fire if they see an unsafe condition.


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“Unload”– Keep the gun in a safe direction, with your

finger off the trigger… – Revolvers:

Open the cylinder Eject the casings and cartridges

– Semi-automatics: Remove magazine Lock open the slide


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“Bench the gun”– Keep the gun in a safe direction, with your

finger off the trigger… – Revolvers: put the gun on the bench with

the cylinder open– Semi-automatics: put the gun on the

bench with the slide back and the ejection port up so the chamber is visible.


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Problem with your gun?Problem with your gun?


Raise your hand for assistance.


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Drop some ammunition?Drop some ammunition?


Raise your hand for assistance.


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Range Procedures ReviewRange Procedures Review

What do the “load” and “commence firing” commands mean?

What does the “cease firing” command mean?

Who may call for a cease fire? What do the “unload” and “bench your gun”

commands mean? What do you do when you have a problem

with your gun or drop ammunition?


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Rules for Safe ShootingRules for Safe Shooting

What are the three rules for safe gun handling again?

Add these rules for using and storing a gun:

– Know your target and what is beyond.– Be sure the gun is safe to operate.– Know how to use the gun safely.


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Rules for Safe Shooting, cont.Rules for Safe Shooting, cont.

More rules for using and storing…– Use only the correct ammunition for your

gun.– Wear hearing and eye protection as

appropriate.– Never use alcohol or drugs before or while

shooting.


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Rules for Safe Shooting, cont.Rules for Safe Shooting, cont.

More rules for using and storing…– Store guns so they are not accessible to

unauthorized persons– Be aware that certain types of guns and

many shooting situations require additional safety precautions.


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Shooting from a New PositionShooting from a New Position

We will use an eight step method to learn a new position:

1. Study the position.2. Practice the position without a pistol.3. Practice the position with a pistol.4. Align the position with a target.


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Shooting from a New Position, Shooting from a New Position, cont.cont.

5. Dry fire at the target using the six fundamentals of pistol shooting:

– Position– Grip– Breath control– Sight alignment– Trigger control– Follow-through


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Shooting from a New Position, Shooting from a New Position, cont.cont.

6. Live fire exercise– Single-shot exercise– Shoot a five shot “group.”

7. Assess your group, and adjust sights (if applicable) or technique if a problem is identified.

8. Continue to shoot groups and assess.


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Benchrest PositionBenchrest Position

– Best position for people who have never shot a gun before because it minimizes body movement.

– Both arms straight out in front.– Wrists rest on sandbags.– Feet flat on the floor.– Head is erect.


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Two-handed Standing PositionTwo-handed Standing Position

– Best position to start learning standing positions.

– Feet shoulder-width apart.– Hips and shoulders square to the target.– Arms straight out and head erect, same

as benchrest (another name for position is “Isosceles”).


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Any questions?Any questions?

Are you comfortable with what you know?

Let’s goshoot!


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Lesson III SummaryLesson III Summary

Explain the three range commands, the procedures to be followed if one has a problem with a firearm or drops ammunition, and any applicable range rules for the facility being used.

What are the eight NRA safety rules to be followed when shooting and storing a pistol?


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Lesson III SummaryLesson III Summary

You have all safely shot a target from the benchrest and two-handed standing positions.

What are your questions? Take a break until 1:30pm. We’ll pick

up with pistol cleaning, storage, and further training opportunities.


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Education

Lesson IVIntroduction to Pistol Cleaning

Storage, and Training Opportunities


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Lesson IV: Pistol Cleaning, Lesson IV: Pistol Cleaning, Storage, Training OpportunitiesStorage, Training Opportunities After completing this lesson, you

should be able to:– Identify the seven materials needed to

clean a pistol– Outline the three safety guidelines to be

followed when cleaning a pistol.– Explain and demonstrate how to clean a

pistol safely.


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Lesson IV: Pistol Cleaning, Lesson IV: Pistol Cleaning, Storage, Training, cont.Storage, Training, cont. After completing this lesson, you

should also be able to:– Name the NRA rule for safe firearm

storage, and discuss options for applying this rule when storing a pistol.

– Discuss the three hygienic guidelines following exposure to airborne particulate lead and cleaning solvent residue.


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Lesson IV: Pistol Cleaning, Lesson IV: Pistol Cleaning, Storage, Training, cont.Storage, Training, cont. After completing this lesson, you

should also be able to:– Discuss the benefits of receiving

additional pistol training through the NRA Basic Firearm Training Program.


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Pistol CleaningPistol Cleaning

Remember the rule “Be sure the gun is safe to operate”?

Regular gun cleaning and proper storage is an important part of the upkeep of your pistol.

A gun should be cleaned after every shooting session.


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Pistol Cleaning MaterialsPistol Cleaning Materials

Cloth patches Cleaning rod Soft cloth Cleaning rod attachments (tips,

brushes) Small brush Bore cleaner Gun oil


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Pistol Cleaning SafetyPistol Cleaning Safety

Ammunition must not be present in the area.

The gun must be unloaded. The action must be open.


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Pistol Cleaning ExercisePistol Cleaning Exercise

1. Attach brush to cleaning rod and apply bore cleaner to brush

2. Run brush through bore 8-10 times.3. Run wet patch (solvent) through bore.4. Run dry patch through bore.5. If the patch comes out dirty, repeat the

above four steps until it comes out clean.


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Pistol Cleaning Exercise, cont.Pistol Cleaning Exercise, cont.

6. Run lightly oiled patch through bore.7. Repeat the above steps for every

chamber of a revolver.8. Use small brush and solvent to clean

other parts of the gun.9. Wipe entire pistol with lightly oiled

cloth.


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Some Notes on HygieneSome Notes on Hygiene

Refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, applying makeup, or otherwise placing your hands or fingers in near your mouth or nose while on the range or cleaning your gun.

After leaving the range or cleaning a gun, wash your hands and face thoroughly (with cold water) before placing your hands or fingers near your mouth or nose.


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Some Notes on Hygiene, cont.Some Notes on Hygiene, cont.

Change and wash clothing after a shooting or gun cleaning session so that exposure to airborne particulate lead or solvent residue may be further minimized.

Even if you were only present and did not shoot, you should follow these guidelines.


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Storing a PistolStoring a Pistol

Remember the rule “Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons”?

There is no universal solution for storage as each individual’s situation is unique.


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Some Storage OptionsSome Storage Options

Trigger Locks Action Locks Padlocks Lockboxes Safes


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Additional Pistol ShootingAdditional Pistol Shooting

It is to your advantage to continue practicing your pistol shooting skills.

The NRA offers additional training:– NRA Basic Pistol Course– NRA Personal Protection Course– http://www.discountguns.us

NWSAFE offers these courses from time to time.


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Additional Pistol Shooting, cont.Additional Pistol Shooting, cont.

The NRA offers a Pistol Qualification program that is self-administered with progressively more challenging goals:

– Handgun qualification Oriented towards defensive shooting skills. Starts with a paper plate at 15 feet.

– Pistol qualification Oriented towards the competitive sport shooter. Ends with participation in a Bullseye match, with a

minimum score.


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The National Rifle AssociationThe National Rifle Association

You have been provided a guide to the benefits of membership in the NRA.

Members supported the development of the course you just took.

The NRA is the largest international firearms training organization in the world, in both its public and police organizations.


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Other OpportunitiesOther Opportunities

The are many opportunities to formally, and informally, compete with others which helps you improve your skills.


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Lesson IV SummaryLesson IV Summary

What are the seven materials needed to clean a pistol?

What three safety guidelines must be followed when cleaning a pistol?

What three hygienic guidelines should be followed after exposure to airborne particulate lead or cleaning solvent residue?


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Lesson IV Summary, cont.Lesson IV Summary, cont.

What is the NRA rule for safe storage of a gun?

What additional training and practice opportunities are available from the NRA?

What are your questions? What are your comments about this

orientation?


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Education

Thank you!Be safe out there with your new

pistol knowledge, skills, and attitude

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