From the Classroom to the Range - Bridging the Gap Between the Safety Course and the Firing Line
From the Classroom to the Range - Bridging the Gap Between the Safety Course and the Firing Line
You’ve passed the safety course and your LTC application is in process—now what? Most new shooters feel a gap between "knowing the rules" and "handling the tool." This 2-hour intensive is designed to turn that anxiety into mechanical confidence.
Because you don't have your license yet, we provide the firearm and ammunition. This session is held in a low-stress, private environment. We focus on the "dry" mechanics of your future firearm—how to hold it, load it, and clear it—before finishing the session with your very first live rounds downrange.
No ego, no "tactical" pressure—just the foundational skills to make you a safe, competent owner from Day One.
Note on Gear: To foster a mindset of personal responsibility, students are required to provide their own eye and ear protection. This ensures your gear fits you perfectly and meets your comfort standards before you ever step onto a public range.
“From the Classroom to the Range” Outline (120 Minutes)
Gear Check & Fitting (10 mins): We start by ensuring your eye and ear protection are fitted correctly for a "seal" that won't be broken by the firearm’s stock or your own movement.
Safe Table Habits (20 mins): Learning how to approach a firearm on a bench, how to orient the muzzle, and how to "show clear" to an instructor.
The Manual of Arms (30 mins): Working with the unloaded firearm to master the slide, the magazine release, and the trigger.
Dry-Fire Staging (30 mins): Perfecting your grip and "finding the wall" of the trigger without the distraction of recoil.
The First Shots (30 mins): A low-pressure live-fire evolution. You will load, chamber, and fire your first 10–20 rounds under 1-on-1 supervision to experience the "break" and the reset.
Student Gear Guide: What to Buy
Since you’ll be using these for years to come, here is what we recommend for this course:
1. Eye Protection (Ballistic Eyewear)
Requirements: Must be "Z87+" rated for impact resistance.
Pro Tip: Look for "Anti-fog" coating. If you wear prescription glasses, ensure your safety glasses are "Over-the-Glass" (OTG) styles or rated safety prescriptions.
Recommended: Honeywell Genesis or Walker’s Sport Glasses.
2. Hearing Protection
Our Recommendation: Electronic Earmuffs. These are highly recommended for beginners because they muffle the "bang" but amplify my voice, so you can hear instructions clearly.
Alternative: Passive foam plugs are acceptable but can make it difficult to hear coaching.
Recommended: Howard Leight Impact Sport or Walker’s Razor Slims.
3. Proper Attire
Top: A high-neck shirt (like a crew-neck T-shirt) to prevent hot brass from falling down your shirt.
Shoes: Closed-toe only (sneakers or boots). No sandals or flats.
Hat: A brimmed baseball style cap