Shooting Classes


Whether you’re an experienced gun owner looking to sharpen your concealed carry skills or a new gun owner wanting to learn more about protecting your family at home, USCCA Shooting Classes will help you achieve your self-defense goals! These top-tier classes are developed by self-defense experts and will guide you through the most critically important skills and competencies required to be a responsible and effective gun owner.

Marksmanship Simplified


Marksmanship Simplified will help you quickly, safely, and successfully build solid shooting fundamentals that are critical to your development as a protector. Scientifically developed as an objective-based approach to training – this shooting class is adaptable to YOUR needs and abilities, as opposed to making you “fit the mold.”

Key Objectives

  • Firearm components
  • Dry-fire drills
  • Live-fire drills
An instructor training a student how to properly hold a pistol

Defensive Pistol Program


The USCCA’s Defensive Pistol Program (DPP) is a comprehensive course designed to help participants develop essential defensive shooting skills using live-fire and dry-fire training. The program is broken into six parts, each progressively building on the last to ensure the best results for individual students. These six parts include classroom-based learning and live-fire training to fully integrate objective and performance-based training methods. By using motor learning and skill acquisition science, DPP ensures participants are equipped with the knowledge and practical experience needed for effective pistol use in a defensive context.

Key Objectives

  • Fundamentals of Defensive Marksmanship
  • Drawing from the holster
  • Balance of speed and precision
  • Defensive response
  • Malfunctions and single-handed shooting
An instructor teaching Defensive Marksmanship fundamentals to a student

Over 1 MILLION Students Trained!

Like many Americans, and rightly so, you might be thinking about personal defense a lot more these days.

Maybe you've already taken a concealed carry class to get your CCW permit but need a refresher course. Or, maybe you'd feel more comfortable learning about firearms before buying one.

Whatever your reason, the USCCA's expert-crafted training classes give you the tools you need to live the protector lifestyle.

DEFENSIVE PISTOL PROGRAM:

Build Your Confidence With This Step-by-Step Training Journey

Part 1

Introduction to Defensive Pistol Program


In this short introductory classroom presentation, you’ll gain an understanding of the major concepts presented throughout the Defensive Pistol Program.This classroom-based Introduction to DPP class is a prerequisite that is encouraged to be completed before advancing to other DPP training sessions.

Key Objectives:

  • Defensive Context Data
  • Probability & Self-Defense
  • Home-Defense Considerations
  • Concealed Carry Considerations
  • Clothing and Gear
  • Review Ammunition & Ballistics
  • Transitioning to the Range

Part 2

Fundamentals of Defensive Marksmanship


During this live-fire portion of the Defensive Pistol Program, you’ll explore all the foundational components of defensive marksmanship. Students can expect to participate in live-fire drills and assessments to ensure all topics and skills are not just learned but retained.

Key Objectives:

  • Posture/Position/Structure
  • Grip
  • Sights & Aiming
  • Trigger Manipulation
  • Loading & Unloading
  • Emergency and Tactical Reload
  • Breaking the Shot at Full Extension
  • Recoil Management
  • ... and much more!

Part 3

Presentation from the Holster


During this live-fire portion of the Defensive Pistol Program, you’ll explore all the foundational components of presenting from the holster. Students can expect to participate in live-fire drills and assessments to ensure all topics and skills are not just learned but retained.

Key Objectives:

  • Presentation from the Holster
  • Presentation from Concealment
  • Post Engagement Procedure
  • Presentation From Concealed
  • Singles Reloading
  • Presentation From Concealed Ladder
  • ... and much more!
  • Assessment: First Shot From Holster

Part 4

Balance of Speed and Precision


During this live-fire portion of the Defensive Pistol Program, you’ll explore all the foundational components involved in finding the critical balance of speed and precision. Students can expect to participate in live-fire drills and assessments to ensure all topics and skills are not just learned but retained.

Key Objectives:

  • Principles and Factors Affecting Speed and Precision
  • Broken Grip
  • Emergency Reload
  • Presentation from Concealment
  • Recoil Management
  • Cadence and Control
  • Distance Walkback
  • ... and much more!
  • Assessment: Modified Bill Drill
  • Assessment: Modified F.A.S.T. Drill

Part 5

Defensive Response


During this live-fire portion of the Defensive Pistol Program, you’ll explore all the foundational components involved in your defensive response in a life-threatening situation. Students can expect to participate in live-fire drills and assessments to ensure all topics and skills are not just learned but retained.

Key Objectives:

  • Cognitive Processing in a Defensive Response
  • Considerations and Target Engagement in a Defensive Response
  • Linked Pairs, String of Singles, & Failure to Stop
  • Target Transition
  • ... and much more!
  • Assessment: 2-4-1 Drill

Part 6

Malfunctions and Single-Handed Shooting


During this live-fire portion of the Defensive Pistol Program, you’ll explore all the foundational components involved in overcoming malfunctions and single-handed shooting. Students can expect to participate in live-fire drills and assessments to ensure all topics and skills are not just learned but retained.

Key Objectives:

  • Malfunctions Immediate and Remedial Action
  • Presentation - Singles
  • Single-Handed Shooting
  • Strong-Hand from Compressed Ready
  • Single-Handed Presentation
  • Single-Hand Presentation From Concealed - Singles
  • ... and much more!
  • Final Assessment: Modified Wilson 5x5

What is a MINI-CLASS?


A USCCA Mini-Class is a shorter, in-person session which is dedicated to a singular discipline. This is perfect for those who are just starting out with their training, or those who are looking for a refresher on specific topics. Mini-Classes are modules directly pulled from the USCCA's primary “Fundamentals” curriculums and taught by Certified Instructors.