Pistol Level 1 Course

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the fundamentals of pistol shooting so they can consistently practice safety, maintain quality marksmanship, and develop their skills on their own. This is a basic-level course focused on the four core pistol fundamentals, reinforced through a series of progressive drills.

Objectives:
By the end of this course, each student will have a better understanding of:

• Safe handling of a pistol, both loaded and unloaded
• Proper equipment setup, including holster and magazine pouch placement
• How a pistol works, including a brief overview of the firing cycle
• The core pistol fundamentals
• How to manage malfunctions and perform reloads while shooting

What to Expect:

• Build confidence by reinforcing pistol fundamentals
• Train beyond your comfort zone to identify the gap between training and learning

Instructor:
This course is taught by OPFOB instructor John DeCourcey. John is a seasoned firearms instructor with experience in hostage rescue, active shooter response, and executive protection for UHNWT. He uses the Socratic method to keep students engaged and improve retention.

Who This Course Is For:

• Shooters with basic pistol experience
• Law enforcement, military, and responsible civilian shooters
• Individuals ready to improve their skills

Required Gear:

• Semi-automatic pistol. If using a red dot, it must be zeroed before the course
• 3 pistol magazines
• Level 2 or higher retention holster. No Serpa or friction holsters
• Magazine pouch for reload and malfunction drills
• 350 rounds of pistol ammunition
• Eye protection
• Ear protection
• Closed-toe shoes
• Appropriate training attire
• Water and snacks as needed
• Lunch
• Duty or training belt if desired

Course Format:
This is a physical course focused on mastering the basics through high-repetition drills. The goal is to develop you into a safer, more confident pistol shooter.