NRA FIRST Steps

"Firearms Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training"

Both the Basic Pistol and the FIRST Steps courses are introductory in nature and present the same type of material. In each class, instructors cover the NRA’s gun safety rules, pistol nomenclature and operation, ammunition, shooting fundamentals, cleaning, range rules, and continued opportunities for skill development. The format of the classes is very similar, beginning with a classroom portion before heading to the range for live-fire shooting exercises.

Basic Pistol is a 10-hour course where students learn about both semi-automatic pistols and revolvers. FIRST Steps is only 3-4 hours long, and focuses on only one pistol action type (semi-automatic OR revolver, not both) and model (Glock 19, 1911, etc). When choosing a course, make sure you take several factors into consideration – such as the action type of the gun you own or plan to purchase and your experience handling and shooting pistols.

If you are looking to learn about handling both semi-automatic pistols and revolvers, you may want to take the Basic Pistol course. If you already own a semi-automatic and want to learn more about your gun, then the FIRST Steps Pistol course may be right for you.

If you are still unsure about what class to take, ask the NRA Certified Instructor teaching the course to help you decide.


FIRST Steps Pistol

Description

FIRST stands for “Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training”, a program the NRA developed to meet the need for a firearms orientation program for new gun purchasers. This FIRST Steps program is a basic courses abbreviated to the most fundamental shooting skills, and the specifics of a particular model of pistol.

This course, because of its narrow focus, can be completed as quickly as three hours. Students will get the NRA's The Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook and quick practical lessons on the safe use, cleaning, and storage of their pistol. The practical exercise covers a single pistol shooting position. As the number of participants or pistol types present increases, the course will take proportionally longer.

Course Goal

“To provide beginning shooters with an introduction to the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to own and use a specific pistol model safely.”
NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation Lesson Plans

Lessons

  1. Introduction to Pistol Safety, Parts, and Operation
  2. Introduction to Ammunition and the Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting
  3. Introduction to Pistol Shooting from the Benchrest Position
  4. Introduction to Pistol Cleaning, Storage, and Training Opportunities

Prerequisites

The are no prerequisites for taking this course, and the material is accessible to appropriately supervised mature children.

Course Completion

Students will receive feedback on the live-fire exercise and a course certificate upon successful completion of the lessons. Students will receive a “Basic Practical” rocker upon successful demonstration of firing a qualifying “group”.