Advanced Pistol
Marksmanship

Overview

This course assumes you can shoot a consistent group from a supported position. Now we break that comfort zone. Advanced Pistol Marksmanship pushes your established fundamentals into more demanding contexts — faster, farther, and under greater cognitive load.

You'll work on engaging multiple targets, one-handed shooting, clearing induced misfires, performing emergency and tactical reloading procedures, timed courses of fire, consciously managing the tradeoff between speed and accuracy, and developing the mental framework that allows your skills to hold up when the pressure is real — whether on a competition stage or in a defensive situation.

Expect a high round count, critical feedback, and measurable performance benchmarks at the end of the day.

Participants demonstrating proficiency will have the opportunity to earn a NRA Pistol Marksmanship Qualification certificate by performing specific courses of fire to standard.

Curriculum

1. Speed vs. Accuracy — The Tradeoff

   Understanding the accuracy-speed continuum and making conscious choices about where your shots fall on it based on target size, distance, and context. Practical application drills.
2. Extended Distance Shooting

   Pushing your effective range to 25 yards and beyond. How your fundamentals must adapt at distance, and building the discipline that long-range pistol shooting demands.
3. Multiple Target Engagement

   Transitioning between targets efficiently — visual transitions, body mechanics, and the decision process for sequencing. Bill drill, Mozambique drill, and stage-based scenarios.
4. One-Handed Shooting

   Strong hand and support hand only — the mechanics, the challenges, and why you need to train it before you need it.
5. Reloads Under Pressure

   Emergency reload vs. tactical reload — what\'s the difference, when to use each, and how to execute them effectively.
6. Mental Performance Framework

   Managing performance under stress, building pre-shot routines, recovering from misses without compounding errors. The cognitive side of high-performance shooting.
7. Benchmarking & Assessment

   Timed standards and accuracy benchmarks to give you objective data on where you are and what to work on before the next session.

What to Bring

• Current and Valid ID (driver license, Texas LTC card, etc.)
• Your pistol with a quality holster (OWB or IWB — no retention holsters for this course)
  
  Note: For safety reasons, the following firearms may not be used: firearms that are self-built or assembled from a kit, "80% frames", any non-standard/non-production firearm, or any other firearm the instructor deems unsuitable. If you have questions, contact me.
• 200 rounds of ammunition
• 3 magazines or speedloaders
• Eye Protection — impact-resistant safety glasses (clear, tinted, or shooting-specific)
• Electronic and/or passive hearing protection (earmuffs and/or earplugs) — for better protection, wear both
• Appropriate Clothing — moisture-wicking shirt, long pants, belt capable of supporting holster, closed-toed footwear, and weather-appropriate outerwear. Ejected casings are HOT — a long-sleeved shirt with a snug collar (such as a sun shirt) is strongly recommended.
• Water and a snack

Who This Course Is For

• Graduates of Basic Pistol Marksmanship who want to continue their knowledge and skills progression
• Experienced recreational shooters ready for structured progression or who want to stress-test their skills

Who Should Consider a Different Course First

• Shooters who haven't completed Basic Pistol Marksmanship or equivalent — fundamentals must be in place first