(4 hours - includes a live-fire shooting exercise)

Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training (FIRST) is the NRA’s response to the American public’s need for a firearm orientation program for new purchasers.

Course Description 

NRA FIRST Steps Pistol is designed to provide a hands-on introduction to the safe handling and proper orientation to one specific pistol action type for classes of four or fewer students. The small class size provides students with more personal instruction. This course is at least three hours long and includes classroom and range time learning to shoot a specific pistol action type. This course meets or exceeds the minimum training requirements for issuance of concealed handgun permit in the state of Colorado, and some other states. Students will learn:

• NRA’s rules for safe gun handling
• The particular pistol model parts and operation
• Ammunition
• Shooting fundamentals
• Cleaning the pistol
• Continued opportunities for skill development

Course Prerequisites

The are no prerequisites for taking this course, and the material can be understood by mature people of all ages.

Course Materials Provided

The student's following course materials are included in the cost of the course.  Each student will receive a packet, which includes*:

• NRA Guide to the Basics of Pistol Shooting: This full-color handbook on revolver and semi-automatic pistol shooting is one in a series of NRA publications on the basics of shooting. It is the student text for the Basic Pistol Shooting Course and includes such topics as pistol parts and operation, ammunition, using a pistol safely, operating a pistol, cleaning, storing and transporting a pistol, shooting fundamentals, shooting positions, improving and maintaining shooting skills, and buying a pistol.
• Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program Booklet: Details the program guidelines and contains courses of fire for smallbore rifle, light rifle, high power rifle, air rifle, air pistol, handgun, bullseye pistol, shotgun (trap, skeet, sporting clays) and muzzleloading firearms shooting.
• NRA Gun Safety Rules Brochure: Includes NRA's 3 principal rules of safe gun handling plus rules for firearms use and operation.
• NRA Concealed Carry Holster Guide: This 18-page booklet is an introduction to concealed carry and the principles of concealment.
• Basic Practical Rocker:  The Basic Practical skill rocker patch is included in all basic course student packets, and is awarded by the NRA instructor upon successful completion of the course. This rating is obtained by completing the practical exercise conducted during an NRA basic course of instruction.
• Basic Firearm Training Program Brochure
• Course Completion Certificate
• Course Evaluation Sheet
• Student Exam

Course Packing List

Participation requires that the student provide the following equipment, which is not included in the cost of the course. Students who arrive without a piece of non-optional equipment listed below will be asked to leave, may be unable to participate in certain sections of instruction, or may be able to purchase suitable replacements on the premises, at our sole discretion. Students should pack:

NOTE: NO LIVE AMMO IS TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE CLASSROOM.  IT IS ONLY ALLOWED ON THE RANGE.

• Pen & Paper
• Protective eyewear
• Hearing protection
• Hat
• Sturdy closed-toe shoes - no flip-flops or sandals
• Clothing appropriate for season/weather outdoors
• (OPTIONAL) Pistol
• (OPTIONAL) 100 rounds of factory ammunition - absolutely no reloads
• (OPTIONAL) Cleaning kit for your firerarm 
• (OPTIONAL) Dummy ammunition
• (OPTIONAL) Snacks
• (OPTIONAL) Drinks

Minimum Class Size Requirement

Due to the logistical efforts required to conduct this course, a minimum of 2 students must be registered and pre-paid, as of 72 hours before the scheduled time and date, for the course to be held.  If this minimum requirement can not be met, the course will be rescheduled to a future date.

* Student Packet contents subject to change without notice.

(Lesson Plan, revised 4-11)