Firearm Classes in New Mexico

Improve your shooting accuracy, speed, and distance, and learn to use your right and left hands independently. Have you taken a shooting class already, or even have your concealed carry license but just don’t feel confident in your shooting ability? What you need is our Skills Builder Sessions to improve your marksmanship and gun handling skills.

Can’t fit one of our regular classes into your schedule? We can build a custom pistol, rifle, or shotgun class for you. These classes are held by appointment only. Please call us to schedule a class.

As NRA Certified Pistol Instructors, we also teach the one-day, 8-hour (minimum) NRA Basic Pistol Course. This course is intended for those who want to learn about pistol shooting but are not ready for our longer 4-session Introduction to Shooting and Concealed Carry course.

We offer the instructor-led version of this NRA pistol shooting course to provide personalized instruction for the entire course.

Some of the topics in the course are:

• Safety Rules
• Understanding the Operation of Revolvers and Semi-automatic Pistols
• Ammunition Knowledge and Selection
• Selecting and Storing a Pistol
• The Fundamentals of Shooting
• Pistol Cleaning and Maintenance

Students receive a minimum of 2 hours at the range with one-on-one instruction.

This class is open to kids ages 8 and up. Firearms safety is stressed, as well as how firearms work. Class begins at 9:00 a.m. with 2 hours of classroom instruction followed by lunch. After lunch, we head to the range for one-to-one instruction with a certified instructor. Guns, ammo, and lunch are provided. Class ends at approximately 2:00 p.m.

Students receive hand-outs and a completion certificate. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. These classes are held by appointment only. Please call us to schedule a class.

Students will learn about:

• The Four Safety Rules
• Handguns (Revolvers and Semi-Autos)
• Proper Gun Handling
• Stance
• Aiming the Gun
• Trigger Control
• What to Expect on the Range
• Taking the First Shots

Students should be familiar with the basics of shooting and expect to shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition. Students will learn basic defensive shooting skills, strategies for home safety, how to respond to violent confrontations, firearms, and the law, and how to choose a handgun for self-defense.

Bring your own firearm and ammunition. If you don’t have a gun of your own, bring 100 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and we will provide the gun.

Topics that will be discussed include:

• Making a Home Intruder Plan.
• Shooting One-Handed and from behind Cover
• Setting Up a Safe Room
• The Legal Aftermath of a Shooting and Your Constitutional Rights
• Short-Range Shooting Techniques
• Moving While Shooting
• Confronting an Attacker
• Correct Use of Cover and Concealment

Safety experts agree the single most important step towards ensuring your personal safety is making the conscious decision to refuse to be a victim. You stand a much better chance of preventing criminal attacks if you develop a safety plan before you need it.

This seminar teaches easy-to-understand methods you can use to increase awareness and prevent criminal confrontation. In just 5 to 6 hours, you will get the tools you need to develop your own personal safety strategy, including information about:

• The Psychology of the Criminal Mind
• Home & Phone Security
• Automobile & Travel Security
• Personal & Technological Security
• Self-Defense Devices & Training Options

Look for our NM Concealed Carry Renewal Class on our calendar. We try to schedule one of these each month. Renewal students must bring one box of 50 cartridges for each gun they plan to use for their qualification and receive 4 hours of classroom and range training, which includes the NMCCL shooting qualification.

New Mexico CCL holders are required to attend a refresher within 60 days on either side of the two-year anniversary date of the license. The refresher consists of two hours of training, which includes an hour in the classroom reviewing safety and changes to CC laws, followed by one-to-one instructor coaching at the range while shooting the original CCL qualification.

Defensive Pistol is intended for concealed carry licensees and other intermediate-level shooters who want to expand their knowledge and skills. Half of the class will be classroom discussion, and half will be range exercises.

Some of the topics to be covered in the classroom:

• Four Levels of Awareness
• Defensive Mindset
• Principles of Personal Defense
• Avoiding Confrontations
• Responding to Attacks
• Defensive Shooting Positions
• Cover and Concealment
• Gun Handling – Reloading, Clearing Malfunctions, Reloading from behind Cover
• Massad Ayoob’s Books in Gravest Extreme & Deadly Force

On the range, we will practice: (Approximately 200 Rounds)

• Drawing from an Open Carry Holster
• Flash Sight Picture
• Drawing from Concealment
• Drawing & Firing Multiple Shots
• Shooting from Cover – Standing & Kneeling
• Reloading behind Cover
• Moving to Cover
• Point Shooting Techniques

Equipment Required:

1.  A Reliable Concealed Carry Pistol (Centerfire Caliber Preferred)
2. An Open Carry Holster (Concealed Carry Holster May Be Used without Cover Garment)
3. A Concealed Carry Holster with Weather Appropriate Cover Garment
4. Sturdy Gun Belt (to Discuss Alternative Carry Options, Contact Instructor At (505) 286-6454)
5. Alternative: Concealed Carry Purse/Shoulder Bag with Integral Holster
6. Minimum of 3 Magazines (More Is Better)
7. Magazine Carriers for Belt Carry or Alternative Carry Such As Snagmag Pocket Clip or Any Secure Carry Method Allowing Fast Magazine Access
8. 200 Rounds of Target Ammunition
9. Eye and Ear Protection.
10. Knee Pads, As Desired, for Short-Duration Shooting from Kneeling Exercises
11. Clothing Appropriate for the Shooting Range (i.e. No Flip Flops or Low-Cut Shirts, Please)