New Shooter 101 - Beginners training

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Beginners training

Beginners training videos

Our Core Concept series helps you learn the basics of handgun operation in 10 short & concise videos

These videos start at the beginning with firearms safety, and then lead you through the basics of loading, aiming, shooting, and taking care of your handgun.

SAFETY WARNING: Do not try to learn to shoot by yourself. Find a firearms instructor to work with. Safety is the primary issue, and you cannot learn this from watching videos.

Developed in association with Armed Defense Training Association, a Washington State nonprofit gun club founded in 2011. ADTA volunteers helped create this training curriculum and have taught hundreds of beginners how to shoot.

Find all of our videos on the New Shooter 101 YouTube Channel

CC-1: The four basic rules of gun safety (2:41)

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

Rule 1 – Treat every gun as if it is loaded.
Rule 2 – Keep your gun pointed in a safe direction.
Rule 3 – Index your trigger finger until you are on target.
Rule 4 – Be certain of your target, and what is beyond it.

CC-2: How a handgun works (4:21)

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

How ammunition is made
The parts of a semi-auto pistol
How semi-auto pistols work
How safeties work
How double-action revolvers work
The trade-offs between pistols and revolvers

CC-3: How to unload a handgun and make it safe to handle (4:06)

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

The 5 steps for unloading a semi-auto pistol and making it safe to handle.
The 3 steps for unloading a double-action revolver and making it safe to handle.

CC-4: How to load a handgun and make it ready to shoot (4:18)

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

How to load a semi-auto pistol and make it ready to shoot.
The correct way to operate the slide on a semi-auto pistol.
How to load a double-action revolver and make it ready to shoot.
Using speed loaders for pistols and revolvers

CC-5: How to hold, aim, and dry-fire a handgun (6:12)

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

How to grip the gun like the jaws of a clamp.
The basic shooting stance and ready position that get you ready for anything.
How to aim your gun accurately by focusing on the front sight.
How to dry-fire practice at home using our Basic Dry-Fire Exercise.

CC-6: How to live-fire a handgun at the range (7:29)

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

Basic safety precautions at the shooting range
How to practice shooting using our Basic Live-Fire Exercise.
This is just our Basic Dry-Fire Exercise, combined with live rounds.
How to get the maximum training value out of your practice time at the range.

CC-7: How to present a handgun from the holster (5:42)

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

How to practice drawing from a holster with our 5-step Basic Holster Exercise.
How to draw from an outside-the-waistband holster.
The extra moves needed to draw from concealment.
Drawing from an inside-the-waistband holster concealed carry holster.

CC-8: How to select your first handgun (6:31)

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

The five basic questions to answer when selecting your handgun.
Answering these questions is the best way to find the handgun that’s right for you.
After you’ve selected some guns you like, the real test is to shoot the guns at the range.