Based on our “Low Profile Pistol Skills” curriculum designed for law enforcement officers,
this 8 – 10-hour course was adapted for the armed citizen who already possesses a
requisite level of knowledge and skill.

The goal of the “Advanced Carry Skills” course is to provide the serious practitioner of the
armed lifestyle with a professionally structured template for quickly improving their
performance in essential defensive handgun skills. This process will allow the student to
refine and enhance existing techniques through the elimination of extraneous and
unnecessary motion, while pushing towards a mastery of foundational skills and the ability
to perform to high, yet attainable, standards.

Firearms Training Prerequisites
Students should already possess a mastery of safe gun handling practices and be able to
load, unload, and reload their handgun in a safe and controlled manner while maintaining
strict muzzle discipline. Students should possess the basic knowledge and skill to be able
to disassemble their firearm for cleaning, maintenance, and problem-solving. Students
attending this course must possess the desire to learn new concepts and techniques in a
fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements
Students must possess a level of physical fitness that allows them to repeatedly
manipulate and fire their weapon during prolonged dry and live-fire exercises, from a
standing position, in all weather conditions. Students must possess adequate mobility to
move forward, backward, and laterally on outdoor surfaces.
Gear Requirements

As this is a “Advanced Carry Skills” class, students should bring their normal carry gun
(must be semi-automatic). If you normally carry a compact or subcompact pistol, bring
that gun on the day of the class. The handgun needs to be clean, serviceable, have all
factory safety devices/systems intact, and in a centerfire caliber. In addition to your normal
carry pistol, you will need:

• A Strong-Side or Appendix holster made for your specific make/model of handgun.
  “Floppy” holsters are NOT allowed! We strongly recommend a quality Kydex or
  leather holster. Please note that we will not allow any variety of cross-draw,
  shoulder, ankle, or small-of-back carry during the class.
• A quality gun belt made specifically for securing a holstered firearm to your person
  (no duty belts/rigs).
• At least 3 spare magazines for your handgun.
• 400 rounds of ammunition for your handgun.
• Proper range attire (including footwear) suitable for the weather. Please note that
  our range is outdoors. We ask that you please pay special attention to weather
  forecasts on the days leading up to the class and come prepared to spend the bulk
  of the day outside on the range.
• A cover garment. A good portion of the range work will begin with the pistol in a
  concealed condition, so you will need to dress in a manner that facilitates a
  concealed condition of the pistol. This may be as simple as an “untucked” T-shirt or
  could involve the use of a jacket or vest. Please note that we will not allow the use of
  any jackets, vests, or shirts that have a drawstring and/or “toggle” anywhere near
  where your holster is located.
• Eye and ear protection (we strongly recommend electronic ear pro).

Topics of Instruction Include (but are not limited to):

• A review of Safe Gun Handling rules and protocols
• Identifying the MOST IMPORTANT skills
• Mastering the four fundamentals of grip
• Refining the trigger press
• Eliminating unnecessary motion in the drawstroke
• Developing a safe, efficient presentation from concealment
• Effective recoil management
• Minimizing split times between shots
• Emergency and Tactical Reloads and where they fit in to our training paradigm
• Efficient sight tracking and target transitions
• Moving with purpose
• Transitional positions and moving with a handgun in your hands
• Combining moving and shooting
• Recognizing, and working within, our own individual limits
• Setting, and meeting, realistic performance standards