ADVANCED ESSENTIAL PISTOL CLASSES

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💥 Essential Pistol: Austere Conditions 💥

When ideal technique is no longer an option.  

Essential Pistol: Austere Conditions takes the fundamental defensive pistol skills developed in Essential Pistol and applies them when distance, position, movement, available hands, and environment are working against you.

This is not simply a more difficult shooting class. Students learn to adapt proven fundamentals to unconventional and rapidly changing problems: fighting at extreme close range, shooting while moving, working from compromised positions, using cover, operating the pistol one-handed, and solving problems from contact distance to extended range.

This class is right for you if:

✅ You have solid defensive pistol fundamentals and are ready to apply them outside conventional range conditions.

✅ You want to become effective with the pistol when a normal two-handed shooting position isn't available.

✅ You want practical experience shooting while moving and from standing, kneeling, seated, supine, and compromised positions.

✅ You want to develop skills for extreme close-range encounters, including retention shooting and advanced CQB concepts.

✅ You want to understand and apply cover, concealment, and alternative ready and carry positions.

✅ You want training that requires you to adapt your existing skills rather than simply perform rehearsed drills.

✅ You are ready to be challenged with shooting problems involving changing distances, positions, targets, and conditions.

Prerequisites:
• Completion of a civilian defensive pistol class (Essential Pistol from Patriot Training, Defensive Pistol from Middle Tennessee Firearms Training, or similar)
• Safe and proficient pistol handling, including: proper draw from a holster; safe loading, unloading, and reloading; and the ability to keep 5 shots in a 5-inch circle at 5 yards in 5 seconds from concealment

• The Handgun Carry Permit class is NOT a suitable prerequisite!!!

Calendar

📅 Sunday, June 20, 2027

🕗 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM

📍 Mountain Top Gun & Archery Range, 11564 Harrison Ferry Rd, McMinnville, TN

👉 Essential Pistol will be offered immediately before Austere Conditions, allowing qualified students to complete both courses in a single weekend.

👉 Previous Patriot Training Essential Pistol graduates may register for Austere Conditions independently.

👉 Seats are limited.

INFORMATION

Most defensive pistol training occurs under ideal conditions: standing upright, both hands available, adequate distance from the target, and enough space to obtain a conventional shooting position.

Real confrontations offer no such guarantee.

Essential Pistol: Austere Conditions teaches students to adapt their existing pistol skills when conventional technique is unavailable, inappropriate, or simply impossible.

Students will work from multiple ready and carry positions before progressing into strong-hand and support-hand shooting, movement, unconventional shooting positions, use of cover and concealment, retention shooting, and extreme close-quarters problems. The course explores defensive pistol employment from contact distance through longer-range shooting problems and requires students to continually adapt technique to distance, position, environment, and available options.

As the course progresses, individual skills are combined into increasingly complex exercises requiring students to recognize the problem, select an appropriate solution, and apply the fundamentals developed in Essential Pistol.

The objective isn't to abandon the fundamentals. It's to learn how to make them work when circumstances aren't ideal.

TOPICS COVERED

• All Patriot Training live fire classes have a thorough safety briefing and medical plan. 
• Administrative pistol handling 
• Ready positions, carry positions and deployment 
• Multiple shots and multiple targets 
• One-handed and two-handed pistol marksmanship and manipulation  
• Shooting while moving 
• Retention shooting and extreme close-range engagement 
• Advanced CQB concepts 
• Use of cover and concealment  
• Shooting from standard, compromised, and nonstandard positions 
• Integrated defensive pistol problem-solving

FAQ

• CURRENT / FORMER MILITARY: This class is designed to complement military training with skills and contexts outside typical service doctrine. 
• CURRENT / FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT: This class covers practical pistol application and judgment-based problem solving often omitted from traditional LE training. 
• All PATRIOT TRAINING Class pricing includes any applicable range access charges - no surprise "gotcha" fees! 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This is an active course that includes shooting while moving and working from standing, kneeling, seated, supine, and other unconventional positions. Students should be capable of safely getting into and out of these positions or contact Patriot Training before registering to discuss reasonable modifications. 

GUNS & GEAR

• Your carry handgun (9 mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .357 Sig suggested.) 
• Avoid .380 / .32 ACP / .25 ACP / .22LR - they are not advised - they jam a LOT. The only ones that jam in class are the ones that "never had a problem before." BUT: if you have really had a good pistol class, you ALREADY know this!
• Quality holster (kydex or stiff leather - stays open for reholstering)
  • OWB (outside waistband) is OK!
  • IWB (Inside the Waistband) is OK! 
  • AIWB (appendix inside the waistband) is OK!
• No nylon holsters / no SERPA Holsters. 
• The Sig P320 is banned from all Patriot Training classes. 
• Ability to fire 40 or more rounds prior to reloading: 3+ magazines for mid size guns. 6+ mags for compact guns. 
• Sturdy Carry belt
• 250 rounds of factory loaded brass cased ammo 
• notepad & pen 
• eye protection & ear protection. 
• Range appropriate clothing
• Food & Water
• Notepad and Pen
• Sunscreen & bug spray
• Hand warmers in cold weather months
• Medical kit / IFAK optional
• Lawn Chairs (optional)
• Shemagh (optional) 
• If you wear prescription lenses / glasses - BRING THEM!  

Patriot Training suggests holsters from:

Vedder Holsters

Blade Tech

We The People

DO NOT  BRING TO CLASS:

• Steel cased ammo for pistols 
• Hand loaded or remanufactured ammunition. Bring factory ammo only. 
• Mixed brands/types of ammo - bring a single brand and type
• .22 LR Pistols, .25 ACP pistols, .32 ACP pistols (they jam too much - and the only ones that ever jam in class are the ones that "never had a problem before")
• SERPA holsters or any holster requiring the trigger finger to disengage retention are forbidden. 
• Nylon holsters forbidden. 
• Revolvers forbidden for Essential Pistol
• The Sig P320 is banned from all Patriot Training classes. 

Why does Patriot Training not allow Serpa Holsters?

Because they fail, and they get people shot. Please see our FAQ page for details and links!

Seriously, if you are considering an Advanced class, and don't know why... 

NOTE: 

Classes are conducted outdoors in all reasonable weather conditions. Come prepared with appropriate clothing, hydration, sun/rain protection, medications, and whatever personal comfort items you require for a full day on the range. We will take a lunch break, but there will not be sufficient time to leave the training facility for food. Bring your lunch, snacks, and anything else you intend to eat during the training day. 

STANDBY / REFUND / RESCHEDULE / TRANSFER / CANCELLATION POLICY

💥 Critical Response: Advanced Defensive Pistol 💥

Critical Response is a one-day, advanced pistol class where competent shooters become street-ready fighters. This course puts your skills to the test under realistic, high-pressure scenarios where hesitation can have real consequences. You’ll learn to move, think, and shoot with confidence, sharpening both tactics and mindset for real-world defensive encounters.

This class is right for you if:
✅ You prefer a class environment built around mentorship, camaraderie, approachable instructors, and continuous improvement rather than ego or intimidation.

✅ You carry a pistol for self-defense and want to train like the threat is real.
✅ You know how to shoot but want to learn how to fight under pressure.
✅ You want to sharpen your tactics, stress-test your mindset, and gain confidence in real-world scenarios.
✅ You are a competitor, law enforcement, or seasoned civilian seeking advanced defensive pistol skills.
✅ You want practical, scenario-based training that goes beyond static drills.

Prerequisites:
• Completion of a civilian defensive pistol class (Essential Pistol from Patriot Training, Defensive Pistol from Middle Tennessee Firearms Training, or similar)
• Experienced and smooth handling, including: proper draw from a holster; safe loading, unloading, and reloading; and the ability to keep 5 shots in a 5-inch circle at 5 yards in 5 seconds from concealment

• The Handgun Carry Permit class is NOT a suitable prerequisite!!!

📅 Sunday, August 2, 2026

📅 Sunday, December 6, 2026
🕗 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

📍 Mountain Top Gun & Archery Range, 11564 Harrison Ferry Rd, McMinnville, TN
👉 Seats are limited — lock in your spot today!

TOPICS COVERED

• All Patriot Training live fire classes have a thorough safety briefing and medical plan. 
• Proper sight picture
• Sight alignment
• Proper grip on the gun
• Good fighting stance
• Recoil control
• Legalities of defensive force 
• Pistol marksmanship
• Pistol muzzle positions and applications in critical situations
• Active killer response
• Family protection in public
• Fighting indoors strategies and tactics
• Low light techniques
• Target discrimination and decision making 

FAQ

• CURRENT / FORMER MILITARY: This class is designed to complement military training with skills and contexts outside typical service doctrine. 
• CURRENT / FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT: This class covers practical rifle application and judgment-based problem solving often omitted from traditional LE training. 
• All PATRIOT TRAINING Class pricing includes any applicable range access charges - no surprise "gotcha" fees! 

GUNS & GEAR

• Your carry handgun (9 mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .357 Sig suggested.) 
• Avoid .380 / .32 ACP / .25 ACP / .22LR - they are not advised - they jam a LOT. The only ones that jam in class are the ones that "never had a problem before." BUT: if you have really had a good pistol class, you ALREADY know this!
• Quality holster (kydex or stiff leather - stays open for reholstering)
  • OWB (outside waistband) is OK!
  • IWB (Inside the Waistband) is OK! 
  • AIWB (appendix inside the waistband) is OK!
• No nylon holsters / no SERPA Holsters. 
• The Sig P320 is banned from all Patriot Training classes. 
• Ability to fire 40 or more rounds prior to reloading: 3+ magazines for mid size guns. 6+ mags for compact guns. 
• Sturdy Carry belt
• 250 rounds of factory loaded brass cased ammo 
• notepad & pen 
• eye protection & ear protection. 
• Range appropriate clothing
• Food & Water
• Notepad and Pen
• Sunscreen & bug spray
• Hand warmers in cold weather months
• Medical kit / IFAK optional
• Lawn Chairs (optional)
• Shemagh (optional) 
• If you wear prescription lenses / glasses - BRING THEM!  

Patriot Training suggests holsters from:

Vedder Holsters

Blade Tech

We The People

DO NOT  BRING TO CLASS:

• Steel cased ammo for pistols 
• Hand loaded or remanufactured ammunition. Bring factory ammo only. 
• Mixed brands/types of ammo - bring a single brand and type
• .22 LR Pistols, .25 ACP pistols, .32 ACP pistols (they jam too much - and the only ones that ever jam in class are the ones that "never had a problem before")
• SERPA holsters or any holster requiring the trigger finger to disengage retention are forbidden. 
• Nylon holsters forbidden. 
• Revolvers forbidden for Essential Pistol
• The Sig P320 is banned from all Patriot Training classes. 

Why does Patriot Training not allow Serpa Holsters?

Because they fail, and they get people shot. Please see our FAQ page for details and links!

Seriously, if you are considering an Advanced class, and don't know why... 

NOTE: 

Classes are conducted outdoors in all reasonable weather conditions. Come prepared with appropriate clothing, hydration, sun/rain protection, medications, and whatever personal comfort items you require for a full day on the range. We will take a lunch break, but there will not be sufficient time to leave the training facility for food. Bring your lunch, snacks, and anything else you intend to eat during the training day. 

STANDBY / REFUND / RESCHEDULE / TRANSFER / CANCELLATION POLICY

💥 Extreme Close Quarters (XCQ): Advanced Defensive Pistol 💥

Most pistol classes begin with the gun already in your hand and the threat several yards away. Real violence rarely works that way.  

Extreme Close Quarters (XCQ) focuses on defensive encounters occurring within arm's reach, where attackers can grab, strike, tackle, or control you before you ever establish a proper shooting stance. Students learn how to create space, protect their firearm, regain initiative, and deliver accurate fire from retention and compressed-ready positions.

This is not a marksmanship class.

This is a survival class for the first few seconds of a violent encounter.

Most pistol classes teach you how to shoot at 3-10 yards. XCQ teaches you how to survive and win at 0-3 yards.

This class is right for you if:

✅ You carry a pistol for self-defense and want to prepare for attacks occurring at bad-breath distance.

✅ You want to learn how to access and employ a pistol when an attacker is within arm's reach.

✅ You want practical skills for weapon retention, close-range engagement, and creating space under pressure.

✅ You understand that many criminal assaults begin before a traditional shooting stance is possible.

✅ You want to develop confidence shooting from retention, compressed-ready, and compromised positions.

✅ You want to learn how to fight your way to the gun before fighting with the gun.

Prerequisites:
• Completion of a civilian defensive pistol class (Essential Pistol from Patriot Training, Defensive Pistol from Middle Tennessee Firearms Training, or similar)
• Experienced and smooth handling, including: proper draw from a holster; safe loading, unloading, and reloading; and the ability to keep 5 shots in a 5-inch circle at 5 yards in 5 seconds from concealment

• The Handgun Carry Permit class is NOT a suitable prerequisite!!!

📅 Sunday, August 2, 2026
🕗 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

📍 Mountain Top Gun & Archery Range, 11564 Harrison Ferry Rd, McMinnville, TN
👉 Seats are limited — lock in your spot today!

TOPICS COVERED

• All Patriot Training live fire classes have a thorough safety briefing and medical plan. 
• Proper sight picture
• Sight alignment
• Proper grip on the gun
• Good fighting stance
• Recoil control
• Legalities of defensive force 
•  Close Quarters Defensive Concepts 
•  Retention Shooting / Retention Shooting / Retention Shooting 
•  Weapon Protection & Control 
•  Creating Distance 
•  Extreme Close Quarters Gunfighting 
•  Ground Survival Skills 

FAQ

• CURRENT / FORMER MILITARY: This class is designed to complement military training with skills and contexts outside typical service doctrine. 
• CURRENT / FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT: This class covers practical rifle application and judgment-based problem solving often omitted from traditional LE training. 
• All PATRIOT TRAINING Class pricing includes any applicable range access charges - no surprise "gotcha" fees! 

GUNS & GEAR

• Your carry handgun (9 mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .357 Sig suggested.) 
• Avoid .380 / .32 ACP / .25 ACP / .22LR - they are not advised - they jam a LOT. The only ones that jam in class are the ones that "never had a problem before." BUT: if you have really had a good pistol class, you ALREADY know this!
• Quality holster (kydex or stiff leather - stays open for reholstering)
  • OWB (outside waistband) is OK!
  • IWB (Inside the Waistband) is OK! 
  • AIWB (appendix inside the waistband) is OK!
• No nylon holsters / no SERPA Holsters. 
• The Sig P320 is banned from all Patriot Training classes. 
• Ability to fire 40 or more rounds prior to reloading: 3+ magazines for mid size guns. 6+ mags for compact guns. 
• Sturdy Carry belt
• 250 rounds of factory loaded brass cased ammo 
• notepad & pen 
• eye protection & ear protection. 
• Range appropriate clothing
• Food & Water
• Notepad and Pen
• Sunscreen & bug spray
• Hand warmers in cold weather months
• Medical kit / IFAK optional
• Lawn Chairs (optional)
• Shemagh (optional) 
• If you wear prescription lenses / glasses - BRING THEM!  

Patriot Training suggests holsters from:

Vedder Holsters

Blade Tech

We The People

DO NOT  BRING TO CLASS:

• Steel cased ammo for pistols 
• Hand loaded or remanufactured ammunition. Bring factory ammo only. 
• Mixed brands/types of ammo - bring a single brand and type
• .22 LR Pistols, .25 ACP pistols, .32 ACP pistols (they jam too much - and the only ones that ever jam in class are the ones that "never had a problem before")
• SERPA holsters or any holster requiring the trigger finger to disengage retention are forbidden. 
• Nylon holsters forbidden. 
• Revolvers forbidden for Essential Pistol
• The Sig P320 is banned from all Patriot Training classes. 

Why does Patriot Training not allow Serpa Holsters?

Because they fail, and they get people shot. Please see our FAQ page for details and links!

Seriously, if you are considering an Advanced class, and don't know why... 

NOTE: 

Classes are conducted outdoors in all reasonable weather conditions. Come prepared with appropriate clothing, hydration, sun/rain protection, medications, and whatever personal comfort items you require for a full day on the range. We will take a lunch break, but there will not be sufficient time to leave the training facility for food. Bring your lunch, snacks, and anything else you intend to eat during the training day. 

STANDBY / REFUND / RESCHEDULE / TRANSFER / CANCELLATION POLICY