ADVANCED ESSENTIAL PISTOL

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ESSENTIAL PISTOL: CRITICAL RESPONSE

CRITICAL RESPONSE - The one-day advanced pistol class - $249

💥 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!

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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...

LOCATION

This class will be held at Mountain Top Gun & Archery.

11564 Harrison Ferry Rd., McMinnville, TN 37110

STANDBY

Most Patriot Training classes sell out quickly. However, we frequently have participants who have schedule changes, and cannot make the class they bought for whatever reason. Therefore, we offer a "STANDBY" list. Of course, this does not guarantee you a spot. However, most classes get one or two reschedules - usually the last week right before class.

IF this class sells out, email us and we will put you on standby for the class at no charge. Of course, if a spot opens up, then you will need to act quickly to buy that spot!

REFUND / RESCHEDULE / TRANSFER POLICY

REFUNDS

Patriot Training does NOT offer Refunds.

* Tuition sale is final and is a commitment to train with Patriot Training at the date and time scheduled.

* Tuition paid guarantees your spot in class. Patriot Training does not overbook.

* Your payment secures a spot in a specific class, and nothing more. Patriot Training cannot and does not guarantee individual performance or results. Therefore, failure to pass a course (such as a carry permit evaluation) does not qualify for a refund.

* Patriot Training does not offer refunds, reschedules, or transfers to students who fail to show up for class. If you decide not to attend, that’s your decision.

* This policy is firm and there will be no exceptions.

* Due to safety concerns, all Sig P320 variants are banned from use in class. No refunds will be issued based on this policy.

Why?

- Because if you decide the day before class that you don't like the weather forecast (or insert whatever excuse here), we will not have time to sell that spot to a serious participant that has been turned away.

Limited Exceptions:

More than 30 days prior to class, with written notice: Patriot Training may consider a partial refund, contingent upon being able to reopen and fill the vacated class slot with another paying student. If the vacated slot is not filled, no refund will be issued. Approved refunds will be subject to a processing fee ($50 for most classes).
Emergency situations may be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Examples of legitimate emergencies may include major medical emergencies, serious injury, family tragedy, or similar unforeseen events beyond the student’s control.
Work scheduling conflicts, poor planning, bad hair days, imperfect weather forecasts, or similar will not qualify as emergencies.

RESCHEDULE

Patriot Training classes cannot be rescheduled.

LIMITED TRANSFERS

Can't make the class and want to transfer (give/sell) your spot to someone else?

If you want to transfer, sell, or give your seat to someone else, that’s entirely up to you and is fine by us.

You must notify us no later than Thursday, 6:00 pm, prior.

If that person cannot make it, the same no refund policy applies.

CANCELLATIONS

In the unlikely event Patriot Training is forced to cancel a class, refunds and reschedules will be offered.

ESSENTIAL PISTOL: EXTREME CLOSE QUARTERS

EXTREME CLOSE QUARTERS (XCQ) - The one-day advanced pistol class - $249

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💥 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.