ADVANCED ESSENTIAL PISTOL CLASSES

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Critical Response is where the average gun owner stops, and the street-ready fighter begins. This class is built for folks who know how to shoot, but want to know how to fight. We’re not punching paper here. We’re pressure-testing your skills in real-world, violent encounter scenarios where hesitation gets you hurt. You’ll learn to move, think, and shoot like your life depends on it: because one day, it might. If you carry a gun for self-defense, you owe it to yourself to train like the threat is coming. Critical Response will help you figure out if you’re ready... or just playing the part. 

Critical Response is about fighting with a pistol when everything goes sideways. You’ll be thrown into high-pressure scenarios that force real decisions, not rehearsed drills. Whether you're a competitor, cop, or seasoned civilian, this class will sharpen your tactics, stress-test your mindset, and forge the confidence to win when the threat is real and time isn’t on your side.

PREREQUISITES:

• A civilian defensive pistol class. Essential Pistol from Patriot Training or Defensive Pistol from Middle Tennessee Firearms Training or similar. 
• Experienced and smooth handling. Specifically, the ability to: properly draw from a holster; load, reload, and unload safely; and marksmanship standard of being able to keep 5 shots in a 5 inch circle at 5 yards, in 5 seconds from concealment. 

Calendar

August 3, 2025 

8:30 am - 5:00 pm

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

• FAMILY DISCOUNTS 
• CURRENT / FORMER MILITARY: Come learn the pistol stuff the military didn't teach you!
• CURRENT / FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT: This class contains the material you wish you had been taught!
• 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 forbidden unless required by your department / security firm. 
• Nylon holsters forbidden. 
• Revolvers forbidden for Essential Pistol
• The Sig P320 is banned from all Patriot Training classes. 

FAMILY DISCOUNT OPTION

Add a son / daughter / spouse / father / mother / sibling for a reduced price. 

The family that shoots together... scoots together?

When registering, use the drop down to select family add. 

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. Students registered prior to this policy may request a free loaner pistol for the course. 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. 

RESCHEDULE

Cannot make a class and need to reschedule to a future class? You may reschedule for the same class (i.e. Urban Rifleman for Urban Rifleman) in the future for only a $50 processing fee. You must reschedule no later than Thursday at 6:00 pm prior to the start of the class you cannot make. Naturally, there must be a future offering on the schedule, and once you select the date, that date will be locked in. Future reschedules will also require an additional $50 processing fee. CLICK HERE TO RESCHEDULE. 

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.