ESSENTIAL PISTOL

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Essential Pistol is more than just a shooting class — it’s the bridge between owning a pistol and being able to fight with one. Whether you’re brand new or have years behind the trigger, this course is built to push you beyond the square range and into the mindset of real-world defense. Because in a violent encounter, knowing how to shoot isn’t enough: you need to know how to win. 

We’ll break bad habits, sharpen good ones, and build the skills that matter when things go loud and fast. Draw speed, movement, shot placement, and decision-making under pressure... all wrapped into a course designed to make you confident, capable, and dangerous when it counts. Essential Pistol is where the average gun owner becomes a prepared gunfighter. 

This advanced pistol fighting class is perfect for new shooters, experienced shooters, and current / former law enforcement and military. The sole purpose of Essential Pistol is to take you from the typical gun owner who knows how to shoot and transform you into a pistol gunfighter who is prepared to survive a violent threat. 

NO PREREQUISITES

Completion of Essential Pistol will fulfill the requirements for the Tennessee Concealed Carry Permit. 

Calendar

June 21-22, 2025  

November 15-16, 2025

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
• Safety
• Drawing & presenting the pistol
• Shooting positions and variations,
• Pistol muzzle positions and applications
• Stoppages
• Multiple shots
• Multiple targets
• Shooting & moving, 
• Retention shooting, 
• One and two handed shooting,
• Advanced CQB and room clearing concepts, 

FAQ

• All Registrants will receive a FREE Patriot Training t-shirt with their order of a 2025 class. Sizes in adult men's: Small - Medium - Large - XL - 2XL - 3XL 
• Loaners available! We have 9mm pistols, along with magazines and a holster. Bring factory brass 115 gr 9 mm NATO ammo. 
• 1-Day option
• 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.) 
• Loaners available! We have 9mm pistols, along with magazines and a holster. Bring factory brass 115 gr 9 mm NATO ammo. 
• .380 / .32 ACP / .25 ACP / .22LR is not advised - they jam a LOT. The only ones that jam in class are the ones that "never had a problem before." 
• 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. 
• 3+ magazines
• 5 Snap caps - ONLY IF YOU ARE NOT USING 9 mm
  • IF you are bringing .45 ACP, bring snap caps. 
  • IF you are bringing .40 S&W, bring snap caps. 
  • IF you are bringing .380, bring snap caps. 
  • etc.
  • We provide loaner 9 mm snap caps. 
• Sturdy Carry belt
• 500 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")
• Sig P320 Pistols are forbidden. Other Sig models are fine. 
• Serpa Holsters forbidden unless required by your department / security firm. 
• Nylon holsters forbidden. 
• Revolvers forbidden for Essential Pistol

ONE DAY CLASS OPTION

Finances a bit tight?

Still not 100% convinced?

Time constraints?

Essential Pistol has a 1-Day option.

When registering for class, use the drop down to select 1-Day option. 

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 revolvers in Essential Pistol?

A - Because revolvers are not as reliable as modern semi autos. Check out the schools that do offer revolver classes - they all reduce round counts. And all of them talk about how many revolvers go down in each class. ALSO - revolvers tend to have a shorter sight radius, and a longer, harder trigger pull - making them extremely difficult to shoot well. If you'd like to train with your revolver - Check out our "ESSENTIAL REVOLVER" Class!

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!

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!