Learn to Defend & Protect with Shotgun Classes

Home Defense Specialty Class

The shotgun isn’t just a home defense tool — it’s a fight-stopping machine. When things go bump in the night, nothing clears a hallway faster than a properly loaded 12-gauge. It delivers brutal, fight-ending power and demands respect on both ends. The Essential Shotgun Class is here to teach you how to run it like a weapon, not a range toy. Because in a home invasion, hesitation is a liability, and domination is the goal. 

Eight pellets of buckshot. One trigger pull at a time. That’s the kind of force multiplier no pistol or rifle can touch in close quarters. The shotgun is cheaper than most defensive firearms, but when used right, it’s pure overkill... and that’s exactly what you want when everything’s on the line. This class will teach you how to load fast, shoot faster, and control the chaos. If you want to turn recoil into results, Essential Shotgun is where you start. 

NO PREREQUISITES!

Dates:

Saturday, May 31, 2025 SOLD OUT

Sunday, December 14, 2025

Time:

8:30 am - 5:30 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 
• Marksmanship
• Safety
• Ammo management
• Loading the shotgun
• Keeping the shotgun loaded
• Staging and deploying the shotgun
• Shooting positions and variations
• Moving exercises 

FAQ

• All PATRIOT TRAINING Class pricing includes any applicable range access charges - no surprise "gotcha" fees! 

GUNS & GEAR

• Safe, functional shotgun... 12-Ga PREFERRED - 20-Ga OK, we caution against other Gauges, because of ammo scarcity. 
  • Pump action and semi-auto preferred.
  • Make sure to take the plug out of the tube! 
• Some means to carry extra ammo on the shotgun. (Shell Sleeve / holder)
  • Side saddle or buttstock cuff attachment.  
• 150 rounds birdshot ammunition - same brand, same type.  
• 15 rounds buckshot.  Suggested loads:
  • Federal Flite Control 8-pellet
  • Federal Flite Control 9-pellet
  • Hornady TAP Low recoil
  • Hornady Black 8-pellet
  • Hornady Critical Defense
  • Winchester Ranger
  • Speer Lawman
• If you wear prescription lenses / glasses - BRING THEM!  
• Notepad & pen 
• Eye protection & ear protection. 
• WATER! 
• A towel or shemagh to cover the shotgun with - it will be on a table in the sun and can get hot to the touch! 
• Food - there is no place nearby from which to buy lunch / snacks.
• Shotgun ammo belt or ammo pouch optional - highly recommended! 
• A shotgun sling is strictly optional - we will NOT be using it. 
• Sunscreen, bug spray, etc.
• Lawn chair
• Medical Kit / IFAK optional. 

DO NOT BRING

• DO NOT bring a shotgun with a pistol grip and no stock.  
• DO NOT bring steel shot. It presents risk of bounce-back. 
• DO NOT bring hand-loaded ammunition. Bring quality factory brass cased ammo. 

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!