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! 
• Bring 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! 

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.

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.