Jessie Harrison — one of the greatest female pistol shooters on the planet. In the video below, Jessie offers good tips on safe handgun mag changes.
One of our Forum members asked: “Are there any good books on pistol marksmanship? I’m looking for a book that covers techniques and concepts….” Here are six recommended titles that can make you a better pistol shooter. These books run the gamut from basic handgun training to Olympic-level bullseye shooting.
Good Guidebooks for Pistol Shooters
There are actually many good books which can help both novice and experienced pistol shooters improve their skills and accuracy. For new pistol shooters, we recommend the NRA Guide to the Basics of Pistol Shooting. This full-color publication is the designated student “textbook” for the NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course.
Serious competitive pistol shooters should definitely read Pistol Shooters Treasury a compilation of articles from World and National Champions published by Gil Hebard. You could work your way through the ranks with that book alone even though it is very small. It is an excellent resource.
If you’re interested in bullseye shooting, you should get the USAMU’s The Advanced Pistol Marksmanship Manual. This USAMU pistol marksmanship guide has been a trusted resource since the 1960s. Action Shooters should read Practical Shooting: Beyond Fundamentals by Brian Enos, and Practical Pistol by Ben Stoeger. Brian Enos is a well-known pistol competitor with many titles. Ben Stoeger is a two-time U.S. Practical Pistol shooting champion. Last but not least, Julie Golob’s popular SHOOT book covers pistol marksmanship, along with 3-Gun competition. Julie holds multiple national pistol shooting titles.
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Do you carry a handgun for self-defense, or maybe keep a firearm in your vehicle “just in case”? Then you may want to attend the upcoming NRA Personal Protection Expo in Fort Worth, Texas. The event will be held September 6-8, 2019, at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
The NRA Personal Protection Expo (formerly NRA Carry Guard Expo) is a three-day trade show for individuals interested in increasing their knowledge and skills of personal protection, concealed carry and home defense. This event showcases “the products, skills, knowledge and mindset necessary to be prepared to respond when a threat arises.”
This Video Review Various Insurance Options for CCW Holders:
Expo Seminar Topics
Expo visitors can attend more than 120 seminars and workshops. These will include self-defense techniques, home defense and preparedness, situational awareness, concealed carry techniques and lifestyle, medical and trauma training, and much more. The Expo will also conduct a Concealed Carry Fashion Show for concealment clothing and gear designed for men and women.
The World of Compact Handguns for Concealed Carry
There are literally hundreds of choices for carry handguns, starting with deringers and going all the way up to full-size rigs. Both semi-auto pistols and wheelguns (revolvers) are popular. Among wheelguns, we like the Smith & Wesson Model 638 Airweight, a 5-shot Aluminum-frame snubnose, with cockable, shielded hammer. You can shoot it rapidly double-action, but you still have the option of cocking the hammer for slow, precise fire.
Many experts consider the Heckler & Koch P7m8 one of the very best carry pistols ever. On HK’s famous fixed-barrel “squeeze-cocker”, the striker is cocked by squeezing the grip, and then de-cocked when pressure on the grip is released. This makes it extremely safe to carry.
If you are looking for a great deal on a reliable 9mm subcompact, consider the S&P M&P Shield. Right now this fine little pistol is just $249.99 at Palmetto State Armory — a $100 Savings!
To learn more about the NRA Personal Protection Expo, visit the EXPO Website. Check back regularly for updates on training opportunities, and seminars scheduled for the event.
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This 12″ Bullseye Pistol Diagnostic Target helps improve handgun marksmanship. The target diagnoses common problems based on shot impact zones. While this target is designed for righties, left-handed shooters can use the target too. Just observe the opposite tips.
Do you know someone who wants to get started in pistol shooting? Here’s a helpful resource. The NRA now offers its Basics of Pistol Shooting Course in an online format. That makes it easy to cover the “classroom” phase of the course on your own time. The $60.00 online course includes 11 step-by-step lessons (to be followed by live range training). CLICK HERE to enroll in online Pistol Training Course.
Train Online, Then Register for a Range Session
For the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting course, Phase 1 is conducted in an online environment, completed on your own time (cost is $60.00, non-refundable). After successfully completing the online exam, students can register for Phase 2, the instructor-led training session. Phase 2 is conducted at your local range with an NRA-Certified Instructor. NOTE: There will normally be an additional fee for Phase 2. You must successfully complete BOTH Phase 1 and Phase 2 in order to receive your NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting course certificate.
Designed and developed by experts to accommodate busy schedules, the web-based course takes a blended learning approach to firearms training with both online and physical components. Students have 90 days to work through 11 online lessons before registering for Phase 2, the NRA Certified Instructor-led phase at a local range.
“Thanks to our online courses and network of more than 125,000 NRA Certified Instructors, it has never been easier to learn basic firearm skills,” said Kyle Weaver, NRA General Operations Exec. Director. The NRA offers other online training courses at Onlinetraining.nra.org. These offerings include a Range Safety Office (RSO) course, and a Range Development and Operations course.
Know someone getting started with handguns? Here is a useful video focusing on safety:
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Do you enjoy shooting pistols for sport, or perhaps you carry a handgun for self-defense? If you’re like most of us, you might benefit from a “refresher course” on the fundamentals of handgun shooting. The NRA has created a useful Infographic that covers important basics of handgun marksmanship — key things such as Sight Alignment and Trigger Control. Here are the first two (2) lessons. Click the link below to see all SIX (6) training topics: Sight Alignment, Sight Focus, Trigger Control, Breath Control, Hold Control, and Follow-Through.
Video Shows Sight Alignment, Grip, Stance, Trigger Control and More
In this USAMU video, SGT Shane Coley talks about the basics of sight alignment and trigger control. But then SGT Coley talks about other important control factors such as grip, arm position, and body stance. For rapid-fire shooting, you need to have a good arm and body positioning to control recoil and get back on target quickly. This video is a valuable complement to the NRA Infographic because it demonstrates all the important pistol fundamentals during live fire, at the range.
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The landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in D.C. v. Heller recognized the Constitutional right of District of Columbia residents to own handguns. In the wake of this victory for gun rights, on August 24th, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) sponsored a free “First Shots” seminar expressly for District of Columbia residents.
Participants received an introduction to handgun shooting at the Arlington-Fairfax Isaak Walton League shooting range in Centreville, Virginia. A classroom presentation covered topics such as D.C. firearm regulations, safety, grip, sight alignment and trigger control, and then it was on to the range where participants shot .22-caliber revolvers and pistols, with a certified instructor by their side. The team of NRA-certified instructors was led by multiple USPSA and IDPA champion Julie Goloski.
Many female D.C. residents came to the seminar. Attendees also included legislative staffers and a reporter from the Washington Informer, an African-American newspaper in the District. “We were very pleased with this initial First Shots seminar for D.C. residents,” said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. “It shows that District residents, after having their Second Amendment rights denied for over 30 years, have a strong interest in firearms ownership.” Smith & Wesson and Taurus provided loaner pistols and revolvers. Sunday’s program was the first in a series of planned no-cost First Shots seminars in the D.C. area.
‘First Shots’ Programs Offered Nationwide
Interested in hosting a “First Shots” session at your club or range? CLICK HERE to learn more about the First Shots program, or watch the promo video linked below.
Good Guidebooks for Pistol Shooters
The landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in D.C. v. Heller recognized the Constitutional right of District of Columbia residents to own handguns. In the wake of this victory for gun rights, on August 24th, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) sponsored a free 
