Practical Pistol Course Series: Mastering Armed Self-Defense
You’ve built your foundation with Pistol Basics. Now, it’s time to elevate your skills and truly master armed self-defense. The Urban Defense Academy Practical Pistol Course Series is meticulously designed to push your capabilities beyond static range shooting, preparing you for the dynamic, high-pressure realities of a self-defense encounter.
We firmly believe that learning to use a firearm is the fastest and most effective way to gain the skills needed for personal protection. It truly is the great equalizer, enabling you to level the playing field and ensure your safety.
This comprehensive series bridges the gap between fundamental marksmanship and real-world tactical application. We focus on developing the speed, precision, and critical decision-making skills necessary to effectively protect yourself and your loved ones. Each course in the series builds upon the last, progressively challenging you to perform under stress and adapt to complex scenarios.
Who Are These Courses For?
The Practical Pistol Course Series is ideal for:
- Responsible armed citizens committed to advanced skill development in defensive handgun use.
- Individuals seeking to gain confidence and competence in dynamic, real-world self-defense situations.
- Those ready to master tactical problem-solving under pressure.
Placement in our Practical Pistol Course series, including direct entry into Phase 1, is determined through our mandatory in-person Free Consultation. This ensures you start at the most appropriate level for your current skills and goals, and allows us to ensure your equipment is safe and suitable for the course.
Course Structure & What You’ll Master
What it is: Our comprehensive program offers 40 hours of intensive training, spread over 4 distinct Phases, providing flexibility to accommodate your busy schedule. Throughout these Phases, you’ll put in the dedicated time and practice to master critical armed self-defense skills. Safety is our utmost priority throughout all phases of this curriculum.
What you’ll master: We emphasize core skills that build a solid foundation, allowing you to develop the muscle memory necessary to react effectively in high-pressure situations. Through regular reviews and repetitive practice, we help you ingrain these skills into your subconscious, ensuring they become second nature.
Phase 1: Building Your Foundation for Practical Pistol
What it is: This initial phase builds directly on your Pistol Basics knowledge, introducing the fundamental practical skills needed for dynamic pistol use.
Prerequisite: Completion of Pistol Basics: Shooting the Handgun OR Instructor approval via Free Consultation.
What you’ll learn: Develop essential handling drills, refine accuracy principles, master rapid presentation, and learn basic malfunction clearances. Learn More About Phase 1 Skills
Phase 2: Malfunction Remedies, Muscle Memory & More
What it is: Phase 2 introduces more complex tactical scenarios, integrating movement and the use of the environment into your skillset.
Prerequisite: Completion of Practical Pistol Course Series: Phase 1.
What you’ll learn: Master advanced malfunction clearances, effective use of cover and concealment, tactical reloading, and foundational tactical movement. Learn More About Phase 2 Skills
Phase 3: Crisis Management & Dynamic Engagement
What it is: This phase focuses on decision-making under stress and engaging multiple threats in varied environments, including low-light conditions.
Prerequisite: Completion of Practical Pistol Course Series: Phase 2.
What you’ll learn: Develop skills in searching and clearing areas, rapid threat assessment and decision-making, low-light engagements, and efficiently engaging multiple targets. Learn More About Phase 3 Skills
Phase 4: Advanced Scenarios & Master Application
What it is: Phase 4 integrates all previously learned skills into more complicated, realistic scenarios, pushing your proficiency to an advanced level.
Prerequisite: Completion of Practical Pistol Course Series: Phase 3.
What you’ll learn: Gain critical proficiency in strong hand/support hand only shooting, advanced marksmanship under stress, and complex combat tactics in integrated scenarios. Learn More About Phase 4 Skills
Advanced Course: Specialized Combat Skills
What it is: Building beyond the core phases, the Advanced course delves into specialized, high-level combat skills for the most demanding situations.
Prerequisite: Completion of Practical Pistol Course Series: Phase 4.
What you’ll learn: Master techniques for disarming assailants, firearm retention in close quarters, and live-fire application of movement and shooting. Learn More About the Advanced Course
