Practical Pistol: Conceal Carry Class

Here’s an uncomfortable truth: the Texas CHL class does not teach all of the skills needed to safely and effectively carry a handgun for self defense.

Handguns are not magical self defense wands that automagically ward off any attacker. In fact, the stress of a real life gunfight lowers shooter’s skill levels – it doesn’t improve skills. Handguns are tools, and like any tool, tools require training to be effective at. While handguns have been proven to be the most effective self defense tool available, poor application of a handgun (tool) could result in your death or the death of innocent bystanders. The decision to conceal carry a pistol should not be taken lightly, and it should not be undertaking without the proper knowledge and skill.

I honestly believe the Texas CHL class is a joke from a shooting proficiency perspective. So I created this class to go over as much of the concepts needed to be as proficient a conceal carrier as possible in a single day of instruction. This class emphasizes the important skills needed to come out on top in a defensive gun use. But the class takes it a step further and provides instruction on how to self diagnose shooting deficiencies and improve and train on your own.

Class goals:

Have a fun and safe day at the range

Improve handgun handling and manipulation

Learn a safe, fast, and consistent draw from a holster

Speed up sight acquisition for fast first shot and follow up shots

Learn how to quickly engage multiple targets

Establish the basics of movement

Learn how to learn and improve on your own time outside of class

What you need to know that the CHL class didn’t teach you

The Texas CHL class’ shooting proficiency test is… to be blunt – it is a joke. The proficiency required to pass that test is not the proficiency needed to effectively use a handgun for self defense. It is so easy, I literally passed the Texas LTC test with my eyes closed. Do not expect the Texas CHL class to help you become an expert shooter with a handgun, it mostly reviews the legal ins and outs of conceal carrying a handgun in Texas.

The Locked Back Practical Pistol: Conceal Carry class is focused on helping conceal carriers become fast and accurate with their handgun so they can survive a handgun fight. The first person to get shots on target usually wins the defensive gunfight, so that is our primary focus in this class. This conceal carry class isn’t for bullseye shooting – this class is preparing self defenders practical, real world defensive handgun shooting.

Handgun Skills Covered

Handgun fundamentals Stance Grip Sight alignment and sight picture Trigger pull Follow through

Vision in shooting – Trust your sights

Shooting accurately and quickly from 3 to 20 yards

Safely, quickly, and consistently drawing from a holster

Acquiring a sight picture quickly for a fast and accurate first shot

Target transitions

The basics of movement

Locked Back classes don’t just teach you something and call it a day. Musicians don’t attend lessons and then never pick up their instrument again. Becoming proficient with firearms, be it for conceal carry, casual plinking, or competition shooting, requires training outside the classroom. Locked Back classes provide techniques on how to effectively train on your own.

Demonstrable improvement

Throughout the Practical Pistol: Conceal Carry class, we shoot standards several times as the class progresses. These standards give us quantifiable data as to how well you’re shooting, it’s incredibly useful at identifying areas that need improvement. These standards are shot multiple times, which allows us to measure demonstrable improvement throughout the class.

Who is this class for?

The Practical Pistol: Conceal Carry class focuses on the fundamentals of marksmanship needed for surviving a self defense shooting. While this CCW class is geared towards conceal carriers, it provides valuable instruction useful to LEOs and competitive shooters.

The Practical Pistol: Conceal Carry class is not intended for brand new handgun shooters. Attendees must be able to demonstrate solid competency with a firearm and this should not be their first time drawing a gun from a holster.

Gear needed for the class

Safety rated eye protection that provides full protection – normal sunglasses or eye glasses are not recommended

Hearing protection

A working semi automatic handgun (revolvers not recommended)

A quality holster for conceal carry or duty use – a purpose built kydex holster that keeps the pistol unmoving is recommended. Using an off body bag (like purse) or a soft shell “pocket holster” or not allowed. If you are unsure about your holster, use the contact form below and we can talk about it.

4+ magazines (mag carriers not required, but useful)

400 rounds of ammunition – bringing extra is always advised. It would suck to stop shooting because you run out of ammo. However, I do structure my drills so shooters can shoot a lot or a little depending on their budget.

Whatever clothes you would normally wear while conceal carrying, but the clothing should be fitting enough so it does not leave openings for hot brass to get in

Water

Closed toe shoes

A lunch – bring your own, there isn’t any fast food near the range

Sunscreen, a hat, rain gear, jacket, or whatever clothing is appropriate for the weather

Gear is available for rent upon request, but it recommended that you use whatever gear you normally conceal carry with.

Pistol Classes in Austin

Locked Back’s Practical Pistol: Conceal Carry generally takes place just outside of Georgetown, on a private range just north of Austin, Texas – near I35 and TX-195.

While most Locked Back classes are taught in Central Texas, with enough interest, a class could be scheduled most anywhere. If you don’t see a class available at your location, check out how to get a class scheduled.

Fundamentals for Conceal Carriers

As responsible conceal carriers, we are responsible for every round we fire in a self defense situation. This means a handgun needs to be an extension of our hand and we can put shots on target quickly and accurately. But not only can we get shots on target, but we need to be able to demonstrate these skills on demand without any warm up practice time.

The Locked Back Practical Pistol: Conceal Carry class is purpose built to help shooters become proficient with their firearm and be the first to get shots on target.