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Handgun Courses

Constellis offers handgun courses for all levels of skill. Our course offerings range from Basic Handgun for novices to Advanced Handgun for experts. We have courses cultivated for both tactical and competitive shooters. We combine time-proven instructional techniques and classroom instruction with practical live-fire application to deliver a highly effective learning experience.

Courses Offered

Learn more about our handgun courses by selecting a course option below, or view the Course Calendar to register.

Clinics - Available at the Northeast Training Facility

Learn more about our handgun courses by selecting a course option below, or view the Course Calendar to register.

Course Calendar

View and register for upcoming handgun courses.

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Handgun Course Descriptions

Handgun 1 (Basic Handgun)

Handgun I provides a solid foundation of pistol-shooting skills. This course is designed for shooters with little to no previous experience with the handgun. It covers gun safety, marksmanship fundamentals and core pistol manipulation.

Topics

  • Pistol Knowledge and Safe Gun Handling
  • Ammunition Knowledge and the Fundamentals of Pistol Shooting
  • Shooting Positions and Shooting Qualifications
  • Scoring Targets, and Selecting and Maintaining Your Pistol
  • Continued Opportunities for Skill Development

Gear

None.

Prerequisites

  • Current, valid carry permit –or-
  • Current law enforcement or Concealed Carry –or-
  • Completion of a Background Check

Ammunition Requirements

Included with course.

Handgun 2

This course allows students to further enhance their handgun skills. Building on the shooting fundamental skills developed in Handgun I, our instructors will work closely with the student to increase proficiency and improve firearm manipulation. This class is focused on practical and live-fire training with minimal time in the classroom. Constellis’ Handgun II course will take those with basic handgun experience to the next level of handgun skills development.

Topics

  • Malfunctions and remediation drills
  • Flash Sight Picture
  • Use of Cover
  • Moving into Cover
  • Low-Light Shooting Practical
  • One Hand Shooting
  • Administrative, Tactical and Emergency Reloads
  • Shooting Skill Maintenance

Gear

  • Handgun*
  • Holster*
  • No shoulder, cross-draw or appendix-carry holsters
  • Minimum three magazines*
  • Magazine holders*
  • Belt
  • Clear wraparound ballistic eye protection*
  • Ear protection*
  • Clothing appropriate for climate and conditions
  • Water bottle or other hydration system
  • The above items are available to rent at an additional cost.

Prerequisites

  • Handgun I level (or comparable) experience

Ammunition Requirements

500 rounds handgun ammunition; 9mm (9×19) is the minimum service caliber for this course.

Handgun 3 (Advanced Handgun)

For competition and tactical shooters looking to expand their skills even further, Constellis’ Handgun III course will improve the marksmanship and pistol handling skills of experienced Law Enforcement, tactical, military pistol shooters, or USPSA, IPSC and IDPA competitors. Students quickly develop advanced handgun manipulation skills so the shooter can more effectively employ their handgun under stress. The focus of the course is on development of advanced handgun shooting skills such as speed shooting, long-range accuracy, draw and engagement, reloads, shooting while moving, low light, and use of cover. Upon completion of the course, students will develop advanced handgun manipulation skills to more effectively employ their handgun under stress.

Topics

  • Diagnostic evaluations for speed, accuracy and handling
  • Application of the fundamentals of marksmanship
  • Correction of grip, stance and trigger control issues
  • Trigger management and sight management
  • Improving the presentation
  • Improving the reload
  • Use of cover
  • Low Light Shooting
  • Sight and recoil management in rapid fire
  • Movement from position to position
  • One-handed unsupported shooting
  • Stress response
  • Efficient practice and using a training log

Gear

  • Handgun 
  • Holster (no cross-draw or appendix-carry holsters permitted) 
  • Minimum three high-capacity (15+ round) magazines or six low-capacity (7-8 round) magazines 
  • Magazine holders 
  • Belt 
  • Clear wraparound ballistic eye protection 
  • Ear protection 
  • Firearm cleaning kit 
  • Appropriate clothing (NO open toed shoes) 
  • Water bottle or other hydration system 
  • Knee and Elbow pads strongly recommended

Prerequisites

  • Completion of Handgun II or Tactical Pistol I –or-
  • USPSA “C” or IDPA Sharpshooter Classification or higher –and-
  • Current, valid carry permit –or-
  • Current law enforcement –or-
  • Completion of a Background Check

Ammunition Requirements

1000 rounds. 9mm (9×19) is the minimum service caliber for this course.

Handgun IV – Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW)

With the increasing threat of violent crime, more individuals are looking towards personal protection. If you are looking to carry a concealed handgun safely and effectively, Constellis’s Handgun IV (CCW) course will prepare you. Our two-day course covers the essentials including firearm safety, pistol and holster selection for concealed carry, presentation techniques, proper defensive pistol marksmanship, and developing a proper mindset and attention to situational awareness. Our world-class instructors will cover close-proximity techniques, utilization of cover, and real-life scenarios.

This course will not only provide you with the understanding of how to appropriately respond to the attack, but to handle the aftermath as well. Students will leave as safe, confident and accurate shooters for active threat situations as well as recreational shooting. Upon completion of the course, students will leave as safe, confident and accurate shooters for active threat situations as well as recreational shooting.

Topics

  • Firearm Safety
  • Pistol Nomenclature and Selecting a Pistol for Self-Defense
  • Ammunition Knowledge and Defensive Ammunition Selection
  • Basic Defensive Pistol Skills
  • Drawing from Concealment
  • Loading and Stoppage Remediation
  • Mindset, Responding to an Attack and the Aftermath
  • Carry Modes and Pistol Concealment
  • Firearm Cleaning and Maintenance
  • Sport Shooting and Training Activities

Gear

  • Quality, functional semi-automatic pistol (Carry-sized recommended)
  • Concealment Holster (no shoulder or cross-draw holsters permitted)
  • Minimum three high-capacity (15+ round) or six low-capacity (<15 round) magazines
  • Magazine holders
  • Sturdy Belt
  • Clear wraparound ballistic eye protection
  • Ear protection
  • Firearm cleaning kit
  • Concealment garment
  • Appropriate footwear (NO open toed shoes)

Prerequisites

  • Completion of Handgun II or Tactical Pistol I –or-
  • USPSA “C” or IDPA Sharpshooter Classification or higher –and-
  • Current, valid carry permit –or-
  • Current law enforcement or Active Duty military credentials –or-
  • Completion of a Background Check

Ammunition Requirements

  • 500 rounds. 9mm (9×19) is the minimum service caliber for this course.
  • No green/brown tip, armor piercing, or steel cased ammunition at any time
  • Ammunition is available for purchase from the Pro Shop.

Handgun V (Home Defense)

Handgun for Home Defense prepares you for encounters and threats to your family in your home. This two-day course covers firearm safety, proper storage of weapons, ammunition selection, situational awareness, defensive pistol marksmanship, first aid for ballistic trauma, and home invasion scenarios. During the practical portion of this course, our instructors provide expert range instruction, recommendations for continued growth, shoot/no-shoot scenarios, use of cover and concealment, non-standard firing positions, home defense preparedness, and emergency care. Trainers utilize real-life scenarios with both live and Non-Lethal Training Ammunition (NLTA) such as Simunition® marking cartridge rounds.

Topics

  • Firearm Safety 
  • Pistol Nomenclature and Selecting a Pistol for Self-Defense 
  • Ammunition Knowledge and Defensive Ammunition Selection 
  • Home Defense Theory and Skills 
  • Loading and Stoppage Remediation 
  • Carry Modes and Pistol Concealment for driving 
  • Mindset, Responding to an Attack and the Aftermath 
  • Sport Shooting and Training Activities 
  • Firearm Cleaning and Maintenance 

Gear

  • Quality, functional semi-automatic pistol (Carry-sized recommended)
  • Concealment Holster (no shoulder or cross-draw holsters permitted)
  • Minimum three high-capacity (15+ round) or six low-capacity (<15 round) magazines
  • Magazine holders
  • Sturdy Belt
  • Clear wraparound ballistic eye protection
  • Ear protection
  • Firearm cleaning kit
  • Concealment garment – long sleeve or sweatshirt, and long pants each day. Including clothes you do not mind getting during throughout exercises
  • Appropriate footwear (NO open toed shoes)

Prerequisites

  • Completion of Handgun III or Tactical Pistol II –and-
  • Current, valid carry permit –or-
  • Current law enforcement –or-
  • Completion of a Background Check

Ammunition Requirements

  • 500 rounds. 9mm (9×19) is the minimum service caliber for this course.
  • No green/brown tip, armor piercing, or steel cased ammunition at any time
  • Ammunition is available for purchase from the Pro Shop.

Clinic Descriptions – Northeast Training Facility

The following clinics are available at our Northeast Training Center in Salem, CT.

NRA Basic Pistol Safety Class

Cost

$125 per person; A minimum $50 deposit is due at the time of registration.

Class Schedule

This class is done in a controlled, relaxed and fun environment.

We start the day in our classroom with an NRA Basic Pistol Safety Class slide presentation. Once the presentation is complete, students are given a 45-minute lunch break. When we re-convene in the classroom we will then go over loading and unloading procedures of a single-action and double-action revolver as well as a semi-automatic pistol.

Class concludes with students qualifying with a .22 caliber Glock 44 on the range and receiving a certificate of completion. 

Once Certified

  1. Obtain your pistol permit application from your local Police Department or online at https://portal.ct.gov | DPS-799-C. (This is the application form).
  2. You MUST get this form notarized AFTER completing it fully.
  3. Call your local Police Department to schedule your fingerprinting appointment.

Pistol Fundamentals Clinic

Class time: 9am-5pm

Cost: $50 per person

About this Class

The goal of this clinic is to explain different ways to carry on your body, different types of holsters, and how to protect yourself in public situations. There will be a short slide presentation followed by live fire drills on the range. On the range we will focus on mastering the draw process, as well as implementing live fire from different distances on the range.

Prerequisites

Must have strong working knowledge of pistols and pistol safety.

Requirements

  • Your pistol permit
  • Outside the waist band Ridged holster- Kydex is preferred.
  • The holster must have retention
    • NO Belly bands, flash bang holsters, tank top holsters or purse carry
  • Sturdy belt
  • Your own handgun- We do not rent firearms
  • A minimum of 2 magazines
  • Eye and ear protection
  • 100 rounds of ammunition

One-Day Carbine Operator Clinic

Cost

$275 per person

Classroom learning objectives will consist of

  • Maintenance
  • Characteristics
  • Operation
  • Marksmanship
  • Weapons employment
  • Associated gear

Range Learning Objectives

  • Positional Shooting
  • BZO (Weapon Zone)
  • Tactical vs combat reloads
  • Movement

Prerequisites

  • Must have strong working knowledge of pistols and pistol safety.
  • In the beginning of this clinic, we will go over how to safely draw from your holster. This is NOT a clinic on drawing from the holster.

Requirements

  • 120rds of brass cased ammunition
  • Eye and Ear protection
  • Weapon sling
  • 3 magazines
  • Spare magazine carrier
  • Other tactical equipment is encouraged such as helmet, body armor, knee pads etc.

Intro to Handgun 1

Cost

$50 per person

About this Clinic

This clinic will focus on how to properly use cover, preform a reload, as well as fire at numerous targets from different distances while remaining behind cover. Do not let this intimidate you! ALL drills are still done at a SLOW pace in a safe and relaxed environment. We will be implementing all of the fundamentals as well as your draw sequence.

Prerequisite

Must have strong working knowledge of pistols and pistol safety
In the beginning of this clinic, we will go over how to safely draw from your holster. This is NOT a clinic on drawing from the holster.

Requirements

  • Outside the waist band Ridged holster- Kydex is preferred. The holster must have retention
    • NO Belly bands, flash bang holsters, tank top holsters or purse carry
  • Sturdy belt
  • Your own handgun- We do not rent firearms
  • A minimum of 2 magazines
  • Eye and ear protection
  • 100 rounds total

Concealed Carry Clinic

Cost

$50 per person

About this Clinic

This clinic will include discussions of several topics of interest for shooters who have little or no experience carrying a firearm day to day. Range exercises will include safe loading and unloading methods, master grip, sight alignment/sight picture, trigger control and natural point of aim. All of this is done in a relaxed environment with other individuals looking to improve their shooting abilities.

Requirements

  • Your pistol permit
  • Your own handgun- We do not rent firearms
  • A minimum of 2 magazines
  • Eye and ear protection
  • 100 rounds total