Alpha Pistol Level 1: Foundation is the entry-level defensive handgun course designed to build safe gun handling habits, mechanical consistency, and accountable marksmanship fundamentals.

This course is ideal for new shooters and first-time handgun owners who want to develop confidence and proper firearm safety skills in a structured training environment.

Students will learn how to safely handle, load, unload, and operate a semi-automatic pistol while developing the core fundamentals required for defensive shooting.

Accuracy Standard

3–7 yards

Skills Covered

• The Four Universal Firearm Safety Rules
• Safe pickup and placement of the pistol
• Proper bench setup for pistol and magazines
• Magazine loading techniques
• Safe loading procedures
• Safe unloading procedures
• Press check procedures
• Parts of the pistol
• Cycle of operation (semi-automatic pistol)
• Dominant hand assessment
• Dominant eye assessment
• Grip mechanics
• Shooting stance development
• Pistol presentation
• Natural point of aim
• Sight alignment
• Sight picture
• Breath control
• Trigger press and trigger reset
• Follow-through
• Controlled single shots
• Shot accountability

This course satisfies the training requirement outlined in Florida Statute § 790.06 for concealed carry licensing.

Next Course

Alpha Pistol Level 2 — Control & Efficiency

ALPHA PISTOL 1 - Foundation