I was teaching a TN Handgun Permit Course last weekend when the unthinkable happened; a Glock malfunction.  I was using a very old 1st or 2nd generation magazine that I had not tested in a long time.  Bottom line is that I got 2 stove pipes in about 10 shots.

I can’t stress this enough.  If you are going to carry a gun, you need to MAKE SURE IT RUNS!!  Don’t think it runs.  Take the time to run your carry rig with the ammo you are going to use on the range for extensive testing.  Had that mag been in a CCW situation it would have been bad news.

We have a TN Handgun Permit Class forming for March 19.  This class satisfies the requirement to apply for your handgun carry permit.  Class runs from 8-4:30.  Be prepared for all types of weather.  We will shoot rain or shine.

For more info go to our Class Page.

We have a class forming for next Saturday October 16, 2010 for the TN Handgun Permit.  The cost is $100 for the class.  Register a friend with you and you can come for half price!  Register two with you and you can come for free!  We can rent guns for $25 which includes ammo if needed.  Visit our class page for more information.

We have a TN Handgun Carry Permit Class forming right now for September 25.  One of the things that makes our classes different is the size of the class.  Space is limited to a maximum of 10 students. We do this to make sure that you are getting the proper instruction.  We are not interested in cycling people through the classes.

We want you to be completely proficient.  We offer a 1:5 instructor student ratio to make sure that you get individual attention when you need it.  Not only will you fulfill your TN requirement, but you will also have a great time with our classes.

Never shot before?  Not a problem.  In our last class we had a 60 year old grandmother who had never been to a range shoot a legitimate 94 on the qualification course.  Nothing wrong with that!

If you are interested email us to register for the class.

Registration is still open for the July 10 and 17 classes for the TN Handgun Permit Class.  If you are interested contact us or sign up on the website.  We are looking forward to jumping off with these classes.  The July special is still available; bring 2 friends and you attend half price.  Bring 4 friends and you attend free!

We are also beginning to get our fall schedule under way.  We look forward to some of the neat stuff that will be happening on the range.  The biggest is the Advanced Pistol Class.  Registration is open to anyone who has been through the NRA Basic Pistol Course or has a valid TN Handgun Permit.

In the TN Handgun Permit Course you will be getting the very basics.  When we go to the range, it is to make sure you are proficient with your firearm.  When we get to the range in the Advanced Course you need to be ready to run that firearm.

This class will teach the fundamentals necessary to carry a weapon.  We cover things like drawing from concealment.  How to choose your gear.  What aftermarket accessories are good for the firearms you are carrying, and what is magazine hype.

Then we go to the range and pound it out for most of the day.  You will shoot about 200 round, but bring 300 just in case.  You will shoot moving, from the different positions and from behind barricades.  We will discuss cover and concealment.

If you are interested in learning more or you want to schedule a class, email us for more details.

p.s. We are training citizens to be good citizens.  We are not trying to prepare the next Special Forces Operators.  Hence, no one will be yelling at you, and no one will be beating you up.  We are starting you down the road to handgun mastery.  If you need smoke grenades and flashbangs, let me know.  I have some good schools to recommend!

For the month of July if you sign up 2 friends you can attend the TN Handgun Permit Class for 1/2 price ($55).  If you sign up 4 friends you come free.  Not a bad way to get some solid training is it?  All you have to do is know some people.  Keep the money for yourself or discount everyone’s training in your group.  The choice is yours.

p.s. we won’t tell anyone what you do.

If you have been considering obtaining a TN Handgun Permit you are required to take a class that is at least 8 hours long that will cover some of the basic fundamentals of shooting  and safety as well as give you a basic understanding of TN laws pertaining to the handgun permit.  You may be thinking that the course is worthless because you are already a great shooter, have knowledge of the laws because you found them on the internet, and have a full understanding of the responsibilities being a handgun permit holder.

I want to encourage you to revisit all 3 of those assumptions.  Are you familiar with the liability that TN places on each bullet that leaves your firearm?  Have you no room to improve by revisiting the fundamentals?  One of my favorite things to do is to take “good shooters” to an IDPA match and let them discover a dynamic world that isn’t shooting cans on the back 40.  It can be humbling.  We all need to be reminded of the fundamentals as we progress.

At our handgun permit class you will be challenged to improve your general knowledge of firearms use, nomenclature and function.  You will be taught by competition shooters, sworn law enforcement and even a FBI certified firearms instructor who regularly qualifies the marksman for a TN law enforcement agency.  All of our instructors bring something to the table that will help you become a better shooter.

Don’t blow off the class as something to go through.  These classes will build a solid base if you are a new shooter and help the seasoned shooter refocus on fundamentals and marksmanship.  In the end it might be 8 hours that saves your life and livelihood.

If you are looking for a course to satisfy the TN requirements to get your Handgun Permit you can sign up now for courses that are starting in July.  We have 3 dates available right now; July 2, 10, and 17.  The cost of the course is $110 which includes training materials and the NRA Basic Pistol book which is an incredible reference.

I believe that we have put together one of the most professional, well qualified cadre of instructors in Middle TN.  If you are in the Nashville area, we hope that you will choose to train with us.  We promise that you will leave a safer, better shooter when the class is finished.  If you are looking for a cookie cutter class to pass you through, you need not apply.  This is a serious course that will take at least 8 hours.

Space is available, but it is limited.  We intentionally limit our classes, so check out the Training Page for more info and sign ups.  We look forward to working with you.

I spent this weekend in Oak Ridge, TN taking care of some certifications that I needed to complete the TN requirements for handgun permit instruction.  We have now crossed the last barrier to having our own classes.  As soon as the NRA knocks out the paperwork, we will be good to go.

Something that I came away with was the great state of the shooting community.  I met 5 other wonderful guys who come from varied walks of life, but have a passion for shooting.  We had a business man, a security specialist, a range master, a master shooter, and a TN Constable.  All of the guys were a lot of fun, and I don’t regret the time spent.

One of the reasons I love shooting is the community that surrounds the hobby.  If you are looking for a place to meet some really cool people who have a passion for the shooting disciplines, you have to get involved.  Your sport deserves to be shared and experienced by as many people as possible.  It is a great way to get the chance to hang out with some of the coolest people from all walks of life.  If you haven’t joined a range, taken a class, or started shooting in one of the disciplines, I would encourage you to get out there and meet some of the wonderful people that enjoy your sport.  I don’t think you will be disappointed.

I have been telling you that we are finalizing our Training Academy with the state of TN.  Despite the fact they were not very welcoming of my Virginia credentials, we are going to be able to move forward.  I appreciate all the time the state has spent with me on the phone to work out exactly what we needed to do.  Hopefully by the end of March 2010 we will be fully operational.  We are currently working up our class structures and course outlines.  We will immediately be offering the TN State required class to obtain your TN Handgun Permit.

You may be wondering why we are going to start offering classes through the formation of our Training Academy.  I don’t think any gunsmith ever gets into this business without a love for education.  I have been an educator in the private school system, and I continue to want to be teaching people.  This website is the most obvious expression of that desire. We constantly want to let you know about things that are helpful to make you a better shooter, cop or hunter.  The other reason is that safe gun practices make all of us better.  If we train ourselves to be better at safety everyone around us benefits.

Our classes will not be tactical.  They will not be for “cyber shooters”.  They won’t teach when you should or should not use a gun.  What they will do is prepare you for gun ownership, gun safety, and get you ready to apply for you TN Handgun Permit.

In the coming days we will be outlining what you can expect from all our classes, including our ladies only classes.  Stay tuned for more information, and thanks to everyone who is working behind the scenes to make this a reality.