Menu Close

Basics of Handguns USCCA (BoHU) Course

Course Summary

The Basics of Handguns USCCA (BoHU) Course is a very in-depth course in defensive handgun fundamentals. Terminology, how a handgun works, parts of a handgun, ammunition, what handgun to buy and or use, defensive mindset, defensive shooting, holsters, storage and creating a training program are all parts of this course. This course will not run short on the scheduled time. Because this is a fundamentals course, there are a lot of topics that need to be covered so you have the proper foundation to build everything on. Many basics course teach you to hold and aim a handgun but skip important parts like how a handgun works. If you don’t understand how a handgun works you can’t fix it when it won’t shoot.

Course Time Schedule Options

  • 8-10 Hours in Classroom (One In-Depth Class) Option
  • 10-12 Hours in Classroom (Multiple Classes) Option
  • 1-2 Hours on Live Fire Range, typically scheduled on a separate day from the classroom

Course Cost

  • $125.00+ One In-Depth Class Option
  • $180.00+ Multi-Class Option
  • Range Costs (paid on range day to the range)
    • $15.00+ Additional cost to the range may be required
    • $5.00+ Additional cost for handgun rental
    • $15.00+ Additional cost for ammo

Payments, Cancellations and Refunds

Course cost is due at registration. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. The actual cost will be listed on the events registration page. For a few courses we will enable a 50% option. For these courses, a 50% deposit is due at registration. The other 50% is due 30 days prior to the course. The 50% option is typically offered on our costlier courses that are scheduled months out.

If the course does not meet minimum participation we may move the location. We may also reschedule and or cancel the course. If the course does not meet minimum participation and we can’t work out an acceptable alternative for you we will offer a full refund, move you to a different course or a credit for individual instruction.

We typically do not offer refunds for our courses. It is difficult to replace students and have new students get up to speed and ready for the course. We have also found the no refund rule gets people to the course. You will try harder to attend if you know there is something to lose. Our goal is to educate and train you and not just take your money. If you have an emergency prior to the course please contact us ASAP. We will deal with emergencies on a case by case basis. No refunds for no shows.

Course Outline

Prerequisites

  • Prior Firearms Knowledge / Training: No
  • Gear List Summarized
    • This course does not have a specific gear list. If you plan on bringing your own handgun to the live fire range portion we would like to know the make and model of the handgun.
    • You will also need eye protection and hearing protection for the live fire portion. Review the location specific section for more information.
    • Please review the complete gear list below.
  • Student Firearms Questionnaire: Yes
  • Student Waiver: Yes
  • We will want a gear check prior to the course, typically a week before. The gear check is simple. Send us a picture of your gear needed below so we can review and verify you are good to go.
  • Understanding our first two rules 🙂
    • Rule # 1 – DON’T SHOOT THE INSTRUCTOR
    • Rule # 2 – THE INSTRUCTOR SHOOTS BACK

Topics Taught in This Course

If you choose the one in-depth training option, the below will be taught in a single day class. Live Fire will be a separate day that will be scheduled during the class.

If you choose the multi-class training option, there will be 3 separate classes with basics, mindset and fundamentals. Live Fire will be a separate day that will be scheduled during the class.

  • Basics
    • Lesson 1: Safety Rules
    • Lesson 2: Safe and Verify a Handgun
    • Lesson 3: Handgun Actions
    • Lesson 4: Selecting a Handgun
    • Lesson 5: Holsters, Lights and Storage
  • Mindset
    • Lesson 6: Ammo and Malfunctions
    • Lesson 7: Defensive Shooting
    • Lesson 8: Range Etiquette and Expectations
  • Fundamentals
    • Lesson 9: Proper Grip and Shooting Platform
    • Lesson 10: Sighting and Trigger Control
    • Lesson 11: Training Plans and Exercises

What to Expect

The course will mostly be in the classroom. The classroom portion is expected to take about 8-10 hours with breaks for the one in-depth class training option. The multi-class option is a total of about 12 hours. The course is taught in a discussion style and not just the instructor presenting. Student participation is absolutely mandatory and fun. It also helps make sure we all don’t fall asleep.

We like to separate the classroom from the live fire. Many classes from other instructors will do both the classroom and live fire all in one day. We have not found success with this style for basic classes. The amount of information we will provide for this course is more than most instructors and will give you information overload. To put you in added stress after trying to learn all these new things and have you shoot live fire is typically discouraging. In the classroom we use a lot of different techniques and technologies to test what we are teaching. It is not stressful but fun. Many students choose to do these exercises multiple days prior to ever shooting live fire. It is a great way to learn.

If you want to jump all in and feel you can handle both the classroom and live fire look for one of our one in-depth classes that will last most of the day. The one in-depth class does not allow for as much one-on-one attention. So, you have to pick up the information quickly. Many people who attend this option leave overwhelmed and exhausted. For the right person this option is the best. We do offer many stressful courses, but you have to understand and be proficient with the fundamentals before you attend.

The live fire shooting will be basic marksmanship to verify you are safe and effective shooting. We will then try to correct any negatives to have you performing at an advanced level. Beginners who don’t have any bad habits typically will pick this up quicker. People with years of bad habits will have a more difficult time and require multiple range days for us to correct these. Understanding what you can do at home (dry firing) is also very important.

Gear List

  • Eye Protection – Safety glasses will need to be worn while on the live fire range. If you don’t have your own safety glasses please review the location specific section for availability from the range. If the range does not provide safety glasses you need to let us know immediately so we can possibly accommodate.
  • Hearing Protection (electronic over the ear, recommended) – You will have to wear hearing protection while on the live fire range. We recommend electronic over the ear style hearing protection. The electronic hearing protection will help you hear the instructor’s commands. The reason for over the ear is so the instructor and range safety officers (RSO’s) can quickly verify you have hearing protection on. The in-the-ear hearing protection makes it very difficult for an instructor to scan the firing line and see if everyone has hearing protection on. This slows down the class and possibly causes a safety issue with verifying all students are ready to shoot. If you don’t have your own hearing protection please review the location specific section for availability from the range. If the range does not provide hearing protection you need to let us know immediately so we can possibly accommodate.
  • Handgun – You will need a safe, mechanically sound (not grandpa’s 100-year-old rusted gun), necessary accessory (magazines), and ammunition for the live fire portion of this course. If you don’t own or have access to a handgun, review the location specific section to determine if the range offers rentals and the costs. If the range does not offer rentals please contact us immediately so we can try to accommodate.
    • Semi-auto (Recommended)
    • 3+ magazines (5 Recommended)
    • 9mm caliber or higher (Recommended)

What Else to Bring to Class

Everyone is different when it comes to attending a class. Everyone uses a little different technique to gather and retain information. Some of the items below are generic and what we have seen other students use in the class.

  • A positive attitude with an open mind.
  • Note taking – notepad and pen or tablet. Laptops are not preferred as the typing may disturb other students.
  • Drinks and Snacks – typically food and drinks are allowed to be brought to the class. Please review the location specific section to verify.
  • A thin jacket – in case you get cold easily, bringing a pull-over or jacket is a good idea.
  • Prescription Glasses – This is a classroom setting, so if you need your prescription glasses or wear contacts please wear them. If you can’t read the screen it will be difficult to get all the information.

No-Go’s

Because of the nature of this course there are some things that are not allowed.

  • Students only
    • No kids
    • No spectators
    • No helpers
  • No recording devices or picture taking
    • This may be allowed on a class by class basis but the instructor will let you know
  • No pets
  • No alcohol
  • No drugs
    • No elicit / illegal drugs
    • No mind-altering drugs prescription or non-prescription
    • If we feel you are under the influence of any drug or alcohol you will be asked to leave and will not receive a refund
  • Course disruptions
    • If you become a disruption during the course you will be asked to leave and will not receive a refund
  • Safety violations
    • If you continuously violate our safety rules you may be asked to leave the course and may not receive a refund