I’m Kayla, and I actually did this. Last summer, I booked a weekend with an NRA-certified shooting instructor at a small range outside Tulsa. It was 98 degrees, the air smelled like dust and sunscreen, and my palms were sweaty before I even touched the pistol. Funny thing—I was both nervous and excited. Sounds odd, but it’s true. For a second perspective on spending range time with a pro, read My Honest Take on Working With an NRA Shooting Instructor.
Why I Signed Up
I wanted real skills, not random tips from a cousin at a cookout. I also needed someone who wouldn’t talk down to me. My instructor, Mike, had that calm coach vibe. He wore a faded ball cap, carried a notebook, and said my name like it mattered. He also made it clear from minute one: safety first, every time. For anyone sizing up potential mentors, the NRA Family’s overview of the 5 key factors for choosing your gun instructor lays out simple criteria that make the search easier.
You know what? That helped me breathe.
If you’d like to understand the other side of the conversation and see how some groups push back against the NRA’s influence, visit Stop the NRA.
How the Weekend Worked
Day one was classroom. We sat at long tables with little blue manuals, mock ammo, and plastic demo guns. He had a big whiteboard and drew stick-figure hands to show grip. Silly drawing. Helpful though.
- We did dry-fire drills with snap caps (fake rounds) to learn trigger press.
- He made us say the safety rules out loud. Not once. A lot.
- We practiced picking up and setting down a pistol like it was a routine, not a guess.
If you're wondering what the NRA Basic Pistol Instructor course looks like from the inside, there’s a full breakdown right here.
Day two was range time. I brought a Glock 19 I’d rented from the range. My friend used a Smith & Wesson M&P9. We shot at simple paper targets at about 5 to 10 yards. Nothing fancy. Slow fire. Breath. Press. Reset. Repeat. The rhythm felt like stepping to a drum line—quiet but steady.
He had a little shot timer, but he didn’t push it. “We’re building good reps, not chasing speed,” he said. That line stuck.
Real Moments That Stood Out
- My first five shots were low and left. I felt dumb. He didn’t flinch. He adjusted my support-hand pressure, told me to relax my shoulders, and had me try again. The group shifted back to center like magic. Not magic, I guess—just better hands.
- I flinched at a loud bang in the next lane. He paused the drill, checked on me, and gave me a quick reset: “Eyes on front sight. Two-count breath.” We stood there, just breathing, until I settled. Kind of simple. Kind of huge.
- He used a nickel drill—balancing a coin on the front of the slide during dry fire. If the coin fell, I was jerking the trigger. The coin didn’t lie. That little trick helped me more than any “Just relax” speech.
What I Liked
- Safety wasn’t a lecture. It was a habit. He corrected me fast, then praised me faster when I fixed it.
- He taught in short chunks—one skill at a time. No firehose.
- He let me rent gear first. Later I picked my own ear pro and a simple range bag without feeling pushed.
- He gave me two homework drills I could do at home with no live ammo. As a busy mom, I liked that.
What Bugged Me (A Little)
- The classroom stretched long. I wanted more hands-on the first afternoon. My brain got heavy, like math class after lunch.
- Range fees and ammo costs add up. My weekend total was about what I pay for new tires. Not nothing.
- He talked jargon sometimes—“sight radius,” “press-out”—then backtracked to plain words. I wish the plain words came first.
Gear Notes From My Bag
Simple works. I used:
- Foam ear plugs under over-ear muffs (double up—my ears thanked me).
- A basic ball cap and clear wraparound glasses.
- A rental pistol and factory 9mm ammo.
- A small notebook. I wrote down “grip—more left hand” in big letters.
Tiny digression: bring water, sunscreen, and a snack. Hot range, cranky brain. A granola bar can save the day.
How He Handled Nerves and Mistakes
He treated nerves like weather—normal, expected, and manageable. He had me step back when I rushed. He checked my trigger finger. He never raised his voice. “Slow is smooth,” he said. Then he made me prove it. I liked that he looked at my hands first, not just my target. The paper tells a story. Your hands tell the reason.
Did I Get Better?
Yes. My groups got tighter. More than that, I felt in control. My last string was the best of the day—ten clean hits in a calm rhythm. I walked off the line tired and proud, like after a good run. That feeling mattered as much as the holes in the paper.
Who This Is For
- New shooters who want safe, steady coaching.
- Folks who shot years ago and need a reset.
- People who like clear steps and kind correction.
If you want to show off or rush, this will frustrate you. If you want to build real skill, it fits.
Price, Time, and Booking
My two-day class ran Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon. Tuition was fair, but range fees and ammo bumped the cost. Plan for that. If you’re hunting for classes near you or want to verify an instructor’s certification, the NRA’s official Firearm Training site keeps an updated roster and schedule. I booked by phone, paid a deposit, and got a gear list by email. Easy enough. And if you’re considering becoming an instructor yourself, someone documented the certification journey in this article.
Quick Tips I Wish I Knew
- Cut your nails short. Grip feels better.
- Bring two water bottles. One gets warm fast.
- Wear shoes you can stand in all day. Cute can wait.
- Ask to demo different grips. Small changes matter big.
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Final Word
Would I train with an NRA shooting instructor again? Yes. I left safer, calmer, and more skilled. Not perfect. Just better. And better feels good.
Honestly, I showed up shaky. I went home steady. That’s my measure.