Why I Teach Students to Handle the Handgun Before Shooting

When someone signs up for one-on-one handgun instruction with me, they’re often eager to hit the range and start shooting right away. I get it—shooting is the exciting part. But as an instructor, my job is to do more than teach someone how to pull a trigger. I teach them how to be confident, safe, and in control of their firearm from the very first session.

And that’s why I always start by teaching students how to function the firearm before we ever fire a live round.

🔫 Safety Comes First—Always

Before we ever touch ammo, we start with the Four Basic Rules of Firearm Safety:

1. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.

2. Never point the gun at anything you are not willing to destroy.

3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.

4. Know your target and what is beyond it.

These aren’t just classroom ideas—they’re rules that save lives. Every student of mine is expected to memorize and apply them from the start.

🛠️ Learning to Function the Firearm

Next, we break down the basics of how the handgun works. This gives the student a sense of control and reduces the intimidation factor. Here's what I cover before any live fire:

• How to load and unload the firearm safely

• How to insert and remove the magazine

• How to rack the slide or operate the cylinder

• How to lock open the action for inspection or clearing

• How to check the gun to ensure it’s clear of ammunition

• An introduction to common malfunctions and how to handle them

We’ll run dry-fire exercises or use dummy rounds to practice these steps until the student is confident.

🎯 The Foundation: Grip, Stance, and Sights

Once the student understands how the gun functions, we move into grip, stance, and sight picture. I use dry-fire drills to reinforce proper hand placement, stable footing, and smooth trigger control. There’s no rush—we build everything step-by-step so that by the time we add live ammo, the student is ready.

🔥 Live Fire: One Round at a Time

Only then do we go live at the range. I start students with one round at a time to:

• Focus on recoil management

• Practice trigger control

• Reinforce safety habits

• Build confidence in handling the gun under real conditions

This method helps prevent flinching and anxiety and allows us to correct form and focus before things become overwhelming.

📈 The Results: Confidence and Competence

This approach works. I’ve seen brand-new shooters go from nervous to confident in a single session—not because we rushed through it, but because we built the skills properly from the ground up.

One-on-one handgun coaching is about more than just making holes in paper. It’s about creating responsible, capable gun owners who feel prepared to handle their firearm safely—in any situation.

👇 Ready to Learn?

If you're ready to learn how to shoot the right way—starting with confidence, safety, and real-world skills—book a one-on-one session with me today. I teach beginners, nervous shooters, and anyone ready to take their handgun skills seriously.

📅 Book a Session Now📞 Call/Text: 901-877-8273🌐 TrainWith901FT.com