TAC-1 is the perfect firearms and tactics trainer you've been searching for - taught by law enforcement experts to make you more proficient, safer, and to help improve your shooting to another level.

Pistol Fundamental & Intro to Defensive Combat Shooting

This eight-hour, one-day course is intended to introduce beginners to the basic fundamentals of combat and defensive shooting. The goal is to equip students with the foundational skills needed for more advanced defensive shooting training. The course will focus on building a strong understanding of safe pistol handling and core marksmanship techniques, using an internal attentional focus method. Participants will acquire essential skills like routine chamber checks, safe loading and unloading procedures, drawing from the holster and presenting the pistol from various ready positions. Key marksmanship components, environmental awareness, as well as clearing simple malfunctions.

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Objective: The objective is to provide adequate knowledge to own and operate a handgun safely for personal defense.

PREREQUISITE: TAC-1 SAFE START or equivalent is highly recommended.  You must know the legal requirements for deadly force, nomenclature of the pistol and an understanding of cycle of operation of the pistol. You must be able to safely handle your pistol to begin in our Defensive Handgun series.

CLASS FORMAT: This (8 hrs) one day training will be held  on the live fire range. 0800 to 1630hrs

Register

February 28th, 2026 (Sat)  0800-1600

Pistol Shooting Fundamental

Pistol-1(a)

CTA Piru Shooting Ranges: 6700 Holser Canyon Road, Piru, CA 93040

0800 to 1630 hrs (8 hrs)

Defensive Shooting Fundamentals
Course Outline

Introduction

Discussion: Basic safety and brief overview of the CA firearms law
  • Safety on and off the range
  • Drawing and presentation from the holster
  • Pistol ready positions
  • Basic manipulation of semi-automatic handguns
  • Principles of personal defense

Marksmanship & Presentation

Students are introduced to pistol marksmanship & presentation
  • Establishing grip
  • 2 Modes of Trigger Control
  • Partner Trigger Drills
  • Importance of fast trigger reset
  • Sight acquisition and confirmation 
  • Correcting common shooting errors

Live Fire & Combat Shooting

Students are introduced to Live Fire Drills & Marksmanship Assessment
  • Use of deadly force
  • Combative mindset
  • Situational awareness
  • Shooting consecutive rounds
  • Dealing with difficult shots
  • Final assessment (test) 

Introduction to Defensive Handgun

P1(a) is where you build your fundamental basic. Solid foundation will ensure strong skills to build upon.

TAC-1 Videos

Safe Start
Guns Safety

Brand new shooters! Rest assured, we have the perfect course to help you get started on the right foot.  Our Safe Start program is designed for everyone to learn the fundamentals of safety, laws, handling, and marksmanship in a concise manner.

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NEEDED GEAR

Pre-​academy pistol training

Designed to introduce police academy candidates to the fundamentals of law enforcement firearms training and techniques, preparing them to excel in the academy.

If you never had any firearms experience or taken any handgun safety course, try our Safe Start course. 

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Location

CTA: California Tactical Academy

6700 Holser Canyon Road, Piru, CA 93040

(​805)-398-0003  For direction only

info@tac-1.org

Do not exceed the posted speed limit at this range as it will be enforced by the range staff. Please study the Google Map in advance. Do not use your cell phone. You will lose signal and you will be lost. Drive towards Lake Piru on Piru Canyon Road. We will meet at the parking lot at 08:00.  You will sign in at the range office and we will drive together to the assigned private range. If  you are late to the class, please ask the range staff to find out which range we are assigned.