Handgun 101: Handgun Orientation (8 Hours)

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Overview

Experience Requirements

Course Outline

Equipment List

Ammo

Notes

Overview

This is the ideal course for the new gun owner or those interested in learning to shoot. This introductory level course provides the student with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to safely handle, load, fire, and unload common types of pistols. Time is spent both in the classroom and on the firing range in a comfortable learning environment. 

 

Important Notice for Florida Residents
As of December 1, 2025, this course fulfills the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' training requirements for obtaining a Concealed Weapon or Firearm License, as outlined in Florida Statute § 790.06. Eligibility applies only when this course is conducted within the state of Florida.

Important Notice for Massachusetts Residents
The Handgun 101 course is not an approved Basic Firearms Safety Course as required under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140, §131P. Completion of Handgun 101 does not meet the training requirement for applying for or renewing a Massachusetts License to Carry (LTC) or Firearms Identification (FID) Card.

Experience Requirements

None.

If you already have experience handling a handgun and are familiar with the applicable laws, you may proceed directly to Handgun 102. Please note that all participants must demonstrate safe firearm handling at all times. If safety standards are not met, we may remove you from the course and reschedule you for Handgun 101. Please ensure you have read through the class description and fully understand our prerequisites before registering.

 

Competitive Shooting Classifications as a Prerequisite

Certain competitive shooting classifications reflect a level of skill and experience that meets or exceeds our course progression standards. Students holding qualifying classifications may bypass specific prerequisites based on the discipline and division in which they are classified.

To bypass Handgun 101, 102, or 103: 
You must be classified as B, A, M, or GM in USPSA or Steel Challenge, or Sharpshooter, Expert, Master, or Distinguished Master in IDPA.

Only the following divisions count:

• USPSA: Open, Limited, Limited 10, Production, Single Stack, Carry Optics, Limited Optics
• Steel Challenge: Production, Limited, Open, Carry Optics, Single Stack, Limited Optics
• IDPA: CDP, ESP, SSP, CCP, CO

To take any of our civilian pistol classes: You must be Master or Grand Master in USPSA or Steel Challenge, or Master or Distinguished Master in IDPA. Same divisions apply as above.

Classification Verification for Prerequisite Bypass

Students who wish to bypass a course prerequisite based on competition classification must provide proof of current classification prior to registration.

To request a bypass, please email SSAinfo@sigsauer.com with one of the following accepted forms of verification:

• USPSA classification card or screenshot from uspsa.org/mobile app
• IDPA classification card or screenshot from idpa.com
• Steel Challenge classification screenshot from scsa.org/mobile app

A member of our team will contact you to confirm that the prerequisite requirement has been removed, allowing you to proceed with enrollment in your desired course(s).

Course Outline

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Recognize how to secure, store, and childproof firearms.
• Recognize how to safely handle, store, maintain, and select ammunition.
• Identify the basic laws and reliable resources relating to the purchase, possession, transportation, storage and carry of firearms and ammunition.
• Summarize the cycle of operations of a semi-automatic pistol.
• Demonstrate the safe use and handling of firearms.
• Demonstrate how to properly load and unload handguns.
• Apply shooting fundamentals to fire a semi-automatic pistol safely and successfully. 
• Demonstrate how to clean and lubricate a semi-automatic pistol.
• Demonstrate how to properly function check a semi-automatic pistol.

Classes starting at 8:30am will run until 4:00pm.

Classes starting at 1:00pm will run until 8:30pm.

Disclaimer: Instructors have the discretion to add or remove topics of discussion based on the safety and capabilities of the students throughout the duration of the course. This is to ensure that every student is learning in a safe environment and receives applicable training based on students’ skill set at the time of the course.

Equipment List

• Do not bring any firearms or ammunition to this course
• Suitable footwear
• Clothing suitable for training in any weather
• Hydration system
• Wraparound eyewear, polycarbonate lenses or non-shattering prescription glasses
• Recommend electronic hearing protection or earmuffs and earplugs

Tuition includes free loan of firearms, safety glasses and hearing protection at the Epping, NH and New Smyrna Beach, FL locations.

Ammo

Ammunition is included in the cost of this course.

Notes

Classes starting at 8:30am will run until 4:00pm.

Classes starting at 1:00pm will run until 8:30pm.