AHT Core Pistol Foundations

AHT Core Pistol Foundations is an eight-hour course for new and inexperienced handgun owners and shooters. No previous firearms training is required. Whether you recently purchased your first pistol or want formal instruction before attending another AHT course, this class provides an organized introduction to safe handling, responsible ownership, and fundamental handgun skills.

The morning covers firearms safety, range etiquette and procedures, handgun operation, safe handling and storage, loading and unloading, routine maintenance, ammunition selection, and sighting systems. Students are introduced to iron sights and red-dot optics, including mounting considerations and supervised zero confirmation when appropriate.

The afternoon introduces stance and posture, grip and presentation, aiming, visual focus, and trigger manipulation. Supervised dry-fire practice is a central part of the day. Students also learn safe drawing and holstering, emergency and reduced-capacity reloads, and how to recognize and respond safely to common firearm malfunctions. Controlled live fire reinforces these fundamentals as student readiness permits.

The objective is to establish the knowledge, safety habits, equipment familiarity, and foundational competence needed for further training. Core Pistol Foundations is designed to prepare students for AHT Baseline Pistol; readiness to advance depends on demonstrated safety and handling ability, not simply completing the course.