Oregon Firearms Academy
Off-Site Courses

Two-day
Advanced Defensive Handgun Course


This is a DPSST Certified Course

This is an excellent 16-hour advanced-level training course for those who are serious about wanting to learn how to use a handgun in high stress self-defense situations. This course goes way beyond what is taught in a basic handgun program or intermediate level defensive handgun courses. You will get maximum range time with personalized hands-on coaching and instruction from certified instructors. Throughout the two-day course you'll have an opportunity to pass a very challenging handgun qualifying course to document your proficiency with your self-defense handgun.

Prerequisite: A basic to intermediate level defensive handgun course such as our Defensive Handgun 1 and/or 2, a Police Academy firearms course or their equivalent is required to attend this course. If you are uncertain about your previous training call us!

Here is what we'll cover in the course:

Lectures over the two days include:

Review the Four Firearms Safety Rules, Tactical Safety, & Safety while Moving
How to set up a "Self-Defense File"
Introduction of Range Protocol, Emergency Response Plan . . .
What is "Tactics?"
Team Tactics
Tactics in Buildings, Enclosures and other Structures
The "Self-Defense Mindset"
Understanding the "Tachy-Psyche Effect" upon a defender
Muscle Memory
Most Likely Scenario
Target Indicators
Breaking up the Natural Body Armor

Range Training & Exercises include:

Administrative Skills - Quick Review only

Proper unloading, loading, & performing a chamber check
Proper inspection of the defensive handgun
Improving defensive marksmanship

Tactical Skills - Quick Review only

Four point presentation from the holster
The "Push, Pull, & Sweep" technique
Introduction to the "Ready" position
Verbalization to the threat
"After Action" response including the scan & search technique
Combat reloads
Tactical reloads
Clearing Phase One malfunctions
Clearing Stovepipe malfunctions
Clearing Phase Two malfunctions
Battlefield pickup
Shooting one handed and then safely transferring to the other hand on command
Close quarter shooting
Introduction of the use of cover or concealment
How to assume a position behind cover or concealment
Speed kneeling and double kneeling
Introduction to the DPSST 25 round, ten yard & five stations, timed Qualifying Course of Fire
to demonstrate defensive handgun proficiency and as a model for future practice/training

Advanced Tactical Skills - New skills introduced in this course

Advanced movement including lateral and forward/backward - Once this skill is mastered ALL range work will be done with movement. Thus a student will be expected to move during handgun presentations, during combat and/or tactical reloading, clearing malfunctions and even under some shooting conditions with moving targets. All tactical manipulations of the handgun will be done during movement (Ever hear of riding a bike and chewing gum at the same time!)
Engaging and defending against moving targets
Breaking up the Natural Body Armor
Grounded Drills
Advanced Team Tactics - including shooting, moving, and communicating under more difficult and stressful conditions
Turns - 90 degree left, 90 degree right, 180 degree turns, rescue pivot, reverse to Weaver, and reverse kneeling
Advanced use of cover and movement
Longer range shooting including from prone, rollover prone, supine etc.
"Down partner" drills
Injured limb management
Single handed shooting and manipulations including presenting the handgun, shooting, combat reloading, tactical reloading, clearing malfunctions, and reholstering single handed. This will be practice with both with the strong hand only and support hand only.
Introduction to building clearing and searches. If time and range facilities allow students will receive an introduction into building tactics including doors, halls, corners, windows, movement, working with a partner, and how to pie-the-corners
Introduction to shooting from inside and outside of vehicles
Introduction to handgun retention/disarms with bare hands and with knifes
(depends on class schedule if time is allocated)

Equipment & Supplies for the Course

Safe, reliable, high quality defensive handgun - bring a back up just in case your primary breaks down
1000 rounds of high quality ammo (preferably factory new for safety and functionality reasons)
At least three magazines or speedloaders
High quality defensive type holster,* a sturdy belt, & a magazine/speedloader pouch
Eye & ear protection (corrective lenses are OK as long as they are ANSI approved safety glass/shatterproof)
Hat or cap with bill (for the sun & to prevent hot brass from getting trapped in your eye protection-ouch!)
Knee pads/elbow pads - not required but are helpful during kneeling & grounded drills in the gravel
Long legged pants with amble pockets to carry loose rounds of ammo and/or spare magazines/speedloaders
Sturdy boots/shoes & dress appropriately for the time of the year and activity level
Sunscreen
Lunch, snacks, and drinks for the day (bring lots of water because you'll need it!)
Cleaning & maintenance supplies for your handgun
A lawn chair or something similar to sit on during lectures
Bring a vehicle you don't mind shooting out of . . .We will shoot from both the inside and outside of your vehicle
One old shirt, T-shirt, sport shirt, blouse, dress shirt or jacket in any adult size and color. This item will not be worn by the student and will be unusable after class. This is for instructional purposes. Note: The garment will be ruined during the course.

* Note: Bring a holster that will remain open when the handgun is drawn so you are not required to use both hands in order to re-holster. Also, the trigger and trigger guard must be covered when the gun is in the holster. Be advised; if you bring a "snap-type" retention holster then expect to unsnap/re-snap each time your present the handgun from the holster. Got a question on the right holster for you? See our FAQ page for more info.