Are YOu Trained or Untrained, that is the question...

We're here to help you get trained!

New Shooter 101 helps beginners learn to shoot.

Our training program is designed for beginners with no previous firearms knowledge.  You are welcome even if you have never fired a gun.

• Attend our free public workshop events, which include handgun training presentations throughout the year.
• Learn by watching our New Shooter 101 videos at home – scroll down to find them.
  
• Come to our workshops and work with experienced ADTA Mentors to practice what you saw in the videos using SIRT laser training pistols.
  
  

If you want to shoot with ADTA and have never fired a gun before:

• Go shooting with a friend or family member.  This is an easy to learn the basics of handgun operation and firearm safety.
  
• Take a class at the shooting range.  Learn enough to shoot safely in a target lane.
  
• Go to the shooting range and rent a pistol.  The staff at the rental counter will be glad to help you get started shooting.
• Once you know the basics of shooting a handgun, you're ready to start attending ADTA LIve-Fire Practice Events!

If you know the basics of shooting a handgun, here's all it takes to attend ADTA Live-Fire Practice Events:

1. Be able to hit a target using a handgun at a shooting range.
   
2. Know basic firearm safety.
3. Join ADTA and pass our background check.
   
   

Core Concept 1 — The four basic rules of gun safety

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

• Rule 1 – Treat every gun as if it is loaded.
  
• Rule 2 – Keep your gun pointed in a safe direction.
  
• Rule 3 – Index your trigger finger until you are on target.
  
• Rule 4 – Be certain of your target, and what is beyond it
  
• Related video:  Workshop 101

Core Concept 2 — How a handgun works

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

• How ammunition is made
  
• The parts of a semi-auto pistol
  
• How semi-auto pistols work
  
• How safeties work
  
• How double-action revolvers work
  
• The trade-offs between pistols and revolvers
  
• Related video:  Workshop 102
  

Core Concept 3 — How to unload a handgun and make it safe to handle

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

• The 5 steps for unloading a semi-auto pistol and making it safe to handle.
  
• The 3 steps for unloading a double-action revolver and making it safe to handle.
  
• Related video:  Workshop 103
  

Core Concept 4 — How to load a handgun and make it ready to shoot

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

• How to load a semi-auto pistol and make it ready to shoot.
  
• The correct way to operate the slide on a semi-auto pistol.
  
• How to load a double-action revolver and make it ready to shoot.
  
• Using speed loaders for pistols and revolvers
• Related video:  Workshop 104
  

Core Concept 5 — How to hold, aim, and dry-fire a handgun

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

• How to grip the gun like the jaws of a clamp.
  
• The basic shooting stance and ready position that get you ready for anything.
  
• How to aim your gun accurately by focusing on the front sight.
  
• How to dry-fire practice at home using our Basic Dry-Fire Exercise.
  
• Related video:  Workshop 105
  

Core Concept 6 — How to live-fire a handgun at the range

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

• Basic safety precautions at the shooting range
  
• How to practice shooting using our Basic Live-Fire Exercise.
  
• This is just our Basic Dry-Fire Exercise, combined with live rounds.
  
• How to get the maximum training value out of your practice time at the range.
  

Core Concept 7 — How to present a handgun from the holster

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

• How to practice drawing from a holster with our 5-step Basic Holster Exercise.
  
• How to draw from an outside-the-waistband holster.
  
• The extra moves needed to draw from concealment.
  
• Drawing from an inside-the-waistband holster concealed carry holster.

Core Concept 8 — How to clean a handgun

IN THIS VIDEO YOU WILL LEARN:

• How to clean your handguns with a minimum of effort in a small amount of space
  
• Using readily-available inexpensive supplies
  
• Using the least-toxic cleaners available
  
• Avoiding cleaners with strong odors

ADTA Workshop videos

Are you trained or untrained, that is the question...
We're here to help YOU get trained!

Our Workshop videos demonstrate the type of training you will receive in our Free Public Workshops.

When you're a new shooter, it's important to get an experienced instructor to help you with these videos. Don't try to learn to shoot by yourself until you're thoroughly familiar with firearms safety, and understand the basic operations of your handgun.

Workshop 101 – How to be safe around handguns

In this workshop we'll help you learn the four basic rules of gun safety.  We'll also talk about how to stay safe around others who are handling guns in an unsafe manner. 

• Related video:  Core Concept 1

Workshop 102 – How a handgun works

In this workshop we'll help you learn the basics of handgun operation. This will set the stage for everything else you will learn later.

• Related video:  Core Concept 2
  

Workshop 103 – How to unload a handgun and make it safe to handle

In this workshop we'll help you learn how to unload a handgun and make it safe to handle. If you don’t know anything else about handguns, you need to know this.

• Related video:  Core Concept 3
  

Workshop 104 – How to load a handgun and make it ready to shoot

In this workshop you'll learn how to load a handgun and make it ready to shoot. You can get good at this basic skill by practicing at home, following the steps we show you.

• Related video:  Core Concept 4
  

Workshop 105 – Learn to use your handgun by dry-firing at home

In this workshop you'll learn how to use your handgun at home – without ever firing a shot. This is called dry firing. Practice this and then you'll soon be ready for live fire shooting at the range.

• Related video:  Core Concept 5
  

Workshop 106 – Getting ready to go shooting at the range

In this workshop we'll show you how to get ready for shooting your handgun at the indoor range. Follow these instructions and you’ll know exactly what to expect when you get there.

Workshop 107 – Learn to shoot your handgun at the range

In this workshop we'll show you how shoot your handgun at the indoor range. Follow these instructions, and you’ll soon be ready to participate in live-fire practice events, with other new shooters.

Workshop 108 – How to select your first handgun

In this workshop we're NOT going to suggest what handgun you should buy. Instead we're going to go over five things you need to think about BEFORE you buy a handgun.

Workshop 109 – Getting ready for a live-fire practice event

In this workshop we'll show you how to get ready for a Live-Fire Practice Event. Many shooting ranges offer these events, where you'll learn to shoot in all kinds of practical self-defense situations.

Workshop 110 – Shooting your handgun at a live-fire practice event

In this workshop we'll show you what it's like to shoot at a Live-Fire Practice Event. Come to this type of event and you'll learn to shoot in all kinds of practical self-defense situations.

Workshop 111 – How to clean your handgun the user-friendly way

We've put together a basic gun cleaning kit that uses an unscented biodegradable cleaner. In this workshop we'll show you how to clean your handgun using this kit.