Classes

USCCA Defensive Pistol Program (DPP)

You’ve gotten your Concealed Carry Permit, spent some time at the range, so what comes next? The USCCA’s Defensive Pistol Program (DPP) is our flagship course, offering a comprehensive approach to developing essential defensive shooting skills. This is the PRACTICAL side of concealed carry, covering proper (and safe!) draw techniques, drawing and presentation from concealment, methods of target engagement and how to engage multiple targets. This program uses both live-fire and dry-fire training methods and is based on the principles of motor learning and skill acquisition science, ensuring participants are well-prepared for real-world defensive situations.

This is a comprehensive, live-fire class comprising over 20+ hours of time with one of the fewer than 100 certified USCCA Defensive Pistol Program instructors in the country.

Course Overview

  • Our Defensive Pistol Program class covers all of these topics:

    ■ Classroom Module
    ◻ Introduction to the Defensive Pistol Program
    ◻ Understanding Defensive Context
    ◻ Probability & Self-Defense Data
    ◻ Home-Defense Considerations
    ◻ Ammunition & Ballistics
    ◻ Concealed Carry Considerations

    ■ Range Module 1: Fundamentals of Defensive Marksmanship
    ◻ Posture, Position, Structure
    ◻ Grip
    ◻ Sights & Aiming
    ◻ Trigger Manipulation
    ◻ Natural Point of Aim
    ◻ Emergency & Tactical Reload
    ◻ Recoil Management
    ◻ Transition From Unsighted to Sighted Fire

    ■ Range Module 2: Presentation From Concealment
    ◻ Presentation From the Holster (No Cover Garment)
    ◻ Presentation From Concealment
    ◻ Post-Engagement Procedure
    ◻ Reload

    ■ Range Module 3: The Balance of Speed & Precision
    ◻ Principles & Factors Affecting Speed & Precision
    ◻ Reload
    ◻ Emergency Reload
    ◻ Recoil Management

    ■ Range Module 4: Defensive Response
    ◻ Defensive Response Overview
    ◻ Cognitive Processing in a Defensive Response
    ◻ Considerations & Target Engagement in a Defensive Response
    ◻ Target Transitions

    ■ Range Module 5: Malfunctions & Single-Handed Shooting
    ◻ Malfunctions: Immediate & Remedial Action
    ◻ Single-Handed Shooting
    ◻ Single-Handed Presentation
    ◻ Single-Handed Presentation From Concealed
    ■ Final Assessment

Who Should Attend

  • Experienced gun owners seeking defensive training.
  • New pistol owners.
  • Novice shooters.
  • Individuals interested in concealed carry or home-defense strategies.

Class Structure

  • Maximum of 8 students per session for personalized attention.
  • Flexible schedule options:
    • 5 consecutive days.
    • 5 weekly sessions over five weeks.

This program is ideal as a starting point for those new to defensive pistol use and a stepping stone for advanced training.

See Available Classes