Gun For Hire’s Beginner Pistol Course
NRA The Basics of Pistol Shooting
Whether you’re a new gun owner, looking to purchase or just want to learn how to respect and use a pistol, this is your first step. This is Gun For Hire’s exclusive flagship course which is only available at Gun For Hire. The education goes way beyond the typical text book because of our highly trained instructors who have decades of experience in law enforcement and military.
Not only do you learn the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude for owning and operating a pistol safely, you hear first hand examples and life lessons from the best in the industry. This course is about 4 hours long and includes classroom and range time, and utilizes both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. In addition to skills and attitude you’ll learn the rules for safe gun handling, pistol parts and operation, ammunition, shooting fundamentals, range rules, shooting from the two-handed standing positions, and continued opportunities for skill development. At the end of the course you will also earn a NRA Basic Pistol Certificate and if you qualify, you can earn a seat in the next level course.
You have the option, at check out, to purchase the Florida CCW package. A non-resident Florida CCW will allow you to legally carry a concealed weapon in 35 states. The CCW package includes the prints and photos. We will also assist you with the application. All you need to do is mail the package to Florida along with the Florida application fee of $97. The Basics of Pistol Shooting Course is a mandatory course if you want the Florida CCW.
Course Details:
• There are no prerequisites to take this course. The material is suitable for all, including appropriately supervised, mature children. Minimum age is 13 years old.
• The length of the course is approximately 4 hours
• This course is held at Gun For Hire 1267 McBride Ave. Woodland Park, NJ 07424
What to Bring:
• If you don’t have a firearm, it’s not a problem. A selection will be supplied, during the class, at no additional charge.
• Have your own firearm? Great. Please bring it along.
• Ammo: .22, 9, or .38 ammo is supplied. If you choose to bring a pistol and it uses a different caliber, please bring a box of factory ammo to use.
• Course Completion: Students will receive feedback on all live-fire exercises.
• This course is all inclusive: Class – Certificate – Materials – Range Time – Targets – Eye and Ear Protection.
• Please wear comfortable clothing. No open-toed shoes.
• NO live firearms or ammunition allowed in the classroom, ie: concealed carry. If you bring your own firearm for the course, it must be locked in a case.
What We Will Cover:
• To teach the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude for owning and using a pistol safely.
• Pistol knowledge, safe gun handling, ammunition knowledge, fundamentals of pistol shooting, two-handed shooting position, firing the first shots, cleaning, storage, pistol sports and activities.
• Course Completion: Students will receive feedback on all live-fire exercises.
• This course satisfies practical requirements for the Florida Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permit.
october 2023
november 2023
december 2023
Non-Members
$195 All Inclusive Basic Pistol Course
$260 Includes optional Florida CCW
Become a Member today and save
Paid Membership Levels
Silver, Bronze and NY Members Save 5%
$185.25 All Inclusive Basic Pistol Course
$247 Includes optional Florida CCW
Red, White, & Blue, and Gold Members Save 10%
$175.50 All Inclusive Basic Pistol Course
$234 Includes optional Florida CCW
Platinum Members save 20%
$156 All Inclusive Basic Pistol Course
$208 Includes optional Florida CCW
Member Discount Only Applies To The Member’s Ticket Price, Not Additional Students. Add the Member’s Ticket to the cart before you add the additional students.
Course Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy
Cancellation and Rescheduling 4 or more days before the Course:
100% refund on the same payment method used or you can choose the next available course date.
Cancellation and Rescheduling 3-1 days before the Course:
You will receive 100% of your purchase price in your Gun For Hire account which can be used for anything Gun For Hire related. Courses, Port time.
Cancellation and Rescheduling is 24 hours before the Course:
If the cancelation or request for rescheduling is less than 24 hours prior to the start of the class or not at all, you will receive a 50% credit of your purchase price in your Gun For Hire account towards the next available course. This is due to the scheduled staff and course preparation etc.
If the cancelation is non existent, there is no credit or refund.
“He engages the class well and keeps everyone involved.”
Last night I attended the Basic Pistol class with Tony. Even though this class is geared for beginning shooters and I have been a gun owner since 1983, the class was very informative and I learned a lot. Tony has a great teaching style that made learning a serious topic fun and easy to understand. He engages the class well and keeps everyone involved. During the live fire session Anthony worked with me and helped me overcome some bad habits I’ve developed over the years and he also has a nice approach to teaching firearms safety and handling. I also observed both Anthony and Tony taking first-time shooters from nervous first trigger pulls to consistent groupings. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. Last week I also took the UT & FL non-resident CCW courses. He also has a great presentation style and managed to get a room full of applicants trained and processed promptly. Your Gun For Hire facility is also first class. It’s clean and welcoming. Most indoor ranges I’ve been to are dark and not user-friendly. GFH stands head and shoulders above the competition. Thanks again for offering this opportunity to the public to increase firearms safety and skills. I look forward to another class soon.
“The minute I walked in we were greeted and welcomed like family.”
“The minute I walked in we were greeted and welcomed like family. I never thought businesses did that anymore it was truly refreshing for my son and I to experience that type of environment. Even the owner came over and welcomed us to the family. We’re new gun owners and didn’t know much about what we bought. I was a bit embarrassed but that was put to rest the minute we met the instructors. Not only did these guys know there stuff they knew how to deliver it to the entire class. I am truly fortunate we began at Gun For Hire. Next up Holster draw! Anthony please feel free to use this on your site or email” – Sincerely John & Sebastian
“Highly recommend taking an NRA Basics Pistol Course.”
“Highly recommend taking an NRA Basics Pistol course. It’s a great experience and makes you much more educated on the topic. It’s also a lot of fun! Taught by ex-military and retired police (and some both!), they are very friendly and willing to share their great experience and knowledge with you to dispel myths and irrational fear about firearms. Hell, they might even improve your shooting, too. (No guarantees)! Thanks to Gun For Hire in Woodland Park, NJ. Thanks, Tony, Doug, Guy, and Moe for your military service and continuing education. #gunforhirerange”
“Hands On Is The Way T GO.”
I just completed the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Course. We were given appropriate materials, including a text with all the power point slides for future reference. The instructors, Mo, Doug, and Guy were great. They answered any and all questions, kept the course interesting, and were professional in every way. The live fire part put to use the classroom instruction we had just received. Hands on is the way to go. I am looking forward to my next course, the Holster Draw, of course expecting the same professional training. GFH provides the latest information on regulations and necessary training to be confident and safe in using firearms for protection and recreational shooting.
The Best Firearm Instructors
If you’re looking for the best Firearm Instructors delivering the best Firearms Education, Gun For Hire is incomparable.
Since 1992, we have been the Gold Standard for Firearms Training. Our Instructors have over 375 combined years of Military and Police training.
NRA Fact: So many students have trusted us to train them that we are only second to the Boy Scouts of America.
If you have any questions regarding Gun For Hire Courses or you would like to schedule a private lesson, please send Tony Urena our Director of Training an email. We look forward to welcoming you to the family!
Tony Urena Director of Training
Tony is a United States Navy Veteran as well as a Veteran Law Enforcement Officer with over 25 years of experience. During his illustrious career he was the training officer for his department, and was responsible for their bi-annual qualifications and training for approximately 100 law enforcement officers. Tony was also state certified in all aspects of firearms training which included handguns, shotguns, sub-guns, semi and automatic rifles, as well as scoped rifles. In addition, Tony was qualified to testify as a firearms expert, as well as in the “Use of Force”. Tony is also a high level martial artist, with well over 30 years of training, and was a state certified Defensive Tactics Instructor.
Bob Prause Chief Instructor
Bob is a former United States Marine and Veteran Law Enforcement Officer with 25 years of experience. He brings a vast amount of “real world” tactical knowledge to the Gun For Hire team. Some of Bob’s prior assignments include Captain in charge of the Passaic County narcotics and violent street gang task forces. Bob also served 14 years as a operator and senior operator on the Passaic County Special Weapons Team (SWAT), serving in the capacity of point entry, sniper, sniper team leader, team leader and overall team commander. He planned and executed over 500 high risk operations. Bob is a certified law enforcement firearms instructor and holds instructor certifications in submachine gun, assault rifle and precision scoped rifle.
John Uzzalino Instructor
John has been a Police Officer with the Woodland Park Police Dept. for over 25 years and is currently Chief of Police. He is a PTC Certified Firearms Instructor and has attended several firearms tactical courses as well as Active Shooter preparation courses. He has been trained as a SWAT operator and holds several armorer certifications. John handles the Advanced Firearms training for his department and is a Gun for Hire Instructor in all of our exclusive courses.
Vlad Vaval Instructor
Vladimir is an active duty Law Enforcement Officer for over 20 years. Vlad has been assigned as a full time Law Enforcement Trainer since 2009, he works as a lead instructor, in service as well as academy level. Additionally, Vlad is the Range Master, lead armorer and defensive tactics coordinator for his department. Vlad is a state certified physical training, defensive tactics, pistol, shotgun, sub-gun, and rifle instructor.
Vladimir has been a Martial Arts practitioner for over 30 years, reaching a high level, competing particularly in sparring and full contact competitions, becoming successful in winning numerous tournaments and holding many titles nationally and internationally.
Vladimir’s experience includes being assigned to various law enforcement units such as anti-crime, emergency services, as well as counter-terrorism throughout the state. Vlad is also a trained HazMat tech, Rescue Diver, and instructs topics such as Use of Force and active shooter, to name a few, to Law Enforcement and civilians.
Wayne Monico Instructor
Retired at the rank of sergeant in 2010 after serving 25 years with the Fort Lee police department in New Jersey. During his time with the police department he worked Patrol, Police K-9 Handler, Narcotics detective, Patrol supervisor and Narcotics supervisor. He is a graduate of the Drug Enforcement Agencies “Drug Unit Commander Academy”, the FBI’s SWAT School, FBI Sniper School and FBI Defensive Tactics Instructor School.
Wayne served on the agencies Emergency Services Unit from 1988 through 2010 and was Team Leader starting in 1991 and was responsible for team training and tactical operations. Wayne also served as the departments liaison to the Terrorism Task Force and taught law enforcement and civilian Terrorism Awareness courses in Bergen County. Wayne served in the U.S. Army Reserves with the 812th Military Police Company from 1983 to 1987.
Wayne is certified as a police instructor in the following disciplines: handgun, shotgun, sub-machine gun, rifle, FBI certified defensive tactics instructor, physical conditioning instructor, SWAT tactics, ballistic shield, distraction devices, OC spray, expandable baton, PR-24 and rappelling. Wayne is also a student of traditional martial arts and is currently an instructor in the Israeli system known as Krav Panim El Panim (KAPAP) which he has taught to both civilians and law enforcement.
Ed Leung Instructor
Ed is an NRA certified Instructor and Chief Range Safety Officer. He is a strong proponent of our right to self protection, and is a constant student of multiple weapons platforms, disciplines and ideologies. Ed is a Glock Armorer and has had the privilege of training with subject matter experts including Special Operations Forces, Law Enforcement and Civilian. He enjoys bringing the skills and fighting mindset to shooters of all abilities.
“You will not rise to the occasion, you will default to the level of your training.” Barrett Tillman
Henry Hahn Instructor
Henry is a professional educator with more than 20 years of experience. Henry is a family-man who advocates the second amendment and that you are your own first responder. He has conducted instruction for hundreds of clients in firearm handling, basic fundamentals, proficiency and skills and firearm safety. Henry has been providing firearms instruction to Boy Scouts, youth, police, and private persons since 2014.
John Gurriell Instructor
John Gurriell is a New Jersey certified Paramedic. He has been working as a medic since 2002, mostly in an urban setting. John is also a tactical medic who has been involved with the Passaic County S.W.A.T. team since 2010. Along with his medical experience, John has volunteered for his local fire department for over 15 years, serving in multiple positions which included Assistant Chief. He served on the New Jersey Urban Search and Rescue team as a Rescue Specialist and deployed to the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Prior to becoming a medic, John spent time volunteering as an EMT with his local emergency medical services squad. John worked in aquatics for 17 years before becoming a Paramedic. He has been conducting American Heart Association and American Red Cross courses for the past 25 years to include Advanced Cardiac Life Support, CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguarding.
John earned his Paramedic Certificate from Rockland Community College in 2002. He is in the process of pursuing his bachelor’s degree.
John Gurriell lives in norther New Jersey.
Leo Manalo Instructor
Leo Manalo holds the rank of Guro and is the highest Full Instructor in Atienza Kali.
As the highest ranking instructor, Guro Leo travels throughout the US & internationally to teach and promote the numerous Atienza Training groups.
Guro Leo has been involved in martial arts for over three decades – from Tae Kwon Do, Tai-chi, kickboxing, & FMA.
However, his true passion lies with Atienza Kali where he has been training with the Tuhons (Chief Instructors) of the system for over 20 years.
He has competed at several Sayoc Sama Sama Head Hunter competitions & is the winner of the Cold Steel Sword Competition 2005.
Atienza Kali practitioners are a varied group – parents, business owners, Law-Enforcement, military, lawyers, and so on. Guro Leo is proud to teach Atienza Kali’s brand of weapon-oriented martial arts to the Gun-For-Hire community.