Courses

APS Training Courses

Please note: Most of our courses have been structured into 4 hour blocks.  This is to allow the greatest possible flexibility to our customers.  Generally, the blocks do not have to be taken in a specific order and a course can be joined at any point.  This means you can join a course when it is most convenient for you, without waiting for a specific Block 1 to come around again.  We usually offer a discount when you sign up for an entire course, but we also offer financing and a “Pay as you go” option.  Please call, email or stop by for more information.


 

Course: Introductory Consultation

Description : Individual or group private consultation to develop plan of instruction.

Details: Firearms training is a serious and personal matter. We fully appreciate that our clients want to meet us face to face and see exactly what sets us above our competition. Schedule one of our 30 min Introductory Consultation to come and visit our Shooter Resource Center, take a look at the course material we offer for each curriculum and experience how our Fire Arms Training Simulator (F.A.T.S.) completes your training experience. There is no charge for the initial consultation.

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Course: Private Instruction/Coaching

Description : Individual or group private instruction, in the classroom, simulator and live fire range.

Details: For those who prefer direct, one-on-one instruction, we offer private firearms instruction. Whether you are new to firearms and would like to have the comfort of a knowledgeable instructor focused solely on you, or if you are an experienced shooter that needs some coaching to refine your technique, we are here to serve you. Our instructors utilize the best curriculum material from the National Rifle Association and the United States Concealed Carry Association, combined with the proven technology of the Fire Arms Training Simulator (F.A.T.S.) and years of shooting experience to get you to your goals. Call, email or sign up online for your private appointment today!

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Course: NRA FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation

Description : Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training — is the NRA’s response to the American public’s need for a firearm orientation program for new purchasers.

Details: NRA FIRST Steps Pistol is designed to provide a hands-on introduction to the safe handling and proper orientation to one specific pistol action type for classes of four or fewer students. This course is at least four hours long and includes classroom and range time learning to shoot a specific pistol action type. Students will learn the NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; the particular pistol model parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; cleaning the pistol; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, FIRST Steps Course completion certificate.

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Course: NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course

Description : Teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude for owning and operating a pistol safely.

Details: This course is at least 8-hours long (Two 4-hour Blocks) and includes classroom and range time learning to shoot revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; pistol parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; range rules; shooting from the bench rest position, and two handed standing positions; cleaning the pistol; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, take a Basics of Pistol Shooting Student Examination, and course completion certificate.  This course meets 8 of the 16 hours of training required for the Illinois Concealed Carry License.

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Course: Illinois Concealed Carry (USCCA Course)

THIS IS NOT AN NRA SANCTIONED COURSE

Description: Teaches the basic knowledge, skills and attitude to meet the requirements of the Illinois State Police for the issue of an Illinois Concealed Carry Permit.

Details: This is at least an eight hour course (with prior approved training credit) that will build upon the participants basic pistol knowledge and skills.   We offer a sincere and friendly challenge: Try to find a better Concealed Carry and Home Defense course than this one. The sheer amount of critical information contained in this 16 hour course is incredible. If you want to make the most of your training time and dollars, this is the CCW course to take. Block1 starts with some statistics and trends that may surprise you, an introduction to developing a personal and home protection plan, and how a license to carry a concealed firearm fits in.It will also cover situational awareness and conflict avoidance.  Block 2 begins with an introduction to personal protection firearms including handguns, shotguns and rifles and the applications for each.We will also review the fundamentals of safe shooting from a personal protection standpoint. In Block 3 we cover in depth the legalities of using force to protect ourselves, our families and our homes. We will have a thorough review of all applicable laws and how to interact with law enforcement outside of a violent encounter. Finally, in Block 4 will learn to deal with what we hope most to avoid, a violent encounter. The material will explain the physiological responses to the stress of a violent encounter, what we can expect and how to deal with it.  We will discuss how to interact with law enforcement and the legal system and prepare for the aftermath.  There is a section on gear and gadgets like holsters and safe firearm storage.  Everyone will practice drawing a handgun from a holster. You will learn some basic and intermediate practice drills to help build skill and confidence. There is a short written review and a required live fire exercise.  Before the class ends, we will give you some guidance on what comes next.  Again, this course is very comprehensive and covers much more than just a gun and the law.

The minimum subject material that will be covered includes:

• Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act (Illinois Law) in its entirety

• Illinois Firearm Owner Identification Card Act (Illinois Law)

• Illinois Compiled Statutes Sections 430 and 720

• Dry fire practice drills and handgun fundamentals

• Dry fire practice drills from concealment

• Live fire practice drills and handgun fundamentals

• Live fire qualification with a concealable firearm consisting of a minimum of 30 rounds which must include 10 rounds from a distance of 5 yards; 10 rounds from a distance of 7 yards; and 10 rounds from a distance of 10 yards at a B-27 silhouette target approved by the Illinois State Police.

The Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act allows for partial credit to be given for previous training and military or law enforcement service.  This credit is awarded at the discretion of the Instructor.  Proof of training or service is required.  All required Blocks must be completed within six months of beginning the course.  Please contact us for more information.

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Course: NRA FIRST Steps Rifle Orientation

Description : Firearm Instruction, Responsibility, and Safety Training — is the NRA’s response to the American public’s need for a firearm orientation program for new purchasers.

Details: NRA FIRST Steps Rifle is designed to provide a hands-on introduction to the safe handling and proper orientation to one specific rifle action type for classes of four or fewer students. This course is at least four hours long and includes classroom and range time learning to shoot a specific rifle action type. Students will learn the NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; the particular rifle model parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; cleaning the rifle; and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Basics of Rifle Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, FIRST Steps Course completion certificate.

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Course: NRA Basic Rifle Shooting Course

Description : Teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for the safe use of a rifle in target shooting.

Details: This course is at least 12 hours (Three 4-hour Blocks) long and includes classroom and range time learning to shoot rifles. Students learn NRA’s rules for safe gun handling; rifle parts and operation; ammunition; shooting fundamentals; range rules; shooting from the bench rest, prone, sitting, standing and kneeling positions; cleaning, and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the Basics of Rifle Shooting handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, take a Basics of Rifle Shooting Student Examination, and course completion certificate.

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Course: NRA Basic Personal Protection In The Home Course

Description : Teaches the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to the safe and efficient use of a handgun for protection of self and family, and to provide information on the law-abiding individual’s right to self-defense.

Details: This is an eight-hour course (Two 4-hour Blocks). Students should expect to shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition. Students will learn basic defensive shooting skills, strategies for home safety and responding to a violent confrontation, firearms and the law, how to choose a handgun for self-defense, and continued opportunities for skill development. Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection In The Home handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure, the Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification booklet, and course completion certificate.

NRA Basic Personal Protection In The Home course is for law-abiding adult citizens, as defined by applicable federal, state, or local law, and experienced shooters (shooters able to show mastery of the basic skills of safe gun handling, shooting a group, zeroing the firearm, and cleaning the firearm) to maximize what can be learned from this course. Proof of shooting experience can be one of the following: NRA Basic Pistol Course Certificate, NRA FIRST Steps Course Certificate, NRA pistol competitive shooting qualification card, military DD 214 with pistol qualification, or passing the Pre-Course Assessment.

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Course: NRA Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home Course

Description : Comprehensive and intensive in its approach to equip the defensive shooting candidate with the skills needed to survive serious adversity.

Details: The course teaches students the knowledge, skills and attitude essential for avoiding dangerous confrontations and for the safe, effective and responsible use of a concealed pistol for self-defense outside the home. Students have the opportunity to attend this course using a quality strong side hip holster that covers the trigger, or a holster purse. From a review of safe firearms handling and proper mindset to presentation from concealment and multiple shooting positions, this course contains the essential skills and techniques needed to prevail in a life-threatening situation.

The NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home is divided into two levels (basic and advanced). Level one is a eight-hour course (Two 4-hour Blocks) and offers the essential knowledge and skills that must be mastered in order to carry, store, and use a firearm safely and effectively for personal protection outside the home. Upon completion of level one, students may choose to attend level two, which is an additional five hours of range training and teaches advanced shooting skills. After the classroom portion, students should expect to spend several hours on the range and shoot approximately 100 rounds of ammunition during level one. Level two involves eight additional hours (Two 4-hour Blocks) on the range and approximately 115 rounds of ammunition. The ammunition requirements are minimum and may be exceeded. Students will receive the NRA Guide to the Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home handbook, NRA Gun Safety Rules brochure and the appropriate course completion certificates(s), NRA Basic Personal Protection Outside The Home (identifies strong-side hip holster or purse use) certificate, and NRA Advanced Personal Protection Outside The Home certificate.

The NRA Basics of Personal Protection Outside The Home is for adult individuals who are not disqualified from possessing a firearm as defined by applicable federal, state, or local law and are of good repute and possess defensive pistol skills presented in the NRA Basics of Personal Protection In The Home Course. Participants must also understand the basic legal concepts relating to the use of firearms in self-defense, and must know and observe not only general gun safety rules, but also those safety principles that are specific to defensive situations. Prospective participants can demonstrate that they have the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes by producing an NRA Basic Personal Protection In The Home Course Certificate, or by passing the pre-course evaluation.

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