This class is for students who have completed Basics of Rifle Shooting and are ready to develop real-world handling skills with their personal AR-15 platform. We introduce working from ready positions, safe and consistent safety selector use, and weapon light manipulation. Every drill reinforces responsible control, clean execution, and confident movement with your rifle.
This class is run on a flat range and focuses on applying defensive concepts at 10 to 20 yards, the maximum engagement distances most indoor ranges allow.
Who This Class Is For
- Shooters who have completed the Basics of Rifle class
- AR-15 owners who want structured training with their own gear
- Shooters who have a weapon-mounted light and want to learn how to use it under live fire
- Students ready to add ready positions, safety usage, and light manipulation into their live fire
- Shooters preparing for practical rifle applications beyond the bench
Required Equipment
- An AR-15 pattern rifle in working condition
- At least 50 rounds of ammo
- Weapon-mounted light (strongly recommended)
- Two-point sling (optional, but highly recommended)
- Eye and ear protection
- Close-toed shoes
- Rifle set up how you intend to use it
Note: You may train without a sling or light, but will not be able to fully participate in all drills. Firearms may be provided for demonstration, but students should bring their own rifle to gain the most from this class.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this class, students will be able to:
- Present the rifle from high ready and low ready safely and efficiently
- Operate the safety selector with consistency and control
- Toggle a weapon-mounted light during a string (if equipped)
- Understand and apply ready-up concepts at defensive distances
- Keep consistent hits on target under light time pressure
- Make real-time corrections based on shot feedback and target performance
Skills Covered
- Stance and recoil management
- Grip and rifle indexing
- Sight picture and offset compensation
- Trigger press and follow through
- Safety selector control before and after shooting
- Weapon light use for target identification
- Rifle ready positions: High Ready and Low Ready
- Sling usage (if equipped) for control and transitions
Total Round Count: 50 Rounds
Distance: 10 to 20 yards
Target: Center A-Zone
Strings: 5 rounds per string with target checks between each string
Course of Fire – 50 Rounds
Block 1: Fundamentals from Ready Positions (15 Rounds)
- String 1 – 5 rounds from High Ready
- String 2 – 5 rounds from Low Ready
-
String 3 – 5 rounds, shooter’s choice of ready position
Emphasis: Safety selector remains ON until rifle is presented and ON again once off target. Target is brought back after each string for analysis.
Block 2: Light and Safety Integration (15 Rounds)
- String 4 – 5 rounds from Low Ready with light ON
- String 5 – 5 rounds from High Ready with light ON
- String 6 – 5 rounds, alternating ready positions, light ON or OFF based on instructor cue
Light use must be intentional. Students should be toggling light either prior to or during presentation depending on setup.
Block 3: React and Execute Drills (15 Rounds)
- String 7 – 5 rounds, instructor calls out “high” or “low”
- String 8 – 5 rounds, instructor calls “light” or “no light”
-
String 9 – 5 rounds, shooter’s full decision: ready position, light, execution
Focus: Smooth transitions, clean trigger press, and safety on before moving
Block 4: Diagnostic String (5 Rounds)
- String 10 – 5 rounds, student executes cleanly from chosen ready position with or without light
- Safety usage and muzzle control must be clean
- Groupings must show consistency
- Light use should be deliberate
Final target is brought back. Instructor provides feedback and recommendations for further training.
What to Expect
This is not a tactical shooting class. It is a technical and diagnostic environment for intermediate students who want to build control. All drills are paced to allow for coaching, corrections, and self-assessment.
This is where shooters learn how to run their rifle with clarity and purpose and not just hit paper, but handle responsibly under realistic range constraints.