Talon Firearms Training provides a variety of courses to help all levels of shooters.
License To Carry
Course description: Texas Department of Public Safety course for obtaining your License to Carry a handgun, openly or concealed, in the state of Texas. This is a live, face-to-face class allowing interaction and the opportunity to ask questions and participate in discussions.
Length: Approx. 5 hours actual class time. Shooting Qualification will be after class.
Prerequisites: None. Must meet State *requirements. Minumum age: 17.5*
Tuition: $70
Required equipment: A properly operating modern firearm, at least 50 rounds of ammunition, hearing protection, eye protection, proper closed-toe footwear (sneakers or boots), clothing for the weather, and a brimmed hat.
This is not a firearms training class You should have a good working knowledge of how to operate your firearm safely. Our Basic Pistol class or Essentials Pistol class is a good place to learn to shoot.
Additional information: There is a 25 question written test and a shooting qualification.
Length: Approx. 5 hours actual class time. Shooting Qualification will be after class.
Prerequisites: None. Must meet State *requirements. Minumum age: 17.5*
Tuition: $70
Required equipment: A properly operating modern firearm, at least 50 rounds of ammunition, hearing protection, eye protection, proper closed-toe footwear (sneakers or boots), clothing for the weather, and a brimmed hat.
This is not a firearms training class You should have a good working knowledge of how to operate your firearm safely. Our Basic Pistol class or Essentials Pistol class is a good place to learn to shoot.
Additional information: There is a 25 question written test and a shooting qualification.
Pistol Introduction
Course description: This course is for the person with no or little experience shooting a handgun.
Length: 3 hours
Max. number of participants: 6
Prerequisites: None
Tuition: $60
Topics covered: Safety, parts of a handgun, ammunition, operation of a handgun, cleaning and maintenance of a handgun, proper grip, sight picture, basic marksmanship.
Required equipment: A properly functioning modern handgun with at least 50 rounds of ammunition.
We will provide ear protection, and eye protection (if needed). Participants will need to supply a ball cap that will allow the wearing of over the ear protection, suitable clothing for the day, and closed toe shoes.
Additional information: A limited number of loaner 9mm firearms are available for rent. The student will need to provide 50 rounds of 9mm x 19 (9mm Luger) ammunition.
Length: 3 hours
Max. number of participants: 6
Prerequisites: None
Tuition: $60
Topics covered: Safety, parts of a handgun, ammunition, operation of a handgun, cleaning and maintenance of a handgun, proper grip, sight picture, basic marksmanship.
Required equipment: A properly functioning modern handgun with at least 50 rounds of ammunition.
We will provide ear protection, and eye protection (if needed). Participants will need to supply a ball cap that will allow the wearing of over the ear protection, suitable clothing for the day, and closed toe shoes.
Additional information: A limited number of loaner 9mm firearms are available for rent. The student will need to provide 50 rounds of 9mm x 19 (9mm Luger) ammunition.
Essential Pistol/Online LTC Completion
Course description: This course provides the essentials skill to shooting and carrying a handgun for defensive purposes. This is a good class to “warm up” for the LTC class or to revisit fundamentals if you have been shooting casually for years. This course also meets the requirements for the LTC completion if you took an online LTC course. This course serves as a pre-requisite to our Practical Pistol I course.
Length: 4 Hours
Max number of participants: 12
Prerequisites: None
Tuition: $60
Topics covered: Fundamental skills needed to carry and operate a handgun for defensive purposes.
Safety
Safe gun handling stressing muzzle and trigger finger discipline.
Safe gun manipulation while clearing malfunctions
Defensive body positions and gun positions.
Sight picture
Trigger control and reset
Refining marksmanship
This course will prepare you for the LTC shooting qualification. The skills covered will give you the opportunity to be able to shoot 90% (225) or better on the qualification test.
Required Equipment: A properly operating modern firearm with 100 rounds of ammo, hearing protection, eye protection, proper closed-toe footwear (sneakers or boots), clothing for the weather, and a brimmed hat.
Length: 4 Hours
Max number of participants: 12
Prerequisites: None
Tuition: $60
Topics covered: Fundamental skills needed to carry and operate a handgun for defensive purposes.
Safety
Safe gun handling stressing muzzle and trigger finger discipline.
Safe gun manipulation while clearing malfunctions
Defensive body positions and gun positions.
Sight picture
Trigger control and reset
Refining marksmanship
This course will prepare you for the LTC shooting qualification. The skills covered will give you the opportunity to be able to shoot 90% (225) or better on the qualification test.
Required Equipment: A properly operating modern firearm with 100 rounds of ammo, hearing protection, eye protection, proper closed-toe footwear (sneakers or boots), clothing for the weather, and a brimmed hat.
Carrying a handgun is a great responsibility. Just as owning a piano and pecking out Chopsticks doesn't make you a pianist, neither does owning and carrying a handgun make you a shooter. Both items require practice and dedication. Paul Ford, 3-time gunfight survivor and SWAT instructor observes that in a gunfight you will function at 70% of your worst day on the range. Think about that. Do you want your life, and the lives of those around you, to be dependent on 70% of your worst day? Would you want to trust your life to a gun with just the LTC qualifying test?
Greek poet Archilochus said, "We don't rise to the level of our expectations; we fall to the level of our training." You must train to make your "worst" day into a good day. Talon Firearms Training provides courses that can take you beyond just being a gun owner to being a competent, and safer, shooter.
Our half-day courses allow you more flexibility to schedule your weekend. Courses can be stacked for a full-day experience.
Greek poet Archilochus said, "We don't rise to the level of our expectations; we fall to the level of our training." You must train to make your "worst" day into a good day. Talon Firearms Training provides courses that can take you beyond just being a gun owner to being a competent, and safer, shooter.
Our half-day courses allow you more flexibility to schedule your weekend. Courses can be stacked for a full-day experience.
Practical Pistol I
Course description: The Texas LTC class certifies you carry a handgun for self-defense. It does not prepare you to deploy your weapon in a self-defense situation. Practical Pistol I starts the student on their journey to be able to effectively use their handgun with realistic defensive skills. Standing squared up to a target with your gun already drawn while facing a stationary “bad guy” is not likely to happen in the real world. This class will take you from the remedial skills needed for the LTC test to being more capable of safely and effectively deploying your weapon. Additionally, this class will teach you skills to avoid a deadly force encounter in the first place. After all, the best way to survive a gun fight is to avoid it in the first place.
Length: 4 hours
Max. number of participants: 12
Prerequisites: Essential Pistol, equivalent training, or a score of 90% or better on the Texas LTC qualification test with no misses (administered prior to the class date*). This class serves as a prerequisite to PPII and students must pass a qualifying shooting test.
Tuition: $75
Topics covered: Safety, grip and draw stroke, shooting with movement, reloading during an encounter, malfunction clearing, scanning and assessing surroundings, and other defensive marksmanship skills.
Required equipment: A properly operating modern handgun and a minimum of 150 rounds of ammo, two additional magazines/speed loaders, a quality holster that will hold open for reholstering, magazine or speed loader holsters/carriers. No nylon or Blackhawk Serpa holsters. Eye and ear protection are required (Electronic muffs highly recommended) and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions. Ball cap with brim is necessary to keep the sun and brass out of your eyes.
Additional: This is a “Hot” class. Participants will keep their weapons loaded and holstered when not on the firing line. “Administrative reloads” will be introduced and demonstrated.
See General Class page for additional suggestions.
*Qualification must be scheduled with instructor at least one week prior to class date. $5.00 fee applies. Prior TFT LTC students with proof of score will “grand-fathered”. Prior TFT LTC students without proof of score will have $5.00 fee waived.
Length: 4 hours
Max. number of participants: 12
Prerequisites: Essential Pistol, equivalent training, or a score of 90% or better on the Texas LTC qualification test with no misses (administered prior to the class date*). This class serves as a prerequisite to PPII and students must pass a qualifying shooting test.
Tuition: $75
Topics covered: Safety, grip and draw stroke, shooting with movement, reloading during an encounter, malfunction clearing, scanning and assessing surroundings, and other defensive marksmanship skills.
Required equipment: A properly operating modern handgun and a minimum of 150 rounds of ammo, two additional magazines/speed loaders, a quality holster that will hold open for reholstering, magazine or speed loader holsters/carriers. No nylon or Blackhawk Serpa holsters. Eye and ear protection are required (Electronic muffs highly recommended) and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions. Ball cap with brim is necessary to keep the sun and brass out of your eyes.
Additional: This is a “Hot” class. Participants will keep their weapons loaded and holstered when not on the firing line. “Administrative reloads” will be introduced and demonstrated.
See General Class page for additional suggestions.
*Qualification must be scheduled with instructor at least one week prior to class date. $5.00 fee applies. Prior TFT LTC students with proof of score will “grand-fathered”. Prior TFT LTC students without proof of score will have $5.00 fee waived.
Practical Pistol II
Course description: Building off Practical Pistol I, this course provides reinforcement to skills already learned and introduces more complex skills to make the student even more capable of surviving a deadly force encounter.
Length: 4 hours
Max number of participants: 12
Prerequisites: Practical Pistol I. This class is a prerequisite for PPIII and requires the student to pass a shooting qualification test.
Tuition: $75
Topics covered: Safety, engaging multiple targets, close range engagements, shooting from alternate positions, engaging photo realistic targets, reinforcement of skills learned in PPI, and other defensive skills and topics.
Required equipment: A properly operating modern handgun and a minimum of 150 rounds of ammo, two additional magazines/speed loaders, a quality holster that will hold open for reholstering, magazine or speed loader holsters/carriers. No nylon or Blackhawk Serpa holsters. Eye and ear protection are required (Electronic muffs highly recommended) and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions. Ball cap with brim is necessary to keep the sun and brass out of your eyes.
Additional: Knee pads (optional). Individuals that cannot, or have troubles kneeling, will be afforded the opportunity to participate in alternate, less stressful, body positions.
Length: 4 hours
Max number of participants: 12
Prerequisites: Practical Pistol I. This class is a prerequisite for PPIII and requires the student to pass a shooting qualification test.
Tuition: $75
Topics covered: Safety, engaging multiple targets, close range engagements, shooting from alternate positions, engaging photo realistic targets, reinforcement of skills learned in PPI, and other defensive skills and topics.
Required equipment: A properly operating modern handgun and a minimum of 150 rounds of ammo, two additional magazines/speed loaders, a quality holster that will hold open for reholstering, magazine or speed loader holsters/carriers. No nylon or Blackhawk Serpa holsters. Eye and ear protection are required (Electronic muffs highly recommended) and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions. Ball cap with brim is necessary to keep the sun and brass out of your eyes.
Additional: Knee pads (optional). Individuals that cannot, or have troubles kneeling, will be afforded the opportunity to participate in alternate, less stressful, body positions.
Practical Pistol III
Course description: Practical Pistol I & II has paved the way for the student to become proficient at carrying and deploying their firearm in a deadly force self defense scenario. PPIII pushes the student to new levels of competency.
Length: 4 hours
Max. number of participants: 12
Prerequisites: PPI and PPII or equivalent. This is a prerequisite to Intermediate Pistol I. A qualifying test will be given.
Tuition: $75
Topics covered: Safety, reinforcement of skills learned in PPI and PPII, shooting from and around barriers, shooting from alternate body positions, speed and accuracy skills, navigating doorways and windows, and other defensive marksmanship skills.
Required equipment: A properly operating modern handgun and a minimum of 150 rounds of ammo, two additional magazines/speed loaders, a quality holster that will hold open for reholstering, magazine or speed loader holsters/carriers. No nylon or Blackhawk Serpa holsters. Eye and ear protection are required (Electronic muffs highly recommended) and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions. Ball cap with brim is necessary to keep the sun and brass out of your eyes.
Additional: Knee pads (optional). Individuals that cannot, or have troubles kneeling, will be afforded the opportunity to participated in alternate, less stressful, positions.
See General Class page for additional suggestions.
Length: 4 hours
Max. number of participants: 12
Prerequisites: PPI and PPII or equivalent. This is a prerequisite to Intermediate Pistol I. A qualifying test will be given.
Tuition: $75
Topics covered: Safety, reinforcement of skills learned in PPI and PPII, shooting from and around barriers, shooting from alternate body positions, speed and accuracy skills, navigating doorways and windows, and other defensive marksmanship skills.
Required equipment: A properly operating modern handgun and a minimum of 150 rounds of ammo, two additional magazines/speed loaders, a quality holster that will hold open for reholstering, magazine or speed loader holsters/carriers. No nylon or Blackhawk Serpa holsters. Eye and ear protection are required (Electronic muffs highly recommended) and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions. Ball cap with brim is necessary to keep the sun and brass out of your eyes.
Additional: Knee pads (optional). Individuals that cannot, or have troubles kneeling, will be afforded the opportunity to participated in alternate, less stressful, positions.
See General Class page for additional suggestions.
Intermediate Pistol I
Course description: Intermediate Pistol I introduces the student to skills that go beyond the “every day” skills of licensed carry. Students will engage in drills and competitions to hone their skills.
Length: 4 hours
Max number of students: 12
Prerequisites: PPI, PPII, PPIII or equivalent. IPI is a prerequisite to IPII. A skills test will be given to qualify for IPII.
Tuition: $100
Topics covered: Safety, reinforcement of skills learned in PPI, II, & III, timed stages, multiple targets, moving targets, man-on-man competitions, reactive targets, and other defensive skills.
Required equipment: A properly operating modern handgun and a minimum of 150 rounds of ammo, two additional magazines/speed loaders, a quality holster that will hold open for reholstering, magazine or speed loader holsters/carriers. No nylon or Blackhawk Serpa holsters. Eye and ear protection are required (Electronic muffs highly recommended) and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions. Ball cap with brim is necessary to keep the sun and brass out of your eyes.
Additional: See General Class page for additional suggestions
Length: 4 hours
Max number of students: 12
Prerequisites: PPI, PPII, PPIII or equivalent. IPI is a prerequisite to IPII. A skills test will be given to qualify for IPII.
Tuition: $100
Topics covered: Safety, reinforcement of skills learned in PPI, II, & III, timed stages, multiple targets, moving targets, man-on-man competitions, reactive targets, and other defensive skills.
Required equipment: A properly operating modern handgun and a minimum of 150 rounds of ammo, two additional magazines/speed loaders, a quality holster that will hold open for reholstering, magazine or speed loader holsters/carriers. No nylon or Blackhawk Serpa holsters. Eye and ear protection are required (Electronic muffs highly recommended) and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions. Ball cap with brim is necessary to keep the sun and brass out of your eyes.
Additional: See General Class page for additional suggestions
Intermediate Pistol II
Course description: Intermediate Pistol II allows you to put all your previous training to the “real-life” test. Students will learn to navigate barriers and doors, engage shoot/no-shoot targets, and continue to reinforce their previous training.
Length: 4 hours
Max. number of students: 10
Prerequisites: IPI or equivalent
Tuition: $100
Topics covered: Safety, reinforcing skills previously learned, shoot/no-shoot, target scanning, threat prioritization, and other defensive skills.
Required equipment: A properly operating modern handgun and a minimum of 150 rounds of ammo, two additional magazines/speed loaders, a quality holster that will hold open for reholstering, magazine or speed loader holsters/carriers. No nylon or Blackhawk Serpa holsters. Eye and ear protection are required (Electronic muffs highly recommended) and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions. Ball cap with brim is necessary to keep the sun and brass out of your eyes.
Additional: See General Class for additional suggestions.
Length: 4 hours
Max. number of students: 10
Prerequisites: IPI or equivalent
Tuition: $100
Topics covered: Safety, reinforcing skills previously learned, shoot/no-shoot, target scanning, threat prioritization, and other defensive skills.
Required equipment: A properly operating modern handgun and a minimum of 150 rounds of ammo, two additional magazines/speed loaders, a quality holster that will hold open for reholstering, magazine or speed loader holsters/carriers. No nylon or Blackhawk Serpa holsters. Eye and ear protection are required (Electronic muffs highly recommended) and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions. Ball cap with brim is necessary to keep the sun and brass out of your eyes.
Additional: See General Class for additional suggestions.
Advanced Pistol I
Course Description: Continuing to build on more progressive skills, Intermediate Pistol II engages the student to increasingly challenging, and exciting, skills. IPII reinforces and builds on previously learned skills and introduces managing contacts, de-escalation/force options, and force-scenarios.
Length: 4 hours
Max. number of students: 12
Prerequsites: PPI, II, & III, IPI. This is a prerequisite for Advance Pistol and a qualifying test will be giving.
Tuition: $100
Topics covered: Safety, reinforce skills learned in prerequisites, de-escalation and force options, force scenarios, and other defensive skills.
Required equipment: A properly operating modern handgun and a minimum of 150 rounds of ammo, two additional magazines/speed loaders, a quality holster that will hold open for reholstering, magazine or speed loader holsters/carriers. No nylon or Blackhawk Serpa holsters. Eye and ear protection are required (Electronic muffs highly recommended) and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions. Ball cap with brim is necessary to keep the sun and brass out of your eyes.
Additional: Clothing suitable for force-on-force engagements. Long sleeve shirt, vest or cover garment (suitable for weather), athletic shoes or light hiking style boots.
See General Class for additional suggestions.
Length: 4 hours
Max. number of students: 12
Prerequsites: PPI, II, & III, IPI. This is a prerequisite for Advance Pistol and a qualifying test will be giving.
Tuition: $100
Topics covered: Safety, reinforce skills learned in prerequisites, de-escalation and force options, force scenarios, and other defensive skills.
Required equipment: A properly operating modern handgun and a minimum of 150 rounds of ammo, two additional magazines/speed loaders, a quality holster that will hold open for reholstering, magazine or speed loader holsters/carriers. No nylon or Blackhawk Serpa holsters. Eye and ear protection are required (Electronic muffs highly recommended) and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions. Ball cap with brim is necessary to keep the sun and brass out of your eyes.
Additional: Clothing suitable for force-on-force engagements. Long sleeve shirt, vest or cover garment (suitable for weather), athletic shoes or light hiking style boots.
See General Class for additional suggestions.
Advanced Pistol II
Course description: Advance Pistol II puts everything the student has learned in the prerequisite courses into practice. During APII the student will engage in room/structure clearing, shoot/no-shoot decisions, and force-on-force scenarios.
Length: 5 hours
Max number of students: 8
Prerequisites: API
Tuition: $150 (cost includes 50 rounds of frangible ammo required for course.).
Topics covered: Safety, reinforce skills learned in prerequisite courses, shoot house engagements, force-on-force, and other defensive skills.
Required equipment: A properly operating modern handgun and a minimum of 150 rounds of ammo, two additional magazines/speed loaders, a quality holster that will hold open for reholstering, magazine or speed loader holsters/carriers. No nylon or Blackhawk Serpa holsters. Eye and ear protection are required (Electronic muffs highly recommended) and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions. Ball cap with brim is necessary to keep the sun and brass out of your eyes. Long sleeve shirt, vest or cover garment (suitable for weather), athletic shoes or light hiking style boots for force-on-force scenarios are recommended.
Addition: Please indicate caliber of training weapon at time of registration so frangible ammo will be available.
Length: 5 hours
Max number of students: 8
Prerequisites: API
Tuition: $150 (cost includes 50 rounds of frangible ammo required for course.).
Topics covered: Safety, reinforce skills learned in prerequisite courses, shoot house engagements, force-on-force, and other defensive skills.
Required equipment: A properly operating modern handgun and a minimum of 150 rounds of ammo, two additional magazines/speed loaders, a quality holster that will hold open for reholstering, magazine or speed loader holsters/carriers. No nylon or Blackhawk Serpa holsters. Eye and ear protection are required (Electronic muffs highly recommended) and appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather conditions. Ball cap with brim is necessary to keep the sun and brass out of your eyes. Long sleeve shirt, vest or cover garment (suitable for weather), athletic shoes or light hiking style boots for force-on-force scenarios are recommended.
Addition: Please indicate caliber of training weapon at time of registration so frangible ammo will be available.
Private or Group Instruction
Talon Firearms Training is available for individual and group training. Contact TFT to discuss your training needs and schedule your training. Dates are limited.
School Safety
Certified by the State of Texas, Talon Firearms Training can provide the School Safety (Guardians) program for your teachers, administration, and staff. Mike is a veteran teacher of over 25 years and his classroom experience combined with his firearms training provides relevant insight and practical training.
Contact Talon Firearms Training and let us help your school be a safer place.
Contact Talon Firearms Training and let us help your school be a safer place.
Church Defense
Mike has been involved in Church Safety for 20 years. As the Safety Team leader for a local church in Lubbock he has been on the forefront of church safety.
Contact Talon Firearms Training and let's discuss how we can help your congregation remain safe.
Contact Talon Firearms Training and let's discuss how we can help your congregation remain safe.
Stop The Bleed
Launched in October of 2015 by the White House, Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign and a call to action. Stop the Bleed is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrive.
Mike is a First CARE Provider instructor. This two-hour class will allow give you hands-on training applying tourniquets and packing wounds. Contact TFT for more information and to set up a class.
Tuition: Varies by needs. Generally, $10 per person with a 10 person minimum. Other packages including personal STB kits are available at additional cost and will require lead time.
Mike is a First CARE Provider instructor. This two-hour class will allow give you hands-on training applying tourniquets and packing wounds. Contact TFT for more information and to set up a class.
Tuition: Varies by needs. Generally, $10 per person with a 10 person minimum. Other packages including personal STB kits are available at additional cost and will require lead time.