Handgun Marksmanship I is the essential first step for anyone serious about developing strong shooting fundamentals. Whether you’re a first-time shooter or looking to improve your accuracy and control, this course is designed to build a solid foundation in handgun marksmanship. At P2K Sports in San Diego, our expert instructors guide students through every critical aspect of shooting, emphasizing safety, technique, and consistency. This comprehensive introduction helps you develop skills that will serve you well whether you’re shooting for sport, self-defense, or personal enjoyment.
Marksmanship is much more than just pulling the trigger and hoping the bullet hits the target. True marksmanship is about controlling every factor that affects accuracy — from your stance and grip to sight alignment and trigger control. It’s a discipline that requires patience, practice, and a thorough understanding of the mechanics of shooting.
Focusing on marksmanship from the start prevents bad habits and ensures safe, efficient handling of your firearm. This is especially important for new shooters, who may feel overwhelmed by all the components involved in shooting accurately.
Our Handgun Marksmanship I course is structured to take students step-by-step through the fundamentals of handgun shooting. Here’s a look at the core areas covered:
Safety is the cornerstone of all firearms training. Before any live-fire drills begin, you’ll learn essential safety rules that must be followed every time you handle a handgun. This includes proper gun handling, safe storage, and situational awareness on the range. Our instructors stress safety repeatedly to build habits that protect you and those around you.
How you hold your handgun and position your body affects recoil management and shot accuracy. You’ll practice the correct grip techniques that promote stability and control. Instructors will also help you find a comfortable, balanced stance — whether it’s an isosceles, weaver, or other shooting stance — that supports your personal body type and shooting goals.
The eyes are your most important tool in marksmanship. You’ll learn how to align your handgun’s sights properly and maintain a consistent sight picture on your target. Understanding the difference between sight alignment (the relationship between the front and rear sights) and sight picture (how the aligned sights relate to the target) is critical for hitting your mark consistently.
Many shooters underestimate how crucial smooth, controlled trigger pulls are to accuracy. Jerking or slapping the trigger causes the muzzle to move, throwing off your shot. We teach techniques to press the trigger straight back without disturbing your sight alignment, resulting in cleaner, more precise shots.
Breathing impacts stability, so you’ll practice breathing techniques that minimize body movement during firing. Additionally, you’ll learn about follow-through — maintaining your focus and stance after the shot to prevent anticipatory movements that can reduce accuracy.
Before live firing, dry fire exercises (practicing trigger pulls without live ammunition) are introduced. Dry firing allows you to refine your grip, sight alignment, and trigger control in a safe and controlled environment. This helps build muscle memory for better performance when live rounds are fired.
Handgun marksmanship is a skill that improves through repetition. Our instructors emphasize consistent practice of these fundamentals so that they become second nature. Each class session includes drills designed to reinforce the core techniques, helping you build confidence with your handgun.
Whether your goal is casual target shooting or preparing for concealed carry, strong marksmanship skills are a must. The foundation you build here will carry you through more advanced courses and real-world applications.
This course is perfect for beginners with little or no shooting experience, as well as for shooters who want to reset and refine their basics. Even those who have handled guns before often discover gaps in their technique that this course helps to correct.
We also welcome shooters looking to compete in local events or hunters who want to improve their precision. Our goal is to empower all students with skills that make shooting safer, more enjoyable, and more accurate.
At P2K Sports, we combine professional instruction with a friendly, supportive environment. Our instructors have years of experience and understand how to communicate clearly, patiently, and effectively. We maintain a safe and well-equipped range in San Diego, giving students the best setting to learn and practice.
Our curriculum is built on proven methods and tailored to each student’s pace, ensuring everyone gets the attention they need. Plus, small class sizes mean you get more personalized feedback and guidance.
Handgun Marksmanship I is more than just a beginner class — it’s the foundation of responsible, accurate handgun use. By mastering the fundamentals early, you set yourself up for success in all your future shooting activities. From safe handling to steady aim and smooth trigger pulls, this course covers everything you need to shoot confidently and accurately.
If you’re ready to start your handgun training journey, sign up for Handgun Marksmanship I at P2K Sports in San Diego. We’re here to help you develop skills that last a lifetime.
