DCSA Member Services | Denton County Sports Association

As of June 22, 2008 the DCSA "Semi-Automatic Handguns 101" class as described at the very bottom of this page is being at least temporarily replaced with the "101" and CHL classes at Flower Mound Community Activity Center (CAC). Please contact the CAC at 972-874-PARK to register or Lonnie Ward at dcsa1996@yahoo.com if those classes or schedules do not work for you.

Handgun Safety, Operation and Marksmanship 101

The objective of this course is for novice or inexperienced students to obtain the initial knowledge, skills and attitude to safely and responsibly own and operate a revolver or semi-automatic pistol.

For students with aspirations to obtain the Texas Concealed Handgun License (CHL), this "101" class can be taken at the before or after the CHL "Classroom Training" at the CAC.

Students will be welcome to bring their own handguns and ammunition to a subsequently scheduled session at Denton County Sports Association (DCSA) private indoor training facility (409 Copper Canyon Road; 7 miles northeast of the CAC). Eye and ear protection are included in the DCSA pricing above.

The subsequent fee to DCSA of $81.88 per student includes eye and ear protection, initial membership and range use fee and an approximately 90-minute/100-round shooting session with instructor (and no more than one other student shooting at the same time). Students who, for whatever reason, desire to complete their 1 1/2 hour shooting session with no other student present will have opportunity to schedule same for an additional $60.00.

"101 Class" students may bring their own handgun (of virtually any caliber) and (factory only) ammunition to the range session at DCSA only or will have the option of renting a 9mm Glock Model 19 or Kahr Model K-9 semi-automatic and purchasing ammunition at DCSA ($30 total including 100 rounds). If needed, 22 or 38 caliber revolvers and appropriate ammo can be made available.

Based upon mutual student/instructor discretion at the time, there may be an option for the last 50 rounds of this session to include the DPS CHL course "Demonstration of Proficiency". Note: This Texas CHL "shooting qualification" requires a minimum of 32 caliber. Students who test with a revolver will be issued a license to carry only revolvers (of any caliber). Students who test with a semi-automatic will be issued a license good for either a semi-automatic pistol or a revolver.

Semi-Automatic Handguns 101: Safety, Operation and Marksmanship for CHL Course Completion

A "hybrid class" is currently being developed and more formally implemented for single students or pairs of novice or quasi-experienced shooters. Similar training has been done privately for years on an "as needed" basis, yet this course may be offered on a scheduled basis for somewhat larger groups beginning in the summer of 2008.

The objective will be, in controlled indoor environments, to get both "unconsciously incompetent" and "consciously incompetent" individuals trained in at least the fundamentals of safe semi-automatic handgun handling, operation and marksmanship. And, at the end of an approximately 5-hour session, to have acquired the knowledge, skills and attitude to successfully complete the Texas Concealed Handgun License "demonstration of proficiency" (fancy term for 50-round "shooting test"). Students who score 70% or better get a "PASS" on the DPS Form TR-100 included in this "package" and have only another 9 hours of classroom time to complete before final certification. In the (highly unlikely) event a student does not score at least 175 out of the possible 250 points, an additional session can generally be scheduled with instructor at no additional cost other than for more ammunition.

While revolvers will be briefly discussed and demonstrated in the classroom portion of this "101" course, primary focus will be on semi-automatic handguns (so that students can get a Texas CHL that allows carry of either a semi-automatic pistol or a revolver). With advance notice, "revolver interest only" students can certainly be accommodated with a slightly modified format. (Although many CHL holders do carry small revolvers, we've had only 2 or 3 students test that way in the past 12+ years.)

Included in the pricing below is 150 rounds of 9mm ammunition and use of a Glock 19 and/or (slimmer grip) Kahr Lady K-9. Both of these "as-simple-as-they-come" semi-automatic handguns have DAO triggers (Double Action Only: more on such terminology in class). Or, students are welcome to bring their own handgun and 150 rounds of factory target ammunition (typically marked on the box "FMJ" for Full Metal Jacket).

The bottom line total cost for this option for 1 person in this approximately 5 hour one-on-one class with instructor (plus approximately 9 hours of scheduled CHL classroom time with other students on a separate day) is $300. It includes the DCSA 1-hour orientation, our guns, 150 rounds of 9mm ammo, eye and ear protection and instructor's signature on the "Proficiency" portion of the Form TR-100. Passport photos and notary service are also included on the applicable day. Adding a spouse or "buddy" doing the same reduces the cost to $250 per person. Students using their own gun (minimum .32 caliber required) and ammo pay $45.00 per person less.

If mutual schedules permit, the full 10-hour DCSA CHL classroom portion (including the 1-hour safety orientation) may be completed first (see schedule in top left link), then this "Semi-Automatic Handguns 101" format scheduled for approximately 4 hours (instead of 5) on a subsequent day.

A possibly more convenient option is to complete the DCSA safety orientation (see schedule link on top left) in advance and set up a 4-hour appointment for completion of the remainder of this format on a subsequent day (which can be either before or after the long day of required CHL classroom time).

Although prior students are certainly welcome to attend again, student who have completed the 1-hour DCSA safety orientation within the prior year can arrive up to 1 hour later than other students on the day of their long CHL classroom segment.

This option is relatively new - at least on a published basis - and has not yet been added to our "Mail-in Registration Form". If immediate interest, please use the same registration form, include a $100 deposit and write "Semi-Automatic Handguns 101" next to your preferred scheduled CHL classroom date (see link on top left). Instructor Lonnie Ward will then be in touch to fine tune scheduling. If questions or comments in the meantime, please contact Lonnie at Metro 940-241-2376 or dcsa1996@yahoo.com.