Qualification Level 3: Range Requirements

STEP 1: In-Person Training

You have reached a point in your training where it is well worth diving deep into a firearms course. Short trips to the range are great, but a well-rounded firearms course is immensely empowering. You will become more confident and proficient.

Requirements: Take a live-fire, six-hour firearms course with a certified firearms instructor. Add your course into your protector academy account after completion.

Need help finding an instructor? 

Search the USCCA Training Site for an instructor near you. Or find a nearby USCCA Partner Range who can help you complete your training. (The in-person training requirements for this qualification can be completed at any gun range).

STEP 2: Complete your Level 03 Shooting Qualification: Defensive Shooting — Speed and Precision

Course Overview: Defensive shooting requires a keen balance of speed and precision. Mastering defensive shooting takes practice — lots of it. But it is a skill that, when well developed, can save you, a loved one or an innocent bystander in an actual deadly force scenario. This test will force you to find that balance of speed and precision under pressure.

(Note: The preferred method for completing this training is to go to a USCCA Partner Range and with a certified firearms instructor.) 

Remember, always follow ALL safe gun handling procedures and safety rules while you complete any drills.

***Always comply with any additional rules for your range***

Required Gear & Supplies: You will need (1) USCCA DSF Target with 8-inch center chest square and six 3-inch-diameter colored/numbered circles, (1) semi-automatic handgun in any caliber, (2) 50-round boxes of ammunition in the same caliber, (2) magazines and (1) shot timer (either a dedicated shot timer device or a phone app). 

Train with your personal self-defense firearm whenever possible.

Success Criteria: You must complete each drill within the time allotted. Additionally, you must hit all designated target areas on your USCCA DSF Target based on the requirements for each drill.

Course of Fire: You will now complete a series of drills meant to test your speed and precision. Every drill WILL be timed. 

***You MUST be facing downrange at your target BEFORE you fire***

***You MUST begin each drill from the HIGH COMPRESSED READY position with the barrel pointing downrange***

Drill Set 1: Speed Focused
You must complete these 3 speed drills with 100% hits inside the 8’’ center chest square of your target. Load each magazine with 5 rounds each.

You will complete this course of fire twice, with the first attempt serving as a warmup.

1. 3-Yard Speed Drill = 100% hits in 2 seconds
   • Place your target 3 yards away from you on the range. 
   • While facing your target, assume the high compressed ready position with the barrel of your firearm pointing downrange at your target.
   • Insert one magazine of 5 rounds and chamber a round.
   • Start Drill & Timer:
     • Engage your target by firing all 5 rounds at the center chest square.
     • Clear the firearm and return it to the table.

2. 5-Yard Speed Drill = 100% hits in 3 seconds
   • Place your target 5 yards away from you on the range. Repeat steps executed from 3 yards.
   • Clear the firearm and return it to the table.

3. 7-Yard Speed Drill = 100% hits in 5 seconds
   • Place your target 7 yards away from you on the range. Repeat steps executed from 5 yards.
   • Clear the firearm and return it to the table.

4. First time through = Warmup
5. Second time through = Qualification

Drill Set 2: Precision Focused
There is no time limit. You must hit each numbered circle in numerical order before you can move to the next numbered circle, and you must successfully complete this task at the 3-yard line before you move to the 5-yard line.

1. 3-Yard Drill: Load one magazine with 6 rounds.
   • Place your target 3 yards away from you on the range. 
   • While facing your target, assume the high compressed ready position with the barrel of your firearm pointing downrange at your target.
   • Insert your magazine and chamber a round.
   • Start Drill:
     • Fire one round into each numbered circle in numerical order.
       1. Come back to the high compressed ready position between each shot.
       2. Only proceed to the next number after you have hit the one before it. Any miss ends the drill at that point. You do not pass that qualification attempt and must start over from the beginning.
     • Clear the firearm and return it to the table.

2. 5-Yard Drill: Load one magazine with 6 rounds. 
   • Repeat the previous drill with your target placed at 5 yards.
   • Clear the firearm and return it to the table.

Assessment: 

If you successfully demonstrated that you can place 100% of your shots from Drill Set 1 into the center chest square at both distances in the allotted times and you also demonstrated your precision skill in Drill Set 2 by hitting all 6 numbered circles at both distances without a miss, then you have completed your Level 03 USCCA Qualification.

Required Times for Drill Set 1:

• 3-Yard Speed Drill = 100% hits in 2 seconds
• 5-Yard Speed Drill = 100% hits in 3 seconds
• 7-Yard Speed Drill = 100% hits in 5 seconds