Category: Shooting Techniques

This category covers fundamental and advanced shooting techniques, including grip, stance, sight alignment, trigger control, drawing from concealment, recoil management, and defensive shooting skills. Our resources are designed to help shooters of all experience levels build safer, faster, and more accurate firearm handling habits.

Concealed Carry, Firearms Training, Services, Shooting Techniques, Situational Awareness

Concealed Carry & Firearms Training for Women in the Denver Metro Area

Mark Schneider

Women across Colorado are taking charge of their safety through professional firearms training and concealed carry certification. In the Denver Metro area, interest in women’s firearm safety and CCW classes continues to grow rapidly.

Instructor Alicia Garcia leads women’s firearm instruction at our Thornton classroom, conveniently located near E. 104th Avenue. Her classes are designed to build knowledge, confidence, and readiness in a comfortable, safe, and supportive setting.

💪 Empowerment Through Firearms Education

Firearm ownership and concealed carry aren’t about intimidation—they’re about confidence, self-reliance, and preparedness. Whether you live in Thornton, Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Westminster, Arvada, Northglenn, Broomfield, or Castle Rock, having the right training ensures that you can handle your firearm safely, lawfully, and confidently.

Alicia’s instruction focuses on helping women develop real skills for real situations—balancing practical shooting, defensive awareness, and legal understanding under Colorado law.

🎯 What Women Learn in Our Classes

Each class combines classroom instruction, safety drills, and live-fire qualification that meets Colorado Revised Statute § 18-12-202.5 for concealed handgun certification.

Topics include:

  • Safe firearm handling, loading, and malfunction clearing
  • Colorado concealed carry laws and CRS § 18-1-704 on use of force
  • Avoidance, awareness, and conflict de-escalation
  • Drawing from concealment safely and efficiently
  • Stress management and decision-making under pressure
  • Live-fire marksmanship and defensive accuracy

Every session builds competence and confidence while reinforcing firearm safety principles.

👠 Firearms Training Tailored for Women

Alicia Garcia’s classes are built specifically for women seeking practical, judgment-free training. Students learn how to:

  • Choose a handgun suited to their hand size and comfort level
  • Understand carry options that work with women’s clothing and lifestyle
  • Safely draw from body or purse carry methods
  • Build muscle memory and confidence through structured repetition

Her teaching style focuses on safety, patience, and helping each student progress at her own pace—whether brand-new to firearms or experienced but seeking refinement.

⚖️ Colorado Concealed Carry Permit Requirements

To carry a concealed handgun in Colorado, students must:

  • Be 21 years of age or older
  • Complete a state-approved concealed carry course
  • Be a Colorado resident
  • Pass a background check through their county sheriff’s office

Permits are valid for five years and may be renewed with a shorter refresher course covering updated laws and a live-fire proficiency check.

📍 Thornton — Alicia Garcia’s Primary Classroom

Alicia Garcia teaches out of Thornton, Colorado, located near E. 104th Avenue, easily accessible from I-25. This location serves as her primary classroom and offers convenient access for students across the north and central Denver Metro area.

The Thornton facility provides a clean, professional environment for both classroom and live-fire instruction, with easy parking and range access nearby.

🏙️ Denver Metro Area Cities We Serve

Concealed Carry Classes of Denver proudly provides training opportunities for women throughout the entire Denver Metropolitan Area and surrounding communities, including:

North & Central Metro:
Thornton • Westminster • Broomfield • Northglenn • Arvada • Commerce City • Federal Heights • Brighton

South & West Metro:
Lakewood • Littleton • Englewood • Highlands Ranch • Centennial • Lone Tree

East Metro:
Aurora • Green Valley Ranch • Montbello • Central Park (formerly Stapleton)

Further Along the Front Range:
Castle Rock • Parker • Golden • Morrison • Evergreen • Colorado Springs

No matter where you’re located, our training sites in Thornton and South Denver (Holly Street) make it easy to find a class near you.

🔒 Why Women Choose Concealed Carry Classes of Denver

  • Female-led instruction focused on safety and real-world confidence
  • State-approved concealed carry certification
  • Live-fire qualification included in every course
  • Rental firearms and ammunition available
  • Comfortable, professional classroom settings
  • Convenient scheduling across the Denver Metro area

👩‍🏫 About Alicia Garcia

Alicia Garcia is a nationally certified firearms instructor and range safety officer based in Thornton, Colorado. She specializes in women’s firearms and concealed carry training, helping students build confidence through hands-on, practical instruction.

Beyond the classroom, Alicia is a passionate advocate for Second Amendment rights and responsible firearm ownership. Her approach emphasizes safety, situational awareness, and empowering women to carry legally and confidently.

Click here for her full instructor profile →

🗓️ Ready to Sign Up?

Join hundreds of women across the Denver Metro area who have gained confidence, safety, and peace of mind through professional concealed carry instruction.

Class Locations:

  • Thornton Classroom — 2090 E. 104th Ave, Unit 304, Thornton, CO 80233
  • Denver Classroom — 2186 S. Holly St, Unit 101-A, Denver, CO 80222

✅ Live-fire range qualification included
✅ Rental firearms and ammo available
✅ State-approved certification for CHP application
✅ Female-led instruction in a supportive setting

👉 Reserve your spot today: CLICK HERE TO VIEW OR TRAINING CALENDAR
Spaces fill quickly and pre-registration is required.

Firearms Training, Shooting Techniques

Shooting Drill: NRA Student Pistol Qualification (4-Inch Circle Accuracy Test)

Mark Schneider

The NRA Student Pistol Qualification is a foundational accuracy drill perfect for beginners, concealed carry applicants, or anyone looking to improve their marksmanship in a structured way. It’s slow-paced, fundamentals-focused, and a great way to measure real progress with your handgun skills.

Drill Overview

This qualification requires shooters to place accurate shots into small target zones across increasing distances. The test uses four 4-inch circles, and shooters must get five hits in each circle, for a total of 20 hits.

There is no time limit, and shooters may fire as many rounds as necessary to complete the drill.

Requirements

  • Target: Four (4) 4-inch diameter circles
  • Hits: 5 hits in each circle (20 total)
  • Consecutive hits not required
  • As many rounds as needed
  • No time limit

Distance Levels

LevelDistanceRequirement
Level 110 feet5 hits in each 4-inch circle
Level 215 feet5 hits in each 4-inch circle
Level 320 feet5 hits in each 4-inch circle

✅ To pass the qualification, shooters must complete Level 1 with all 20 hits inside the circles.

Why Run This Drill?

This isn’t just an NRA formality—it’s a solid accuracy exercise. It teaches shot placement, sight discipline, and consistency without the pressure of a clock. That makes it ideal for:

  • New shooters building fundamentals
  • CCW students preparing for more advanced drills
  • Instructors running baseline tests
  • Experienced shooters looking for a back-to-basics warmup

🎯 See Below to Print the Target

We’ve created a printable 8.5×11” sheet with four 4-inch circles, spaced and bold-lined for easy visibility.
Scroll to the bottom of this article to download the target PDF.

Want to Train Like This In-Person?

We run drills like this in our Colorado firearms training programs every week. Whether you’re a brand-new shooter or a concealed carry applicant, we’ll help you build real skills you can count on.

👉 Take a Concealed Carry Class in Denver
👉 Learn Colorado Self-Defense and Gun Laws
👉 Compare the Best Self-Defense Insurance Plans

NRA Student Pistol Qualification-compressedDownload
Concealed Carry, Gear and Equipment, Shooting Techniques

Best 9mm Ammo for Bear Defense: What Actually Works?

Mark Schneider

In the backcountry, your life could depend on the ammo you carry. While 9mm is not the ideal caliber for bear defense, with the right ammunition and shot placement, it can be better than nothing. This guide will help you choose the best 9mm bear defense ammo to give yourself a fighting chance.

⚠️ Is 9mm Enough for Bear Defense?

Let’s be blunt: 9mm is a light caliber when it comes to stopping a charging bear — especially compared to 10mm, .44 Magnum, or even a 12-gauge slug. But with the right load, it can still offer some level of protection.

The key is penetration — not expansion. Your goal isn’t to cause massive wound cavities. It’s to drive a bullet deep enough to reach vital organs, break bone, or sever the spine.

✅ What to Look For in 9mm Bear Defense Ammo

  • Hard cast bullets or solid copper projectiles
  • Flat nose (meplat) for straight-line penetration
  • +P or +P+ pressures for higher velocity
  • Avoid hollow points — they expand and stop short

🔥 Top 9mm Ammo Choices for Bear Defense

🥇 1. Underwood 147gr +P+ Hard Cast Flat Nose

  • Bullet: Hard Cast, gas-checked
  • Velocity: ~1,150 fps
  • Energy: ~430 ft-lbs
  • Why It Works: Maximum penetration and bone-breaking potential. Built for dangerous game — not just humans.

🥈 2. Buffalo Bore Outdoorsman 147gr +P+ Hard Cast

  • Bullet: Hard Cast Flat Nose
  • Velocity: ~1,100 fps
  • Energy: ~400 ft-lbs
  • Why It Works: Proven backcountry load. Engineered for dangerous animal encounters. Compatible with compact pistols like the Glock 19.

🥉 3. Lehigh Defense 90gr +P Extreme Penetrator

  • Bullet: Solid copper fluted
  • Velocity: ~1,400 fps
  • Energy: ~390 ft-lbs
  • Why It Works: Non-expanding but creates massive tissue disruption. Excellent for shorter barrels and fast follow-up shots.

❌ What to Avoid

✘ Hollow Points (e.g., HST, Gold Dot, XTP)

  • Designed to expand in human tissue
  • Will fail to penetrate deeply enough in muscle and bone
  • May clog and underperform in real bear encounters

✘ Standard FMJ or Target Ammo

  • Round nose can deflect off bone
  • Inconsistent results, not made for barrier penetration

🧠 Why Bears Attack

  1. You startled a bear (especially a sow with cubs)
  2. You’re near a kill or food source
  3. The bear is starving or diseased
  4. The bear sees you as prey

Bear attacks are rare, but when they happen, they’re violent, fast, and life-threatening. Your ammo choice matters.

🧺 Backcountry Safety Tips

  • Store food correctly using bear canisters or hanging methods
  • Dispose of trash properly
  • Avoid surprise encounters — make noise while hiking
  • Carry bear spray, and use it as your first line of defense
  • Use your firearm only when lethal force is your last option

🧩 Final Thoughts: Should You Rely on 9mm?

If you’re hiking or camping in bear country and a 9mm is all you have, load it right. Don’t expect miracles — but know that proper ammo can make a difference. Shot placement, awareness, and readiness matter more than caliber alone.

If you have the option, upgrade to 10mm or .44 Magnum, but if not, go with hard cast or extreme penetrator ammo — and practice.

✅ Train Before You Need It

At Concealed Carry Classes of Denver, we train students for real-world threats — including backcountry survival. Whether you’re preparing for a hike, carrying for self-defense, or simply want to build skills, our courses help you stay ready.

If you ever have to shoot to save your life — even from a bear — you’ll deal with legal questions afterward. Protect yourself with a self-defense liability plan:

  • Legal defense coverage for wilderness incidents
  • 24/7 emergency attorney hotline
  • Civil defense protection

Compare CCW & Self-Defense Insurance Plans Here

📚 Learn Colorado’s Self-Defense Laws

Understanding your legal rights is just as important as knowing how to shoot. We break down Colorado’s use-of-force laws, duty to retreat, defense of others, and more.

Visit Our Guide to Colorado Self-Defense Laws

🎯 Ready to Get Trained?