Unlock Your Potential with Expert Handgun Training at the Griffin & Howe Handgun Academy
The prestigious Griffin & Howe Handgun Academy provides comprehensive handgun training for adults aged 21 and over, regardless of prior experience. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine advanced skills, our expert instructors are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals in a safe and supportive environment.
We offer a variety of training options to suit your needs. You can benefit from private handgun lessons, receiving personalized, one-on-one instruction tailored precisely to your individual learning pace and objectives. Our small group handgun classes allow you to learn alongside up to three others in an intimate setting, perfect for friends or family looking to train together. Additionally, we offer regularly scheduled handgun training classes covering a range of topics from basic firearm safety and handling to advanced techniques and concealed carry permit training. Please explore our events calendar for a complete listing of upcoming courses.
Please be aware that the Griffin & Howe Handgun Academy operates by scheduled instruction only. We are not an open public shooting range. Access to our state-of-the-art facilities is granted through enrollment in our lessons and classes.
Experience the difference of expert instruction right here in New Jersey. Our experienced team will guide you through essential skills, building your confidence and competence with firearms. Join the Griffin & Howe Handgun Academy and take the first step towards responsible and proficient handgun ownership and handling.
Classes We Offer
Introduction to Pistol
This introductory course is designed for beginner to intermediate shooters who wish to develop a solid foundation in pistol shooting, focusing on holster draw, accurate target engagement, and effective malfunction clearing.
The course combines instruction with practical application live-fire drills conducted from the holster, allowing students to practice essential skills in a safe and controlled environment. By the end of the day, students will be able to competently draw their pistol from the holster, engage targets accurately, and respond to common malfunctions with confidence. Tactical holsters only, no concealed carry holsters.
Advanced Pistol Shooting
For experienced shooters (21+), our two-day advanced pistol shooting course in Vernon Township is designed to sharpen your existing handgun skills. Building on holster draws, basic marksmanship, and safe gun handling, we’ll delve into advanced malfunction drills, shooting on the move, utilizing alternate shooting positions and cover, and efficient target transitions. Through dynamic live-fire exercises in a structured and safe setting, you’ll enhance your speed, accuracy, and efficiency under pressure. Master advanced handgun techniques and improve your overall pistol proficiency.
Permit to Carry Class
Our comprehensive New Jersey concealed carry course provides the essential training to secure your NJ Permit to Carry. Designed for all experience levels, from new gun owners to experienced shooters, this hands-on program delivers the critical skills and legal knowledge for safe and lawful concealed firearm carry in New Jersey. Beyond state requirements, we emphasize practical firearm handling, responsible shooting techniques, and crucial tactical awareness for real-world scenarios. Through classroom learning and extensive range practice, you’ll gain the confidence and competence needed for responsible public firearm carry and understanding New Jersey gun laws, including use of force.
Lessons
Beginners – Basic Handgun Training NJ
Many of our students are new to handgun shooting or have recently purchased their first pistol and are looking to learn more about basic gun safety and handgun operation. Our goal is to make you feel as comfortable as possible while we introduce you to the initial aspects of shooting, and we will take time to talk through the objectives of your lesson and answer any questions you may have.
Safe handling is always the primary objective of all firearms training at Griffin & Howe. Our instructors will always ensure you are fully versed in gun safety before engaging in any live fire exercises.
Through practical training, we’ll give you a strong grounding in the basic shooting fundamentals, allowing you to feel confident in your equipment as you develop your understanding of how to operate and care for your firearm.
Self Defense Training
Here at Griffin & Howe we’ve seen an increase in NJ locals purchasing a handgun for personal defense or home defense. While there are NRA courses available, we have put together our own personal defense training program which ensures all students will become safely competent in self-defense and personal protection. Our 1-4 instructor-student ratio allows us to give you our full attention at all times and focus on safety.
Making sure you have a thorough grasp of the basic shooting fundamentals, we will build on your skills at your pace by introducing elements of self-defense training. Once we cover safety, stance, hand position, eye position and sight alignment, recoil management and trigger control during live fire, we will move on to movement while firing, obtaining precision at greater distances, rapid fire engagements, and how to handle multiple targets.
Our Facilities
The Shooting Range
The Griffin & Howe Shooting Academy features four outdoor handgun shooting ranges, with a range of target presentations and distances. Each shooting range is semi-covered, allowing you to shoot year-round whatever the weather.
Targets
Each range has a selection of state-of-the-art MGM steel targets, and we have a selection of paper targets for more detailed accuracy and feedback.
Events
Did you know we host corporate and charity events on site? If you’re tired of the same old team-building or fundraising dinners, talk to us about setting up a fun and competitive pistol shooting event. We offer a range of packages that also include options for shotgun, rifle and archery. Our team will go through the basics of safe gun handling and shooting fundamentals with each guest, before a fun steel challenge competition to engage all shooters.
Make your private event truly unique with an experience at the Griffin & Howe Shooting Academy.
Services
We carry a selection of pistols from Staccato, Nighthawk Custom, Cabot Gun Company, Korth Revolvers and Alchemy Custom Weaponry. Our Showroom is conveniently located on the same property as our shooting academy, where you can shop for new equipment or apparel. We carry a select range of handgun accessories such as holsters, magazine loaders, red dots, Surefire lights, Nanuk hard cases, soft cases, extra magazines and more.
The Showroom is open 7 days a week from 9am – 5pm.
If you’ve identified an issue with your firearm or having accuracy issues when shooting, we can help identify and diagnose issues. We also offer a wide range of other gunsmithing services – from custom engraving, mounting and zeroing red dot at the range, metal restoration, and general maintenance and cleaning.
Lesson Fees:
Please note our lesson pricing is per hour, not per student. Each lesson can have up to four attendees.
Handgun Instruction – $200 per hour
10 Hour Lesson Package – $1,800 (package discount of $180 per hour)
Half-Day Instruction – $750
Full-Day Instruction – $1,500
There is an additional charge for all ammunition. Staccato pistols are available to rent for $37.50 per lesson.
Contact
To find out more about what we have to offer or to book a lesson, contact us on 973-398-2670 or email bookings@griffinhowe.com. Please note we do not accept walk ins, lessons must be booked in advance. Our dress code is golf attire; no t-shirts, blue jeans or open-toed shoes please.
