Handgun Instruction

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. As a new shooter, we want you to feel confident in your equipment as you develop your understanding of how to operate and care for your firearm.

Self Defense

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.

Our self-defense training builds on the fundamentals of basic pistol shooting. We will cover safety, stance, hand position, eye position and sight alignment, then recoil management and trigger control during live fire. Once these skills have been established, we will move on to movement while firing, obtaining precision at greater distances, rapid fire engagements, and how to handle multiple targets.

Due to recent US Supreme court rulings, residents of NJ are now able to apply for and obtain a New Jersey Permit to Carry (PTC) License. Griffin & Howe is proud to offer a 4-hour qualification course to fulfill the training requirements needed to submit a PTC application. Students will be provided with a PTC Application Package and a Certificate of Completion upon qualifying.

To stay up to date with current Permit to Carry regulations, please click here and scroll to the 'Permit to Carry' section.

Course Itinerary

Our PTC class begins with registration and classroom instruction covering use of force and NJSA guidelines. Attendees then proceed to the handgun range for training, and finish with a live fire qualification. To pass, a score of 80% or over must be achieved.

9am: Registration and classroom instruction covering use of force and NJSA guidelines
10.30am: Proceed to handgun range for training
11.30am: Live fire qualification. Must pass with 80% or better.

 Gear Requirements:
· Pistols you would like to qualify with. Firearm must be owned.
· Minimum of 2 magazines – we recommend 4 magazines or moon clips
· Minimum of 50 rounds of ammunition
· Holster (strong side directional holsters and appendix holsters only - small of back, crossdraw, shoulder and ankle holsters are not to be used)
· Magazine holster optional
· Concealment garment such as a button-down shirt, shooting vest or jacket
· Eye and ear protection
· Refillable water bottle
· Baseball cap
$300 per person. Must be 21 or older. All attendees must bring valid FID card and NJDL.
Dress Code: No t-shirts or blue jeans please.

Click here to visit our event calendar and sign up for a Permit to Carry Class.

Under New Jersey and federal law, retired law enforcement officers have the right to carry handguns within the State of New Jersey. The retired law enforcement officer must qualify for their permit twice per calendar year, minimum three months apart, as per the New Jersey Attorney General's guidelines. Click here for more information on the program.

Griffin & Howe is proud to be a new location in Sussex County to offer the RPO Range Qualification, allowing retired law enforcement officers the opportunity to fulfil the requirements of those permits.

 Gear Requirements:

·  Photo ID from the agency you retired from
·  State Bureau of Identification (SBI) number
·  Handgun you wish you qualify with
·  100 rounds of ammunition

·  Magazines or speed loaders (no high-capacity magazines; cannot hold more than 15 rounds)
·  Eye and ear protection
·  Holster (strong side directional holsters and appendix holsters only - small of back, crossdraw, shoulder and ankle holsters are not to be used)
·  Magazine holster optional
·  Baseball cap

$50 per participant*. A letter of qualification will be provided upon completion, with details of the make, model, serial number and caliber of the handgun you qualified with. This can be submitted to your police department with your application. Dress code: no blue jeans or t-shirts please.

Click here to visit our event calendar and sign up for an RPO class.

*A private RPO Range Qualification can be booked outside of advertised class dates at a fee of $85 per person – please email bookings@griffinhowe.com to schedule.