Pistol Mastery
$750 · 2-Day Class · 8 seats
Prerequisite: USPSA B class or equivalent
Shooting skills and stage skills are not the same thing. Plenty of shooters have a clean draw, fast splits and sharp transitions, and still leave seconds on every stage. Pistol Mastery is where that gap closes. Day 1 opens with a cold stage, just like a match. Then we run it for consistency and build your baseline: what you can do repeatably, on demand, the way you'd shoot a major. That data shows exactly where you're losing time, and we build the two days around it.
Transition labs. Work transitions the way they actually show up on stages. Break them down on the timer, find exactly where the time goes, and train speed mode until it holds.
Entries and exits. A huge amount of stage time disappears getting into and out of positions. We isolate your entries and exits, put them on the timer, and find where the time is leaking, so you're shooting sooner when you arrive and gone sooner when you're done, without giving up points.
Shooting on the move. Knowing how to throttle your shooting to match your movement speed is the mark of a mature shooter. We isolate this skill on different drills so you can feel the difference between prioritizing shooting speed vs movement speed and tackle the timing problem that plagues all shooters. Then we test shooting on the move against stopping to shoot, so you know when shooting on the move actually pays off on a stage and when it's just costing you points. Quit guessing during your walkthrough.
Stage planning and hit factor strategy. An in-depth block on breaking down a stage, the math behind hit factor, and which risks actually pay.
Speed mode training. All the tools I used to level up from Master to GM. This is the good stuff. That's all we'll say.
Full stages to close it out. Five to six stages back to back on the final afternoon, putting everything together and looking for consistent performance.
The typical result: about 2 seconds faster on a stage while holding 90% or more of the points.
Eight seats. Built for shooters who already have good shooting skills but aren't seeing them translate to Practiscore.
UPCOMING DATES
2027 · Dates TBD · Salt Lake City, UT Get notified →
2027 · Dates TBD · San Jose, CA Get notified →
2027 · Dates TBD · Porterville, CA Get notified →
2027 · Dates TBD · Waxahachie, TX Get notified →
2027 · Dates TBD · Muskego, WI Get notified →
BEFORE YOU SIGN UP
NOTE: This class requires a minimum of a USPSA B classification OR EQUIVALENT. If you don't have a classification, reach out directly to discuss. Students are expected to be safe, efficient and comfortable running full stages from the first hour. Our Performance Pistol class is recommended before taking Pistol Mastery.
WHAT TO BRING
A competition-ready pistol in any USPSA division. A backup gun is not necessary, but recommended.
At least 6 magazines. Bring more if you have them (I usually bring 12–15).
Mag pouches for your division
A competition holster and belt, or a Kydex holster that fully covers the trigger guard. No SERPA, nylon, or leather holsters allowed.
1,000 rounds of ammunition minimum
Eye protection (both clear and tinted recommended)
Ear protection (electronic hearing protection required)
Athletic shoes or cleats with good traction
Water, snacks, and lunch
Tools to service your optics, holsters, guns, etc.
Spare batteries for optics
Rain gear (we train rain or shine)
REFUND POLICY
Refunds will only be given if Gateway Defense has to cancel a class. No refund will be given due to a student being unable to attend. A full class credit will be issued for a future Gateway Defense class by notifying brennan@gateway-defense.com no less than 14 days prior to the class date.