Firearm Training Courses

Good training feels like a ladder. Each rung is short enough to climb, and you always know which one comes next.

That’s how we built the curriculum at Capitol Range & Firearms. Brand-new shooters start with the basics; experienced carriers move into defensive pistol, red dots and scenario work. NRA-certified instructors teach every class at our Youngsville facility, about 25 minutes north of Raleigh and 15 from Wake Forest.

Find Your Starting Point

Fundamentals

Handgun 101 is where most of our students begin. You’ll learn safe handling, loading and unloading, grip, stance and trigger control, then put it to work on the range with an instructor beside you. No experience needed. Seriously, none.

Handgun 201 tightens your groups and speeds up your manipulations: reloads, malfunction clearing and shooting with purpose instead of hope.

We also teach handgun cleaning basics and rifle and shotgun cleaning basics as short add-on classes.

Concealed Carry

Our state-approved North Carolina Concealed Carry class gives you the certificate the sheriff requires. Want more than the minimum? Our enhanced CCH training adds drawing from the holster and engaging targets quickly and accurately, so you’re a capable daily carrier, not just a permitted one.

Not sure about the permit process? Read our Wake County concealed carry permit guide.

Defensive and Advanced Skills

Handgun 301 (Defensive Pistol 1) and Handgun 401 (Defensive Pistol 2) take you from accurate to effective under pressure: movement, decision-making and shooting from concealment. Our Digital Live Fire Range lets us run shoot/no-shoot scenarios with live ammunition, which static paper can’t do.

Also on the schedule:

• Red Dot Handgun Training for finding the dot fast and zeroing correctly
• AR-15 Fundamentals for setup, zeroing and safe operation
• AVIRT (Active Violence Emergency Response Training)
• NRA courses and USCCA seminars

See dates for all of them on the training schedule.

Women’s Training

Plenty of women tell us they learn better without an audience. Our women-only Handgun 101 and Handgun 201, the Armed Women of America chapter and the monthly Guns & Gals league give you instruction and community. Learn more on our women’s programs page.

Private and Group Training

One-on-one private instruction builds a session around your gun, your goals and your schedule. Bringing a team? Our corporate training programs work for safety briefings and team-building alike.

How We Teach

Short classroom blocks. Lots of trigger time. Coaching on the lane, not from across the room. We mix classroom, live fire and interactive digital scenarios because people learn by doing, then by doing it again with feedback.

Frequently Asked Questions

What firearms class should I take first?

If you’ve never fired a handgun, start with Handgun 101. If you’re comfortable shooting and want a carry permit, take the North Carolina Concealed Carry class.

Do I need my own gun for a class?

No. Rental firearms are available for most classes. Check the course page for ammunition requirements.

Are your instructors certified?

Yes. Our classes are taught by NRA-certified instructors.

Do you offer private firearms lessons?

Yes. Private instruction sessions are built around your goals, skill level and schedule.

Book a Class

Pick your rung on the ladder and grab a seat on the training schedule. Questions about which class fits? Call (919) 412-4279 and a real instructor will help.