| Learning Objectives | NRA Basic Pistol | NRA First Steps |
| Time Required | 8 hours minimum | 4 hours minimum |
| Cost of class (does not include range fees and cost of centerfire ammunition | $120 | $90 |
| 1 State course goal | yes | yes |
| 2 Identify principal parts of a pistol (revolver and semi-auto) | yes | |
| 3 Identify principal parts of a pistol (one specific model) | | yes |
| 4 Identify types of pistol actions and demonstrate how they function (revolver and semi-auto). | yes | |
| 5 Identify types of pistol actions and demonstrate how they function (one specific model). | |
yes |
| 6 State, explain and apply NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling | yes | yes |
| 7 Demonstrate how to handle a pistol in a safe manner (revolver and semi-auto) | yes | |
| 8 Demonstrate how to handle a pistol in a safe manner (one specific model) | | yes |
| 9 Identify the different components of a pistol cartridge. | yes | |
| 10 Explain the firing sequence of a cartridge. | yes | |
| 11 Explain how to properly identify and store ammunition. | yes | yes |
| 12 Explain the major types of cartridge malfunctions and how to react to them. | yes | yes |
| 13 Explain the fundamentals of pistol shooting. | yes | yes |
| 14 Safely demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to assume the benchrest position with a pistol. | yes | yes |
| 15 Safely shoot a pistol from the benchrest position using the fundamentals of shooting at a target on a range. | yes | yes |
| 16 Live fire from benchrest position | 20 rounds minimum | 20 rounds miminum |
| 17 Safely demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitude necessary to assume the two handed shooting position with a pistol. | yes | Selected students, instructor's option |
| 18 Safely shoot a pistol from two handed shooting position using the fundamentals of shooting at a target on a range. | 20 rounds minimum | Selected students, instructor's option |
| 19 Shoot a bull's-eye target | ten rounds | |
| 20 Properly score a pistol target. | yes | |
| 21 Explain the basic guidelines for selecting and purchasing a pistol. | yes | |
| 22 Identify the materials needed to clean a pistol. | yes | yes |
| 23 Demonstrate how to safely clean a pistol. | yes | yes |
| 24 Identify several ways to pursue pistol shooting activities after the course. | yes | yes |
| 25 Successfully complete the NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course written examination. | yes | |
