Intermediate Training

Our Intermediate Training courses were created in 2025 to meet the needs of students who cannot give up a full day to train. These courses teach the same mechanics and skills as our longer-format group classes, but during a private weeknight range session at the Athens Gun Club.

While our New Shooter courses are modeled after a “Driver’s Education” approach, the Intermediate Workshops are akin to a “Defensive Driving” class. You will learn to assess and respond to sudden hazards that require immediate, decisive action.

The registration fee for the Intermediate Workshops allows you to train alone or to bring another person without additional expense. Due to range limitations and the amount of material we will cover, these workshops are best suited to smaller groups. If you would like to have a group larger than 2, please Contact Us to discuss scheduling and logistics.

Successful completion of these courses meet the prerequisites for enrollment in our monthly Skill Builder series.

Workshop Options

(click to see descriptions)
Combative Pistol Workshop
$315.00

The Combative Pistol Workshop is designed for students who have completed prior formal firearms instruction and can demonstrate safe weapon handling. This intermediate course builds on foundational skills and focuses on deploying a pistol from concealment.

If you have not received prior formal firearms training, please register for one of our New Shooter courses.

The $315 registration fee allows for either individual attendance or for splitting the course with one additional person. Due to range limitations and scheduling logistics, please contact us before registering a group larger than two.

While our New Shooter courses are modeled after a “Driver’s Education” approach, this workshop is akin to “Defensive Driving.” You will learn to assess and respond to sudden hazards that require immediate, decisive action.

Completion of this course meets the prerequisites for enrollment in our Pistol Skill Builder series.


Student Prerequisites:

To succeed in this course, students should already understand:

  • Laws regarding gun ownership, concealed carry, and the use of force
  • How to communicate with emergency services and first responders during a critical incident
  • Basic shooting fundamentals and how to consistently shoot a group
  • The difference between point shooting and sighted fire
  • Safe loading and unloading of a pistol


What You’ll Learn:

  • Equipment selection and setup (what goes where, and why)
  • Presenting the pistol from concealment (from the draw to the first shot)
  • Developing a shooting process based on time, speed, and distance
  • Point shooting vs. Sighted Fire (live fire)
  • Scanning and situational awareness
  • Emergency vs. proactive reloads
  • Common malfunctions and their resolution
  • Live fire range exercises
  • Dry fire drills for continued training


Equipment Requirements (per student):

This course is ideally conducted using the student’s personal firearm and concealed carry gear. Please bring:

  • A defensive handgun in good working condition (generally .380 or better)
  • At least 3 magazines for your firearm
  • A quality holster or concealed carry method (on- or off-body)
  • A magazine pouch for storing a spare magazine
  • A minimum of 100 rounds of ammunition (not included)
  • Note-taking materials


Note: Students are responsible for range fees if they are not members of Athens Gun Club. Ammunition is not included in the course fee.

 
 
 
 

Shotgun Skills Workshop
$315.00

The Shotgun Skills Workshop is designed for students who have completed prior formal firearms instruction and can demonstrate safe weapon handling. This intermediate course builds on foundational skills and focuses on defining the strengths and weaknesses of the shotgun as a defensive or offensive tool.

If you have not received prior formal firearms training, please register for one of our New Shooter courses.

The $315 registration fee allows for either individual attendance or for splitting the course with one additional person. Due to range limitations and scheduling logistics, please contact us before registering a group larger than two.

While our New Shooter courses are modeled after a “Driver’s Education” approach, this workshop is akin to “Defensive Driving.” You will learn to assess and respond to sudden hazards that require immediate, decisive action.


Student Prerequisites:

To succeed in this course, students should already understand:

  • Laws regarding gun ownership, concealed carry, and the use of force
  • How to communicate with emergency services and first responders during a critical incident
  • Basic firearms safety


What You’ll Learn:

  • Pump vs. Semi-Auto shotguns (strengths and weaknesses)
  • Inspection and maintenance of the firearm
  • Ammunition selection and patterning
  • Accessory setup (what goes where and why)
  • Sling management
  • "Gun Box Ready" or standy conditioning the weapon
  • Scanning and situational awareness
  • Emergency vs. proactive reloads
  • Common malfunctions and their resolution
  • Live fire range exercises
  • Dry fire drills for continued training


Equipment Requirements (per student):

This course is ideally conducted using the student’s personal firearm and concealed carry gear. However, if you do not own a shotgun we can provide that for you to use during class. Please bring:

  • A pump action or semi-auto shotgun in good working order
  • A sling for your shotgun (preferably attached prior to lesson)
  • 30 rounds of #00, #0, or #1 buckshot (NO BIRD SHOT)
  • 20 rounds of slugs
  • Note-taking materials


Note: Students are responsible for range fees if they are not members of Athens Gun Club. Ammunition is not included in the course fee.

 
 
 
 

Tactical Rifle Workshop

$315.00
The Tactical Rifle Workshop is designed for students who have completed prior formal firearms instruction and can demonstrate safe weapon handling. This intermediate course builds on foundational skills and focuses on using a modern semi-automatic rifle for protection of self or others.

If you have not received prior formal firearms training, please register for one of our New Shooter courses.

The $315 registration fee allows for either individual attendance or for splitting the course with one additional person. Due to range limitations and scheduling logistics, please contact us before registering a group larger than two.

While our New Shooter courses are modeled after a “Driver’s Education” approach, this workshop is akin to “Defensive Driving.” You will learn to assess and respond to sudden hazards that require immediate, decisive action.

Completion of this course meets the prerequisites for enrollment in our Rifle Skill Builder series.


Student Prerequisites:

To succeed in this course, students should already understand:

  • Laws regarding gun ownership, concealed carry, and the use of force
  • How to communicate with emergency services and first responders during a critical incident
  • Basic shooting fundamentals and how to consistently shoot a group
  • Safe loading and unloading of a rifle
  • Your rifle should be assembled and your optic must be zeroed


What You’ll Learn:

  • Rifle parts and maintenance (breakdown and inspection)
  • Accessory placement (what / why / how)
  • Sling management
  • Ballistics: Zeroing and mechanical offset
  • Developing a shooting process based on time, speed, and distance
  • Emergency vs. proactive reloads
  • Malfunction clearances
  • Transitioning to the pistol or backup weapon
  • Live fire range exercises
  • Dry fire drills for continued training


Equipment Requirements (per student):

This course is ideally conducted using the student’s personal firearm and concealed carry gear. Please bring:

  • A quality semi-auto rifle or pistol-caliber-carbine in good working order (AR-style, AK-style, or similar)
  • At least 3 magazines for your rifle
  • Rifles must be equipped with a sling
  • A minimum of 100 rounds of rifle ammunition (not included)
  • A pistol and support equipment for transitions (optional)
  • 25 rounds of pistol ammunition for transitions (optional)
  • Note-taking materials


Note: Students are responsible for range fees if they are not members of Athens Gun Club. Ammunition is not included in the course fee.

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Registration for all Sparrow Defense courses and lessons can be completed on our Calendly page.
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