From CCW to Advanced Defensive Shooting: The Real Training Journey with Viking 6 Tactical

Indoor Range CCW Training - The Gun Shop in Leesburg

At Viking 6 Tactical, we hear this frequently:

“I got my CCW—so I’m good now, right?”

This is a common concern.

• You took the class.

• You passed the test.

• You obtained the permit.

• So, shouldn’t you be fully prepared?

  
  

Here’s the truth: Owning a firearm and having the legal permit doesn't automatically make you skilled or prepared.

The CCW permit is merely a starting line, not the finish line.

If you are serious about protecting your safety and the safety of those you love, view training as an ongoing journey. At Viking 6 Tactical, this journey progresses from learning the safe fundamentals to advanced defensive shooting under real-life stress.

The Instrument Analogy: Buying a Gun vs. Learning to Use It

Let’s draw a comparison: purchasing a firearm is like buying a musical instrument.

Imagine entering a store and buying a beautiful guitar. You may watch a couple of YouTube videos about playing chords. However, that does not mean you are ready to perform a complex piece in front of an audience.

Musical ability does not stem from owning an instrument; it emerges from consistent, guided practice. Countless hours of disciplined work are needed to build muscle memory, grasp theory, and perform confidently.

Certainly, a few exceptional individuals can pick up an instrument and teach themselves to a high level. Similarly, some individuals might have innate talent and become remarkable marksmen independently.

But for the majority of us? That’s not the reality.

Most of us require instruction to:

✅ Learn proper fundamentals

✅ Avoid developing bad habits

✅ Build a pathway to advanced skills

✅ Train for real-world situations under stress

When stakes are high and you're facing a threat, you want your skills to be automatic. This allows you to focus on making sound decisions in critical moments.

Why Training Matters: You Don’t Rise to the Occasion, You Fall to Your Training

Many people mistakenly believe that when a crisis arises, they will simply "rise to the occasion." They assume they will suddenly become like John Wick or Chuck Norris in their most crucial moments.

This is a perilous myth.

Under stress, our bodies react in predictable, often adverse, ways:

• Heart rates spike.

• Adrenaline flows.

• Fine motor skills deteriorate.

• Tunnel vision often sets in.

  
  

You won't perform better when panic grips you. You default to your level of training.

If you haven't practiced enough for your draw, grip, trigger press, and threat assessment to be automatic, you risk fumbling, hesitating, or committing serious errors.

That’s why genuine training isn’t about pretending to be a hero. It’s about preparing yourself for the worst day of your life.

Our Philosophy: Responsibility Over Ego

At Viking 6 Tactical, we emphasize that carrying a firearm means accepting personal responsibility.

• It’s not about appearing tough.

• It’s not about the gear or brands.

• It’s not about debates on social media.

• It’s about ensuring you and those relying on you make it home safely.

  
  

You are your family’s first responder. This role comes with significant responsibility, requiring commitment to training that is:

• Consistent

• Progressive

• Realistic

• Ethical

  
  

Stage One: CCW and Beginner Training

Every journey begins with a first step. For most individuals, that’s the Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) class.

Our approach to CCW focuses not just on checking the box for your permit. It’s about laying the groundwork for everything that follows.

In our CCW class, you’ll learn:

✅ The fundamentals of safe firearm handling

✅ Range etiquette and shooting basics

✅ Florida self-defense laws regarding drawing and using deadly force

✅ How to avoid and de-escalate dangerous encounters

✅ What to legally and emotionally do after a defensive incident

We spend ample time on the range, ensuring you can handle your firearm confidently and safely.

However, we must be honest: This training isn’t sufficient for violent encounters. That’s why we emphasize real-world defensive skills from the outset:

• Issuing clear verbal commands

• Developing situational awareness

• Preparing for multiple threats

• Making swift, ethical decisions under pressure

  
  

We also teach you how to practice at home:

✅ Dry-fire drills

✅ Laser training systems

✅ Safe firearm manipulation drills

Genuine skill develops over time with focused, consistent practice rather than through a single class.

We encourage our students to master the basics before advancing further. For those desiring additional practice time, we offer extra sessions to refine those fundamentals until you feel genuinely ready for the next step.

Defensive Shooting - Ares Training Facility, Leesburg

Stage Two: Basic Defensive Shooting

Once you’re comfortable with the fundamentals, it’s time to progress to Basic Defensive Shooting.

This phase introduces concepts of defensive shooting that extend far beyond CCW training:

✅ Drawing from a holster: Safely and efficiently accessing your firearm under pressure

✅ Weapons retention: Keeping your firearm secure during a struggle

✅ Rhythm firing: Delivering controlled, accurate strings of fire

We don't merely focus on hitting targets leisurely. We train you to thrive under realistic conditions. One of our benchmark drills involves:

Draw and fire 5 accurate rounds into the high-center-mass box in under 3 seconds at 3 yards, the average distance for defensive encounters.

This isn't a competition but a way to build functional skills that hold up in high-pressure situations.

Stage Three: Advanced Defensive Shooting

After mastering the basics, you can move toward Advanced Defensive Shooting.

In this stage, training simulates the complexity of violent encounters.

✅ Shoot to stop the threat: We train you to continue shooting until the threat diminishes, not to fire a preset number of rounds.

✅ Dynamic targets: Balloons placed in critical zones require effective hits, not mere holes in paper.

✅ Positive target identification: You learn to think about angles and bystanders when facing no-shoot targets.

✅ Stress drills: Reloading and resolving malfunctions under time pressure helps maintain effective operation even during chaos.

✅ Verbal commands and scenario planning: Real encounters involve decision-making beyond just shooting.

This kind of training fosters stress inoculation. As you repeatedly practice under pressure, your body and mind adapt to function effectively, even amidst a surge of adrenaline.

VIP Program: Continuing the Journey

Even after reaching Advanced Defensive Shooting, your training journey doesn’t end.

At Viking 6 Tactical, we believe skills diminish without continual practice. That’s why we established our VIP Program for graduates of our advanced courses.

VIP members enjoy:

✅ Exclusive range sessions at discounted rates

✅ New, challenging drills to keep skills sharp

✅ A supportive community of safety-minded shooters

✅ Ongoing coaching and assistance

The aim is straightforward: Keep growing, learning, and preparing.

Why This Matters

We don’t provide training purely to make participants feel cool or tactical. We focus on training because we understand what’s at stake.

Your firearm isn't a magical object that wards off evil. It’s a tool—effective only when wielded by a skilled individual.

You are your family’s first line of defense. When seconds are crucial, police can remain minutes away. While law enforcement officers are highly trained professionals, fewer than 0.1% of the population is on duty at any specific moment, making it impossible for them to be everywhere. Consequently, the responsibility is yours.

Your goal shouldn’t be to act like an action hero. Rather, it’s to guarantee your family’s safety, ensure you make it home, and adopt a decision-making process you can stand behind.

Our Commitment

At Viking 6 Tactical, we’re dedicated to helping you train with purpose.

We value every student, whether brand new to firearms or an experienced shooter aiming to improve. Our curriculum offers a clear, realistic progression from CCW basics to Advanced Defensive Shooting, always with the goal of making you safe, confident, and prepared.

Because when the moment arrives—and we hope it never does—you won’t rise to the occasion. You’ll fall to your level of training.

Let's ensure that your level of training is where it should be.

Ready to begin your journey?

Contact Viking 6 Tactical today to learn more about our classes and training progression.