Why You Need Advanced Defensive Pistol Training

Outdoor range at Ares Training Facility

The world of firearms training has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. Thanks to the rise in video surveillance technology, CCTV systems, body cameras worn by law enforcement, dash cams in vehicles, and the nearly universal presence of cell phones, we are no longer limited to interpreting defensive shootings based on eyewitness accounts or the often-unreliable recollections of those involved. Today, we can watch real-life incidents unfold in vivid detail. We can observe body language, timing, reaction speed, decision-making under pressure, and the effectiveness (or failure) of certain techniques.

This modern access to visual data has revolutionized the way we train and prepare for armed encounters. Defensive shooting is no longer theoretical, it’s practical, observable, and constantly evolving. At Viking 6 Tactical, we take this knowledge seriously. We combine years of law enforcement and military experience with current video analysis and proven tactics to offer training that is realistic, progressive, and above all, effective in the real world.

Foundations First: Defensive Pistol 1

Every shooter, regardless of their background, must start with the fundamentals. Defensive Pistol 1 is designed for new shooters or those returning to pistol shooting after a long break. This course is held at The Gun Shop in Leesburg, a clean and professional indoor range that allows students to focus on building safe gun-handling habits in a controlled environment.

In this class, we cover the core principles of defensive shooting:

• Firearm safety rules and mindset

• Proper grip and stance

• Trigger control and follow-through

• Sight alignment and target acquisition

• Loading, unloading, and basic malfunction clearing

This course builds a strong foundation for continued training. It's ideal for individuals who own a handgun for self-defense but haven't yet received professional instruction—or for those who want to ensure they're building good habits from day one.

Taking the Next Step: Defensive Pistol 2

Defensive Pistol 2 is for shooters with a baseline of comfort and experience handling a firearm. It is where the training begins to shift toward dynamic defensive skills. This course takes place at the Ares Training Facility in Leesburg, a top-tier outdoor shooting facility that allows for more movement, use of cover, and advanced drills that cannot be performed indoors.

In this course, students will:

• Begin drawing from a holster safely and efficiently

• Learn emergency and tactical magazine reloads

• Engage in rhythm shooting (multiple rounds at a single target)

• Develop the ability to assess and transition between multiple targets

This stage of training introduces physical movement, more rapid engagement, and the beginning of stress inoculation, making your training more like what you might experience in a real defensive incident.

Real-World Preparedness: Defensive Pistol 3 (Advanced)

Once the fundamentals and intermediate skills are locked in, it’s time to put them to the test in our Advanced Defensive Pistol course, also held at the Ares Training Facility. This level of training is where things start to feel real. Students are pushed outside their comfort zones using movement, time pressure, and realistic shooting scenarios that test both mental and physical readiness.

In Advanced Defensive Pistol, we focus on:

• Shooting and moving to and from cover

• Use of verbal commands to challenge or de-escalate threats

• Malfunction drills and emergency reloads under time constraints

• Multiple-target engagements with varying threat levels

• Decision-making: shoot/no-shoot scenarios under stress

• Balloon drills that reinforce the principle of shooting until the threat is stopped—not a fixed round count

These advanced drills are designed to replicate real-world situations, where you won’t have the luxury of standing still, calmly aiming, or firing the same number of rounds each time. The balloon drill, for example, is a powerful training tool: once the balloon on the target is popped, the shooter must stop firing, reinforcing situational awareness, shot accountability, and control under pressure.

Why It Matters

The truth is, in a real defensive incident, everything changes. Your heart races. Your fine motor skills degrade. You may not hear or see clearly. You’ll react with the training you’ve internalized, not with what you wish you had practiced. That's why at Viking 6 Tactical, our training philosophy is rooted in realism. We believe in training the way you will fight, naturally, instinctively, and aggressively, when necessary.

Each level of our program builds upon the last. We don’t just teach people to shoot. We prepare them to survive.

Start Your Journey

If you're new to handguns or haven’t yet trained for self-defense, start with Defensive Pistol 1 at The Gun Shop in Leesburg. As your skills grow, progress to Defensive Pistol 2 and 3 at Ares Training Facility, where your abilities will be tested in increasingly dynamic and realistic ways. No matter your starting point, we will meet you there and help you move forward with confidence.

Viking 6 Tactical exists to equip responsible gun owners with the mindset, tools, and experience needed to prevail in a worst-case scenario. Our progressive pistol program ensures you are not just a firearms owner, but a trained protector.