Advanced Pistol Operator Course

If you’re an intermediate shooter or law enforcement officer looking to improve your pistol skills at speed, the three-day Advanced Pistol Operator Course (APOC) is the accelerated program you are looking for. The class focuses on running your handgun at speed in a variety of conditions.

Suitable for the intermediate to advanced competitive shooter or armed professional, APOC does have prerequisites. At a minimum, the class participant should be able to safely draw a pistol and hit a man-sized target at seven yard in the neighborhood of 1.5 seconds. Ideally, you will have attended an OpSpec/Grayguns Training two or three day Practical Fundamentals class or equivalent training within the last three years.

You’ll be shooting about approximately 2,300 (750 rounds per day) rounds during the intensive three day program. This is not a course for a beginner.

The course focuses on advancing your skills to your maximum ability through repetition. As the course progresses you’ll be exposed to the psychology required to draw and successfully hit discrete targets at human reaction speed. You must come prepared to learn, both mentally and physically.

Class size is normally restricted to 12 qualified applicants, but can vary depending on the facility and number of instructors on site. Past training experience must be included when registering for the program. As with all firearms training, safety is paramount, yet the nature of the course further elevates the need for everyone on the line to be able to participate and perform safely.

Overview:

  • Skill Assessment
  • Speed Shooting Foundational Skill Review and Coaching
  • High Speed Target Engagement Exercises
  • Multiple Targets – Static
  • Target Saturation
  • Speed Shooting Evaluation Exercise / Skill Assessment
  • Speed Shooting Foundational Skill Review and Coaching
  • High Speed Target Engagement Exercises
  • Strong hand only shooting at speed, Weak hand only shooting at speed, one hand pistol manipulations.

What to Bring

First, review the general overview of What to Bring to a Pistol Class.

For this specific class, you’ll also need to bring:

  • Handgun
  • Kydex, outside-the-waistband holster.
  • About 2,300 rounds of ammunition.
  • At least four to six magazines for your pistol.
  • At least two magazine carriers.

Course Fees

Course fees vary depending on location and are subject to change. The fees will be listed for classes when the dates are announced.

Please contact us if you have any questions regarding course fees, group rates or law enforcement exclusive programs.

Schedule

Classes listed are not in date order. If none are listed, we do not have any on the schedule at this time.

Student Testimonials

Thoroughly enjoyed it

Thoroughly enjoyed it. The small class size was a pleasure. As always, the instructor, assistant and admin staff were all superior. Appreciated the flexibility and tailoring to the needs of the students.

Daniel N.
Advanced Pistol Operator
Paducah, Ky. - April 2020

The instructors complemented each other

The teaching methods utilized were very comprehensive. This was the first time that trigger control was taught as a process. The emphasis and importance put on dry firing was invaluable.

It was nice to have an explanation when teaching different techniques rather than “just do it this way.” The instructors complemented each other which made the course content more valuable and understandable. Excellent course and content, excellent teaching and excellent instructors.

Robert C.
Former Military
Advanced Pistol Operator
SIG Sauer Academy - Sept. 2017

Jerry is an excellent instructor

Jerry is an excellent instructor. Great feed back and communication.

Allen M.
Instructor
Advanced Pistol Operator
Paducah, Ky. - Oct. 2016

Exactly what I needed

I thought the class was excellent and was exactly what I needed. The sheer repetition really taught me to focus on the sight picture. At the end of the class I understood and knew what it was like when everything came together. I’m definitely not “there” yet, however I do understand what it looks and feels like when everything comes together. Equally important I also know what I need to do to continue to improve.

I also though the instructor was excellent. He was really good at offering suggestions for improvement, but also knew when to back off. Sometimes, as a student, you need to figure things out on your own, and he walked that fine line well.

I understand safety is a big concern anytime firearms are used, and this goes for students as well as the instructor. Having never taken a class from OpSpec I have a legitimate concern that I will feel and be safe during the class. I thought safety was handled at the appropriate level for the class and at no time did I ever feel safety was lacking or I was in an unsafe environment.

Jay Z.
Advanced Pistol Operator
Paducah, Ky. - Oct. 2016

One simply could not ask more!

Just completed my second class with Mr. Jerry Jones, and once again, I enjoyed a formidable learning experience.

Truly, Mr. Jones is the rare instructor who is consummately committed on his students’ learning and development.  He espouses process oriented marksmanship and will dissect each component so the process is both understood and safely executed. One simply could not ask more!

BluFox
Advanced Pistol Operator
Paducah, Ky. - Oct. 2016

Class was taught in an extremely safe manner

I learned a tremendous amount, and understand what I have to work on. The class was taught in an extremely safe manner. The instructors were excellent.

Steve D.
Advanced Pistol Operator
Richmond, Calif. - June 2016

5 stars!

I very much enjoyed the class and I would recommend your class to anyone who wants to be challenged, is teachable, and wants to move to a higher level of training and understanding. This is the second class that I’ve taken taught by the duo Jerry and Bruce. 5 stars!

DS
Advanced Pistol Operator
Richmond, Calif. - May 2016

Excellent training for intermediate to professional shooters

One of the best three days of pistol training I have ever spent. This course is a must for those that want to really sharpen their marksman skills, and learn how to drive the gun hard. Very organized curriculum with excellent instruction and real world experience. Not for beginners but excellent training for intermediate to professional shooters. Look forward to attending again next year.

NK
Advanced Pistol Operator
Richmond, Calif., May 2016

Every law enforcement officer would be well served by taking these classes

I have been working in law enforcement for twenty years. I learned techniques and other shooting skills I would have never thought possible. I would rate this class and the instructors with an A+. They cared about what they were teaching and the students progress. I think every law enforcement officer would be well served by taking pistol fundamentals and the advanced pistol operator class.

Robert K.
Active LEO
Advanced Pistol Operator
Richmond, Calif., May 2016

They didn’t let me down

I had asked Jerry and Ray to get on me about things I was doing wrong, no matter how small they were. They didn’t let me down.

Mike V.
Advanced Pistol Operator
Richmond, Calif., May 2016

This basic foundation is something that can’t be overemphasized

Jerry was fantastic, I really appreciate his direct approach and constructive feedback. Bruce is very analytical in his approach, so they balance well. Ray was great at filling in the gaps and throwing out the occasional verbal confidence booster. I came away from this class with significantly better trigger control and a lot more knowledge on how to improve it going forward. I shoot a lot, but this basic foundation is something that can’t be overemphasized.

Matt G.
Advanced Pistol Operator
Richmond, Calif., May 2016