FAQ's

Please review our frequently asked questions below to get more information on our courses and get your questions answered. If our frequently asked questions does not include your question, or you want more details – please feel free to e-mail us via the contact us box, or call the phone number below and one of our mentors will get you an answer!

For the Firearms Safety and Familiarization Courses:

Both the Childrens Firearms Safety and the Firearms Familiarization Courses are both all inclusive (Weapons, Ammunition, Safety Equipment). Bring Sun Screen, Water, a hat and dress like you are going hiking and you should be all set. Long Sleeves, Long Pants and a hat are recommended.

For Firearms Courses:

Participants should bring Sun Screen, Water and we recommend you dress like you are going hiking. Long Sleeve Shirts and Long Pants are recommended along with comfortable closed toed shoes and a hat or a visor. Brining a Lunch is optional as you will have a chance to go to the local establishments during the break. Be sure to check the location as different instructors and courses are at different venues.

For Workshops:

We do not have a dress code for the personal security workshops and much of it will be conducted indoors, however, business casual is the typical attire. Meals are included at all workshops at Pala. Off site workshops may have different dining options and requirements so check with the event coordinator.

For Improvised and Edged Weapons Courses:

Wear what ever you are comfortable in, and can move around in and bring a water bottle and any courses relevant blades or weapons you have questions on.

For Trauma Management Courses:

Wear clothing you are comfortable moving around in and that you won’t mind getting a little dirty. The simulated blood we use should not stain, and washes out easily – but we don’t guarantee it! Bring water and any course relevant trauma equipment you have questions about but all training materials are provided.

For edged weapons and unarmed defense courses:

If it is a folding knife class then you are encouraged to bring a folding knife. All other training equipment is provided for you. You should wear what you normally wear every day and you should train in what you wear everyday – however sweat pants and martial arts pants are NOT recommended. We will ask that you remove jewelry and watches during the class so please bring a bag to store them in.

For a pistol course:

Pistol: We will cover a number of pistols in the course, how they work, and the advantages and disadvantages to many types of guns. If you currently own a gun – it is adequate for this course provided it is not smaller then a subcompact. Pocket guns and single shot concealable’s are not appropriate to complete the course, however, feel free to bring it along and we gladly cover it’s use in detail and allow you to fire it during a break.

A subcompact pistol is something specifically designed for concealed carry. Sig Sauer P239, H&K P2000SK, and the Glock 26 are examples of suitable subcompacts. If you have questions as to the suitability of your gun please contact us with the manufacturer and model number at info@aegisacademy.com and we’ll get you an answer.

If you are renting a firearm from Aegis Academy, we will intentionally have you fire a number of different weapons to determine which one fits your hand and needs. If you are planning to purchase a weapon for the course, please contact us first for some practical advice and recommendations on where to purchase it at the best price!

Holster: Aegis Academy recommends retention devices for your holster for one simple reason – the best way to turn a shoving match or fistfight into a gunfight is to drop your gun on the street. If you only plan to use your gun only for home defense, on the range or in competition, there are a number of non-retention holsters that are adequate for the course. The only restrictions on holsters are the clip on the slide models, and the inside the waist belt holsters for range training. If you have a holster that fits your gun, we’ll work with it! We recommend Kydex (hard plastic) holsters for durability and ease of use. Please contact us for advice prior to purchasing one so you don’t waste money on something that doesn’t meet your needs or buy it at an exorbitant price.

Magazine pouches: Once again, the ones you have are probably adequate. We recommend Kydex for durability and ease of use if you are purchasing. Ensure it fits the magazines for you weapon.

Magazines: You will need three functional magazines that hold at least 8 rounds (10 are preferred). You are welcome to bring additional magazines if you have them to cycle them through and ensure they work, and it’s always preferable to have spares on standby. If you have California legal high capacity magazines, you are welcome to bring them to the course. See the California department of justice website Ca DOJ for more information on magazine restrictions.

Belt: Most any thick leather belt will work. If you plan to spend a lot of time on our ranges during weekend coaching and drill sessions, a tactical riggers belt is probably worth purchasing to save the wear and tear on your regular clothing.

Eye Protection: A baseball cap, visor, or brimmed hat is required to keep any hot brass from falling behind your eyewear. Any wrap around style sporting sunglasses or prescription glasses are acceptable. Extremely dark lenses, or the light yellow lenses are not recommended. The extremely dark lenses inhibit your ability to focus correctly, and the extremely bright yellow will cause excessive eye fatigue over the course of the day. If you have extremely slim or narrow prescription glasses, clear or shaded safety glasses may be worn over them. Aegis Academy rents suitable eye protection on the range, but our choice of fashion may not meet your standards!

Hearing protection: We require electronic hearing protection on the range. This allows you to hear instructions easier and focus on the techniques being taught. For shooters who are extremely noise sensitive we have foam ear plugs available on the range and we may ask you to double up for a while to eliminate this distraction. Electronic hearing protection is the best solution on the market. Aegis Academy rents electronic hearing protection on the range.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title="What equipment for a shotgun course do I need?" tab_id="1454632695044-17a2a598-2107" el_class="faq title"][vc_column_text]Shotgun: Any serviceable shotgun will work for the course. A pump action or semi-automatic is definitely preferred!

Ammunition pouch: The ones you have (if any) are probably adequate and you get get through the course using your pockets!

Belt: Most any thick leather belt will work. If you plan to spend a lot of time on our ranges during weekend coaching and drill sessions, a tactical riggers belt is probably worth purchasing to save the wear and tear on your regular clothing.

Eye Protection (Eyes): A baseball cap, visor, or brimmed hat is required to keep any hot brass from falling behind your eyewear. Any wrap around style sporting sunglasses or prescription glasses are acceptable. Extremely dark lenses, or the light yellow lenses are not recommended. The extremely dark lenses inhibit your ability to focus correctly, and the extremely bright yellow will cause excessive eye fatigue over the course of the day. If you have extremely slim or narrow prescription glasses, clear or shaded safety glasses may be worn over them. Aegis Academy rents suitable eye protection on the range, but our choice of fashion may not meet your standards!

Hearing protection (Ears): We require electronic hearing protection on the range. This allows you to hear instructions easier and focus on the techniques being taught. For shooters who are extremely noise sensitive we have foam ear plugs available on the range and we may ask you to double up for a while to eliminate this distraction. Electronic hearing protection is the best solution on the market. Aegis Academy rents electronic hearing protection on the range.

For a Carbine Course:

Magazine pouches: The ones you have are probably adequate. We recommend Kydex for durability and ease of use if you are purchasing. Ensure it fits the magazines for you weapon.

Magazines: You will need three functional magazines that hold at least 8 rounds, ten are preferred. You are welcome to bring additional magazines if you have them to cycle them through and ensure they work, and it’s always preferable to have spares on standby. If you have California legal high capacity magazines, you are welcome to bring them to the course. See the California department of justice website Ca DOJ for more information on magazine restrictions.

Eye Protection: A baseball cap, visor, or brimmed hat is required to keep any hot brass from falling behind your eyewear. Any wrap around style sporting sunglasses or prescription glasses are acceptable. Extremely dark lenses, or the light yellow lenses are not recommended. The extremely dark lenses inhibit your ability to focus correctly, and the extremely bright yellow will cause excessive eye fatigue over the course of the day. If you have extremely slim or narrow prescription glasses, clear or shaded safety glasses may be worn over them. Aegis Academy rents suitable eye protection on the range, but our choice of fashion may not meet your standards!

I am an experienced shooter - where should I start:

Aegis Academy will work with you to ensure you receive the training you want. Each course day starts with a skills check (See the link in the footer). The skills check is the bare minimum standard that will allow you to safely keep up with that days training. It should be easy for you to achieve (and will be if you have mastered the previous course material). We teach the classroom material, head to the range and conduct a safety brief. The skills check is the first thing we do. If you do not pass, we will provide you a course credit to an appropriate upcoming course for your level of ability, but you will not be allowed to continue with the course. Everyone Defines the term “experienced shooter” very differently.

If you are not starting at the day one course, Please, go to the range and shoot the skill checkyour self to ensure that you can do it 100% of the time. We do not want to have to be the bearer of bad news any more then you want to hear it. That said, we will not compromise your safety nor the safety of our other clients and staff by allowing you to continue in a course that requires skill that are beyond your current level.

These tests are very easy for an experienced shooter who has completed our courses and if they are remotely challenging – consider starting at a previous course. Pistol, carbine and shotgun one are the basics of effective training and conditioning habits and regardless of your past experience – that is where we encourage you to start your training with us as it lays out the framework for breaking bad habits and developing good ones. If you have mastered trigger control, have an effective conditioning program and are able to safely pass the skill check, you are welcome to start at any course you choose!

What type of ammunition should I bring:

Steel core or ammunition with any form of penetrator is not allowed. (Typically green tip M885 5.56 / .223 carbine ammunition is the culprit). Please double check you ammunition with a magnet (lead, and brass are non magnetic).

Can children attend training:

12 year olds can attend courses provided they are enrolled in the same class with (and under the direct supervision of) a parent at all times.

18 year olds may attend any course.

18 years old is the minimum age for all edged weapons & unarmed defense courses.

Please call ahead if you are registering a child under 16 years old for a course so that we can ensure we are ready!

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