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FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions


THIS IS WHERE YOU WILL FIND MOST ANSWERS. IF THERE SHOULD STILL BE ANY QUESTIONS, DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT US.

Can We Come Into The Range To Shoot?
We are strictly a training company and not a walk-in range or retail store. We teach our live-fire training classes on a private, outdoor range, which is open to our students that are registered in training classes.
Are your trainers ex-military or law enforncement?

Yes - in our advanced courses -

DTT reserves these career gunners to our advanced courses, since we found after years of training, they find it harder to teach the basics, which have been so ingrained in them, they forgot how to express it… think of driving a car, an experienced driver forgets how they got to their destination, while a new driver is panicking the entire way trying to stay within the lines… As you progress with your training, you will want the trainers with years of real-life gunning, and will enjoy DTT’s advanced course, but if you are still relatively new to the sport, let’s get the foundations built with good fundamentals and safety training at DTT’s basics.

How Do I Sign Up For a Training Course?

You can select and register for a class online on our interactive course calendar, or you can call Mike at 855-50-DTTHQ. He can answer your questions and sign you up for any classes.

Can I Just Show Up at The Range on the day of a class?

NO, You’ll first need to register and pre-pay your course tuition. After you register we’ll send you detailed information about your upcoming classes.

Why cant I just show up without Pre-Paying for a class?

Because we maintain a maximum four-to-one student/instructor ratio for live fire classes (three-to-one for low-light training), we’ll need to know ahead of time so that we can plan for the class and assign the appropriate level of staff. We’ll also send you registration materials in advance to accelerate the administrative requirements at the start of the day.

Do You Offer Private or Semi-Private Training Courses?

Yes, we offer all levels of private (one-to-one) and semi-private (one-to-two) training sessions. We can accomodate many speacial needs... just ask.

How Much Do you Charge for a Training Class?

Please check the course flyer for the specific class that you’re interested in as the tuition may vary among different courses. Generally, however, we charge $250 for an eight-hour group class (maximum 1 to 4 ratio).

What Do You Charge For a Private Class?

For our half-day private training (1 to 1 ratio) the tuition is $500 ($100 per hour/four-hour minimum, plus $100 range rental). For our half-day, semi-private training sessions (1 to 2 ratio) the tuition is $350 per person (no additional range rental fee).

Do You Ever Offer Private Classes on Weekends?

YES!, but generally, they require an advanced registration of 4 weeks or more. Occasionally we get a weekend range opportunity open on short notice. Let us know that you’re interested in doing a private session on a weekend we can determine what dates may be mutually acceptable.

Can I take one of your classses if I dont currently own a gun?

Yes, we have a limited number of rental pistols available for people that are taking our classes. Rental pistols will be available on a first come, first served basis, so please let us know early if you’ll need one. You will need to provide your own factory ammunition.

Can you offer me a California Firearms Safety Certificate?

Unfortunately we cannot but you can take the test and purchase a firearms safety certificate (necessary to purchase a handgun or long gun) at most gun dealers in the state.

Do you offer training classes for Concealed Carry Permits?

Yes, but it depends on your state requirements.  We currently offer the highest acceptaed courses by NRA and also USCCA approved courses which are recognized by most states.  As of now, AZ only recognizes NRA approved courses. 

I've been shooting my entire life. Do I still need to take the basic course?

We highly recommend that you do. Tactical and defensive firearms training isn’t the same as recreational target shooting. You’ll need to develop a strong foundation of gun handling and manipulation skills that we rarely see in shooters coming from a background of no formal training. Also, self/family/friend taught students commonly have years of engrained negative shooting habits which require correction.

Although we can only measure your ability to be safe with a weapon in person... If you can repeatedly hit 10 shots in an 8" circle from 30' shot at a rate of no less than 1 shot per second, then bring this to our attention prior to registering and we can discuss moving into an advanced class. 

What Firearm should I bring to the range?

We highly reccomend the gun that you plan to carry with you, or are most ikely to use in a defensive encounter.  We believe this should be a .380 / 9mm / 45ACP.  We also allow 22 caliber handguns, but do not believe they are the best choce for defensive weapons. 

If you’re thinking of purchasing a handgun but don’t know which to buy, please call us. We’ll share with you over the phone a short philosophical decision matrix which will likely help narrow your field of options.

What Holster do you recommend?

First, the most important consideration is to choose the correct belt to which you’ll attach your holster. Make sure that you get a sturdy but comfortable belt that’s designed specifically to support the weight of a holstered firearm, extra magazines, and other related equipment. For concealment and general range use we recommend a 1 ½ inch wide (1 ¼ inch wide if you’ll be wearing a dress suit) belt, constructed from a double thickness of quality leather or other material to give it strength and stability and to prevent your holster from shifting. For this reason, it’s important to match the size of your holster’s belt loops with your belt width.

Now for the holster... ALWAYS have a holster the COMPLETELY covers the trigger.  Yes, 100% of the trigger should be covered when the gun is holstered. 

Next we reccomend a Kydex (fancy word for plastic) holster, as this are the easiest to re-holster the gun and provide a very positive engagement with the gun for great retention.  Many Kydex holsters will even provide adjustable rentention.

Generally... we’ve taught people to operate pistols from holsters and always start out with a strong side, outside waistband (OWB) holster. The skill set that you’ll develop using an OWB holster will later translate—with modification—to other types of holsters, such as inside waistband (IWB) and pocket holsters.

Other holster considerations (either personal preference or mission priority) may include the cant, retention level, build material, attachment system, concealability, weapon-light accommodation, etc.). Ultimately though, comfort, safety and ease of operation should be your primary concerns.

We highly reccomend against the use a soft-sided holster.  Although there may be certain circumstances where this may be the only choice, it has more safety issues than we are comfortable with.

Do NOT use the Blackhawk Serpa family of holsters, or any other retention type holster that requires the use of the trigger finger to release the pistol from the holster. These holsters have been banned from many law enforcement agencies and competition, as they create an opportunity for a negligent discharg, which have been experienced all to often.

Are There any Holsters that you dont recommend?

We don’t recommend, or allow in our classes, the Blackhawk Serpa family of holsters, or any other retention type holster that requires the use of the trigger finger to release the pistol from the holster. Beyond that, we do not allow in classes (but may allow for specific training in private sessions) shoulder holsters, cross-draw holsters, ankle holsters, fanny-packs, or soft (collapsible) IWB holsters.

Will you customize a group class for my work, church, group, etc.?

Yes, we love to design and teach special custom training courses. We have experience working with corporate team-building groups, military units, pre-deployment government contractors, church organizations, law enforcement groups and security companies. If your desired training doesn’t involve live-fire, such as certain civilian active shooter responses courses, or simulator classes, then we can conduct the class at your facility or another offsite training venue. We recommend that you contact us well in advance so that we can make the proper arrangements.

Frequently Asked Questions