Combative Pistol Performance

Course Description:

Combative Pistol Performance is Trident Concepts’ flagship handgun program, built from decades of operational experience, instructor development, performance analysis, and legally defensible practices. This intensive two-day, 1,000-round course is designed for experienced shooters committed to developing the highest level of accountable pistol performance under demanding conditions.

The course emphasizes measurable performance standards, accountable speed, emotional control, dynamic movement, and precision from close quarters to extended distances. Students will learn to deliver accurate fire at the highest speed their skill supports while applying efficient gun-handling techniques, sound decision-making, and disciplined execution under pressure.

Every block of instruction follows the Trident Concepts ATPT methodology—Assess, Train, Perform, Test. Students first assess their current capability, train to improve specific performance deficiencies, perform under progressively more demanding conditions, and ultimately test their skills against objective standards. This deliberate progression ensures every repetition has purpose and every improvement is measurable.

Upon completion, students will leave with measurable performance gains, clearly defined standards for continued development, and a deeper understanding of what true combative pistol performance demands.

Students will train and be evaluated on:

• Delivering accountable hits at the highest speed their skill supports.
• Applying measurable performance standards throughout every stage of instruction.
• Maintaining emotional control and disciplined execution under increasing time pressure and cognitive demand.
• Building efficient visual processing to support shot accountability, recoil management, and rapid target transitions.
• Developing predictable gun-handling skills, including presentation, reloads, and malfunction management, with an emphasis on economy of motion.
• Integrating dynamic movement, positional shooting, and balance while preserving accuracy and accountability.
• Solving progressively complex shooting problems involving multiple threats, changing distances, movement, and the effective use of cover.
• Demonstrating precision from close quarters to extended distances by adapting cadence and visual patience to the demands of the target and environment.

Throughout the course, instructors employ the Trident Concepts ATPT methodology (Assess, Train, Perform, Test) using a deliberate practice model. Each block begins by assessing current performance, followed by focused instruction addressing the most significant performance gaps. Students then perform progressively demanding exercises that reinforce the desired skill before concluding with objective testing against established standards. Drills are conducted in short, focused iterations with immediate coaching, allowing students to apply one primary correction before repeating the task. Every block concludes with a concise performance review to determine what improved, what still requires refinement, and how those lessons transfer to future performance.

Who This Course Is For

Combative Pistol Performance is designed for experienced shooters who already possess solid handgun fundamentals and want demanding, standards-based training focused on measurable improvement under pressure.

This course is a strong fit for:

• Law enforcement and military personnel who carry a pistol in a duty or operational role
• Armed professionals and serious concealed carriers who want to improve combative performance
• Shooters with prior formal training who are ready to move beyond basic technique
• Students who want objective standards, direct diagnostics, and meaningful accountability
• Shooters who want to develop greater speed without sacrificing hit quality
• Students who want to improve emotional control, movement, and decision-making under increasing pressure
• Anyone who wants to identify what limits their performance and train those deficiencies deliberately

This is not a beginner course. Students will be expected to safely and competently draw from the holster, manage the pistol, shoot while moving, work from varied positions, and use cover. The focus is on delivering accountable hits at the highest speed the shooter can support while maintaining control, sound judgment, and repeatable performance under demanding conditions.

Gear List

• Serviceable duty-size or compact pistol in 9mm (red dot sight optional*)
• 1,000 rounds of reliable training ammunition
• 5 x pistol magazines
• Range attire: long pants, comfortable shirt, athletic shoes and ball cap
• Basic loadout: rigid belt, on the waistband (OWB) holster or duty approved holster, magazine pouches and dump pouch (optional)
• Wrap around ballistic eye protection
• Hearing protection
• Water, snacks, sunscreen and appropriate inclement weather clothing
• Firearms cleaning kit and quality lubrication
• Notebook and pencil
• An open mind and willingness to receive direct coaching

*Students are welcome to use RDS equipped pistols, but must ensure they are properly zeroed.  Recommended zero distance is 25 yards for optimal performance, but regardless students must know their impacts at ranges from 0-25 yards. 

Course Prerequisite:

Combat Performance Pistol is intended for experienced shooters and is not an introductory handgun course.

Students should possess the ability to:

• Safely draw from a quality belt-mounted holster.
• Consistently present the pistol from the holster.
• Demonstrate safe reloads and malfunction clearances.
• Maintain acceptable accuracy at typical defensive handgun distances.
• Follow range commands while working in a dynamic training environment.

Successful completion of a reputable intermediate-level pistol course is strongly recommended. Students should expect a physically and mentally demanding training experience. The following drills represent the minimum performance standard expected for entry into Combative Pistol Performance. Students are strongly encouraged to become familiar with these drills and consistently meet the listed standards prior to attending the course. All drills are shot from the holster. The recommended target is the TRICON TCT-MK4 available from Action Target or TRICON B8 target.

• Pistol Standard Charlie; at the 20 yard line, draw and fire 5 rounds, move to the 10 and fire 3 rounds, move to the 5 and fire 2 rounds. Total time plus +1 for each miss. Must be below 15 seconds adjusted time with 8 or more hits to pass.
• Pistol Standard Alpha 2; at the 10 yard line, draw and fire 10 rounds (9 reload 1) in 10 seconds. Must be below par and score 80/100 or higher.
• Pistol Standard Bravo 2; at the 25 yard line draw and fire 10 rounds in 20 seconds. Must be below par and score 80/100 points or higher.

Registration fee does not include any associated range fees.

Want to see other classes coming up this year? Check out the Class Schedule.