Poway Weapons & Gear Range
Handgun First Steps: 3-hour beginner class, no prerequisites, "relaxed environment for first time shooters"; firearms, ammo, targets and eye/ear protection provided; private lessons from $70
Home / San Diego / Firearms Training
🎯 Beginner firearms training in San Diego
Ranges and certified instructors with first-timer classes, NRA/USCCA basics, and women-only clinics.
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Discount Gun Mart Training
Introduction to Firearms: beginner-level 4-hour class, no prerequisites; classroom then live fire with revolver and semi-auto; firearm rental, ammo, eye & ear protection included. Also in Santee (8516 N. Magnolia Ave)
A Girl & A Gun — San Diego Chapter
Women-only chapter; complete beginners welcome, many members shoot for the first time at the monthly Handgun Safety & Fundamentals event; all instructors and RSOs are women
P2K Range — NSSF First Shots
NSSF First Shots: intro to safe recreational shooting with individual instruction; try rifle, pistol and shotgun; all safety gear, firearms and ammo provided; also Introduction to Handgun and Indoor Starter Package
North County Shooting Center
Basic Pistol I with live fire, max 5 students on most Sundays; private lessons by appointment; ammo and eye/ear protection available to buy at the range
SOTC — First-Time Gun Owner Training
Beginner class for absolute first-timers, no experience expected; one-on-one with the instructor, inert practice before live fire; firearm and ammo provided
Escondido Fish & Game — NRA Women On Target
Women-only half-day NRA clinic for first-timers; no experience or equipment needed; firearms, ammo, eye/ear protection and lunch included; learn rifle and pistol
Vc Firearms Training
Beginner Intro to Pistol (1.5–2 hrs) and full NRA or USCCA Basic Pistol (6 hrs); no previous experience needed; all-inclusive with firearms, ammo and safety gear; live fire included
Castillo Arms — Phase 1 Fundamentals
Phase 1 Fundamentals & Safety: 4 hours, no prerequisites, "we assume you've never touched a firearm"; in-home or at a private Dulzura ranch; small group or private
SRST Courses
Handgun Fundamentals 1.0 for beginners who have never handled a firearm; training weapons and safety equipment provided for new students
Mclaren Defense — Basic Pistol at Iron Sights
4-hour Basic Pistol for beginners and people thinking of buying a firearm, every other Sunday at Iron Sights; price includes range fee and a range gun if needed
Shore Shot Firearms — Basic Handgun Class
5-hour Basic Handgun class: pistol parts, safety and fundamentals; simulator session then live fire at Iron Sights Indoor Range
Granite Personal Protection Training
USCCA-listed Women's Handgun & Self-Defense Fundamentals classes in Oceanside (Oct 2026 dates)
Primal-Response — Women's Intro to Handguns
Women-only intro to handguns and self-defense: "No firearms experience? No problem!" Classroom then range; bring pistol, ammo and eye/ear protection
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