H1 – Intro to Handguns
Current Price: $150.00
*Pricing and availability are subject to change at any time without notice.
We’re here to help build the foundation for future handgun owners and answer all the questions a first-time shooter would have. Safe handgun handling and operation, nomenclature, ammunition characteristics, storage, maintenance, and state and federal laws are just some of the topics covered in this comprehensive 6-hour course.
Topics will include:
• Handgun selection & vocabulary
• Loading & unloading
• Fundamentals of shooting accurately
• Maintenance & storage
Prerequisites: None
Rental Firearm & Ammunition: Included
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Norbert W (verified owner) –
H1 Training class
Very informative and hands-on class experience.
I had shot only once the .45 hand gun of my friend and it wasn’t a pleasant experience at all. I did not even hit the target at all. I thought pistols are not my thing.
The H1 Training class at White Birch Armory changed my prospective on that.
Instructor Rebecca Bruhn tough us how to handle a gun in a safe manner, with hands on training covering everything from general firearms safety, handling and ownership, pistol and ammunition nomenclature, safe loading and unloading, proper gun and ammunition storage, fundamentals of shooting incl. grip, stance, sighting and accuracy to general cleaning, lubrication and maintenance as well as basic State laws.
In addition to practice this new knowledge by shooting a gun at the range under the supervision of multiple range safety officers. There knowledge and hand’s on help in correcting stance, grip, muzzle management and trigger finger safety, dry firing and trigger pull finally allowed me to place my shots not only on to the target. I was really hitting the target at the areas I was aiming for and that even at different distances.
What a different experience that was than shooting my buddies firearm.
It definitely changed my prospective on shooting firearms and I can absolutely recommend White Birch Armory for there training classes.
I will come back for additional training classes and privat lessons in order to find the right pistol to buy for me self.
Norbert W.
Jennifer (verified owner) –
Yesterday’s H-1 class was exceptional. It exceeded all of my expectations. The instructor, Ben, was highly professional and skilled. He shared all of his knowledge without hesitation. He also knew how to make this intensive class fun while teaching many important skills. Evan, the assistant, was also a top-notch professional who helped all the students improve their confidence and abilities. I’m signing up for the next level of training soon!
Leanne (verified owner) –
My family and I took the H1 class yesterday. It was a great experience and Kevin did a wonderful job explaining everything! We learned, had fun and were safe throughout the experience.
Lisa Roche –
I am forever grateful to White Birch Armory and specifically to their outstanding instructor Rebecca Bruhn for helping me to overcome one of my biggest fears in life- guns! I have always felt vulnerable as a woman with no self defense training. I decided to just go take a look at WBA and see what they were all about. I felt extremely comfortable talking to the staff and they helped me to sign up for the handguns1 class. Rebecca helped me work through all my fears and anxiety. She was very thorough in explaining the proper handling of firearms and I felt safe with her assisting me shooting a 9 mil over 50 times my first class! It was exhilerating to say the least and I can’t wait to take my private lesson with Rebecca. Thanks to WBA I look forward to actually feeling safe someday with a handgun holstered to my hip!
Anonymous –
Rebecca Bruhn facilitated the H1 class my wife, adult son and I participated in. I recommend the class and highly recommend Rebecca as an instructor. The classroom sessions were very informative and thorough which set us up nicely for the range session. The range environment was totally professional, safe and secure. My comfort level with hand guns has increased significantly.
My wife entered the class extremely apprehensive and a bit afraid. Rebecca did a remarkable job of addressing her fears, being patient and coaching her to success. I truly don’t think that turnaround would have happened without Rebecca’s coaching and experience. Thanks Rebecca!
Our relationship with Birch Hill will continue with more training, spending more time in the range and booking more coaching time with Rebecca.
themanwholeasedtheworld (verified owner) –
A fantastic class with Rebecca Bruhn. She was extremely helpful and knowledgeable and took special care to make sure everyone is class was comfortable with both the information we were receiving as well as the on range training. I saw her take extra time and understanding with some of the students who were less comfortable around firearms and really help them to a place where they thrived in the class. I’ve already been recommending this class to family who have been interested in getting a handgun but haven’t made the leap yet.
cameron.orr (verified owner) –
Took H1 yesterday with Ben, the class was great. This was completely new to me and Ben made sure to get everyone comfortable with the environment, showing us around the facility and we had a good level of familiarity with safely handling things and understanding how to stay safe before we did any practical work of which there was quite a bit as well. Very appreciative of his teaching style covering the seriousness of the topic along with some humor, and was glad to see the accommodation for all skill levels and ages. I will be back for more classes.
landryjr.roger (verified owner) –
H-1 with Dan Gebers was well worth the time and money. We had beginners and intermediate experienced shooters in our class, and everyone learned a lot from Dan’s instruction. I have been shooting off and on for years, but I learned better grip and sighting techniques.
I’m looking forward to honing what I have learned when I take H2!
Alison Miller (verified owner) –
My husband and I took the H1 class with Dan Gebers. We learned so much and highly recommend taking this class to anyone who may be hesitant about using firearms.
The range/hands on training with Dan and Justin made me feel so much more comfortable with the thought of owning a handgun.
craigseeley (verified owner) –
Completed an H1 class with Dan Gebers today and I was thoroughly impressed. Dan was very professional with his presentation and helped me above and beyond the call of duty as I am a terrible shot! I learned a lot and just need more practice. Thank you Dan!
stephen.m.hyer (verified owner) –
Just took the H1 class with Dan Gebers. The class was excellent and I would highly recommend for anyone who is looking to get into using handguns.
gibsonlpcustom (verified owner) –
Mary and I just had the H1 class with Dan Gebers. The class was perfect and helped us with our new journey with handguns. We are looking forward to the H2 class now. Thank you Dan!
lynn.carpano (verified owner) –
I recently took the H1 Handgun class with instructor Dan Gebers. The class far exceeded my expectations. The class was a very diverse group, from myself, a women who had never held a handgun to several very experienced shooters. Instructor Gebers was able to identifty the needs of each person and deliver a safe, results packed class. Thanks Inspector Gebers. And thanks White Birch for your welcoming atmosphere. Looking forward to the next class!
Scott (verified owner) –
The H1 Intro To Handguns course was informative and well laid out. I went in knowing little about handguns and left feeling much more confident about handling and shooting them. Kevin Williams was a great instructor. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and easily approachable with any questions.
Roger Jaques (verified owner) –
Dan Gebers was thorough and kind. We covered many of the basics in a course offering a large amount of information. As a former Harvard scholar and instructor, I feel qualified to say that hand, eye, and body co-ordination is not currently a comfortable skill level for me. Dan instructed me how to improve that positioning and achievement. He took care to address many class concern we all had in handling a handgun safely and effectively. I recommend this basic handgun class with Dan.
(Corrected copy.)
Roger Jaques (verified owner) –
Dan Gebers was thorough and kind. We covered many of the basics in a course offering a large amount of information. As a former Harvard scholar and instructor, I feel qualified to say that hand, eye, and body co-ordination is not currently a comfortable skill level for me. Don instructed me how to improve that positioning and achievement. He took care to address many class concern we all had in handling a handgun safely and effectively. I recommend this class with Don for all who need this introduction. Keep it up, Don.
Mike (verified owner) –
The Intro to Handguns class was exactly what I was hoping it would be. Kevin was a great instructor as I walked away with a solid safety foundation and an improved comfort level around handguns. Thank you!
Marc (verified owner) –
I went into the class a little apprehensive having never been to an indoor range or an actual firearms class before. Ben was great at introducing information in an engaging and concise way on and off the range. I feel way more confident with handguns now and I’m looking forward to H2. Money well spent
Leona F –
I found the W-1 Intro To Handguns with instructor Stevie Kehm to be outstanding. She made sure that you felt comfortable and got the attention you needed to learn the basics to handgun safety and use,
This 74 year grandmother walked away feeling safer and more knowledgeable about handguns.
Donna Hladik (verified owner) –
I took the H1 class with Dan Gebers. I must say, this was one of the MOST informative classes ever! I went into this class very nervous and unsure of how to use/handle my handgun. I can honestly say, I’m looking forward to taking the H2 (+) classes with Dan! Set up range time to practice all I learned. This class was a game changer to me and now I feel comfortable.
Jacob D’Erasmo (verified owner) –
Dan’s H1 class was very well done. I entered the class taking a few courses previously, so I was semi-skeptical that I would get much out of it, but boy, was I wrong. I highly recommend this class to anyone and will be sending multiple family members to this class,
Pat Wulfson (verified owner) –
Dan’s H1 class was well structured and welcoming, with our class members regularly invited to ask any and all questions. The material was not only discussed, but we had an opportunity to practice hands-on in the classroom to familiarize us with safe handling protocol using both demo models and actual (non-loaded) handguns.
The range time was Safety First, Last, and Always. It was continually evident that the instructor knew from broad experience what we individuals needed to know, and offered good humored ideas and suggestions for getting familiar with the proper use of a handgun.
I would absolutely recommend this class, and participants can look forward to being treated with respect and patience.
Martin Pepin (verified owner) –
I enjoyed every minute of Dan’s H1 class. He made us comfortable in asking questions on the class material. He also took the time with each member of the class to make sure we all understood and were confident with handling our handguns. I would highly recommend this class and this instruator.
savio.dunkin (verified owner) –
I would 100% recommend the class. I went in with zero experience/knowledge on firearms and after the 6 hour class i left completely satisfied with everything i learned that day. Both Scott and Justin were extremely knowledgeable and very experienced in that field. A week later i went back for my first time shooting in the range and i was greeted by Justin which was once again extremely helpful. He took the time and gave me very useful tips before i hit the range. I am now very comfortable and confident with shooting and i will be coming back to further my shooting skills and carrying a firearm.
Jay Wulfson (verified owner) –
Very informative & thorough. Dan takes the time to answer all questions and makes sure we understand completely, in the classroom as well as on the range. Would definitely recommend this class.
Victoria Lombardi (verified owner) –
Amazing Course! Dan Gebers went above and beyond to make this class as fun and educational as possible. He made me feel very safe and helped me become more comfortable with my firearm. Thank you!
stconner1 (verified owner) –
Steven Conner
I recently attended White Birch Armory’s course H1 – Intro to Handguns with Scott. I came to this course with some minor experience with handguns and Scotts teaching method brough my experience to the next level. My anxiety handling a striker fired type handgun was removed through Scotts teaching method. The course was very through and covered the basics of safe and effective handgun use. This is a terrific course and I am glad in invested the time. I will soon be taking the H2 course at White Birch Armory.
stconner1 (verified owner) –
I recently attended White Birch Armory’s course H1 – Intro to Handguns with Scott. I came to this course with some minor experience with handguns and Scotts teaching method brough my experience to the next level. My anxiety handling a striker fired type handgun was removed through Scotts teaching method. The course was very through and covered the basics of safe and effective handgun use. This is a terrific course and I am glad in invested the time. I will soon be taking the H2 course at White Birch Armory.
Thomas Beatty (verified owner) –
Terrific course! Really impressed by the quality of instruction. Ben was super knowledgeable, personable, and professional. Highly recommended
chancelavoie2016 (verified owner) –
I took this intro class with my girlfriend. I have been shooting since I was a kid, but recently got into shooting handguns. My girlfriend is new to shooting in general. Ben was our instructor and was very knowledgeable. We both left feeling as though we learned so much. I highly recommend this course and am excited to take the remainder of the series.
Jeff (verified owner) –
Excellent, thorough class for a complete newbie. Ben (the instructor) has a very capable background for teaching within the industry, he’s extremely knowledgeable, and he doesn’t rush things, which is great for greenhorns. Additionally, the facility is top-notch. I highly recommend White Birch Armory and Ben as an instructor. Looking forward to my next course.
Andrew Hausammann (verified owner) –
Great introductory course. Kevin is very experienced and shares his knowledge in a easy to understand way. I would highly recommend this course.
Julia (verified owner) –
Excellent course! Kevin was extremely thorough, personable, knowledgeable and offered the encouragement my husband and I need to continue with training. Neither of us had experience with handguns. Kevin addressed our fears and concerns and discussed the legal aspects of gun ownership. He was incredibly safety conscious which put us at ease. We loved his style of teaching which was informative but casual. All of our questions were thoroughly answered. We highly recommend this course to both inexperienced and experienced handgun owners/prospective owners. Well worth the investment!
simonbesher (verified owner) –
I am new to shooting guns, so I went to YouTube University and got completely overloaded with information, but I refused to pick up a hand gun before I took H1 at White Birch Armory. Going into the class I was thinking there is nothing more to learn for me, but boy I was wrong! It was interactive, it was fun, it was hands-on. Our instructor Ben has a wealth of knowledge with a unique way of sharing it so it’s very easy to digest while using easy to understand analogies and positive reinforcement. He helped me and my fellow students to get really comfortable and safe handling a firearm, lead us into fun drills at the range to further solidify what we’ve learned. Talking about legal aspects of gun ownership and concealed carry was also beneficial and worthwhile.
I am sure glad I took H1 class and I strongly recommend this class to any new shooters as it’s a great foundation for H2 and H3 which I can’t wait to take.
Sherry Bean (verified owner) –
My husband and I took the H1 class and Ben was our instructor. I was reluctant but took the class as my husband wanted to. I have to say, the class was great and exceeded my expectations. By the end of the class, I was confident in what I learned and was very comfortable on the firing range. I would highly recommend this class. Ben is a skilled instructor, patient and kind and most of all made the class fun!
Rob and Kim Berrill (verified owner) –
My wife and I took the H1 class with Ben. We both learned a lot about firearms and how to be safe with them. He was very clear in his instructions and very helpful with any questions we had. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone who is interested in gun safety.
kimiak2000 (verified owner) –
Had an impressive experience with 2 amazing instructors. Learned a lot and looking forward for H2. My wife also decided to join H1 training in a couple of weeks.
Kevin Avery (verified owner) –
Took H1 with Anthony yesterday at WBA. I must say it was an impressive well-presented introduction to handguns. I previously took handgun safety in Massachusetts and there was no comparison. Nothing compares to the hands on experience with an instructor provided in H1 at WBA.
Roy W Hauck (verified owner) –
Took H1 course at White Birch with Anthony and it was excellent. Learned a lot and was very interesting.
Gabe –
I took this class for my senior project, and Anthony was great at teaching me the fundamentals in an interesting and engaging way.
Eric (verified owner) –
I took this class with my son for his senior project. I learned so much and Anthony was a great instructor who kept it interactive and fun. He knows firearms and how to use them safely. I would recommend his class to any level shooter.
Adele Marone (verified owner) –
Just completed the H1 class with Anthony. He was a great instructor with extensive knowledge in firearms. He kept the course interesting and it went by very quickly. Anthony was very patient and spent time one-on-one with each person on the range. Everyone in the class, no matter how much or how little experience they had previously took away useful information. Learned so much and look forward to the next course after spending more time practicing. The folks at White Birch are awesome!
Eileen Hauck (verified owner) –
This class was outstanding, very informative.
I really enjoyed the day and all the instructors were very patient and helpful. I would recommend it for anyone looking to take a beginners class.
Laura (verified owner) –
Wonderful experience . Stevie, Annaliese and Anthony made the class fun a educational. I have never shot a handgun and really nervous. Anthony stresses how “safety” is the number one priority to handle a gun. This was a big step for me. I have only shot my husband’s guns a couple of times. During the time in the range I stared feeling more relaxed and comfortable after a couple of times shooting. The instructors were very patient with the ones who have never shot before. I did learn a lot from the class and would highly recommend taking the H1 intro handgun class. I can’t express enough that taking the class is the best thing to do. Thanks to Anthony,Stevie and Annaliese to making the class formative and easy to understand everything that was covered in the class.
Sandy Downer (verified owner) –
Just took the H1 class with Anthony Diorio. Excellent class! I’ve taken others and still walked away with information I’ve never received before. His detail and patience with us was incredible. I’m going to practice what he’s shown me and look forward to an H2 class.
rdominelli (verified owner) –
My daughter and I took the 2/19/23 class with Ben. He was knowledgeable, approachable and relaxed while stressing how important gun safety is. My daughter never shot a handgun before and was shooting well by the end of the day despite being a southpaw. The class was fun an informative and I recommend it as a great intro to handgun for new users and experienced users alike.
Joe Setzer (verified owner) –
I really feel Ben and Annaliese were excellent to this old man. This learning curve was alittle easier to learn with their help. Looking forward to the next class.
Josh Woods (verified owner) –
Great experience. Tyler and Anthony made the class fun and engaging while providing a safe environment. I left with a strong foundation and confidence for H2.
Jennifer (verified owner) –
My experience at White Birch was absolutely THE BEST due to instructor Anthony Diorio! I started out by taking his hour-long private class (set up by my husband with our goal of overcoming some of my nervousness around the idea of firearms in general). Anthony is such an expert—within the hour lesson, he taught me *just enough* to digest—never overwhelming me—and this was the key for me. His expert instruction empowered me and gave me the confidence I needed. He adjusted his pacing in the moment, taking my lead in learning. His active listening, kindness, and understanding created a safe environment in which learning was possible. In a nutshell: I walked into the armory as a reluctant, nervous novice, and I walked out of instruction with Anthony feeling interested and wanting to learn more. I signed up for the H1 class (the person who used to be so anxious around firearms now signing up for day-long classes!). This experience was awesome! I am a step-by-step learner and Anthony ran with that, tailoring his instruction in the moment to my individual learning style. I came home with my target, certificate, and a newfound confidence in safety, vocabulary, operational skills and more…and everyone in my life is asking who managed to transform my thoughts around firearms. I will be back for more classes with my friends! I also had the benefit of the amazing Stevie being in class! Thank you, White Birch. My husband and I are so impressed.
paleogreenbyrd (verified owner) –
Awesome class!! Tyler and Anthony were the best!!! Fun, and interactive environment, and always happy to answer any and all questions at all levels of experience. Every question is addressed with sincerity and respect. Don’t think twice, sign up now!!
Mike –
Thanks again
Joe George (verified owner) –
Class was great. Dan and Anthony were very knowledgeable. I am looking forward to H2
Ed Winkler (verified owner) –
Adam was great, direct and to the point with no wasted time on unnecessary details yet nothing felt rushed and students were encouraged to ask any questions they needed clarity on. The class was very diverse ranging from people who had never held a gun before to people who had taken courses in the past there was enough relevant information for all levels! Highly recommended
Jessica (verified owner) –
Meg was amazing! She answered all of our questions and had informed answers. I appreciated her experience with firearms. My husband came to the class with no experience and now he wants to move forward with more classes and purchase a handgun with confidence. Safety is everything! Thank you, Meg.
gnkrooney (verified owner) –
Well worth it! Not sure how anyone can afford not to take this class, very informative and helpful. The experience was a very positive one and I’m very grateful for Dylan’s approach. Highly recommended.
Michael Cinquino (verified owner) –
My wife and I just took the H1 handgun class at White Birch and I wanted to share our experience.
Greg was our instructor and is equal parts world class human and world class expert. Greg brings a levity to the material while never compromising safety. He was in front of us for 6 hours and, as someone that trains speakers for a living, to keep up that level of game is really hard to do. He did it with ease. We feel very grateful to have him as our instructor for our first class at White Birch.
I have owned firearms in the past, have some shooting experience and training so I was worried that taking a beginner class was a waste of time. I was wrong. I learned a ton and for what I did already know, this class was a great refresher. I mention it in class but I’d like to mention it here as well: This is a class I wish I could give to everyone. I feel like even if you don’t plan on owning a firearm in the future, it can’t hurt to familiarize yourself under the care of an expert in a supportive environment. To say nothing of the fact we had a great time and it was the perfect way to spend a Saturday.
RL –
After taking the H1 class at WBA, I feel significantly more comfortable and confident in handling a handgun. Instructor Greg’s communication style was clear and relaxed while communicating safety practices and answering pragmatic questions about handling. In an environment that could be perceived as intimidating to a new shooter, both the instructor and staff at WBA made me feel relaxed and welcomed. Highly recommended class to anyone who wants to learn safe fundamentals.
ryandhopkins –
I took H1 with Greg Brown and was blown away at the knowledge he provided. I went into the class knowing the basics but came out with better fundamentals. Greg keeps the safety of firearm handling at the forefront of each topic while keeping the environment fun.
outlander215 (verified owner) –
Great staff they have a lot of experience coming from the military and police. Beautiful new building and class room setup.