Training

A person holding a gun in their hand.

Is It a Magazine or a Clip?

By North American Outdoors / September 30, 2021 / Comments Off on Is It a Magazine or a Clip?

Firearms have their own language with unique words, phrases and meanings. As such, one of the first things that your students should learn is the difference between a magazine and a clip. by HEIDI LYN RAO posted on September 30, 2021 As an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor, it is my job to use the correct gun terminology—and also…

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A woman holding a bullet in her hand.

Chamber: The Least Understood Part of a Firearm 

By North American Outdoors / September 14, 2021 / Comments Off on Chamber: The Least Understood Part of a Firearm 

The data stamp on a firearm’s barrel is the road map to the chamber by HEIDI LYN RAO posted on September 14, 2021 If there ever was an “ah-ha†moment when teaching an NRA Firearms Training course, it is when I explain a firearm’s chamber. Most students understand the concept of the chamber, but really do not understand what…

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A girl is holding a rifle and aiming it.

Sighting-In Your Hunting Rifle Simply & Swiftly

By North American Outdoors / September 7, 2021 / Comments Off on Sighting-In Your Hunting Rifle Simply & Swiftly

Properly sighting-in is a critical step to ensure a successful hunt … the good news is that it’s easy to do. by HEIDI LYN RAO posted on September 7, 2021 Going to the range and sighting-in your rifle is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your hunt is successful. It does…

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A black plastic tube with some ink on it

5 Critical Facts About Shotguns, Chokes & Safety

By North American Outdoors / September 3, 2021 / Comments Off on 5 Critical Facts About Shotguns, Chokes & Safety

Understanding how shotgun choke works is paramount to your shooting success and safety. by HEIDI LYN RAO posted on September 3, 2021 Understanding shotgun choke is critical to your shooting success, but also to your safety. Chokes are, essentially, constriction. Another way to describe choke is as a controlled obstruction. So, a device that causes…

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A person holding a camera in front of trees.

Your Shotgun’s Choke is Important. Here’s Why.

By North American Outdoors / September 2, 2021 / Comments Off on Your Shotgun’s Choke is Important. Here’s Why.

Choke is probably the most misunderstood component of the shotgun … and one of the most important. by HEIDI LYN RAO posted on September 2, 2021 The shotgun’s choke is probably the most misunderstood component of the shotgun itself; I spend a lot of classroom time explaining the different types of chokes and their intended purposes. That’s…

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A person holding two guns in their hands.

5 Traits of a Successful NRA Firearms Instructor

By North American Outdoors / August 5, 2021 / Comments Off on 5 Traits of a Successful NRA Firearms Instructor

Lots of people can be a good NRA Firearms Instructor. Here’s how to be a great one! by HEIDI LYN RAO posted on August 5, 2021 With the recent increase in gun sales comes a matching demand for gun training, and with that comes an increase of soon-to-be NRA Firearm Training Instructors. There has been a definitive…

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Two people standing in a field with one of them holding out his hand.

5 Common Mistakes Firearms Instructors Make

By North American Outdoors / August 2, 2021 / Comments Off on 5 Common Mistakes Firearms Instructors Make

NRA Firearms instructors are the best of the best—now here’s how to stay that way! When conducting NRA Firearms Training classes, always be on the lookout for techniques, methods or the lack thereof that might affect the quality of the course you are teaching. Whether you’re a brand-new instructor or one who has been teaching for…

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A woman and child are looking at guns.

How to Become an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor

By North American Outdoors / July 16, 2021 / Comments Off on How to Become an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor

NRA Women Firearms Instructors are the best of the best … so naturally that means you! As an NRA Training Counselor, it seems that many of my students would like to become Instructors themselves. If you’d like to join the ranks of “the best of the best,†you should know that there are three steps, regardless…

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A woman is shooting at an outdoor target.

NRA Women Instructors: Transforming Gun Owning to Gun Ownership

By North American Outdoors / July 12, 2021 / Comments Off on NRA Women Instructors: Transforming Gun Owning to Gun Ownership

Owning and ownership aren’t the same thing. NRA Women instructors make the difference. Few causes have such a direct impact on our lives, children, grandchildren and the future of our country as the Second Amendment. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of women who own guns is rising rapidly. But what about…

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A woman is holding an air rifle and aiming it.

NRA Firearms Training Has Real-Life Benefits

By North American Outdoors / October 26, 2019 / Comments Off on NRA Firearms Training Has Real-Life Benefits

by Heidi Rao – Saturday, October 26, 2019 As America’s firearm safety and education leader, the National Rifle Association (NRA) offers a multitude of training opportunities to the public. Some training accounts for things you learn and then use every time you handle a firearm while other training, such as self -defense, you hope to never have to…

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