Mastering the Handgun Optic – Cameo, Colorado, – Aug 15-16, 2026
Mastering the Handgun Optic
This Red Dot specific handgun class is perfect for the civilian, military, LEO shooter, or competitor who wants to develop their optic mounted handgun shooting skill. This is excellent for those who seek to refine and build in areas beyond where most training goes, working from either duty gear or from concealment. This is a red dot specific class requiring a slide mounted optic on your handgun.
Of note, if you’ve not attended a previous course with us or do not demonstrate solid proficiency at the beginning of this training course, the instructor can and will, at their discretion, ask you to complete a short proficiency handling and shooting test that is standardized. If that test is not passed, you will not be allowed to attend the rest of the training but will be invited to move into one of our Handgun Fundamentals courses at no cost. At the same time, the fee for this course will not be refunded.
Instructor
Brent Hickmon – Certified NRA Handgun Instructor, Defenders-USA RSO, Rangemaster – Master Level, Active Self Protection Instructor Certification, Complete Combatant Deliberate Coaching Instructor Certification, Modern Samurai Project Red Dot Instructor Certification.
Location
Cameo Shooting and Education Complex
Date Aug 15-16, 2026 BAY 8
Time 8:30am to 5:00pm
Tuition = $400 Total / $200 per Day
Plus: Range Fee = $40 or $20 per day cash
There is a Range Fee of $20 per day that will need to be paid in cash prior to the start of the training day, so please bring that with you.
Course Objectives
Day 1
- Intros
- Firearms Safety, Range Etiquette & Medical Brief
- Learn optic zero practices and zero them as needed.
- Learn sight confirmation and trigger manipulation levels and how and where to apply them
- Learn sight tracking and shot calling
- Learn foundational grip and body mechanics to aid in your shooting performance
- Draw stroke and presentation techniques that will help you find the dot
Day 2
- Build on learned topics of day one
- Develop quick, effective and accurate draw to first hits with efficient draw stroke techniques
- Understand concepts of draw to first shot times in defensive and competitive contexts
- Build on your trigger manipulation skills, recoil management, and split times
- Develop target appropriate throttle control for your draw and splits
- Shooting on the move and it’s contexts
- Target transitions
- Have fun!
Items & Information Needed
- Handgun with optic of choice ALREADY MOUNTED and torqued to manufacturer specs. (or we have handguns available for free use or rent – depending on the model you want to use)
- 2 to 3 magazines (if a semi-auto or striker fire handgun)
- 800 rounds of ammunition
- Quality holster & sturdy belt IS A MUST. (feel free to call with any holster questions (NOTE: ***NO SERPA holsters or of similar design, NO collapsible holsters, NO sticky or pocket holsters, NO bra holsters, NO shoulder holsters, and NO purse holsters!!)
If you want to get a quality holster for before this class, we enthusiastically endorse Brent Hickmon of Haven Defense Co. (970-987-3471) for an excellent, custom-made holster. Brent is also an instructor with Defenders USA; he and his lovely wife make holsters on a full-time basis for incredible shooters all over America) - Closed toe shoes.
- Eye & ear protection and a hat with a brim to the front
- Enough liquids to drink, along with any food desired. A short snack break will be taken so please bring snacks or lunch- snacks for 5-hour blocks. Full lunch breaks for full 8-hour days.
Optional items & information
- Magazine holders
- A chair
- Anything wanted to snack on.
- Any sunscreen or bug spray desired or needed. This is an outdoor environment and you will need to dress appropriately for the weather that day.
- A lunch if staying for the full day, as we will not have time to leave the range.
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Adam: 970-986-0774 Adam@Defenders-USA.com
Brent: 970-987-3471 Brent@Defenders-USA.com