TRACE ARMORY GROUP — DEFENSIVE SHOTGUN TRAINING

Defensive Shotgun Training — Real Skills for Real Defense

Train with Trace Armory Group at Montgomery Community College — the #1 Gunsmithing School in the USA.

1-Day Course • $125 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM • Troy, North Carolina

Upcoming Dates (2026)

March 6, 2026 • June 12, 2026

View Dates & Register at MCC

What This Course Delivers

Learn to run your shotgun with confidence and purpose. This 6-hour course blends classroom instruction with live-fire range time, teaching you to safely handle, load, and engage targets under timed pressure. Whether you’re new to shotguns or looking to sharpen fundamentals, you’ll leave confident and capable.

  • Duration: 6 Hours (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
  • Tuition: $125
  • Location: Montgomery Community College, Troy, NC
  • Course Level: Beginner–Intermediate
  • Format: Classroom + Live Fire
  • Instructor: Trace Armory Group

Daily Outline / Schedule

Class runs from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The training timeline below is followed on every course day:

  • 9:00 AM – Check-In, Safety Brief & Overview
  • 10:00 AM – Loading Procedures & Target Engagement Drills
  • 11:00 AM – Buckshot Patterning and Distance Application
  • 12:00 PM – Long-Range Engagement with Slugs
  • 1:00 PM – FBI Modified Shotgun Qualification
  • 2:00 PM – Range Cleanup, Final Review & Debrief
  • 3:00 PM – Dismissal

What to Bring (Required & Recommended)

Please bring the following items to class. Label gear clearly and arrive ready to participate.

  • Functional 12 or 20 gauge shotgun with sling
  • Ammunition:
    • 125 rounds birdshot (lead only — no steel)
    • 25 rounds buckshot
    • 15 rifled slugs
  • Side saddle or shell caddy (preferred)
  • Dump pouch or shell carrier
  • Recoil shoulder pad (recommended)
  • Eye and ear protection
  • Cleaning supplies for your shotgun
  • Weather-appropriate clothing (range can be hot/cold/windy)
  • Water, lunch, and snacks

Skills You’ll Develop

  • Safe Handling & Manipulation — ready positions, recoil control, and smooth manipulation.
  • Load Management — top-off, emergency loads, and ammo selection under stress.
  • Patterning & Accuracy — buckshot patterning and slug precision at distance.
  • Performance Under Pressure — run the FBI Modified Qualification to test your skills.

Train at the Nation’s #1 Gunsmithing School

Montgomery Community College has national recognition as a premier gunsmithing destination. In partnership with Trace Armory Group, this class delivers professional-level training for responsible citizens and professionals seeking real-world defensive skill.

Learn More & Register Through MCC →

Build Confidence, Not Just Skill

This course focuses on the essentials that matter in defense: safety, control, consistency, and accountability. Every repetition builds understanding; every drill builds control so you can perform when it counts.

Meet Your Instructor

John Boyette, Lead Instructor for Trace Armory Group

John Boyette, Lead Instructor for Trace Armory Group, is a U.S. Army Veteran, certified firearms instructor, and defensive training specialist. John teaches students to perform with discipline, accountability, and purpose — delivering clear, safe coaching on the skills that matter most for defensive readiness.

Ready to Train?

Registration is managed by Montgomery Community College. Click below to enroll for the March 6 or June 12, 2026 class.

Register at MCC

Learn More Before You Train

Defensive Shotgun Training — One Day. Lifetime Confidence.

Register Now at Montgomery Community College

Events

Trace Armory Group classes are designed for North Carolina students who want real-world, defensively focused firearm training rooted in clarity, confidence, and accountability. Whether you're preparing for concealed carry, refining your handgun fundamentals, or stepping into advanced low-light and long-range environments, every class is built on practical skills and responsible instruction. Our goal is to help everyday protectors—fathers, mothers, veterans, new shooters, and experienced gun owners—train with purpose while understanding the laws and realities of self-defense.

Why Choose Trace Armory Group Classes?

Choosing Trace Armory Group classes means you are learning from instructors with real experience, proven teaching methods, and a mission-driven approach rooted in safety and personal responsibility. We offer concealed carry training, defensive pistol development, carbine and long-range rifle classes, low-light performance sessions, specialty workshops, and private coaching. Every session blends curriculum innovation, strong fundamentals, and community-centered values.

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