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

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, 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

• What Makes the Shotgun a Superior Home Defense Tool?
• Defensive vs Tactical Shotgun Training — What’s the Difference?
• Why Patterning Your Shotgun Could Save Your Life
• Training at Montgomery Community College — A National Destination for Shooters

Defensive Shotgun Training — One Day. Lifetime Confidence.

Register Now at Montgomery Community College