Central Alabama Firearms Training (CAFT)

Central Alabama Firearms Training (CAFT) is a Birmingham-based training operation run by instructors with serious credentials. Lead instructor Dan Street spent 14 years as the regional firearms trainer for Brinks Armored Car (covering Northern Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi), was part of the Marine Corps rifle and pistol team, and holds NRA certifications in law enforcement handgun and shotgun instruction, plus private security firearms instruction. His team includes other former law enforcement and military personnel.

• •Introduction to Handguns is designed for people who haven't shot before—or who should shoot before buying. You'll handle both semi-automatics and revolvers, learn the mechanics of how they work, and test-fire over 45 different handguns across calibers from .22 LR to .44 Magnum. The course covers grip, stance, sight alignment, trigger control, and malfunction identification. You get a certificate of completion.

• •Intermediate Defensive Handgun teaches drawing from a holster, rapid engagement, malfunction management, and reloading in a defensive context. You need to complete intro-level training first. Class is 6 hours, striker-fired semi-automatic required, and you bring 150 rounds of ammunition and at least 2 spare magazines.

• •Girls, Guns and Gear is female-only and covers the same basics as the intro course but with a focus on firearms most commonly purchased by women. The second half dives into situational awareness, securing homes, carrying options, concealment clothing, and holster/purse options. CAFT has sample gear for you to try and provides vendor discount codes.

• •Church Security Training – Tailored instruction for people protecting places of worship
• •Intro to AR Platform – Introduction to rifles
• •Situational Awareness – Classroom instruction on threat recognition
• •Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event (CRASE) – FREE seminar based on Texas State University's ALERT program. No materials cost. CAFT can also conduct security analysis of your facility and run active shooter drills with local police participation.

Minimum 5 people. Three tiers: - Package 1 ($100/person): Basic handgun safety and shooting, 45+ firearms to try, .22 LR and 9mm ammo provided, targets, $25 discount certificate, contests with gift certificates, snacks and drinks, photos emailed. - Package 2 ($150/person): Everything above plus rifle, PCC, shotgun, or suppressed pistol add-ons - Package 3 ($200/person): Multiple add-ons selections

All family packages include hearing and eye protection, personalized targets you keep, and group photos.

Course firearms include Beretta 92, Colt 1911, Canik TP-9 variants, multiple Glock models (17, 19, 26, 42, 43, 43X, 44, 48), Mossberg MC2C, Rock Island 1911, Ruger revolvers (SP101, Super Blackhawk, LCR, LCP, SR22, Security 9), SCCY DG1, Shadow Systems DR920, Sig P320 variants with Romeo red dots, Sig P365 variants, Smith & Wesson M&P series, Shield series, and revolvers in .357 and .44 Magnum, Springfield XD40 and Hellcat, Taurus G-series, Walther PDP and P22.

Team includes Dan Street, Beverly Alldredge, Nate Acton, Tyler Birkenfeld, Scott Recchio, and Gene Cardwell. The organization has trained Wounded Warriors, worked with multiple local police departments' citizen academies, and been featured on news outlets including Channel 6 WBRC.

Birmingham, Alabama

📧 [email protected]

Register for courses or request custom training packages through their website calendar.