Red Dot Arms Training Academy

Red Dot Arms Training Academy operates out of Lake Villa, Illinois and focuses on NRA-certified firearm instruction at all levels. Their bread and butter is turning shooters into people who can actually use their firearms responsibly and effectively.

The academy runs classes across four main categories:

• •Pistol Training — Introduction through advanced courses, including the NRA Instructor Pistol Shooting Course. Offerings include low-light defensive pistol, drawing from the holster, decision-making under pressure, and one-handed shooting.

• •Rifle & AR-15 — From basic rifle fundamentals to advanced AR-15 operation and maintenance. Includes NRA FIRST Steps Rifle and customized instruction.

• •Shotgun Courses — Defensive shotgun foundations through advanced skills, plus sporting shotgun instruction and maintenance classes.

• •Personal Defense & Specialized Training — Practical self-defense with knives, unarmed street defense, handgun threat response, and NRA Personal Protection courses (both in-home and outside-home).

Red Dot Arms certifies new firearms instructors. The NRA Instructor Basic CCW course ($450, 16 hours) requires prerequisites and covers safe concealed carry, drawing, stoppages, mental awareness, and proper mindset. Other instructor courses available for pistol, rifle, shotgun, and reloading.

• •Reloading classes — Metallic cartridge and shotgun shell at three levels (basic, intermediate, advanced)
• •Private lessons — One-on-one pistol, shotgun, or rifle instruction
• •Firearm rentals — Handgun, rifle, and shotgun rentals available
• •Safety certifications — NRA Home Firearm Safety, Range Safety Officer courses, CPR/AED, STOP THE BLEED
• •State permits — Illinois Concealed Carry (Part 1 & 2), Utah CFP, Wisconsin CCW

1600 N. Milwaukee Ave., Suite 307 | Lake Villa, IL 60046

(847) 464-8472 | [email protected]

Classes held at multiple locations: Lake Villa Classroom, Promised Land Sports Park, 5 Star Firearms, and Archetype of the Gun.

"Your concealed carry training and permit makes it legal for you to carry, but you probably aren't ready to defend yourself in a violent encounter. This is a defensive shooting class and will actually teach the skills you need to defend yourself."

Red Dot Arms doesn't just teach people how to get a permit. They teach defensive fundamentals—how to draw safely, make decisions under stress, use cover, and handle malfunctions. If you have a CCL but want actual defensive capability, this is the difference.