Hammer Down Firearms Training

Hammer Down Firearms Training operates out of the Rochester, NY area with a team of certified instructors—a husband-and-wife core plus associates from military, law enforcement, and competitive shooting backgrounds. Their whole mission is straightforward: teach people to become safe and proficient firearm owners.

What sets them apart immediately is class size. They cap pistol permit courses at 12 students with 6 instructors working the range. That's a 2:1 instructor-to-student ratio. No cattle-call style training.

New York requires 18 hours of training (16 classroom, 2 live-fire) before you can apply. Hammer Down breaks this into two days:

• •Day One: NRA Basic Pistol (8:30am–5:30pm, $160)
• •How your pistol functions and common malfunctions
• •Shooting fundamentals—stance, grip, sight picture, trigger control
• •50 rounds of live fire on the range
• •Firearm disassembly and cleaning
• •Cost includes range fees and materials

• •Day Two: NY State Concealed Carry Training
• •Completes the 18-hour requirement
• •They help you fill out your county permit application during class
• •Cover legal use of force (Article 35), defensive mindset, holster and clothing choices

You can take these classes in any order. Walk out with the paperwork you need to submit your application, and instructors answer questions on the spot.

"You will have lots of time in class for all of your application questions."

• •Intermediate Concealed Carry (by invitation only) — Draw to target quickly, shoot accurately, re-holster safely. Introduces tactical shooting with cover and concealment.
• •Dynamic Concealed Carry (by invitation only) — Builds on Intermediate. Move while shooting, complex drills, simulated scenarios. Requires completion of Intermediate plus instructor invitation.
• •Pistol Skills Practice (Virtual Range) — Zero ammunition, zero cost per session. Use computer-analyzed laser trainers and projectile pistols. No permit needed.

• •NRA Basic Rifle Class — Full-day course covering function, fundamentals, and live fire
• •Home Defender Shotgun — Specialized shotgun instruction
• •Private instruction — One-on-one, family, or group training tailored to your needs

Their state-of-the-art training center includes: - Realistic laser training pistols with instant computer feedback (Mantis X analysis) - Projectile pistols for training without ammunition cost - Multiple shooting programs from basic marksmanship to defensive scenarios - Less recoil, less noise, lower stress progression

They stock: - Mantis Training Academy (9mm) — $159 - Mantis X10 Elite Performance System — $249.99 - Mantis X3 — $169.99 - SIRT Trainer — $239 - TCS cleaning kits — $50 - IFAKs with CAT 7 tourniquet — $75 - HDFT branded apparel (hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts) - Range cases and first aid kits

Gift cards available.

Training held at: - Genesee Conservation League (Penfield, NY) - American Legion (Scottsville, NY)

Location depends on season and range availability—you'll get full details with registration.

1. Register online at their booking page 2. Get automatic confirmation from Wix 3. Within minutes, Hammer Down emails you training site address and day-of instructions 4. Check spam/promotions folder if you don't see it 5. Contact them if anything's missing

Intermediate and Dynamic Concealed Carry require: - Prior demonstration of safe gun handling - Acceptable accuracy and consistency - Formal instructor invitation

This isn't gatekeeping—it's safety. These live-fire action courses demand it.

Phone: (585) 340-7525 Email: [email protected] Website: HammerDownFirearmsTraining.com Instagram: @HammerDownFT

Newsletter signup available for upcoming training announcements.