Montana's 67th Legislature, along with the governor, has passed House Bill 102. HB102 negates the need for a concealed weapons permit to carry a concealed weapon in the state of Montana. The Montana permit will still be honored in many states outside of Montana, as well as exemption from the FBI NICS background check when purchasing a firearm from an FFL. (See MCA 45-8-330)
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Remember, the rights we choose to exercise come with a commensurate responsibility to do so safely and correctly.
Practical Carry 1
Montana Concealed Carry Course
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Practical Carry I is a course for beginners and experienced shooters alike. This course teaches the necessary skills of concealed carry, as well as cultivates an attitude of responsibility. This course is also an accredited State of Montana course that qualifies each individual for a Montana Concealed Weapons Permit. The classroom coursework includes firearms safety, equipment selection, and lethal force encounter aftermath. Montana and Federal firearms law will also be covered. While on the live fire range, fundamentals such as proper grip, sight alignment, and trigger manipulation are combined with holster work to impart the practical carry skills that every lawfully armed citizen should possess.
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Duration: 8 Hours
Ammo Requirements: 100 Rounds
Prerequisites: None
Mindset and Problem Solving
The first module of Practical Carry 2 is focused on creating a thinking shooter that can solve problems. The class will include working with and fixing the gun as problems occur, as well as creating a script to deal with threats verbally. Skills will include rapid engagement and transitions, single hand shooting, and working the gun from contact distance to 25 yards.
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This module also has an online classroom component that emphasizes mindset and how to shortcut the mental delay caused by the stress of a critical incident.
Duration: 5+ Hours
Ammo Requirements: 200 Rounds
Prerequisites: Practical Carry I,
valid concealed weapons permit,
or outside approved training course
Practical Carry 2.1
​Cover and Movement
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The second module of Practical Carry 2 is spent working on using cover and movement to dictate the course of a defensive encounter. Shooting on the move, working around non-threats and using cover to create an advantage are skills stressed in this course. Lateral movement, retreating and advancing movement are all taught in this course. This course is heavy on accountability, even while shooting on the move.
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The attached classroom portion is an online primer to shooting while moving as well as shooting moving targets.
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Duration: 5+ Hours
Ammo Requirements: 250 Rounds
Prerequisites: Practical Carry I,
valid concealed weapons permit,
or outside approved training course
Practical Carry 2.2
Practical Force
Live Force on Role Player
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Practical Force is a scenario based training course designed to improve responses to real life situations. Students will be asked to react accordingly to different stimuli while working against a role player with a marking cartridge pistol. This class will test your skills with a handgun, but also tests the verbal and decision makings skills you may need to defend yourself.
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Duration: 5 Hours, 1 Day
Ammo Requirements: None
Prerequisites: Practical Carry I,
valid concealed weapons permit,
or outside approved training course
NRA Basic Pistol
This course is designed to help new shooters obtain the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for the safe and proficient use of the various handgun systems they might encounter. The class will cover handgun safety, shooting fundamentals, and maintenance. A final shooting test will be administered, shooting from both the isosceles and benchrest position.
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Duration: 5 Hours, 1 Day
Ammo Requirements: 200 rounds
Prerequisites: Must have completed Phase 1
Basic Pistol online NRA course ($60)
Practical Carbine
AR-15 Skills
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Practical Carbine is an introductory course for the AR-15 pattern rifle. This course is designed to develop skills and knowledge with the semi-automatic AR platform. The classroom coursework covers the function, maintenance, and cleaning of the firearm. The live fire portion of the class teaches practical skills including defensive use, sporting use, different shooting positions, and proper setup of optics and zero.
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Duration: 5 Hours, 1 Day
Ammo Requirements: 100 rounds
Prerequisites: None
In the past two decades, horrific mass shootings have been thrust into public consciousness. Mitigating the effects of these events is the responsibility of those who serve in our communities' public safety organizations. The public expects an effective and swift response to these threats. Research has shown, however, that many of the mass attacks, or active attack events, are over before law enforcement responders arrive on the scene.
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Civilians who find themselves embroiled in such an event must be prepared to take immediate action to save their own lives before law enforcement arrives. The average response time for police response to an active attack event is three minutes. Without effective, preplanned response options for civilians at the scene of the attack, many victims can be seriously injured or killed during these three minutes.
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This course is a classroom lecture on how your team can respond to a worst case scenario. It is designed to change hiding and hoping into an attitude of action.
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Duration: 1.5 hours
Civilain Response to Active Shooter Events
Consulting and Private Training
55 Defense offers small business, house of worship and home consulting for individuals and groups. Consultation includes identifications of issues with planning, equipment selection and employment, and suggestions for further action and training.
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Consulting is performed on request,
and can be done on your schedule and
at your pace. Follow up assessments
can also be performed.