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Law Enforcement > Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy > OPOTA Course Catalog > Course Categories > Firearms Courses

Firearms Courses


Basic Precision Rifle Skills

This course introduces students to the tactical precision rifle. This course is designed for those officers having minimal precision rifle experience. Topics include precision rifle operation and marksmanship skills.

*London course only: Each student must provide a serviceable precision rifle weapon system and 150 rounds of match grade ammunition.

*Regional course only: Students must supply a quality rifle with appropriate scope, rings, mount and 200 rounds of MATCH GRADE ammunition. Semi auto rifles need prior approval. This course serves as a foundation for Precision Rifle Operator and Precision Rifle Instructor. This course will be held at the Portage County Sheriff's Office Firing Range.

London instructor(s): John Foy
Richfield instructor(s): Drake Oldham

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
June 18 - June 20, 2013 54-168-13-01 Regional $250 Add $25 per course day Register

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Bushmaster/DPMS AR15/M16 Rifle Armorers School

This course is presented by the Remington Law Enforcement Training Division, Freedom Arms Group. The course will address maintenance, trouble shooting, and repair of BUSHMASTER and DPMS AR15/M16 rifles and carbines. The Remington Law Enforcement Training Division will provide tools and equipment for this course.

Equipment required: Each student must provide wrap around industrial specification eye protection. It is is recommended that students bring a magnifying glass or lens to aid in proof mark and small parts identification.

London instructor(s): John Foy

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
December 10 - December 11, 2013 04-504-13-02 London $525 Add $25 per course day Register

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Colt AR15/M16/M4 Armorer's School

This course is instructed by Colt Armorers and covers maintenance, malfunction diagnosis, and repair of Colt AR15/M16 weapon family and variants.
 
Note: Colt provides all tools and firearms for training. Students must provide industrial grade wrap around protective eye glasses and a small magnifying glass or lens (for proof mark and serial number identification).

Featured instructor: Colt Law Enforcement Training Division

London instructor(s): John Foy

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
November 18 - November 20, 2013 04-495-13-02 London $525 Add $25 per course day Register

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Colt Model 1911 Pistol Armorer's School

This course is instructed by Colt Law Enforcement Training Division Armorers and covers maintenance, malfunction diagnosis and repair of Colt 1911 Pistols.

Note: Colt provides all tools and firearms for training. Students must provide industrial grade wrap around protective eye glasses.

London instructor(s): John Foy

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
November 21 - November 22, 2013 04-113-13-01 London $425 Add $25 per course day Register

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Combat Marksmanship Skills

This course addresses the development of shooter accuracy and target engagement speed from both static and dynamic situations. Participants will be exposed to marksmanship skill development drills, movement drills, positions of disadvantage drills, and speed development drills. The training will force students to "push the envelope" of their shooting skills. The training will be physical.

Equipment required: Sidearm and magazines, belt and holster, wrap around eye protection, head cover (ball cap), hearing protection and knee pads.

London instructor(s): John Foy

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
September 30 - October 02, 2013 04-491-13-02 London $225 Add $25 per course day Register

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Downed Officer/Civilian Rescue

This one-day course is not designed for SWAT or SRT; it is designed for the patrol officer who is the first responding officer to a crisis.  Topics include:  conduct of a rescue operation, basic responding officer formations, shield and no shield rescues, carrying methods, and tactics for rescue.

Equipment required:  Patrol rifle (if available), duty rig and firearm, ball cap, eye protection, hearing protection, ballistic vest (if available), NO SHOTGUNS ARE PERMITTED IN THIS COURSE.  Ammunition will be provided. There is an equipment list for this course which is accessible by clicking the following link: Downed-Officer-Civilian-Rescue.pdf Equipment lists will no longer be mailed by OPOTA.

London instructor(s): Doug Daniels

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
June 27, 2013 04-152-13-01 London $175 Add $25 per course day Register
September 05, 2013 04-152-13-02 London $175 Add $25 per course day Register

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Firearms: Weapon Training and Requalification Instructor

Please see course description and dates in the Instructor Training Courses section of the catalog.



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International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors: Master Instructor Development

For 30 years, IALEFI has been the driving force in the advancement of technologies and techniques for training law enforcement officers in the use of firearms. As part of its continuing, long term commitment to instructor development, IALEFI will offer a series of Master Instructor classes. This training will afford individuals already certified as instructors, the opportunity to enhance and update their teaching skills in the basic law enforcement weapon systems -- handgun, rifle and shotgun. Additional instruction will also be offered in low light threat management. One day of instruction will be offered in each of the respective disciplines plus a full evening of low light training. In the Master Instructor Program, IALEFI's goal is to offer an intense, quality training experience at a very competitive price.

Course cost:
$295 for IALEFI members
$350 for non-IALEFI members

London instructor(s): John Foy

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
October 08 - October 10, 2013 04-492-13-01 London See course description See course description Register

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Law Enforcement Officers Flying Armed

This three-hour course meets the requirements of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for officers who are required to fly armed and are providing protective escort, hazardous surveillance operations, prisoner escort (all segments of round trip to pickup and/or deliver a prisoner) or for a law enforcement officer on official travel required to report to another location armed and prepared for duty.

Note: The course will begin at 9:30 AM

London instructor(s): Doug Daniels

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
September 03, 2013 04-071-13-03 London Free Free Register
November 19, 2013 04-071-13-04 London Free Free Register

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Ned Christiansen AR15/M16 Armorer

This course is for the operator that wants to thoroughly understand the operation of the AR15/M16.  Maintenance, disassembly, reassembly, common malfunctions, and the weapon's strengths and weaknesses will be discussed.  Manufacturing shortcuts, identification and the corresponding corrective action will be covered.

Equipment required:  Students are required to bring an AR15/M16, eye protection, and basic cleaning kit. 

Note:  This course has been updated with a detailed Power Point that covers the disassembly and reassembly of the weapon.

Featured instructor:  Ned Christiansen, Michiguns

Richfield instructor(s): Drake Oldham

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
May 30 - May 31, 2013 54-004-13-01 Richfield $250 Add $25 per course day Register

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One-Handed Shooting

This course is designed to enhance the officer’s one-handed shooting skills by introducing new trends in firearms training. The course will cover new techniques in shooting, close quarter combat, cover and concealment, move and shoot techniques, usage of space, malfunction drills, two officer tactics, angles and position shooting.

Note: Ammunition will be provided. There is an equipment list for this course which is accessible by clicking the following link: One-Handed-Shooting-Equipment-List.pdf Equipment lists will no longer be mailed by OPOTA.

London instructor(s): Doug Daniels

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
July 02, 2013 04-507-13-02 London $200 Add $25 per course day Register

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Optics for Law Enforcement

This free 4 hour course  will introduce students to the diverse optical devices suitable for law enforcement, including electronic sights, magnified rifle scopes, and binoculars. Several  different  optical devices will be available  for  students to inspect. This course will cover the physical principals upon which these optical devices operate. Design and practical application will also be addressed. Students will find the access to the actual optics the most beneficial part of the course. The course is vendor neutral with many major vendor's products referenced. 

Note: Course hours are 9 am - 1 pm. Students are welcome to bring devices that are being used in their agencies. We also encourage students to bring their home agencies' S.O.P. concerning issue and deployment of optics.

London instructor(s): Jerry Zacharias

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
June 10, 2013 04-509-13-02 London Free Free Register
September 05, 2013 04-509-13-03 London Free Free Register

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Police Carbine Operator

This three-day course is designed to develop basics of patrol carbine. Students will gain a base level understanding combined and skill proficiency. Students will progress from cleaning, care and maintenance to deployment, basic handling and marksmanship skills and on to advanced shooting drills. This course will cover techniques commonly used in urban and rural environments. Training is based on fundamental principles that will increase speed, accuracy and confidence with the carbine.

Equipment required: AR15 or M16 variant rifle with three magazines, sling, pistol, holster, belt, three pistol magazines, pistol magazine holders, eye and ear protection, weapons cleaning kit, water bottle and foul weather gear, 1000 rounds rifle ammunition, and 100 rounds pistol ammunition. This is a physically demanding course. Students should plan for long days on the range.

Note: All courses are being held at the Portage County Sheriff's Office Range.

Richfield instructor(s): Drake Oldham

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
August 06 - August 08, 2013 54-153-13-02 Regional $250 Add $25 per course day Register

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Police Rifle Carbine Instructor

Please see course description and dates in the Instructor Training Courses section of the catalog.



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Precision Rifle Instructor

Please see course description and dates in the Instructor Training Courses section of the catalog.



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Precision Rifle Operator

This course is directed to those officers with precision rifle and/or SWAT assignments.  Topics include:  precision rifle weapon system maintenance; operation, ballistics; telescopic sight calibration; precision rifle team units; and field skills.  This course requires extended training hours, early morning and evening as well as rigorous physical activity.  This course is a also a pre-requisite for the PRECISION RIFLE INSTRUCTOR COURSE.   

Prerequisite: This is not an entry level course. Candidates for this course should have at least completed the OPOTA Basic Precision Rifle Skills course or other equivalent training prior to entry in this course.

Regional (Portage County SO Range) courses only: Students must supply a quality rifle with appropriate scope, rings, mount, and 250 rounds of MATCH GRADE ammunition. Semi auto rifles need prior approval. Featured instructor: Justin Daley.

-July 22-26, 2013 @ Portage County Sheriff's Office Firing Range.

London instructor(s): John Foy
Richfield instructor(s): Drake Oldham

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
June 03 - June 07, 2013 04-501-13-01 London $275 Add $25 per course day Register
July 22 - July 26, 2013 54-501-13-01 Regional $250 Add $25 per course day Register

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Reduced Light Combative Pistol

In the law enforcement arena, the vast majority of armed confrontations occur in periods of reduced or inconsistent light. This course is taught in a reduced, inconsistent light environment to help the student prepare for dealing with armed assailants when their vision is inhibited. The course will include how the eyes work in low light, proper reduced light equipment selection, its use and how to use the combative handgun when the environment is less than optimal.

Prerequisite: Solid working knowledge of the semiautomatic pistol.

Equipment required: Pistol, 3 magazines, flashlight, Duty or Off Duty belt / holster, and 500 rounds of ammunition.

Featured instructor: Dave Spaulding, Handgun Combatives

*This course will be held at the Summit County Sheriff's Office Indoor Firing Range

Richfield instructor(s): Drake Oldham

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
October 02 - October 03, 2013 54-500-13-01 Richfield $275 Add $25 per course day Register

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Remington Model 700 Rifle Armorer

Remington Law Enforcement Training Division instructors provide training in troubleshooting, maintenance and repair for Remington 700 Rifles. Remington provides armorer tools for this course. 

Note: Each student must provide wrap around industrial grade eye protection and a Remington 700 Series Rifle.

Featured instructor: Remington Law Enforcement Training Division

London instructor(s): John Foy

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
December 04, 2013 04-156-13-01 London $255 Add $25 per course day Register

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Remington Model 870 Shotgun Armorer

The Remington Law Enforcement Training Division presents this course. Remington instructors provide training for troubleshooting, maintenance and repair for Remington 870 shotguns. Remington provides all tools and equipment for this course. 

Note: Each student must provide wrap around industrial grade eye protection and a Remington Model 870 shotgun for this course. It is recommended that students bring a small magnifying glass or lens to aid in small parts identification and proof marks.

Featured instructor: Remington Law Enforcement Training Division

London instructor(s): John Foy

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
December 02 - December 03, 2013 04-164-13-03 London $525 Add $25 per course day Register
December 05 - December 06, 2013 04-164-13-04 London $525 Add $25 per course day Register

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Revolver Instructor

Please see course description and dates in the Instructor Training Courses section of the catalog.



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Semi-Automatic Pistol Instructor

Please see course description and dates in the Instructor Training Courses section of the catalog.



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Semi-Automatic Pistol Operator

This is a three-day course for law enforcement officers and firearms instructors who desire to fine tune marksmanship and weapons handling skills. Instruction focuses on a mastery of the basics in a highly diagnostic and hands on fashion. Students will utilize dry fire and live fire drills to create necessary weapons handling and manipulation skills. This training combines fundamentals of marksmanship and principles of combat shooting, and then places them into a hierarchy of necessity and importance. Students will master critical aspects of handgun shooting including: muscular and skeletal alignment, platform, draw/ presentation, grip, sight alignment and trigger manipulation. Techniques including multiple targets, spread fire techniques, reloads and malfunction drills are covered. Taking this course or a documented equivalency is recommended prior to attending the OPOTA Revolver Instructor, Semi-Auto Pistol Instructor and the Multiple Weapons Firearms Instructor courses.

Note: This is a physically demanding course with extensive amounts of shooting and weapon manipulation. 1,000 rounds ammunition are required. 

All courses will be held at the Summit County Sheriff's Office Training Facility.

Richfield instructor(s): Drake Oldham

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
July 09 - July 11, 2013 54-007-13-02 Regional $250 Add $25 per course day Register

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Shotgun Instructor

Please see course description and dates in the Instructor Training Courses section of the catalog.



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Singleton International: MP5/UMP - Colt SMG -M4/M16 Instructor

Please see course description and dates in the Instructor Training Courses section of the catalog.



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Smith and Wesson M & P 15 Rifle Armorer

This course includes: field stripping, maintenance, safety functions, detailed disassembly, trouble shooting, and repair procedures for Smith and Wesson M&P 15 Series rifles and AR15/M16 type clone rifles. 

Note: Students must provide wrap around industrial grade eye protection and a small magnifying glass or lens (to aid in small parts identification and function).

Featured instructor: Smith & Wesson Academy

London instructor(s): John Foy

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
November 06 - November 07, 2013 04-162-13-02 London $335 Add $25 per course day Register

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Smith and Wesson M & P Series Pistol Armorer

This course includes: field stripping; maintenance; safety functions; detailed disassembly, troubleshooting, and repair procedures for Smith & Wesson M&P Series pistols. 

Note: Students must provide wrap around industrial grade eye protection. It is suggested that students provide a small magnifying glass or lens to aid in small parts identification and functions.

Featured instructor: Smith & Wesson Academy

London instructor(s): John Foy

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
November 05, 2013 04-163-13-02 London $175 Add $25 per course day Register

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Specialty Impact Munitions Instructor

Please see course description and dates in the Instructor Training Courses section of the catalog.



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Survival Pistol for the Female Officer

This two-day class is designed to improve a female officers shooting performance during a lethal encounter.  Officers will be taught, and participate in extensive drills which will increase their skill levels in speed, one hand shooting, support hand shooting, expedient stoppage clearing and reloading, ground fighting with a pistol.   Task focused shooting and shooting with movement. 

Note:  A list of required equipment will be provided upon registration.

Featured Instructor:  Lou Ann Hamblin of LouKa Tactical Training LLC

London instructor(s): Doug Daniels



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Tactical Chemical Munitions Instructor

Please see course description and dates in the Instructor Training Courses section of the catalog.



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Tactical Submachine Gun Instructor

 Please see course description and dates in the Instructor Training Courses section of the catalog.



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Tactical Submachine Gun Operator

This course is designed to develop basics of the submachine gun. Students will gain a base level understanding combined and skill proficiency. Students will progress from cleaning, care and maintenance to deployment, basic handling and marksmanship skills and on to advanced shooting drills. This course will cover techniques commonly used in urban and rural environments. Training is based on fundamental principles that will increase speed, accuracy and confidence with the submachine gun.

London instructor(s): Jerry Zacharias

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
August 01 - August 02, 2013 04-174-13-01 London $195 Add $25 per course day Register

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Undercover Concealed Carry Tactics

Another aspect of Combat Marksmanship is being able to function with your firearm when you are not on uniformed duty status. Often times officers or agents are assigned to plain clothes or undercover assignments. This brings new considerations to operating in a safe, effective and economical fashion with your firearm. Instructors in this one-day course will introduce students to new ways to operate in a concealed fashion without loosing the tactical edge. Topics include: dressing to conceal, concealment garments, concealment holsters and tactical considerations of concealment to include quick accessibility to your firearm versus deep concealment and the loss of reactionary speed. In addition to classroom instruction, students will also participate in dry fire and live fire drills.

Note: This course focuses on concealed carry. Please bring the weapon and holsters that you normally use. This is the perfect opportunity to train with your .380 and five shot .38's.

This course will be held at the Summit County Sheriff's Office Training Facility.

Richfield instructor(s): Drake Oldham

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
December 04, 2013 54-148-13-01 Regional $125 Add $25 per course day Register

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Working With and From Vehicles

This two-day course is designed around firearms and vehicles. Often officers must use a vehicle as protective cover or concealment or must engage in an armed encounter in and around a vehicle. Students will be taught to engage targets while sitting inside a vehicle, and will be placed in awkward and uncomfortable positions to practice shooting, using one and two-handed techniques.

Both handguns and shotguns are used in this course; ammunition will be provided.

Note: Course has extended hours. Equipment list will be provided upon registration.

London instructor(s): Doug Daniels

Course date(s) Course number Location LE cost Private security cost Register
August 28 - August 29, 2013 05-348-13-01 London $250 Add $25 per course day Register
November 13 - November 14, 2013 05-348-13-02 London $250 Add $25 per course day Register

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