Oct17Sat
Defensive Pistol · Level 1
12:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. · Eastern · 4.5 hours
Develop defensive handgun skills. Familiarity with safe firearm handling required.
FIREARMS & SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING
Train with Jon Plyler in Charlotte & Lake Norman.
Build confidence, safe habits, and the skills to protect what matters.
Choose a class. Review the requirements. Reserve your place.
27 upcoming classes · showing the next 5 · All times shown in class time zone
12:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. · Eastern · 4.5 hours
Develop defensive handgun skills. Familiarity with safe firearm handling required.
12:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. · Eastern · 4.5 hours
Continue after Level 1 with movement, cover, and more demanding shooting exercises.
12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. · Eastern · 5 Hours
Learn the fundamentals of safe AR-15 handling and shooting.
12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. · Eastern · 5 Hours
Live-fire training for students already comfortable operating an AR-15 safely.
12:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m. · Eastern · 5.5 hours
First aid and CPR for adults, children, and infants. Optional certification card: $30.
Part 1 of the Adaptive Handgun Series; A collaboration course between Acumen Tactical & Richardson Precision
View class — Adaptive Handgun-Precision & AccountabilityPart 2 of the Adaptive Handgun Series; A collaboration course between Acumen Tactical & Richardson Precision
View class — Adaptive Handgun-Dynamic ApplicationsA small-group introduction to handguns. No previous experience required.
View class — Beginner PistolDevelop defensive handgun skills. Familiarity with safe firearm handling required.
View classAcumen’s course bundles and private training packages.
$270 package price · $300 value
View package — 5 Private Class Package$180 package price · $225 value
View package — SILVER TRAINING PACKAGE-Concealed Carry Starter Bundle$136 package price · $170 value
View package — SILVER TRAINING PACKAGE-Defensive Pistol Discount BundleBuy a package here, then use it at checkout for each included class or session. Class dates and seats are subject to availability.
One-on-one training
Private sessions built around you — your pace, your goals, your schedule. Pick a session type and choose a time that works.
Private training
If you haven't trained with us before, this is where to start! We will start with a personal assessment, and dry and live-fire coaching.
$100 · 2 hours
Private training
Individual coaching focused on your experience and training goals.
$60 · 1 hour
Virtual range
A full hour of practice on the firearms training simulator.
$40 · 1 hour
Book and pay online — your time is confirmed on the spot.
Meet your instructor
Jon Plyler is a military veteran and former Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer with more than 15 years of service, including five years on the academy’s full-time training staff.
Today, he helps students build practical skills, confidence, and responsible habits through firearms, medical, and unarmed self-defense training.
From our students
Acumen Tactical is a great training option for all experience levels! Jon does an incredible job of walking you through firearm safety, performance, self-defense concepts, and ways to continue your training over time. I highly recommend attending a course, or private lesson, for any gun owner!
I just finished back-to-back Defensive Pistol 1 and 2 with Jon at Acumen Tactical and honestly, I didn’t know what I didn’t know until this weekend. This isn’t a square-range, stand-still-and-shoot course. From day one Jon is building you toward something real. The instruction is tight, the pace is deliberate, and every drill has a purpose behind it.....
I took the 2-day CCW class as a complete beginner with firearms at Acumen Tactical. I appreciated the 2-day offering as Jon did a great job breaking everything down in a way that was easy to understand without making it feel overwhelming...... ....If you’re new to firearms, this is a great class to start with. It’s informative, approachable, and leaves you feeling prepared instead of intimidated. Thank you Jon and Acumen Tactical!!
Jon has the patience of a Saint. Watching him work with an elderly gentleman today not only in the classroom but on the range as well is part of an example of a professional. Knowledge is another and the information he provided in the NC CCP course is without a doubt top notch. During my 22 year career in the Army I had to attend many CCP course for other states and previously for NC as well and none compare to this class. After my career I have attended many other training events with well known instructors from Frank Proctor to Mike Glover, Will Petty with Centrifuge Training and many others and Jon is most definitely up there with those gentlemen. Looking forward to more courses with you sir.
Awareness. Discernment. The ability to make sound decisions when it counts.
Our purpose is to help responsible people protect innocent life. That means learning to recognize and avoid trouble, handling firearms safely, and continuing to develop both armed and unarmed skills.
Our mission & family legacyContinue after Level 1 with movement, cover, and more demanding shooting exercises.
View class — Defensive Pistol · Level 2Complete the classroom instruction and live-fire qualification in one day.
View class — NC Concealed Carry · 1 DayWinning close contact and entangled gun fights
View class — Close Quarters EngagementsInjured performance and emergency trauma management with Acumen Tactical and Dynamic Solutions.
View class — Injured Performance & Emergency Trauma ManagementTwo day course including classroom, simulator, and range training. This is not a permit qualification course.
View class — Practical Defensive Carry ConceptsAttended the "Red Dot" Basics Class on 02/23/25 with Acumen Tactical as I'm just starting to use them. Great class and I learned how to properly use the red dot sight! Jon was excellent with his instruction and paced us through a variety of shooting drills designed to get us acquainted with the sight! Class did much to build confidence in the sight as well as my shooting abilities. Very worthwhile attending this class.
Acumen Tacticial is a great experience. Jon is smart, full of information and teaches great solid information on gun safety and the laws that help you make sound decisions for conceal and carry. I went to the 2 1/2 day class and enjoyed it and learned a lot. It is just the beginning Jon has many courses that help you increase you safety, you need to go check them out!
