Here are the general equipment requirements for training with Paladin Group. You will be sent the course-specific equipment list when inquiring about a course. Be sure to read our articles on training gear and pistol choice.

What you need to bring to training (READ THESE CAREFULLY):
You must supply your own equipment—we have none to borrow.

• Mass. LTC Class A permit (must be with you during class)
• Eye and ear protection designed for shooting (electronic ear pro is recommended—easier for you to hear range commands). Noise cancelling headsets (Bose, Sony, etc.) are not ear protection.
• Baseball hat; comfortable long pants and shirt with collar; footwear appropriate for rapid movement (no sandals or open-toe shoes). This class is conducted outdoors rain or shine—wear clothing appropriate for the weather.
• Quality thick gun belt at least 1.5 inches in width. Your belt should be able to support the weight of a loaded pistol as well as extra magazines.
• Quality strong-side, outside-the-waist-band (OWB) belt-mounted (belt loops), kydex holster. Absolutely NO inside-the-waist holsters. NO SERPA holsters or other trigger-finger operated holsters. NO clip-on holsters. NO fabric/nylon holsters. NO thumb-strap holsters of any kind. Leather holsters are not ideal but may be acceptable, granted yours is broken in and it does not have a thumb-strap and must not require a support hand to hold it open during re-holster. If you don’t have a proper gun belt or OWB belt-mounted holster, please purchase it well ahead of time and try it on. There are quality, inexpensive kydex holsters out there that will serve you well for training, whether with us or other instructors (many will have similar requirements to ours).
• A semi-auto pistol: full-size, mid-size, and larger compact pistols are fine—ABSOLUTELY NO sub-compact or micro/pocket pistols. Your class firearm should be at least as big as an M&P Shield—pistols larger than that are
recommended. Bigger guns are better for training; if you have a larger full-size pistol, train with that as opposed to something smaller. The skills you learn on a larger gun can be transferred with practice to a smaller carry gun.
• A minimum of three magazines (more will be better) with a capacity of at least 7 rounds each (10-round magazines are ideal).
• Belt-mounted magazine pouches (kydex preferred) to hold at least two magazines. You must have mag pouches on your belt.
• IMPORTANT: You must be very familiar with the firearm you bring to class and how it operates and have experience shooting it—THIS CANNOT BE STRESSED ENOUGH. FOR EXAMPLE: If your gun has an external safety or a decocker mechanism, you will be expected to know how to use it. This is not a class for new shooters nor is it the venue to try out a new gun.
• Bring dummy ammunition appropriate for your firearm (10 rounds recommended). We may be able to provide some dummy ammo for most popular calibers.
• Ammunition needed will vary from course to course.
• Water or sports drinks to stay hydrated and snacks.
• A pen and pad are recommended if you wish to take notes.

You are responsible for bringing the correct gear to class. Students who arrive for
class lacking equipment or with inappropriate gear may not participate.