Build Confidence and Competence - Before You Need It
Based in Pittsburgh, Special Tasks Group Training strives to deliver a reliable, personal, safe, and structured training environment to all students.
From beginners to frequent shooters, we offer individual and small group environments to help best improve your skills.
We look forward to training with you!

Our courses are certified through the National Rifle Association. We have a variety of pistol, rifle, gun safety, and range operation classes. We are also partnered with U.S. LawShield who provides legal support to responsible gunowners.
Our classes are typically offered publicly Saturday and Sunday and by appointment Tuesday-Thursday. Classroom presentation is conducted in Shadyside and shooting is conducted at Trafford Sportsmen’s Club near Monroeville, PA and Tarentum District Sportsmen’s Club near Sarver, PA.
Find the right course for you below!
Non-US Citizens and Non-Resident Aliens Click Here for our policy.
Pistol Courses
Click on each course below for more details
- 1. NRA First Steps Pistol Orientation
- 2. NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course
- 3. NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home
- 4. NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home
- 5. NRA Defensive Pistol
- 6. Private Instruction (Not an NRA Approved Course)
NRA FIRST Steps teaches the knowledge, skills, and attitude required for owning and using a rifle or pistol safely.
Course topics include:
1. Pistol/Rifle knowledge & safe gun handling.
2. Ammunition knowledge & the fundamentals of pistol/rifle shooting.
3. Shooting positions and shooting qualification.
4. Scoring targets and selecting and maintaining your pistol/rifle.
*Student materials and range fees are included in the price. Students can borrow a firearm and pay for ammo. Do not buy a firearm for this course but students are encouraged to use their own if they have one. *
3-4 hours
$150/$100 For Each Additional Student (Max 4)
Can bundle with rifle orientation!
This course is a pre-requisite for NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home.
Teaches students the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for owning and using a pistol safely.
Course topics include:
1. Pistol knowledge & safe gun handling.
2. Ammunition knowledge & the fundamentals of pistol shooting.
3. Shooting positions and shooting qualification.
4. Scoring targets and maintaining your pistol.
5. Continued opportunities for skill development.
*Student materials and range fees are included in the price. Students can borrow a firearm and pay for ammo. Do not buy a firearm for this course but students are encouraged to use their own if they have one. *
~8 hours
$225/$150 For Each Additional Student (Max 4)
Can bundle with Basic Rifle!
This course is a pre-requisite for NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home.
Teaches the basic knowledge, skills and attitude essential to the safe and efficient use of a firearm for protection of self and family, and to provide information on the law-abiding citizen’s right to self defense.
Course topics include:
1. Basic defensive shooting skills.
2. Strategies for home safety and responding to a violent confrontation.
3. Firearms and the law
4. How to choose a handgun for self-defense
5. Continued opportunities for skill development.
*Student materials and range fees are included in the price. Students can borrow a firearm and pay for ammo if needed. *
8 hours
$225/$150 For Each Additional Student (Max 4)
Must take Basic Pistol before this course.
This course is a pre-requisite for NRA Personal Protection Outside The Home.
Course Topics Include:
1. Carry, store and use a firearm safely and effectively for personal protection outside of the home.
2. Level 1: 225 rounds on the range learning different shooting techniques
3. Level 2: 125 rounds learning more advanced shooting techniques
*Students must bring their own firearm (9mm or .38 special minimum), sturdy belt, strong side hip holster, 2 magazines, 2 magazine holders, pull over and jacket cover garments to this course, and 200 rounds of ammo.*
12-16 Hours (2 Days)
$375/$175 For Each Additional Student (Max 4)
Must take Basic Pistol or First Steps and Personal Protection In The Home first or pass the pre-course assessment.
Bundle All 3 Courses starting at $625!
The NRA Defensive Pistol Course will focus on the techniques needed to develop a defensive mindset. The goal of the course will be to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to carry and use a concealed pistol ethically, responsibly, and with confidence.
Course Topics Include:
- How to apply the NRA Rules for Safe Gun Handling When Carrying Concealed
- Basic Principles of Concealment and the Difference Between Cover and Concealment
- Drawing from the Holster
- Levels of Mental Awareness
- Developing the Proper Mindset When Using a Pistol for Personal Protection
- Clearing Common Stoppages
- Moving off the line of attack and shooting
- Shooting Qualification
*Students must bring their own firearm (9mm or .38 special minimum), sturdy belt, strong side hip holster, 2 magazines, 2 magazine holders, pull over and jacket cover garments to this course, and 200 rounds of ammo.*
4 Hours
$150/$100 For Each Additional Student (Max 4)
It is recommended that students have taken NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home or are experienced shooters as this course is designed to review concealed carry concepts and reinforce already developed skills.
$125
Rifle Courses
Click on each course below for more details
- 1. NRA First Steps Rifle Orientation Course
- 2. NRA Basic Rifle Shooting Course
- 3. Performance Rifle (Not an NRA Approved Course)
- 4. Private Instruction (Not an NRA Approved Course)
NRA FIRST Steps teaches the knowledge, skills, and attitude required for owning and using a rifle or pistol safely.
Course topics include:
1. Pistol/Rifle knowledge & safe gun handling.
2. Ammunition knowledge & the fundamentals of pistol/rifle shooting.
3. Shooting positions and shooting qualification.
4. Scoring targets and selecting and maintaining your pistol/rifle.
*Student materials and range fees are included in the price. Students can borrow a firearm and pay for ammo. Do not buy a firearm for this course but students are encouraged to use their own if they have one. *
3-4 hours
$150/$100 For Each Additional Student (Max 4)
Can bundle with pistol orientation!
Teaches students the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for owning and using a rifle safely.
Course topics include:
1. Rifle knowledge & safe gun handling.
2. Ammunition knowledge & the fundamentals of rifle shooting.
3. Firing the first shots and shooting qualification.
4. Scoring targets and selecting and maintaining a rifle.
5. Continued opportunities for skill development.
6. Shooting forms
*Student materials and range fees are included in the price. Students can borrow a firearm and pay for ammo. Do not buy a firearm for this course but students are encouraged to use their own if they have one. *
~8 hours
$225/$150 For Each Additional Student (Max 4)
Can bundle with Basic Pistol!
The Performance Rifle course is designed to push the limits of operator performance and enhance their overall proficiency, speed, and accuracy of first hit. This is achieved by discussing industry standards, direct coaching, and performing drills that review, refine, and reinforce operator concepts of positioning, efficiency of movement, and firearm manipulation while under duress. At the end of the course, operators will be able to apply the skills they learned to better protect themselves and those close to them.
Course topics include:
1. Discussion of rifle setup, storage, ballistics, and core concepts of use
2. Dry practice of loading considerations, level 1-4 malfunction clearance, and tactical loading
3. Confirming Rifle Zero
4. Ready/carry positions and timing to first shot
5. Positional shooting, utilizing cover, and shooting on the move
6. Combination of the intorduced skills in lessons 4 and 5 with an emphasis on urgency
7. Multiple Threats and Decision Making
8. MPOETC Patrol Rifle Qualification
*Students must have a rifle, sling, 3 magazines, 500 rounds of ammunition*
8 Hours
$225/150 for each additional student (Max 6)
Must take Basic Rifle or Rifle Orientation Course before this course.
$125
Shotgun Courses
Click on each course below for more details
Teaches students the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for owning and using a shotgun safely and learning how to shoot shotguns at moving targets.
Course topics include:
1. Shotgun knowledge & safe gun handling.
2. Ammunition knowledge & the fundamentals of shotgun shooting.
3. Shooting positions and shooting at moving targets (Trap).
4. Scoring targets and selecting and maintaining your shotgun.
*Student materials, ammo, and range fees are included in the price.*
~8 hours
$275/$175 For Each Additional Student (Max 4)
Two hours of private instruction for a single person to work on an individualized curriculum. Perfect for people looking to work on multiple different firearm types or practice more advanced skills such as drawing from the holster, moving and shooting, etc.
Course Packages
Click on each package below for more details
- 1. NRA First Steps Rifle and Pistol Orientation Course Bundle
- 2. NRA Basic Rifle and Pistol Shooting Course Bundle
- 3. NRA Personal Protection Bundle
Course topics include:
1. Pistol/Rifle knowledge & safe gun handling.
2. Ammunition knowledge & the fundamentals of pistol/rifle shooting.
3. Shooting positions and shooting qualification.
4. Scoring targets and selecting and maintaining your pistol/rifle.
*Student materials and range fees are included in the price. Students can borrow a firearm and pay for ammo. Do not buy a firearm for this course but students are encouraged to use their own if they have one. *
2-3 hours
$225 First Student/$150 Per Additional Student (Max 4)
Course topics include:
1. Rifle and pistol knowledge & safe gun handling.
2. Ammunition knowledge & the fundamentals of rifle and pistol shooting.
3. Firing the first shots.
4. Scoring targets and selecting and maintaining a rifle and pistol.
5. Continued opportunities for skill development.
6. Shooting forms and shooting positions.
*Student materials and range fees are included in the price. Students can borrow a firearm and pay for ammo. Do not buy a firearm for this course but students are encouraged to use their own if they have one. *
~8 hours
$350 First Student / $225 Per Additonal Student (Max 4)
Three Course Bundle (Normally $750):
- NRA First Steps Pistol Orientation Course – Teaches students the basic knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary for owning and using a pistol safely. (1/2 Day)
- NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home Course – Teaches the basic knowledge, skills and attitude essential to the safe and efficient use of a firearm for protection of self and family, and to provide information on the law-abiding citizen’s right to self-defense. (1 Day)
- NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home Course – Teaches students the knowledge, skills and attitude essential for avoiding dangerous confrontations and for the safe, effective and responsible use of a concealed pistol for self-defense outside the home. (2 Day)
*Students must bring their own firearm, holster, and magazine holders to this course. Preferred 9mm or .38 special. 600 rounds total.
Please call to book.
$625 for 1 student / $1000 for 2 students– 3.5 days of training
Range Operation and Safety Courses
Click on each course below for more details
- 1. NRA Home Firearm Safety Course
- 2. NRA Basic Range Safety Officer Course (RSO)
- 3. NRA Chief Range Safety Officer Course (CRSO)
The Home Firearm Safety Course is a non-shooting course where students learn the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely handle and store firearms.
Course topics include:
1. Gun safety rules and ownership responsibility.
2. Demonstration of loading and unloading different pistol, rifle, and shotgun action types by the instructor.
3. Students practice the loading and unloading of those same firearms with the Instructor.
4. How ammunition works, identifying ammunition, proper storage of ammunition, and cleaning of firearms.
*Student materials are included in the price.*
~4 hours
$125/$75 For Each Additional Student (Max 12)
Course topics include:
1. Introduction to the Basic RSO Course.
2. Role of the Range Safety Officer and Range Standard Operating Procedures
3. Range Inspection and Range Rules
4. Emergency Procedures
5. Range Safety Briefing
6. Gun Stoppages & Malfunctions
7. RSO Examination & Administration Items
*Student materials are included in the price.*
~9 Hours
$175 Per Student (Min 4-Max 12)
This course requires a minimum of 4 students for private scheduling. Currently posted, open, RSO courses can be found using the Public Class Schedule Button.
Students must be a certified NRA Range Safety Officer, NRA Basic Instructor Training (BIT) is included in this course as a pre-requisite.
Course topics include:
1. NRA Basic Instructor Training (BIT)
2. Standard Operating Procedures
3. Inspections
4. Emergency Procedures
5. Range Safety Briefing
6. Gun Stoppages & Malfunctions
7. CRSO Examination & Demonstration of Organizational/Teaching Skills
*Student materials are included in the price.*
~14 Hours
$400 Per Student (Min 4-Max 12)
This course requires a minimum of 4 students for private scheduling. Currently posted, open, CRSO courses can be found using the Public Class Schedule Button.
U.S. Law Shield
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Serving Responsible Self-Defenders
–
Educate – Prepare- Protect
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Anthony DeRubeis
Owner and Instructor
on.

Hours:
Public Classes
Saturday and Sunday
By Appointment
Tuesday-Thursday
Please contact us to schedule a time that works for you!
Classroom Address:
816 Copeland Way,
Pittsburgh PA 15232
Range Address:
Trafford Sportsmen's Club
14000 Winchester Road,
Trafford, PA 15085
or
Tarentum District
Sportsmen's Club
837 Sarver Road
Sarver, PA 16055