Coden, Alabama · Mobile County
Learn to handle a firearm safely, from people who've done it for a living.
GunPort Academy is a private range and training school run by a 23-year Army veteran. Whether you've never held a gun or you're preparing for a security qualification, we start where you are.
New to GunPort
Where should you start?
Most people fall into one of three groups. Find yours and we'll point you to the right first course.
Start with Self-Defense, Phase I
You don't need to own a firearm. We supply the gun and ammo, and cover safety from the ground up. No bad habits to unlearn is actually an advantage.
See the Self-Defense series →Bring the kids, or a crowd
Youth courses run for ages 8–17. Bringing three or more people to a course also unlocks lower per-person pricing.
See group pricing →Professional qualifications
Retired law enforcement requalification, armed security (ASRB), peace officer qualification, and military-prep training.
See professional courses →25 courses, grouped simply
Courses at a glance
This covers our most-asked-about courses. Call for the full list, or to ask what fits your goals.
Self-defense handgun
- Phase I – III, taken in order
- Phase IV – Night fire, $175
- Or one-on-one custom, $100/hr
Rifle
- Patrol rifle
- Battle rifle
- Assault rifle
- Sniper rifle
Shotgun & clays
- Home defense shotgun
- Skeet / trap
- Sporting clays
Youth (ages 8–17)
- Rifle, shotgun, handgun basics
- Skeet / trap
- American history included
Ladies only
- Same self-defense curriculum
- Same tiered group pricing
- Women-only class times
Professional & teams
- Security reactionary force, $800
- ASRB armed / unarmed qualification
- Retired LE requalification
- Church response team
On the range
A look around GunPort
Photos of the facility, live-fire training, and courses in session go here.
How pricing works
Bring friends, pay less
Our Self-Defense series is the most common starting point, so here's exactly how it's priced.
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Just you | $200 |
| 2 people | $170 each |
| 3 people | $155 each |
| Bring 5, you're the 6th | Your spot is free |
Also worth knowing
- Rifle courses run $200 each, or $100/hour with a 2-hour minimum for custom one-on-one training.
- Reloading courses are $200 per phase, basic through progressive.
- Youth pricing drops the same way: $165 solo, $150 with a second youth, $125 each for three or more.
- A non-refundable deposit holds your spot and can be rescheduled or applied toward range time or gear.
- All major credit cards accepted, including over the phone.
Before you arrive
What to bring, what to expect
GunPort is a private specialty school, not a membership club — access is by approval, and these are the essentials.
- You must be a U.S. citizen
- Bring a physical, valid photo ID — a photo of your ID on your phone isn't accepted
- First-time visitors go through a short background check for a range card ($20, plus a $22 range fee)
- A felony charge on record means access is denied
- Everyone entering is identified and logged; the range is under video surveillance
- As a private school, GunPort reserves the right to close access at any time
Visit GunPort Academy
Find us, or reach out first
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Phone251.824.1776
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EmailGary@firstclassarmstraining.org
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Address1 Defenders Way, Coden, AL 36523
Mobile Co. Hwy 188W — 15 min from Dauphin Island
Hours
| Wednesday – Sunday | 9am – 3pm |
| Monday – Tuesday | Closed |
| Major holidays | Closed |
Also a licensed FFL dealer — gun sales and transfers handled on site (5.5% tax rate). Expecting a UPS/FedEx delivery outside our open days? It'll be redelivered by the next Wednesday or Thursday.
Call to book a course