Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon

Firearms Instructor

Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon is a Firearms Instructor based in Southern New Jersey. He is the Owner and Chief Operating Officer of Ironsights Academy, a firearms education & training organization that he launched to continue his love for teaching, learning, and shooting sports. Dr. Harmon is a higher education educator with over 20 years of experience.

Education

  • Rowan University, Ed.D., Educational Leadership

Certifications & Organizations

  • NRA Certified Instructor in Basics of Pistol Shooting
  • NRA Certified Instructor in Basics of Rifle Shooting
  • NRA Certified Instructor in Basics of Shotgun Shooting
  • NRA Certified Instructor in Personal Protection Inside the Home
  • NRA Certified Instructor in Personal Protection Outside the Home
  • NRA Certified Instructor in Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW)
  • NRA Certified Instructor in Defensive Pistol
  • NRA Certified Instructor in Home Defense
  • NRA Certified Instructor in Gun Safety Seminar
  • NRA Certified Range Safety Officer
  • NRA Certified Chief Range Safety Officer
  • American College of Surgeons Certified in Stop the Bleed

Favorite Piece of Advice

With the right attitude and an investment in time spent training, anyone can become an expert shooter. You can always learn something new from every experience.

wikiHow's Editorial Process wikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.

Q&A Comments (15)

How do I choose a rifle scope?
To choose a rifle scope, first assess your typical shooting distances, considering whether you often shoot at 50, 100, or 1000 yards. Factor in the importance of magnification for precision, balancing it with your budget. Ensure the scope is user-friendly once sighted in, with a suitable reticle for your shooting preferences. Investigate durability features, read reviews, and consider brand reputation before making a purchase. If possible, test the scope to ensure it meets your expectations in terms of functionality and clarity.
What tools do I need to zero a rifle?
To zero a rifle effectively, start by using a bore sight cartridge—a small laser beam inserted into the rifle's bore. This method efficiently aligns your scope or iron sights with minimal ammunition use. After bore sighting, fire a three-round group while maintaining the same point of aim using your optics, be it a scope, red dot, or iron sights. Adjust the windage and elevation knobs based on shot placement to bring your shots into the bullseye area. This process ensures precise zeroing for accurate shooting.
What's the best gun for concealed carry?
Selecting the best gun for concealed carry involves opting for handguns, as carrying rifles or shotguns everywhere is impractical due to their size and difficulty to conceal. Modern handguns, when paired with quality ammunition, prove to be highly effective for self-defense at the shorter distances typical of most encounters. Their compact nature and ease of concealment make them the preferred choice for individuals seeking practical and reliable self-defense options.
See more comments

Co-authored Articles (15)

How to

Load a Shotgun

Shotguns are popular around the world for hunting, shooting sports and home defense. They fire shells of metal shot that are usually loaded one at a time, instead of in a clip. While shotgun technology has advanced over ...

How to Adjust a Sighting Scope on a Rifle for Beginners

Plus, how often to zero and answers to other common questionsWhether you’re just learning to shoot for the first time or you’ve recently installed a new scope on your rifle, it’s important to sight in your scope to...

How to Accurately Aim a Rifle

Master your marksmanship with our helpful guideLooking to improve your marksmanship (or, your ability to accurately shoot your target)? We can help! Below, you'll find a detailed, expert-backed guide; we'll show you exac...

How to

Hold a Shotgun

Good form is essential to using a shotgun safely and effectively. When holding a shotgun, you want it to feel like an extension of your own arms and body. Learning how to properly grip, shoulder, and stand while shooting...

How to

Use a Rifle Scope

Scopes are used to increase your accuracy when firing at long distances by magnifying the image of your target and providing you with a reticle that indicates exactly where your weapon is aimed. Using a rifle scope requ...

How to

Reload a Pistol

Instructions for reloading/loading a pistol that uses a magazine. Methods to maximize reliability, and applicability to the widest variety of handguns.

How to

Avoid Being Shot

Escaping a shootout requires one to be alert and to think quickly. The fear of getting shot can cause one to either feel numb or to panic. But once caught in the situation, there is no going back. It can be nearly imposs...

How to

Defend Yourself if Caught from Behind

Everyone needs to know at least the basics to defend themselves. So here are some that everyone should know.

How to

Sight In a Rifle

Sight in your rifle and scope and this easy how-to guideExperienced hunters know that sighting-in a rifle is imperative to hitting a target. Rifles need to be sighted-in every time they are used, since sudden movements o...

How to

Reload Ammo

If you're a regular on the shooting range, reloading your empty rounds is a good way to save money and keep yourself loaded up. Whether you're scrounging up loose brass and empty shotgun shells at the gun range or just s...

How to

Use a Bolt Action Rifle

Learn how to use this common and simple weapon, in any caliber.

How to

Snipe or Be a Marksman With a Rifle

Being a good rifle marksman takes a lot of practice, patience, and knowledge. The amount of effort put into training your skills directly affects your ability to use the rifle in any situation, especially while under pre...

How to Use a Boresnake to Clean Your Firearm

Every time you fire a gun, a little bit of debris gets left behind in the barrel. Regular cleaning prevents this debris from building up and damaging your firearm. For simple but important maintenance, use a boresnake af...

How to

Fire a Rifle

Forget what you think you know from video games and movies: learning to fire a rifle properly requires practice, preparation, and safety. Learning the basics of form will help you develop the right fundamentals to make a...

How to

Apply for a CCW in California

In California, obtaining a Carry Concealed Weapons (CCW) license is difficult. The sheriff has broad discretion whether to grant you the license. To apply, contact your county sheriff. You’ll have to fill out an applic...