There are many important skills that a pistol shooter should develop, but here are ten key skills that are essential for proficiency and safety:

   Safe gun handling: This is the most important skill for any shooter to master. Always keeping the gun pointed in a safe direction, keeping the finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, and knowing when to unload and clear the firearm are all critical components of safe gun handling.

   Grip: A proper grip on the pistol is essential for accuracy and recoil management. The shooter should learn to grip the gun with enough force to control it, but not so much that it causes shaking or fatigue.

   Stance: A stable shooting stance is necessary for accuracy and recoil management. The shooter should learn to position their body in a way that provides a solid base and allows for easy movement and target acquisition.

   Sight alignment: Proper alignment of the front and rear sights is crucial for accuracy. The shooter should learn to align the sights with the target and maintain that alignment throughout the shooting process.

   Trigger control: Trigger control is critical for accurate shooting. The shooter should learn to press the trigger smoothly and steadily, without jerking or flinching.

   Breath control: Controlling your breathing is essential for accurate shooting. The shooter should learn to time their breathing with their shooting rhythm, and take the shot during the natural pause between breaths.

   Speed and accuracy: Shooting quickly while maintaining accuracy is a key skill for defensive shooting scenarios. The shooter should learn to balance speed and accuracy through proper training and practice.

   Reloading: The ability to reload quickly and efficiently is essential in defensive shooting situations. The shooter should learn to reload the pistol quickly and smoothly, without fumbling or dropping rounds.

   Malfunction clearing: Knowing how to identify and clear malfunctions is critical for defensive shooting scenarios. The shooter should learn to quickly identify and clear any malfunctions that occur.

   Mental preparation: Shooting requires focus, discipline, and mental preparation. The shooter should learn to stay calm and focused under stress, and develop a mindset of preparedness and readiness for any scenario.

Developing and mastering these skills takes time, effort, and consistent practice, but they are all essential for becoming a proficient and safe pistol shooter.

There are many highly qualified and respected firearms instructors in America, and it would be difficult to name just a few as "the best." The quality of firearms instruction can vary depending on the instructor's experience, training, teaching style, and other factors.

Some well-known firearms instructors in the United States include:

   Massad Ayoob - A firearms instructor with over 40 years of experience in law enforcement and self-defense training.

   Rob Pincus - An author and firearms instructor with a focus on defensive shooting and personal protection.

   Tom Givens - A retired police officer and firearms instructor with over 40 years of experience in law enforcement and self-defense training.

   Julie Golob - A professional competitive shooter and firearms instructor who teaches a variety of shooting disciplines, including handgun, rifle, and shotgun.

   Travis Haley - A former Marine and firearms instructor who specializes in tactical training and long-range shooting.

   Clint Smith - The founder of Thunder Ranch, a firearms training facility in Oregon, and a former Marine and law enforcement officer.

   Kyle Lamb - A retired Army Special Forces veteran and firearms instructor who specializes in tactical training and combat shooting.

These are just a few examples of the many highly qualified and respected firearms instructors in America. When looking for a firearms instructor, it is important to do your research, read reviews, and choose someone who has the experience and expertise to meet your specific training needs.

As an AI language model, I don't have personal opinions, but I can provide a list of 20 commonly cited defensive pistol skills:

   Safe gun handling and proper grip
   Drawing from a holster and re-holstering
   Sight picture and sight alignment
   Trigger control and follow-through
   Shooting with both eyes open and acquiring the target
   Shooting accurately at different distances and under stress
   Immediate action drills and clearing malfunctions
   Tactical reloading and speed reloading
   Shooting from different positions and angles
   Use of cover and concealment
   One-handed shooting, dominant and non-dominant hand
   Shooting while moving and shooting on the move
   Shooting multiple targets and target transitions
   Verbal commands and de-escalation tactics
   Identifying and responding to threats
   Situational awareness and scanning
   Tactical decision-making and judgment
   Shooting in low light or no light conditions
   Team tactics and communication with other armed individuals
   Legal and ethical considerations, including use of force and escalation of force policies

Here are 10 commonly cited pistol drills:

   Draw and fire: This drill involves drawing your pistol from a holster and firing a shot accurately and quickly at a target.
   Bill Drill: This drill involves firing six shots as quickly as possible at a target from a distance of seven yards.
   El Presidente: This drill involves engaging three targets from 10 yards, reloading, and then engaging the same three targets again.
   Mozambique drill: This drill involves firing two shots to the chest and one to the head of a target.
   Failure to Stop drill: This drill involves firing two shots to the chest and one to the pelvic area of a target.
   Box drill: This drill involves shooting at targets in different positions and angles while moving around a box or other obstacle.
   Walkback drill: This drill involves starting at a short distance from the target and gradually increasing the distance while maintaining accuracy.
   Shooting on the move: This drill involves shooting at a target while moving forward, backward, or sideways.
   Reload drill: This drill involves practicing tactical and speed reloads.
   One-handed shooting drill: This drill involves shooting with one hand, either the dominant or non-dominant hand, to develop hand-eye coordination and shooting accuracy in case of an injury or other incapacitation.

Here are 20 commonly cited defensive pistol drills:

   Draw and fire: This drill involves drawing the pistol from a holster and quickly firing at a target to simulate a self-defense scenario.
   Reload drill: This drill involves practicing quick and efficient reloading of the pistol to ensure readiness in a real-life scenario.
   Failure drill: This drill involves shooting multiple rounds at the center mass of a target and then firing a single shot at the head to incapacitate an assailant who is wearing body armor.
   Multiple target engagement: This drill involves engaging multiple targets at different distances to simulate a real-life encounter with multiple attackers.
   Shooting on the move: This drill involves shooting accurately while moving to simulate a real-life scenario where the shooter needs to avoid danger while engaging targets.
   Shooting from cover: This drill involves shooting from behind cover to simulate a real-life scenario where the shooter needs to protect themselves from danger.
   One-handed shooting: This drill involves shooting with one hand to simulate a real-life scenario where one hand may be injured or unavailable.
   Shooting from various positions: This drill involves shooting from prone, sitting, kneeling, or standing positions to develop proficiency in each position.
   Weak hand shooting: This drill involves shooting with the non-dominant hand to develop proficiency in case of an injury or other incapacitation.
   Malfunction drills: This drill involves practicing clearing malfunctions, such as a jammed slide or failure to fire, to ensure the pistol functions properly in a real-life scenario.
   Flashlight shooting: This drill involves using a flashlight in conjunction with the pistol to identify and engage targets in low-light conditions.
   Shooting at small targets: This drill involves shooting at smaller targets to improve accuracy and simulate a real-life scenario where precise shot placement is required.
   Shooting at moving targets: This drill involves shooting at moving targets to simulate a real-life scenario where the target is not stationary.
   Shooting with a partner: This drill involves shooting while working with a partner to simulate a real-life scenario where teamwork is required to neutralize a threat.
   Shooting under stress: This drill involves simulating stressful scenarios, such as timed shooting or shooting under physical stress, to practice maintaining accuracy under pressure.
   Shooting at different ranges: This drill involves shooting at targets at various distances to practice adjusting aim and holdover.
   Distance shooting: This drill involves shooting accurately at targets at long distances to develop proficiency in shooting at range.
   Tactical reload drill: This drill involves practicing reloading the pistol while maintaining cover and situational awareness.
   Immediate action drill: This drill involves quickly and efficiently addressing a malfunction or other issue with the pistol to ensure readiness in a real-life scenario.
   Decision-making drills: This drill involves simulating real-life scenarios where the shooter must make quick and accurate decisions about when to shoot and when not to shoot.

The average time it takes to draw a concealed pistol can vary widely depending on several factors such as the experience and skill level of the shooter, the type and location of the holster, the type and size of the firearm, the type of clothing worn, and any additional obstacles or challenges that may be present in a given situation.

Generally, with practice and training, an experienced shooter should be able to draw a concealed pistol from a holster in under two seconds. However, it's important to note that speed is not the only factor to consider in a real-life defensive situation. Accuracy, situational awareness, and appropriate use of force are also crucial components of self-defense. It's recommended that individuals seeking to improve their concealed carry skills seek professional training and practice regularly to ensure safe and effective use of their firearm.