When you are taking a training course with shooting/range time involved, what size gun do you bring?

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Zaydok Allen

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Hi all,

I have signed up to take an eight hour course very soon, and it is geared toward acquiring my state's enhanced carry permit. The enhanced permit has a few benefits that allow you to carry places others cant, it's accepted in several more states than the standard permit, and it will cover one additional state for me that I frequently travel through. I will also be able to drop one of my non-resident permits from another state, as this enhanced permit will cover everything it does, and more.

The course does have a shooting competency portion. I look forward to any technique tips they can give me, but I'm pretty sure the qualification is going to be very simple. I'm bringing more than double the amount of ammo I need, incase I find myself with some time on my hands.

Funny enough, I was going to bring a 45 to shoot, but I don't know if I'll have time to pick up my brass, which I'd want to reload. So I'm bringing two 9mm's instead so I won't mind if I lose the brass. :D

In any case, the sign up just said to bring a firearm. I'm electing to bring my summer carry gun, a Sig P938 Legion, along with my VP9 home defense gun. Both are fun to shoot, but my leanings are toward using my carry gun for the class since it's a class about CC permits.

If you've take a class with shooting involved, does the theme of the class dictate the gun you bring? Do you just bring the gun you feel like shooting that day? Does a timed shooting requirement dictate your choice?

I'm just curious. My Sig is a new gun, and I'm not totally confident with it yet so it seems good to get some more practice with it. At the same time, if I have to "qualify" I wondered if I wasn't better off shooting a gun I've shot a lot. I also thought about bringing my P30SK, as it's my winter carry gun.
 
When it comes to .gov sponsored tests my goal is to make 100% sure that I pass with flying colors.
So I bring my favorite, most accurate, easy to operate pistol.

So far, I find that I pass .gov tests with ease.

When it comes to training where there is not a .gov issued item on the line, I try to match the gun to the theme of the class.

CCW? I bring my CCW guns.
"Combat"/home defense handgun, I bring service pistols.

Carbine/Rifle Courses, I use AR unless I am being a goof and bring M1 Garand.
 
In MN, we don't qualify with a score, only to demonstrate proficiency. I have competed my proficiency portion a number of times with a 9mm, but also bring a few "extras" including a .22 semi, a .38 revolver, and a .45 1911A1 in the event I have additional time available at the range after the class.
 
One should probably take a compact to the ccw class.
However in this case if I wanted to make sure I passed, with the highest possible score, I'd take a full size 9mm of some sort . Then if I wanted a learning course I'd take my ccw to a different one. I want the best score on any legal qualification I can get. Score low and it's always arguable that you weren't proficient enough. Or maybe they raise the bar someday and all of a sudden your score doesnt qualify.

I took a full size to mine. They kept the targets on file but I had all X-ring hits but one. And I'm sure that was one of the two shots we had to fire from the hip. I'll bet I shot under the target for the other one. But since I had one big hole for an x-ring.....I'll say it went there. Lol
 
Being honest, the description of the shooting portion of the class, and even the requirements in the state law is fuzzy. It doesn't sound like there is a score involved, only that you fire a certain number of rounds. So I'm guessing it will be a demonstration of safe gun handling, and an ability to hit a target at 7 yards or less. The range I'm taking the course at has not responded to the question. They are a little slow on email sometimes. I'm not worried about passing, though. I take gun handling seriously, and I shoot often enough that am pretty sure I won't have a problem passing.

I'm rather more excited to shut up, and see what I can learn though. There's always room to improve.
 
I knew I would pass mine too. The "requirement" was 75% hits on a silhouette out to 7 yards. I wouldn't have failed with my least accurate gun on my least accurate day. (Likely my 950 in 25 acp if I were guessing) but on a target kept by my state, I wanted the best possible score. Just in case anything changed or happened down the road. If they pull my target they cant claim incompetence. Most likely, anything you will learn will apply to every gun. Not just your ccw.
In any self defense class, not tied to the government, I'd use whatever gun fit the purpose of the class.
 
If you've take a class with shooting involved, does the theme of the class dictate the gun you bring? Do you just bring the gun you feel like shooting that day? Does a timed shooting requirement dictate your choice?

Apart from their use as self defense weapons I have almost zero interest in guns. I don't get any particular thrill from shooting various guns or from shooting one gun over another and I can't say that I have any attachment to any gun.

I would take a gun that is suited to the class. For your class I would bring my Glock 26 because it's the gun I carry the most and I'd carry it exactly as I do in the real world.

The enjoyment I get out of shooting comes from watching my performance improve as I'm able to train and practice(2 different things) more. The last time I was able to participate in a training class I was much more excited that I was getting smaller groups at longer distances and getting through the courses of fire with fewer missteps than I was that I was carrying a Glock.
 
IMHO, take a gun that you are familiar with and works. If you read instructor complaints, one major one is the guy or gal with a gun that won't run and slows down the class. Wring out any gun for class on the range before taking to class.

Tips - this probably isn't a class with very high speed requirements. So good trigger control and sight pictures are paramount.

Also, good factor ammo. No need screwing up the class with Grandpa Elmo's Home Brew. Don't know how much time, I've seen wasted at matches when Elmo's screws up.
 
In Texas the test is 50 rounds divided up 20 at 3 yards, 20 at 7, and 10 at 15 yards. The target is the large human form, B-27 or some such. The shots are divided into singles, pairs, and even fives within reasonable time limits like 10 and 15 seconds depending on how many shots. Standard scoring of 5 points for the 8, 9, 10, and X hits, 4 points for a 7 hit, 3 for any other hit on the colored area, and 0 for a hit on the white or off the paper. Passing is 70% or 175 points out of the possible 250. It is almost impossible to fail.
 
Also, good factor ammo. No need screwing up the class with Grandpa Elmo's Home Brew. Don't know how much time, I've seen wasted at matches when Elmo's screws up.
Good advice. I'm a meticulous loader and I have yet to have any of my loads fail to function, with the exception of one 38 spl where the primer somehow flipped and was loaded upside down. But none the less, I decided to just use factory ammo for class. If something were to go wrong, you can bet it'd be then.

IMHO, take a gun that you are familiar with and works. If you read instructor complaints, one major one is the guy or gal with a gun that won't run and slows down the class. Wring out any gun for class on the range before taking to class.
The Sig only has 400 rounds through it at this point. It's functioned 100% so far, but perhaps that's good advice also. It's not quite proven yet with such a low round count. My P30SK has several thousand rounds through it. MAybe I'll just shoot the Sig if I have some extra time on my hands.
 
Good advice. I'm a meticulous loader and I have yet to have any of my loads fail to function, with the exception of one 38 spl where the primer somehow flipped and was loaded upside down. But none the less, I decided to just use factory ammo for class. If something were to go wrong, you can bet it'd be then.


The Sig only has 400 rounds through it at this point. It's functioned 100% so far, but perhaps that's good advice also. It's not quite proven yet with such a low round count. My P30SK has several thousand rounds through it. MAybe I'll just shoot the Sig if I have some extra time on my hands.
Sure, a good plan, but actually not really necessary. The instructors may not like short delays due to malfunctions, but there is no penalty for them either...in my experience. Long story short, the whole thing is a non-event, or as folks like to say today, a nothing burger.
 
The other students get annoyed waiting for THAT GUY to figure it out. Saw a guy in TX bring a set of magazines for a 380 with all the rounds in backwards. Duh. Watching someone having to pound a squib out, DUH.

I agree failing the TX test takes effort, like putting your rounds into the target next to yours.
 
When I was attending LE classes on the agency's dime, I took whatever gun they wanted me to take. That included both full-size and compact issued guns, and once I was asked to take one of my own full-size guns, as the head instructor of that time wanted to see how that new gun ran in a week-long shooting class. Since he was providing all the ammo, I didn't mind. ;)

If I was paying to attend a commercial or state-required class, I'd either conform to any class requirements that might exist, or take whatever I normally used and carried.

Now, if I signed up for a specific type of class that was basically for my own enjoyment, and it allowed me to satisfy an urge to run a "favorite" gun I owned, then why not?
 
When I took an advanced pistol class we were told to bring 300 rounds for the day. Gun was a no brainer, 4566 (all steel) not my #1 carry gun but perfect for an intense day because that gun never faltered.
 
Any class that I take, and when I qualify on HR 218 it is Glock 19 for semi and S&W Model 10 for revolver.
 
I think I'm going to take my P30SK since it's a proven carry gun. I've never had a malfunction with it, and this class is about an advanced carry permit.

I'll bring my VP9 and P938 also, but doubt I'll shoot them.
 
So per my usual, I did a flip flop at the last second. I do carry my VP9 from time to time, and I hadn't shot it in months, so I decided some practice was in order. Shot at 3, 5, 7, 10, and 15 yards, including a little off hand shooting at 3 yards. It's pretty impossible to miss at 3 yards but some folks were struggling at anything 10 and 15 yards. I scored a 100% and was quite surprised at how much faster I shot than everyone else in the class, and the my grouping was significantly smaller than a lot of people's. Granted, it was a mixed crowd, but they all claimed to be recreational shooters, and one claimed to be a competitive shooter. I'm slightly proud. It kind of makes me want to get into competition.

I may actually try to repeat the shooting portion of the class on my own with my smaller guns just to see how I'd do.
 
ruger sr22. i like it, it’s reliable, i shoot it enough to be quite accurate. i rarely ccw it, but the ccw courses where i’ve used it to qualify don’t specify that i must qualify with an intended ccw, any handgun is ok.
 
Hi all,

I have signed up to take an eight hour course very soon, and it is geared toward acquiring my state's enhanced carry permit. The enhanced permit has a few benefits that allow you to carry places others cant, it's accepted in several more states than the standard permit, and it will cover one additional state for me that I frequently travel through. I will also be able to drop one of my non-resident permits from another state, as this enhanced permit will cover everything it does, and more.

The course does have a shooting competency portion. I look forward to any technique tips they can give me, but I'm pretty sure the qualification is going to be very simple. I'm bringing more than double the amount of ammo I need, incase I find myself with some time on my hands.

Funny enough, I was going to bring a 45 to shoot, but I don't know if I'll have time to pick up my brass, which I'd want to reload. So I'm bringing two 9mm's instead so I won't mind if I lose the brass. :D

In any case, the sign up just said to bring a firearm. I'm electing to bring my summer carry gun, a Sig P938 Legion, along with my VP9 home defense gun. Both are fun to shoot, but my leanings are toward using my carry gun for the class since it's a class about CC permits.

If you've take a class with shooting involved, does the theme of the class dictate the gun you bring? Do you just bring the gun you feel like shooting that day? Does a timed shooting requirement dictate your choice?

I'm just curious. My Sig is a new gun, and I'm not totally confident with it yet so it seems good to get some more practice with it. At the same time, if I have to "qualify" I wondered if I wasn't better off shooting a gun I've shot a lot. I also thought about bringing my P30SK, as it's my winter carry gun.

I know my views are different.

While I have changed my primary carry guns over the years, it has been a slow and methodic process. I have only changed to move to lighter weight and smaller guns over the last fifty years. My first carry gun was an issued 3" 38 special revolver which I quickly got permission to change out for a .45 ACP Colt LW Commander. That changed for an Armand Swenson custom cut down Commander. When I had finally worn out that gun, I switched to a Detonics. The Detonics was switched for a Glock 30 which was later switched for a Glock 36. Currently I carry a Springfield Armory .45 XDs.

The same is true for my backup guns.

My point? I firmly believe in not switching out carry guns. If I were taking a course or qualifying, I would always use my current carry guns. I have seen far too many people jumping from gun to gun and then being awkward and slow when at the range - or worse - in the field.
 
I know my views are different.

While I have changed my primary carry guns over the years, it has been a slow and methodic process. I have only changed to move to lighter weight and smaller guns over the last fifty years. My first carry gun was an issued 3" 38 special revolver which I quickly got permission to change out for a .45 ACP Colt LW Commander. That changed for an Armand Swenson custom cut down Commander. When I had finally worn out that gun, I switched to a Detonics. The Detonics was switched for a Glock 30 which was later switched for a Glock 36. Currently I carry a Springfield Armory .45 XDs.

The same is true for my backup guns.

My point? I firmly believe in not switching out carry guns. If I were taking a course or qualifying, I would always use my current carry guns. I have seen far too many people jumping from gun to gun and then being awkward and slow when at the range - or worse - in the field.
I more or less agree. I don't carry all my guns for this reason and some of them are pretty much just range guns now. I also find that whenever I change carry guns for a legit reason, I realign my thinking on what I'm carrying and the operation. I do not rotate my guns on a whim. When a small gun is switched over to in spring, the larger gun is taken out of service until fall.

I do favor certain guns based on time of year. I passed the class with flying colors.
 
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