Posted: 9/28/2006 5:43:05 AM EDT
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I am taking my conceal Handgun course on October 7. I am a little nervous. What can I expect? What are the major things I should take besides what is required (pistol, ammo, concealable holster...ect) I am alittle nervous about my shooting too. I can get all of my shots on the target but my group SUCKS. I jerk the trigger pretty bad. Any advice from all you experienced shooters? Mrs. Snaps |
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Don't know about Texas at all, but a friend of mine, and his girlfriend just went through the Kentucky class. As far as what did he have to take to class? He had borrowed a 9mm semi-auto (Springfield XD) from a neighbor, bought a 100 round box of Winchester (white box) ball ammo, and headed off to class. (BTW, he had not shot a handgun in almost twenty years, and his girlfriend had never shot one. They both passed.) No holster was required. Much time was spent in the classroom covering the legal aspects of defending yourself with lethal force (when you can, when you can't, etc.). Attendees had to prove proficiency in shooting, handling, cleaning, and re-assembly. All shooting was done at 21 feet, or seven yards, if you will. I'd say take the handgun that... 1. Has a reasonable caliber for you to handle and shoot accurately. I don't know how much emphasis was put on group size. Remember, there will be others there in the same boat as you, with all the same worries and concerns. You will not be the only one with "performance anxiety". FWIW, in the Kentucky class, .22lr was okay to use. 2. Functions with lower power loads, for reduced recoil. Wad cutters for a revolver, standard pressure ammo for semi-autos. For the class, ball ammo should be used in semi-autos, as you don't want any feeding problems to dampen your day. (However, you should always carry hollow points if your chosen firearm will feed them 100%, all the time, without exception.) 3. Is easy to field strip and clean. Yes, this was part of the evaluation. Double action revolvers really shine here. As far as jerking the trigger, try dry firing if you can (as long as it's not a rim-fire). Since you don't have the class until next Saturday, you can get some quality time in at the range. If not, practice dry firing as much as you can. No jerking. Squeeze the trigger. Slowly. To avoid anticipation of the "bang", and thus the "jerking", the hammer falling should catch you buy surprise. You squeeze until it happens. You don't jerk to make "damn sure" it happens. You are not forcing the hammer to drop, you are simply moving parts out of the way, thus allowing the hammer to drop. My $ .02 BTW, what handgun are you considering taking to the class? What, if any, other handguns might you be able to use? When you say your group sucks, how big IS the group and at what distance are you from the target? What you think sucks, might just be okay to pass. |
Im using a Glock 17 for the class. I will be getting a Glock 19 shortly. The 17 is almost too big for my hand, but it will due for the class. My group is pretty large. With a silhouette target they are mostly in the chest cavity but i have several strays at 10-12 yards. |
| You might have someone look over the G17 just to make sure all the trigger mechanism parts are lubricated like they should be and that nothing is dry, dragging or rubbing, thereby making you pull harder than normal. Glocks are pretty easy to shoot from a "trigger pull" standpoint. |
cant help you on the TX course...MS dosent require one overall: bring your carry gun, a good, quality, comfortable holster, good factory ammo and extra, reliable mags Video just a tad past the tip of the finger, 'press' straightback, rearward; how's the grip? mod iso is great--60-70% grip w/ the weak hand, 30-40% w/ the strong hand, high hand, weak hand concentrates on JUST the ''press'' of the trigger, your mind concentrates on the front sight on the target.....trigger press initiates and gun goes off in a surprise as you continue on concentrating on the front sight... as its been dictated to me: "front sight" "front sight" "front sight" tips: start in close (5-7 yrds) and when your groups improve, work your way back further; DONT look at your shots until your string is finished--front sight, not target or shots; this is what i always have a problem w/: " slow is smooth, smooth is fast"--sometimes, i snap my shots too fast, and my scores go down drastically  dry fire these might help also: 1 2 online tutorials to help: Jared UPSA books: SURGICAL SPEED SHOOTING by andy standford hope this helps good luck 
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A few pens and some paper, if you like to take notes for yourself (not required!). You don't need the holster, unless your intructor requires it. TDL and $$$.
The shooting part is done in several stages, and is VERY easy to pass IF you listen and follow instructions. They're not trying to trick you or anything, but people get nervous and jump the gun, as it were. One lady in our class was DQ'd because she fired when the instructer gave us the "Make Ready" command. I had shot a pistol only once before taking the course, and managed to get 239 out of a max 250. I think 180 is the required passing score. You'll do fine! Bill |
| Our course was 3 evenings and live ammunition was not needed until the last night. All that was needed for the first 2 was the unloaded weapon so we could point them in a safe direction, and go over clearing. Most of it was lecture, safty films, and discussion of the law (that is where you want to stay awake). As far as the shooting was concerned, you had to obey the instructor commands (safety ON... Put them up, fire at will, etc). The Man sized target was put somewhere between 10-15 feet and you had to place all shots within the body (not the 9,8,7 ring... just somewhere on the silhouette). It was ridiculously easy. |
