Passed NRA Conceal Carry Course: Just interested in self defense
Today. I passed my NRA "Conceal Carry" course. It was like I couldn't miss the 5 1/2 inch target circle. In order to pass the course I had to hit a target 5 times from 21 feet away.
My instructor had me put 5 rounds in the magazine. For the first shot, she had me do something with the Taurus PT1911 handgun which made me waste my first shot. I don't even fully remember what she had me do. I felt that the gun wasn't loaded, but it was. The way I would usually shoot single rounds was to load the magazine with one round, put the magazine in the gun, cock the gun, aim and press the trigger.
Question: My gun is for defense purposes only! How often should I go the shooting range for practice. Would once a year be enough, or can I get away with not going to the range for years. Seriously, I'm a busy person and feel I don't need that much practice. I just have to press the trigger slowly if I have to. I have 800 rounds of target ammo which took more than two weeks to reach me though my gun dealer.
My handgun shot about 80 rounds since its last cleaning. Should I clean it again. Is it due if I'm not planning on using it a lot. I'm going to clean it tomorrow to make sure I know how. I'm planning on not shooting a lot. I do need the cleaning practice. My gun dealer showed me once, and if I have problems I can see him again. When he cleaned my gun, the spring popped out and hit my eyebrow. He was scared of that happening. The trick for me is to remove the frame (slide) I have to pull it (jerk it) way way back over the hammer, I guess! To put the frame back on, I have to push down a weird pin near the hammer and jerk it back on in the reverse direction.
What are some practical ways I can use my conceal carry permit.
Here's my application for a conceal carry permit in Virginia. I'm going to fill it out tomorrow and take it to the police station next week.
http://www.vsp.state.va.us/downloads...v_7-1-2012.pdf
The Conceal Carry course had overlap wih my NRA Handgun First Steps Orientation course. Should I take the NRA Personal Protection in the Home course.
Re: Passed NRA Conceal Carry Course: Just interested in self defense
Everyones different, but shooting is a perishable skill that needs to be maintained to keep proficiency with a weapon. I suggest try to work on drawing from the holster & dry firing at least once a week. I would think live fire your weapon at least once a month... round count is what you can afford. Buy snap caps and practice malfunction drills as well. That's my opinion as an NRA instructor and Tactical Handgun/Carbine instructor.
Everyone should know or be able to figure out how much time they need for practice based on experience and proficiency.
Congrats on your CPL/CCW.
Passed NRA Conceal Carry Course: Just interested in self defense
I've been shooting for 37 years and feel I need to be at the range at least once/week. I've carried a firearm daily for the last 33 years. You will want to become intimately acquainted with any firearm you stake your life on. You'll want to develop the muscle memory needed to make your firearm an extension of yourself. You've received good counsel from the replies to your post. I hope you heed the sound advice you've received so you can enjoy the shooting sports. Good luck.
Re: Passed NRA Conceal Carry Course: Just interested in self defense
Take a Tactical Handgun course... look for some in your area and look at the instructors credentials. My advice is to look for a company with instructors with LE or Milirary backgrounds so you get practical knowledge and not just "theory" instruction. Look for a course with dynamic shooting (outdoor) vs static target shooting on a traditional range. Some even offer a moving target systems to practice on.
Re: Passed NRA Conceal Carry Course: Just interested in self defense
Check out FPF Training, they are in VA and have a pretty good reputation.
Re: Passed NRA Conceal Carry Course: Just interested in self defense
What state are you (OP) located in?
Re: Passed NRA Conceal Carry Course: Just interested in self defense
I just feel those who have experienced either combat or deadly force confrontations on multiple occasions may have more to offer in way of practical application gained through personal experience vs someone who has never actually been in a high stress deadly force confrontation.
I do think there are some amazing instructors out there with no real life experience... but far too many bad ones who read a book or took an 8 hr instructor class as well being Tacti-cool.
Just my opinion... based on the many schools I've attended and the feedback from students at the company I teach for.
Would you rather go to a Sniper School ran by real Snipers with time in the field or a group of Hunters who shoot long distance for a hobby?
Re: Passed NRA Conceal Carry Course: Just interested in self defense
Very true... there are a lot of those out there too.
Re: Passed NRA Conceal Carry Course: Just interested in self defense
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Harryball
And a lot, and I mean a lot of the tacti-cool instructors as well. Its really bad in some areas...Sometimes I have to wonder what the hell the training counselors are thinking letting some of these jokers thru....
A lot of it is lack of oversight after the fact/certification. They can fake the funk pretty well and let's be honest, a NRA Very is not that hard to get.