Concealed Carry Class, Just Got Back

Stress shooting is a completely different animal, shooting in a real life situation is even crazier.

Concentrate on good form, and accuracy, than work your speed up from there. Try not to get carried away with who is quicker, rush things and form bad habits, they will prove to be very difficult to unlearn and could end up costing you your life if not corrected. Muscle memory is key, when (pardon my french) **** hits the fan there is very little to no thinking done at all, and your time practicing pulling aiming countless times will pay off. Range time is important but sometimes difficult our busy lives doesn't leave much time, practicing pulling in front of a mirror isn't a replacement for range firing but can be very useful in critiquing yourself and perfecting form. Dry firing is also VERY important to train your mind for a smooth trigger squeeze.

Remember its the first shot that counts even a horrible/inexperienced shooter can have a great shot and ruin your day/life.

Spend a lot of time picking out a gun and caliber that suites you. With your description of your hand size I would recommend trying a Sig with Hogue grips, iv'e noticed that they seem to do best with large hands.

People can give you advice on "good" guns all day long but at the end of the day its how it feels to you that matters. Once you pick one out practice constantly, you need it to be second nature. Concealed carry is a responsibility, like driving, and not putting the required time in could end up needlessly costing you or someone else they're lives.

Just my .02

I fired a two-shot burst from a H&K 10mm MP5/10 from inside the front passenger side of a rolling undercover Camaro Z28 at a fleeing bank robber who was firing out his window at a pursuing Detective and the driver, my SWAT partner, did not know I had fired at the subject. Interesting how perception can be influenced by stress factors.
BTW, it's a "Magazine", not a "Clip".(LOL)

340_dart_power said:

I fired a two-shot burst from a H&K 10mm MP5/10 from inside the front passenger side of a rolling undercover Camaro Z28 at a fleeing bank robber who was firing out his window at a pursuing Detective and the driver, my SWAT partner, did not know I had fired at the subject. Interesting how perception can be influenced by stress factors.
BTW, it's a "Magazine", not a "Clip".(LOL)

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The sworn statements we always do after a firefight are almost comical. What some people remember and others completely miss. Hell there are some of the shorter firefights I have been in that I don't remember at all. Theres one the only thing I remember is beating the handmic on a wall because no one was responding (my radio had somehow changed channels in the chaos).

ramcharger said:

The fireball that barfs out that small barrel is a sight to behold too, lol.

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The devastating wall of flame that was produced by my trusty 7.5" Super Blackhawk was spectacular under poor lighting conditions. It was certainly a "hope I hit on the first shot since my night vision will be wrecked for a good 20 seconds" proposition. On the upside, the intended target would best case (from its perspective) also have wrecked vision and probably be on fire if it were draped in significant quantities of polyester. A target flailing around on fire may negate impaired night vision. 8)

ramcharger said:

True but my permit will be valid in the following states:

AK*, AL, AR, AZ, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, MT, NH, NC, ND, NE, NM, OK, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT*, WY,

Can't beat that with a stick. 8)

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Did you check if Ohio will accept your CCW too? My CCW is from Ohio and I know they are pretty good about allowing many states CCW's.

I haven't checked into many states but I know Ohio's carry into all the states I plan to go which is primary reason I got it.

I agree with an earlier poster who said people should just shoot.

When the Taliban is firing away at you breathing and sight picture go out the window and then you just want rounds down range.

Jason96R said:

I agree with an earlier poster who said people should just shoot.

When the Taliban is firing away at you breathing and sight picture go out the window and then you just want rounds down range.

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The goal is to have the fundamentals so ingrained that you don't need to think about them when your being shot at, you just do them subconsciously.

Alaska is also a no permit needed state... I took a 4 day defensive pistol course about 10 years ago.Awesome class on carry, clearing jams, stances,combat turns, even went thru a tirehouse with rooms to show how to properly clear your own house room by room. I carried a HK USP in .40 cal., never cleaned it till after 800 rounds fired thru it. No jams at all,shot maybe a total of 1500 rounds in 4 days... Also took a defensive shotgun course from the same instructor. Shot a combined 800 rounds of birdshot buckshot and slugs in different scenarios. Shoulder was a lil tenderized to say the least. I carried a Winchester 1200 with a 18 inch barrel and 8 shot capacity,rifled sights and shortend stock for easy reach. I learned so much ,recommend that to everyone. Kinda spendy,but if your gonna take on the responsibility of carrying then might as well be prepared as possible....DAN

I just sent mine in for NY 6 to 12 month wating period..i will have about 150 dollars in it and still can;t carry conceal in my county..... Only hunting and Target practice has to be carried with trigger gaurds on... I have heard you can take a 250 dollar course and then submit it to the judge and then he/she may let you... I won;t go for CC until I am comfortable handling it respectivly... I am thinking about getting the glock G20 or G21 with the .22lr conversion anybody have one or heard good things on these

xlexl said:

Stress shooting is a completely different animal, shooting in a real life situation is even crazier.

Concentrate on good form, and accuracy, than work your speed up from there. Try not to get carried away with who is quicker, rush things and form bad habits, they will prove to be very difficult to unlearn and could end up costing you your life if not corrected. Muscle memory is key, when (pardon my french) **** hits the fan there is very little to no thinking done at all, and your time practicing pulling aiming countless times will pay off. Range time is important but sometimes difficult our busy lives doesn't leave much time, practicing pulling in front of a mirror isn't a replacement for range firing but can be very useful in critiquing yourself and perfecting form. Dry firing is also VERY important to train your mind for a smooth trigger squeeze.

Remember its the first shot that counts even a horrible/inexperienced shooter can have a great shot and ruin your day/life.

Spend a lot of time picking out a gun and caliber that suites you. With your description of your hand size I would recommend trying a Sig with Hogue grips, iv'e noticed that they seem to do best with large hands.

People can give you advice on "good" guns all day long but at the end of the day its how it feels to you that matters. Once you pick one out practice constantly, you need it to be second nature. Concealed carry is a responsibility, like driving, and not putting the required time in could end up needlessly costing you or someone else they're lives.

Just my .02

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Great advice xlexl. During qualifying the instructor puposefully stressed us out big time. My patterns doubled in size, which I did not expect at all. I imagine that it would just get worse in a life or death situation.

I picked up some dummy rounds so I can practice just as you mentioned to correct my form, build muscle memory and correct my trigger pull. Every that you mentioned was also said by my NRA certified instructor. In addition I would also like to mention practice with a laser round to correct instinctive point of aim. I did this both with my revolver and the intructors Glock and my instintive POA was always better with the Glock BUT the with shorty grip on the Model 23 and other CC type autos the magazine would not clear the meat of my hand. I tried a couple full size autos and this issue dissapeared. My instructor did mention that a full size auto would be ideal for me based on what he saw but concealment would be an issue.

You are correct that this a huge responsiblity and I certainly do not take this lightly. One of the main reasons I want this permit is to defend myself in my garage. We have the "Make My Day" law here in Colorado but it does not extend to outbuildings, only in the main residence. This gives me another legal option. The other reason is the early morning dog walking I do, although most people pretty much get off the sidewalk when I'm walking both my rotties, there's always going to be the freaked out meth head who just doesn't care about his life, much less mine.

340_dart_power said:

I fired a two-shot burst from a H&K 10mm MP5/10 from inside the front passenger side of a rolling undercover Camaro Z28 at a fleeing bank robber who was firing out his window at a pursuing Detective and the driver, my SWAT partner, did not know I had fired at the subject. Interesting how perception can be influenced by stress factors.
BTW, it's a "Magazine", not a "Clip".(LOL)

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My instructor also mentioned stress and it's effect on memory. He suggested that we sit down and get the story straight in our heads pronto before the police arrive as it will be the first interview that counts. Glad to hear you are OK after that. You have an incredibly dangerous job and you certainly have my respect and thanks for what you do.

xlexl said:

The sworn statements we always do after a firefight are almost comical. What some people remember and others completely miss. Hell there are some of the shorter firefights I have been in that I don't remember at all. Theres one the only thing I remember is beating the handmic on a wall because no one was responding (my radio had somehow changed channels in the chaos).

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Not suprising at all. Of course I hope to never have to fire my weapon in defense of my life. It's a heavy burden to bear.

doktor_x said:

The devastating wall of flame that was produced by my trusty 7.5" Super Blackhawk was spectacular under poor lighting conditions. It was certainly a "hope I hit on the first shot since my night vision will be wrecked for a good 20 seconds" proposition. On the upside, the intended target would best case (from its perspective) also have wrecked vision and probably be on fire if it were draped in significant quantities of polyester. A target flailing around on fire may negate impaired night vision. 8)

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LOL. Dok, you never fail to crack me up... :-D

Jason96R said:

Did you check if Ohio will accept your CCW too? My CCW is from Ohio and I know they are pretty good about allowing many states CCW's.

I haven't checked into many states but I know Ohio's carry into all the states I plan to go which is primary reason I got it.

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Haven't checked yet but I will. :read2:

xlexl said:

The goal is to have the fundamentals so ingrained that you don't need to think about them when your being shot at, you just do them subconsciously.

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Yes sir.

danthedewman1 said:

Alaska is also a no permit needed state... I took a 4 day defensive pistol course about 10 years ago.Awesome class on carry, clearing jams, stances,combat turns, even went thru a tirehouse with rooms to show how to properly clear your own house room by room. I carried a HK USP in .40 cal., never cleaned it till after 800 rounds fired thru it. No jams at all,shot maybe a total of 1500 rounds in 4 days... Also took a defensive shotgun course from the same instructor. Shot a combined 800 rounds of birdshot buckshot and slugs in different scenarios. Shoulder was a lil tenderized to say the least. I carried a Winchester 1200 with a 18 inch barrel and 8 shot capacity,rifled sights and shortend stock for easy reach. I learned so much ,recommend that to everyone. Kinda spendy,but if your gonna take on the responsibility of carrying then might as well be prepared as possible....DAN

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I do want to take a defensive shotgun course as well. I think it would be fun as hell plus informative and possibly life saving.