Good luck to you sir. Please let us know how it goes.

It is not luck it is skill and you have it!!
Now go qualify!

I spent 30 years in the business...and Qualifications have NOTHING to do with ones ability in a gunfight. There was a Sergent in Dallas back in the 1970s who failed to qualify...he was going back to the station to write himself up for failing qualification (again) when he stopped for coffee at a local Stop&Rob...that just happened to be getting robbed at the time....and he killed the robber.

And any qualification course that is fired with both semi-autos and revolvers should have 5 seconds added on for revolver shooters per reload on the string. Otherwise it can't be called "neutral"....

Bob

Made it my friends! This morning at 1000-hours my turn to shoot came. I have shared with this fine forum the inner-most thoughts, fears, concerns that an old lawman had in qualifying in current real-time with my Model 10. Even though I'm a very pro-active shooter, compete monthly in the local service pistol match, and routinely shoot high enough to "place" against the PD-issued M&P .45 and our SO's Glock 21. Place and beat, using that same Model 10, or a .38-44 HD, and my beloved Colt Official Police in this 'bragging rights" shoot off. The reason for the ease with one and the difficulty with the other is the unlevel playing field that is the Qualification Course. Some of you current and retired officers will understand the "why" I cannot be as forth-coming as I would desire, that will come later, guaranteed!

The prayers to the Almighty carried the day again for me with input from a Model 10-6 series Smith & Wesson. Thanks is not enough to give the wonderful men-of-GOD who have supported me in this "struggle-for-qualification", but thank you from the bottom of my heart! I am, very respectfully honored by your solicitations in my behalf.

David

P.S. Shot a "258" out of a possible 300 max. A minimum of 240 is required.

Most Excellent!

(I never doubted the outcome.)

__________________
Georgia On My Mind

We knew you could do it David!! Never had a doubt!

It has been a blessing reading your posts, your faith is inspiring.

I have great respect for you and for all the LEO's that have dedicated their lives to one of service.

David, (and all you other LEO's that post here, retired or active) please continue to post your thoughts and "adventures", I can read this stuff all day!

Outstanding you lawman! Never a doubt!

Glad you did not have to stand on your head!
As much as folks here care, it was no more than moral support. It was your faith in Above as well as yourself that carried the day.
I can always use a bit of good news so thanks for sharing this great result.

My day is made to read of your results. Grateful to read them too, I am! It's much more heartwarming to read of your successes than to slog through all the terminally dull plastic pistol threads on the gun forums in internetland.

My old favorite Model 10-6 and the Official Police all salute your effort.

Great job


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

__________________
Wheel guns are real guns too.

Dabney: Give us an update (and ignore the suggestion that it may be time to move on).

I am very happy to read this

Good job. Bet you made it look easy.

__________________
Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

Dabney, we knew how this was going to turn out. With God and with your skill, I was never in doubt. It does seem like your qualification program is a little "up tight." Borrow a Glock next year and skip the sweat of reloading.

We had a retirees qualification this morning for those in central Texas. As I predicted, the atmosphere was more like a reunion than a test. I think everyone qualified. I got sloppy and dropped a point at the fifteen yard line for a 299 of 300. Then we adjourned to the office where we were served an excellent BBQ lunch, prepared by active employees at a nominal price. Like I said, more of a reunion or a fair atmosphere. I think that takes the pressure off marginal shooters.

BTW, I mentioned my arthritic thumbs. One of my former captains kept my magazines fully charged. The range officer obliged us. I can do it, but slowly and with great effort.

Good report from you sir,

Jack T
TX DPS Regional Commander, Retired

Congratulations!!!

That last sentence of your post"going out with a bang" disturbs me as it sounds like being shot!

Way to go!!! When is the next
EDIT. Oh yeah, I get it. Annual.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

GREAT, I knew you would get it done and pass.

Congrats, never doubted you for a minute.

__________________
Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Congrats on qualifying and showing the naysayers in your department and on this forum what "skill" and "faith" can do.

Don

__________________
Laus Deo! <><

I think it's unfortunate that you seized upon one word of my post to trigger an internal disturbance. I certainly didn't mean what you imply. Anyone who watched Kobe's last NBA game knows full well what I meant.

My comments were in support of Officer Dabney. If you still have doubts, read post #46. I knew he would qualify. If you're still disturbed, maybe you should get that checked out.

I used the original Stressfire method Ayood wrote about in his "Stresfire" book when I carried a S&W Model 10 on duty. It was more closely based on the former FBI technique with the left index finger hitting the ejector rod that he now says not to use int he video. Heck I even carried and shot left handed a time or two using this method and easily qualified, much to the surprise of the range instructors who knew I was a righty. (You should have seen the ****ty duty holsters we used. A triangular nylon holster with the bottom corner cut out for the barrel, belt loops sewn on each side and a velcro reversible "safety" strap. Hence why I bought and carried my own Uncle Mike's Sidekick holster on duty). I certainly would not try to qualify left handed with the Glock 17 we now use as a duty weapon. It tends to shoot low/left with my usual grip, unlike both my CZ 75 clone and Springfield 1911 A1 which are natural pointers.

As for the 15 yard "shoot six, relied and shoot 2 in 12 seconds", our Service Match course of fire has us firing 6, reloading (regardless of whether you shoot a revolver or auto you can only load with 6 rounds) and shooting another 6 in 15 second at 25 yards. Some practice and it's doable. I generally count on 2 seconds for the draw and sight picture, 4 seconds to fire the first 6, 5 seconds to reload/regrip and the last 5 seconds to sight and fire the second 6.

Like I said, practice.

Congratulations Dabney! Your determination in overcoming adversity to finally succeed made my day.
And congratulations to all the Smithers who encouraged him.

Congratulations . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Great advice for all of us. I see three things that I consider most important:

1. The eye doctor
Be sure to have a current prescription in your glasses, Have them made up as progressive near to far sighting (not the little windows for close up) (assuming mature eyes) Speak with the optician as well as the Ophthalmologist for their advice about the transition points he would recommend.

2. loading drill.
dummy ammunition (preferably the same bullet profile as required in the qualification) dry fire reload & repeat & repeat. Using whatever speed loaders or not that you choose. be consistent.

3. Range Practice.
Shoot lot & lots. Practice the course of fire until you feel that you could do it in your sleep & then keep on with it.

Between bringing your skills up to their best possible point and the confidence that you will gain knowing this, you should have no problem qualifying.

Way to go Brother Dabney!

Congratulations... and Stay Safe!

Congratulations David! I knew you could do it, especially with all of the prayers we sent on your behalf!

Old Cop, you'll never know how much I appreciate (you) and the training aids you sent me, which helped tremendously. Thanks is just too lame for a friend like you and the rest of the gang here. But thanks from the bottom of my heart!

David

Muss, I appreciate this from you sir, very much!

David

Don, thank you for those words of support. Without beating a dead horse to death, they, unlike my friends here, are not tolerant or supportive and I'll leave it at that. Thanks goodness their numbers can be counted on one hand. Faith, prayers, practice reloading with training rounds from Old Cop, and more prayer carried the day.

David

Thanks Ameridaddy! Two thumbs up for the "Smithers" that gave words of support! I was absolutely over-whelmed by the support and encouragement.

David

Congrats David. I also knew you could qualify.

"Borrow a Glock next year and skip the sweat of reloading."

Well, it's not the equipment, it's the operator. I carry a Glock 17 as my issued duty piece. During my last qualification, I failed to fully seat the magazine and failed to shoot several rounds, which was enough to flunk by one point. Errr!

Ran it again and did fine.

During my last 1-2 years at my PD, I carried a 3" M625 in .45 ACP. Using full moon clips, I routinely out shot officers using semi autos.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Muley, That "War Eagle" pride/spirit of yours carried the day! They still speak of you with awe and admiration, that I'm sure of sir. It feels great to have a long time lawman like you give support to me! Thanks Muley!

David

David, my friend, I don't know how I missed this post until today. Needless to say that if I had seen it when you posted it, I would have been one of the first to have spoken words of encouragement. I know it's after the fact, but I would have never doubted your ability to qualify. I spent 20 years of my active LE career as A firearms instructor and range officer. Even though we've never met in person, I think I have a feel for the kind of man you are, and believe that you are capable of qualifying on the course you describe for many more years if you so desire. Your stalwart faith and dedication are evident not just to me, but from reading other posters comments, to many more.

We are all proud of you for your dedication, honor, and old fashioned tenacity that you display through your thoughts as expressed in your many and very popular posts here on the forum.

Congratulations!!!

Best Regards, your friend, Les

__________________
SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

StakeOut is one of the guys who has "been there and done that". I always listen to what he has to say, and this is a really important issue.

He is pointing out one of those things that too many LEOs forget, and that is to have something to do when you pull the pin. In my case, it was a job as a Criminal Justice Professor. I had been teaching as an Adjunct (part timer) while I was in Law Enforcement, and was offered a full time teaching position when I turned 51, and had 22 years on the job. This has been a really good fit. I've been at the "new" job for 19 years now. All that time I've been drawing my police retirement, but building up social security years, which I did not pay into while in police work.

But the important thing is that I've had something to get me out of bed in the morning, interacting with other folks, and still working with law enforcement almost every day. I have graduates of my program all over our state, and also working in many other states. I am still a member of the FOP, and many other organizations. Teaching is nice, since I have 3 months off in the summer, and a month off at Christmas, and so on. This is just me, each of us has to find something to do after we leave active duty, and it's good to plan before the time comes.

Travel... David, I know that you enjoy your trips to Panama City, think about doing some extended trips. I have been to Europe 14 times since I "retired". Some of those have even been police related. A Russian police acquaintance invited me to Moscow the year after I retired, and I took him up on it!! Went back a couple of more trips. Learned a lot about Russian policing. Had a lot of fun. Learned that Americans can't out drink Russians. (In England, I learned that we can out drink Scotland Yarders).

That's just a little about me. The important thing is that some day we all do retire, and that we need to plan on how to enjoy ourselves and stay active.

David, congratulations again on your achievement, and the best for the future.

Your friend, Les

__________________
SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

How thankful, honored, privileged I am to have the support of "men" like yourself Les! My shooting skills are modest at best, so I know it is from the power of prayer that carried the day for this old lawman. Having someone like you, giving me support, strengthened my resolve to succeed and overcome the challenge. I was truly struggling within myself, battling self doubt, concerned about my age and my ability to continue in this profession. I know that I will have to retire, sooner than later. But I don't want it to be over my revolver carry, I want it to be because of "father time". I still feel young, even though my bodily hydraulics disagree at times. Les, my good friend, you make my spirit soar with your kind/thoughtful words of encouragement. What a treasure, I have found in the members of this wonderful forum, that is Smith & Wesson.

David

AJ hit the nail on the head, I also taught both in the military and LE. Practice your weak part and remember sights and trigger control when firing. In portions of the course where you're not using sights, position and grip are most important! Hang in there brother, you'll make it.

HPIM2121.jpg

HPIM2122.jpg

HPIM2123.jpg

HPIM2124.jpg

In the rearview mirror for another year, the POST Qualification. Thought I should thank my Model 10-6 properly for its contribution to my effort to qualify.

David

Way to go!!!

It is men like you that defines honor and integrity in the world of lawmen.

I only had 8 years until health forced me to hang the belt up after retiring from EMS early. Carry the torch on!

Thanks for sharing your photos of your partner and you, and naturally congratulations again!

Outstanding! Told you so! Utmost respect to you. Now, wy6.

That's what I just said.

__________________
Loyalty Above All.. but Honor

Congratulations, sir....and thank you for your service!!!!!!

Like I figured you would, a piece of cake!

Nicely done sir !!!

and That's a very nice to all the punk naysayers that responded to this thread

Great job! Keep in practice for next year so that you don't lose your edge.
Congratulations and well done.

I just stumbled onto this thread today. From the original post I was drawn into the story, and couldn't stop reading until I read that you qualified. Well done! And thank you for sharing your humanity, faith and humility with all of us. You wear the shield proudly, and we are proud of you, even if we have not met you.

Sir, thank you for those kind, very special words. Becoming part of this forum has opened doors to some of the very best people in the universe, right here! I'm thankful for the day I first entered the S&W Forum as a member. Thank you again for "such" a wonderful post. I remain, most respectfully.

David

David