Annual Qualifications

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

It's that time of year again when we have to qualify with our duty guns. This year I left all the new fangled semi-autos at home and left with the old reliables.
This was fired with my 686 no dash SSR

This one was with the 646:

and this one with my old flat-latch model 36:

Here's the old hardware:

and,

Do you guys think I need to go back to autos?

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

Nah... stick to the wheelies!

 

[TAROMAN]

Great work!

 

[holo]

I say stay with the wheel gun

 

[DETECTIVE1108]

My qualifications are next week...I'm gonna shoot my new 66 2.5" and 638. I'll do my Sig P228 too for sh%#s & giggles. Nothing wrong with a wheel gun. Guys at work give me **** all day long about carrying my 686 2.5" but they get showed up at the range

 

[arc2x4]

Just out of curiosity what was the distance and the course of fire?

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

Our POSTC course, 25, 15, 7 and 5 yards.

 

[nipster]

Surprised they let you qualify with something other than your primary duty weapon... doesnt that defeat the purpose?

 

[hhb]

Quals

Surprised they let you qualify with something other than your primary duty weapon... doesnt that defeat the purpose?

My Dept qualified with off-duty handguns also. Although my Dept transitioned to Glocks while was COP at a period of time when officers supplied their own handguns and the city agreed to supply duty weapons at the urging of the liability insurance carrier, I'd get calls panic calls from the Dept in the middle of the night saying get down there as fast as possible, I always grabbed my S&W Model 10 .38 Sp like the one I qualified as expert with at the FBI National Academy, Quantico, Va.

 

[CWH44300]

Nice shooting with both camera and revolvers

 

[nipster]

My Dept qualified with off-duty handguns also. Although my Dept transitioned to Glocks while was COP at a period of time when officers supplied their own handguns and the city agreed to supply duty weapons at the urging of the liability insurance carrier, I'd get calls panic calls from the Dept in the middle of the night saying get down there as fast as possible, I always grabbed my S&W Model 10 .38 Sp like the one I qualified as expert with at the FBI National Academy, Quantico, Va.

The fact that they let you doesnt mean it's the right thing to do. If your primary service weapon is a glock, you should be qualifying on it. At least around here, most departments have policies which require it, and also require you to only carry approved weapons (and specific ammo) as your primary.

Not trying to be argumentative or anything, but people have died by not being familiar and proficient with their primary duty weapon and ammo. Regardless of what kind of shot they are with their favorite gun.

Quite a few friends of mine were pissed when their departments switched from revolvers to autos or from 45's to glocks in 40 or 9 in the 90's, but it is what it is.

I'm pretty sure you wouldnt have any problems making those same shots with a glock or whatever auto your department makes you use.

 

[j38]

Good shooting, ... especially with the snubby.

Jerry

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

Surprised they let you qualify with something other than your primary duty weapon... doesnt that defeat the purpose?

What makes you think its not my primary duty weapon. I carry the 686 almost every day.

Thanks J38. I wanted to make Efrem Zimbalist Jr. proud.

And yes, I could be certainly classified as an old timer.

 

[nipster]

What makes you think its not my primary duty weapon. I carry the 686 almost every day.

That's great if they let you. Most (at least around here) wont let you anymore.

 

[Kevin G]

"And yes, I could be certainly classified as an old timer."
Palmetto Sharpshooter,
Looks like you've got a bit of time around this Forum too. Very nice shooting.
Tks, Kevin

 

[rasmith3442]

Was passing thru OKC airport a couple of years ago. Saw a deputy with a revolver and asked him if it was a 66. He said no, it's a 4" 65 and that he beats the pants off the youngsters with their bottom feeders on qual day.

Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill.

S/F,

RAS

 

[MMA10mm]

First off, nice shooting!

Second: Are those Federal Nyclads I spy in your speedloader and speed strips?


I've been carrying a Glock on duty since 1995 and always qualify High Expert / Master (typically 486-494, depending on the year and if I got new prescriptions in my glasses or not), but I still shoot my 686 better than my Glock on any given day. I think it's the fixed barrel/frame/sights relationship making the gun inherently more accurate. My first qualification year (1989) I shot back-to-back 600/600 quals (different course back then - 60 shots) with that same 686. 'Course I was younger and had sharper eyes back then, but no one has managed to beat me on the department yet...

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

First off, nice shooting!

Second: Are those Federal Nyclads I spy in your speedloader and speed strips?

Yes sir, they are but just for the J-frame. I use the old Treasury load for the L-frame. For the qualification course, I just used some 158 grain round nose loaded with 3.6 grains of Bullseye.

I carried a PC-5906 for many years but recently passed it down for an heirloom. Before the 5906, I carried a Beretta 92F and before that, a 586 or back further, a Python. Old habits die hard, huh? I've been playing with the 686 in IDPA for about a year and enjoy the way folks look at my old technology. I usually hold my own with it but you really have to use your brain with a wheelgun.

I hadn't even fired a pistol in about six months. This wasn't by choice. I was out of town for a few months. I was really worried about how I would shoot. I haven't shot less than 100% with any handgun in many years and have a reputation to defend. I shot the 686 first. From 25 yards, I was producing a nice tight group even though my eyes aren't so good anymore, until my mind drifted. This isn't an old age problem. I've always drifted while shooting. So here's how that works; front sight, front sight, nice trigger pull repeat, then wonder what's for lunch? So, two shots went a little high. Then at the 15 yard line, trying to speed up, I jerked the two low shots. Even so, it was a 100. The .40 revolver is a little different; more recoil and combating the flinch. Even so, another 100. The last one was the Chief Special. Even though its a 5-shot, you still have the same time limits. So you spend less time shooting and more time reloading but another 100. I may go qualify with my other PC-5906 later but carrying the old wheelies really freaks some people out.

 

[papajohn428]

I have to qualify twice a year with my company-issued M-64, mine has the best trigger I've ever pulled on a stock revolver, and if I don't shoot a perfect score (at 7 and 15 yards) it means I'm stationed under a light that blurs my sights. If I step back out of the light it's a LOT easier to see the sights, and I generally shoot a 485/500 or better. I have new shooting glasses this year, and if I don't shoot a perfect score I'm going to be REALLY upset!

 

[nawilson]

Very nice shooting! Out of curiosity, what is the Ruskie badge in the photo with the Model 36?