Anyone taken a class with a large bore revolver?

[SquarePizza]

There is a group that does classes (MDTS training) and one of the ranges they hold classes at isn't far from me. Their prices are reasonable so I got to thinking why not...

So, has anyone taken a pistol course before and brought a large bore revolver? How did your hands hold up? By the end of it, did you develop a bad flinch?

I'm thinking of taking it with my 657PC (bloodwork), and contacting them to see if they will allow non-factory ammo, then just downloading some 41 special powder puffs for some of the course. Maybe tossing on a rubber grip for the day.

The main thing that I want to work on is my draw and fire. I'm not happy with my first shot time.

 

[texmex]

A few years ago, I went through a tactical pistol course at a neighboring agency. I used a 4 inch 625 in 45 ACP. On the first day, the instructors expressed doubt that the course could be completed with a revolver. On the last day, they were wondering why they ever switched to semi-autos. We fired 1000 rounds in 5 days. The weather was terrible. For two of the days it was windy in freezing rain. Part of the course was at night. Almost every make of pistol had some malfunctions including Glocks, an XD and an STI. They were amazed at the revolver keeping up with the autos. This was possible for two reasons. The 45 ACP in moonclips is very fast to reload and I always had a head start because I was able to draw and fire my first shot much quicker than they could (almost all of them were required to use Safariland 070 holsters). If you can load some medium velocity 41 ammo or find some factory medium velocity loads, you should do fine. They will definitely remember you.

 

[texmex]

10 grains of unique under a 200 grain round nose would be ideal. Easier to find mild loads in 44 special or 45 ACP.

 

[rwsmith]

You don't have to shoot 'hot' rounds.....

People shoot revolvers in competitions all day. If I had a .44 magnum I think it would be a silly waste to shoot .44 magnums through it all day. Even in my j frame snub .38 with the big grips I'd get tired of shooting stiff plus p ammo before long. I'd make it through the day but why?

BTW: I found out that the cheapo indoor range I use has no heat. I went there on one of the coldest days last week and froze my behind off. The carbine was ok to shoot, but I did 2 cylinders through my j frame and packed up and left. It was like slapping my hand repeatedly on a block of ice.

 

[hovercat]

The indoor range is replacing the air with outside air every minute or so. No way to heat that.

 

[Eddietruett]

I recently took the CWP class in SC to get my concealed permit. The instructor which did a great job encouraged everyone up front to use the gun that you will be using for defense for your shooting part of the test. But by state law, students are allowed to use any gun they desire. Most of the ladies and some of the men used a .22 for their shooting. I was amazed. BTW I used my Model 65 with 3" barrel which is my normal carry gun. After the formal shooting test, the instructor got a few of the students to shoot using either a .38 snub or a compact 9mm explaining that you should practice using the weapon you will be carrying for protection. Most were terrified and couldn't hit the paper at 10 yards! Its scary what would happen in a real life situation. The instructor and I agreed that you should in some way be forced to qualify or at least pass the test with a true defense gun.

 

[Sol-Invictus]

Yes there is with a heater and filters. My indoor range was comfy and warm, t-shirt shootin with -7 outside.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[292]

I took my concealed carry class with my 8 3/8" 29-2. Because I had shot it the most and didn't know what to expect my other choice was a Star 9mm that I had shot very little. The instructor raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything. Passed with flying colors.

 

[DD357]

Friend of mine took LFI2 with a 5" 625

 

[dr. mordo]

I took my concealed carry class with my 8 3/8" 29-2. Because I had shot it the most and didn't know what to expect my other choice was a Star 9mm that I had shot very little. The instructor raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything. Passed with flying colors.

That's pretty funny.

I've been thinking it would be a lot of fun to take a tactical pistol course with a revolver.

 

[cowboy4evr]

From what I have been told , here in Tx if you show up with a revolver to class for your permit , then your license is only good for revolvers , not semi auto's . But , if you use a semi auto , then the permit is good for either . Regards, Paul

 

[MichiganScott]

I recently took the CWP class in SC to get my concealed permit. The instructor which did a great job encouraged everyone up front to use the gun that you will be using for defense for your shooting part of the test. But by state law, students are allowed to use any gun they desire. Most of the ladies and some of the men used a .22 for their shooting. I was amazed. BTW I used my Model 65 with 3" barrel which is my normal carry gun. After the formal shooting test, the instructor got a few of the students to shoot using either a .38 snub or a compact 9mm explaining that you should practice using the weapon you will be carrying for protection. Most were terrified and couldn't hit the paper at 10 yards! Its scary what would happen in a real life situation. The instructor and I agreed that you should in some way be forced to qualify or at least pass the test with a true defense gun.

I think that if you had asked any the of students (men in particular) why they were shooting a .22, you would have been told it was because of the cost of centerfire ammunition. Not everyone understands the idea of practicing with what you carry, and not everyone has a handgun before class.

 

[ggibson511960]

M-25 45 Colt

I did my CHL qualification with a S&W M-25 45 Colt. It was the only handgun that I happened to have enough factory ammunition to use at the indoor range that prohibited reloads. I spend a lot of time lookng at large cloverleafs on my target while the poor instructor helped new shooters clear jams in their new plastic automatics. Occasionally he would stroll over to my station to inspect the M-25 laying open on the bench with six big empty charge holes while I cowered around the corner, afraid of getting painted by careless "shooters". Texas had changed their silly rules to allow wheelguns. The "marksmanship" rules are so lax you could pass with a beanflip. After 25 rounds or so, I was sailing those slow rolling cowboy action loads through the big hole in the middle. I passed, and so did the folks with bullet hoses.

 

[silversnake]

I think that if you had asked any the of students (men in particular) why they were shooting a .22, you would have been told it was because of the cost of centerfire ammunition. Not everyone understands the idea of practicing with what you carry, and not everyone has a handgun before class.

I'd go with a .22 myself, not going to waste any more money on a government mandated test than I have to. Consider the very concept ridiculous, lots of states don't require any live fire and no problems have resulted.

The people who couldn't hit the target need training, not an exam.

 

[DD357]

From what I have been told , here in Tx if you show up with a revolver to class for your permit , then your license is only good for revolvers , not semi auto's . But , if you use a semi auto , then the permit is good for either . Regards, Paul

That has finally changed; now it doesn't matter