Miscalculation, "consequences," and range report...

[The Big D]

Due to some personal commitments and conflicts I failed to contact the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission (MPCTC) in time to schedule my annual LEOSA qualifications before my credentials expired on May 21. The MPCTC is very proactive in enabling MD residents to qualify under the provisions of LEOSA, and the state government, including Governor O'Malley, is quite supportive. That said, the first opportunity I would have to qualify following expiration of my credentials would be August 4. (Though there were available dates before then, my personal schedule ruled them out.) So, from May 22 until today (82 days) I was without the ability to lawfully carry a concealed handgun for the first time in 34+ years!!! I speak the absolute truth in saying there weren't 82 days in that 34 year period, TOTAL, that I didn't carry a gun.

I did manage, however, during that time of non-CCW ability. At first it was very strange. I constantly thought I was "forgetting" something. Sometimes I was "surprised" when I noticed there was no gun on my hip. I missed it most when away from home, and I did travel extensively during my hiatus. As noted, I managed without a gun on my person...though I did miss toting as it was so habitual.

On August 4, I headed east to the training center; here's what happened that day...

Planned to stop at a nearby gun store that always is stocked with guns and ammo. And I mean stocked! Got there; it was now closed on Tuesdays. Down the road I headed to another store; ditto. Uh, oh! Jumped onto a local byway and stopped at three stores; none had .38 ammo. Now a bit worried as the next available sources were a WalMart and a Dick's. Dick's first; nope. WalMart saved the day as they had two boxes of Winchester .38 +P, 125, JHP. Grabbed both and out the door I went...thanking Sam Walton's heirs profusely.

This part is important. As proactive as MD is, it is also progressive and realistic. Since the advent of LEOSA, one had to qualify as do off duty LEO's. Recently the requirement for those folks was amended to include a course of night fire. We formerly could qualify with a revolver and a pistol and carry both types. However, as night fire was now required, the time period for qualifying would be too long. The result now is that one may qualify with a revolver or a pistol...not both.

I was going to qualify with my M60-NY1, but it is not rated for +P ammo. Accordingly, I had to use my 642 and believe me, firing lotsa rounds of +P ammo out of it is tiring...if that's the right word. That gun is a handful with +P loads. (Yes, I have fired +P in it and usually load it with +P. Extensive courses of fire/qualifying with those loads is another story altogether.)

Bottom line (with apologies for the long post), I successfully qualified, will never run low on ammo again, and am very happy to once again be fully qualified to CCW. Credentials in the wallet, gun out of the safe, and it will be on my hip next time I venture out.

Be safe.

PS: Did ask a particular question: Can one carry more than one handgun at a time under LEOSA? Answer: In Maryland, one who qualified under LEOSA may carry only one gun at a time.

 

[GatorFarmer]

You can fire +P ammunition through a steel model numbered J frame, with or without the +P stampings on it. I've done so even with an old flat latch 36 far older than I am. Two boxes aren't going to harm your gun, and if it did, it would have been time for a new gun or repairs anyway.

Anyway, if you need a less expensive load to stockpile, and happen to run into any, the Rem/UMC 125 gr JHPs in the 100rd value packs at Walmart are somewhat cheaper than the WWB. The lead is also softer and the QC a bit better (I had several horribly deformed rounds in the last box of WWB I purchased). The softer lead probably gives it a better chance of expanding. I used to use a lot of the WWB back when it was cheaper for practice but have stopped buying it in favor of the Remington.

What did the night firing qualification consist of? How was the muzzle flash with the WWB offerings?

 

[The Big D]

GF:

Correct you are re: +P in older M60 revolvers. In my "old" one I fired +P regularly; this one is "new" to me and don't know its history. In addition, instructors/armorers inspected each weapon and the ammo to be used before quals. Didn't want to raise any questions.

"Night" course of fire was interesting inasmuch as it's fired whilst wearing welding goggles! To simulate reduced light, of course. Trust me, it was like the night; goggles had very dark lenses and it's well nigh impossible to see the front sight. That likely means (?) muzzle flash is effectively diminished though I didn't have prior experience with wearing goggles.

Course of fire was as follows, as best I can recall:

3 yard line: 5 shots strong hand; 5 shots weak hand.

7 yard line: 5 shots, strong hand, supported by weak; 5 shots, weak hand supported by strong.

15 yard line: 5 shots, standing barricade; 5 shots kneeling, barricade.

All fire was after drawing when targets faced. Reholster only after each 5 shot sequence.

Instructors strongly suggested using cover whenever possible. They made that point repeatedly; excellent, I think.

70% score to qualify both day and night. No one failed or had "do overs." That was a bit surprising based on past LEOSA quals.

In retrospect I likely would have had an easier time in night fire with reading glasses. Sight would have been a bit easier to see, I do believe.

Thanks for the questions!

Be safe.

 

[n4zov]

Wearing welder's goggles to simulate night time is an interesting idea and one that I will have to try! Thanks for mentioning that.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Thanks for the reply. That is interesting. I'd have thought that they'd simply have dimmed the lights or turned them off (on an indoor range). I suppose the goggles make more sense since the range staff can retain their senses and observe the proceedings.

 

[The Big D]

Clarification; outdoor range albeit one with a roof!!!

Yes, nightime shooting was possible but that would have taxed the staff a bit. They do training for active duty LEO's most of the time. LEOSA quals are an add on that they accepted. We are indebted.

Be safe.