Thoughts on my first geezer qual (LEOSA)

[sigp220.45]

I retired from the FBI at the end of June, and did my LEOSA qualification on Saturday. It is handled by my local Sheriff's Office, and they could not have been nicer or more professional. Kudos to the Douglas County (CO) Sheriff's Office.

There were probably 40 of us there, some younger than I am (57), most right around me, and a couple of old vets in their late 60s or early 70s.

It was a short course - 20 rounds, all from the 7 yard line or closer. No timed reloads. No one had any trouble.

I was told I could qualify on two guns - I brought my 1949 Detective Special and a .45 LW Commander. The DS was a breeze, but my usually reliable Commander had some issues, probably better handled in another thread. Luckily I had my Hi-Power in the range bag, and it performed well.

I was surprised that only two other guys shot revolvers - one tough looking old buzzard in his 70's who had a 2" nickel Model 10 with a Tyler T-grip he said was older than me, and a retired Bureau guy with a Model 60.

Fully half of the guns there were Glock 43s. I was surprised. A smattering of Sigs, one Beretta 92, and not a single 1911.

I haven't gotten whatever card I'm supposed to get from the SO yet, but they asked for make and serial number of the guns so I don't know if I'm only good with those particular guns.

If so, I suppose they will do just fine.

 

[thomasinaz]

Glad to hear it was a relatively easy process. I also have to do my first LEOSA qual, probably next year. I retired from the SO at the end of June, so my quals from when I was still sworn should be good for the calendar year. We had a few retired guys run through our regular course when I was helping out at the range this past year. I believe they just keep a record of what guns were qualified on, and they are the ones to carry, especially if you travel.

 

[Rpg]

LEOSHA standard aren't difficult but have improved standards for LEOs of all ages: if you're on duty, you should do as well as the old guys who aren't.

I remember the first LEO I rode with in the early '80s: the hammer on his M10 was broken because he dropped it.

Didn't care to fix it since he didn't have to shoot to keep his job.

He taught me a lot about radar guns.

In the middle 80's, his department began requiring monthly weapons inspections and practice at the department range.

He fixed his revolver and shot it for the first time in many years.

Very nice guy: went on to get his Law degre.

When standards are imposed, they raise performance in unexpected ways.

 

[S&W ucla]

It hasn't been that long ago that LEOSA (2004?) took effect. Seemed like a no brainer to me, maybe that's why it took so long, "no brainers" running the show. Used to think the constitution had it covered, but in the current environment, I guess we're lucky it hasn't been repealed by executive order. Did the LEOSA qualification use the QIT or OFT? (old fart target B-27?) Those pistolas should keep you covered just fine!

 

[Arik]

So does this mean you can only carry those two? Or carry the two out of state?

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Big Cholla]

My Clark County METRO LEOSA Qualification card says; "Any Revolver, Any Pistol". I think that sort of covers the necessary qualifications. ........

 

[charlie sherrill]

We did ours last March and will do it again next March. The only thing asked about the weapon was whether it was a revolver or semi auto. Only one guy had to shoot twice, but he couldn't shoot when he was active anyway. I had no trouble with a S&W M&P 9 even though I found six extra holes in my target. (from the guy who had to shoot twice) One of the best shooters was a 75 year old woman who used to work with my wife and she was shooting a Glock 22. Stay away from her door. After the qual we all went downtown to the police station and got qualification ID cards with the statutes printed on them in case you ran into someone who didn't know about 218. It was an enjoyable experience and I look forward to next March.

 

[Jhawk412]

Type of weapon

A lot of PD range people will tell you that you can only carry the guns that you qualify with. That's not true. The law says you must qualify annually with the same TYPE of weapon you are carrying. That's been interpreted two ways: 1. revolver or semi-auto, or 2. handgun or long-gun. I always qualify with a revolver and a semi-auto every year and carry what I want. I live in Kansas which is a Constitutional Carry state now (any non-felon that can legally own a handgun can carry it concealed.) But I travel frequently to D.C. where my brother and one daughter live and Kalifornia where another daughter lives. Check out Helping to train those who protect and serve | Sheepdog Academy The Sheepdog academy. He has some excellent training materials and makes me confident in carrying in those anti-2A states.

 

[les.b]

Sigp220.45:

I am so happy this evening that I hope you won't mind me reviving your thread!!

I just cleaned the guns that I shot at today's LEOSA qualification. My old department has almost finished work on a new range, and it is nicer than we ever had when I was still on the job. Of course, I know most of the range people, and that made me more than welcome.

The course was fairly short, 25 rounds, from the 3, 5, 7, 12, 15, and 25 yard lines. Different times, strong and weak hand shooting,Malone with two hand shooting, and involved tactical reloads. Each stage timed, of course. It was set up so that it could be fired either with a semi or a revolver. Very nice, challenging little exercise.

I first shot with my old issue gun, the Glock 23, that was presented to me when I retired (long enough ago that the tritium in the sights is dead). I was happy to shoot a 96% (80% is passing). I had not thought about shooting another gun, but the guys said you can shoot as many as you want.

Anyway, I just happened to have my Smith and Wesson 640-1 Pro Series in the Jeep, and although I didn't have a box of .357, I did have a full box of .38 spl 158 gr RNL. Not what I would have chosen, if I had been thinking it over, but they worked!!

I was very pleased with the results. I shot better with the snub than with the Glock. 100% with the snubby. I'll admit that a couple rounds were close to the lines, but all were in!!

Anyway, even though I've always interpreted the statute to allow carry of either a semi or revolver as long as you qualify with either, it looks like I'm covered for both. They do not record the make and serial numbers, just semi or revolver, or both.

As I said on another thread, I'm a belt and suspenders guy, I have LEOSA, a WV permit, a FL permit, and here in WV we have "constitutional carry", so here at home I'm covered 4 ways.

Had a really great day today, and got to interact with some of my former colleagues, and even the weather cooperated... Temperatures in the mid 70s, and light breeze. Very enjoyable afternoon, and well worth the time spent.

Oh, yeah....here's a tip if you're an old shooter like me...make sure that you have electronic ear muffs, and do like I did earlier today and put in new batteries!!! Today I could actually hear the range commands and buzzers etc., which are problematical with regular ear protection!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[WuzzFuzz]

Oh, yeah....here's a tip if you're an old shooter like me...make sure that you have electronic ear muffs, and do like I did earlier today and put in new batteries!!! Today I could actually hear the range commands and buzzers etc., which are problematical with regular ear protection!!

Best Regards, Les

Les,

I used the issue muffs for my qualification in April..No matter, I can't hear that good with them or with out..BUT..the range officer didn't use a maga-phone, so I couldn't hear what he was saying, so I had him use hand signals..I would turn to I could see him, and he would signal..two left...one right...Then it would go two right one left...reload...I used my Smith 65-3 using .38 round nose..couldn't find any wad cutters.

.



We shot the full course..50..so I had several speed loaders in a pouch ready to go...

Our Id does not specify which type of gun we will be allowed to carry.

P.S..only two others shot revolvers..No one shot using a mouse gun.


WuzzFuzz

 

[Muss Muggins]

So does this mean you can only carry those two? Or carry the two out of state?

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

There's a huge discussion about that in LEOSA circles. The law says "of the same type . . ." That's why many choose to shoot a revolver and a semiauto if they can. The place I qualify at only allows one pistol, so I shoot a semiauto. The certificate they issue doesn't identify the pistol by type, make or model, but you do have to record it separately for department records.

 

[eb07]

That is a beautiful det spec!

 

[les.b]

I don't have my new qualification card yet, but looking at last years, it does not specify whether revolver or semiauto. I'll probably get my new card next week. Has a photo on front, and legalese, plus identification information, the federal code for LEOSA, and the date of qualification. We are issued our retiree ID cards by the state DMV, as are many of the Police Agencies around the state. They have the ID info coded into a bar code and magnetic strip on the back. We carry both of these cards....those still on active duty just carry the state issued ID card.

And yes, I agree with eb07, that is a beautiful old Detective Special!!!

Best Regards, Les