reerc
Member
Pardon my ignorance, but when our LEO friends talk about "qualifying", just exactly what does that entail?
Thanks for the edumucation.
Thanks for the edumucation.
What does "qualify" mean?
- Thread starter reerc
- Start date
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Swissman
Member
it means..
...drinking a coffe and eating a donut at the same time, without any traces on the uniform or the seats, while driving the police car back to the police-station from next gun-shop.
(now i did it again)
Swissman
...drinking a coffe and eating a donut at the same time, without any traces on the uniform or the seats, while driving the police car back to the police-station from next gun-shop.
(now i did it again)
Swissman
arizona98tj
US Veteran
Simply put, in order for an LEO to use a specific weapon on duty, they must shoot a qualification test (usually on an annual basis) and obtain a minimum score. If they don't, they are not allowed to use it on duty. This most likely varies from department to department but here in AZ, that is how it affects a friend of mine.
OP
reerc
Member
I think I got the gist of having to "qualify" with a weapon in order to carry it on duty, but what does the "qualification test" consist of? Is it just putting holes in paper, or is it a timed test with reloads?
deralte
US Veteran
Some qualification tests require firing at targets from numerous positions such as kneeling, barricade and on the move. It all depends on the department and the state. Many small departments have nothing more than shooting paper once a year - or less.
mstuhr
Member
it means..
...drinking a coffe and eating a donut at the same time, without any traces on the uniform or the seats, while driving the police car back to the police-station from next gun-shop.
(now i did it again)
Swissman
Howdy Swissman,
You are going to mess around and get a ticket.
I know too, a person can be beat with sticks and get a ticket for being "Cute"
Thanks for the laugh.
Mike
sigp220.45
US Veteran
Qualifications vary from department to department. I have to qualify with my main carry gun four times a year, less often with my backup gun, M4, MP5/10, and 870.
The basic pistol qualification course is shot at the 25, 15, 7, and 5 yard lines, both two handed and strong and weak handed, in various positions, under time constraints. Passing score is 80 percent. If you don't make it, you're not qualified to carry a gun.
The basic pistol qualification course is shot at the 25, 15, 7, and 5 yard lines, both two handed and strong and weak handed, in various positions, under time constraints. Passing score is 80 percent. If you don't make it, you're not qualified to carry a gun.
Times change,,we shot 15, 25 and 50yrds... Plain clothes folks w/2" revolvers only shot back to 25yds.
DA only at 15, DA & SA @ 25, SA only @ 50.
Barricade L&R at 25.
Saw a few 38cal BIC qualifications in the upper ranks, but you kept your mouth shut. Some didn't even show up and surprisingly wore 'revolver master' qualifying badges on their uniforms.
Qualifying was 80% IIRC,,may have even been 75%! Twice a year show.
This was early 70's.
DA only at 15, DA & SA @ 25, SA only @ 50.
Barricade L&R at 25.
Saw a few 38cal BIC qualifications in the upper ranks, but you kept your mouth shut. Some didn't even show up and surprisingly wore 'revolver master' qualifying badges on their uniforms.
Qualifying was 80% IIRC,,may have even been 75%! Twice a year show.
This was early 70's.
OP
reerc
Member
good answers, thanks for the info, guys!
Faulkner
Member
My department also requires us to pass a qualification course four times a year with your primary duty weapon similar to that above, only one of them has to be a night qualification after dark.
Qualifications once a year with our BUG and approved off duty weapon, patrol rifle/carbine, and shotgun.
Aside from firearms qualifications, we also shoot tactical training courses at least once a year. These entail more running, jumping, multiple targets, and the use of baracades, cover, and concealment. We also do building search training annually which includes the use of dedicated simunition weapons (sim Glocks, M4's, and MP5's).
We're a small sheriff's department, but the leadership believes in investing in training.
MKT
Member
We qual four times a year with out duty gun ( no back-up guns permitted...and I work for the gov't Sig220 does, just a different agency). I also qual four times per year with any long arms I might opt to carry, so for me that includes the 870 12 ga, M-4 with happy switch and the UMP 40, also with a happy switch.
deadin
US Veteran
It means that they get to take the bullet out of their shirt pocket and put it in the gun.
Right, Barney??
(Sorry, I couldn't resist.
)
Right, Barney??
(Sorry, I couldn't resist.
)
jag312
Member
Part of my qualifying is sitting in a class room and hearing the rules for firearms usage; when you can shoot and when you can't. Next is presenting our firearms and holsters to the range master for inspection. The holsters need to be in good condition and the firearms better be clean with all safeties functional. Only then do we go to the firing line. I remember when someone presented his firearm for inspection where he had removed the magazine safety. The range master was not amused and sent him home as failing to qualify.
As has been stated by others it means demonstrating competency with the sidearm, long gun, or any firearm you carry in the line of duty, usually more than one time per year. For weapons carried in an off duty status competency is usually (depending on the agency) demonstrated on an annual basis.
For my agency we are allowed to qualify with more than one off duty sidearm.
Some agencies are more restrictive.
At one point I was qualified with a total of eight (8) different firearms. I do not qaulify with so many off duty weapons as I once did.
For my agency we are allowed to qualify with more than one off duty sidearm.
Some agencies are more restrictive.
At one point I was qualified with a total of eight (8) different firearms. I do not qaulify with so many off duty weapons as I once did.
TheGreatGonzo
US Veteran
For my agency (federal), we are required to qualify quarterly on every weapon we are issued (to include primary handgun; back-up/secondary handgun; rifle/shotgun) and any approved personally owned firearms carried on duty.
Gonzo
Gonzo
When working, quarterly quals. 3, 7, 15, and 25 yard lines with duty weapon and off-duty gun,if used. Shooting was both strong and weak single-handed; two hands, strong and weak barricade, and kneeling. All courses of fire were timed with facing targets and both night and day firing was scheduled.
I forget the distance number of rounds with shotgun (870) but it included removal from rack inside car, chamber round, fire 4, then a tactical reload.
What I found particularly "good" was that reloads were NEVER directed. Shooters had to figure that out personally. Yep, there were some embarrassed shooters from time to time.
Those who couldn't qualify were assigned to the sick, lame, and lazy squad w/o a gun and that excluded off duty carry, too.
Folks assigned rifles and specialized weapons qualified with those, also.
Be safe.
I forget the distance number of rounds with shotgun (870) but it included removal from rack inside car, chamber round, fire 4, then a tactical reload.
What I found particularly "good" was that reloads were NEVER directed. Shooters had to figure that out personally. Yep, there were some embarrassed shooters from time to time.
Those who couldn't qualify were assigned to the sick, lame, and lazy squad w/o a gun and that excluded off duty carry, too.
Folks assigned rifles and specialized weapons qualified with those, also.
Be safe.
In order to pass, we had to pass the qualification course of fire, and also a written examination. The timed qualification course of fire required 60 rounds fired at a standard IPSC target. The course included shooting at various distances up to 25 yards: (1) with the weak hand; (2) with the strong hand; (3) with both hands; (4) drawing and shooting from the holster; (5) shooting to slide-lock; reloading and shooting to slide-lock; (6) shooting from the cover crouch, high kneeling and low kneeling positions; and (7) shooting from the Weaver, Chapman and Isosceles stances.
smith revolver cop
Member
it means..
...drinking a coffe and eating a donut at the same time, without any traces on the uniform or the seats, while driving the police car back to the police-station from next gun-shop.
(now i did it again)
Swissman
Ever seen a giraffe drink? They spread their front legs really wide, then bend way forward. That's how you have to eat a powdered sugar donut while in uniform!
