The training class idiot - tell your story

[Renegade]

I have had good classes with good instructors and students. No complaints.

I am constantly amazed by the incredible misinformation on the Internet though. I would really love to know where they get some of their info. I hope they never serve on a jury, where their misinformed prejudices might affect the livelihood of an innocent person.

[brewer90]

We had a good class except for one guy. He showed up with a S&W 686 .357 with a six inch barrel. The instructor asked him why he picked a 6" revolver for concealed carry and he said it was because the .357 would punch right through the engine block of any car chasing him. He had a few other zingers during the class but that one stuck in my head.

[5111]

We didn't have anyone in our class that was annoying. Everybody pretty much just sat there quietly until it was done. At the range, however, one woman pulled out her gun and had to have the instructor show her how to load and use it. She had never fired a gun before (she still passed with a 23X).

[Dave01]

The classroom portion was fine for me. Everyone was respectful and quiet. I felt there were some good questions asked and some good discussions. However, the range portion was a different story.

The class was mostly people getting their CHL for the first time. At at the range portion we picked up two people that were there for renewal. One of them was an elderly lady. For the range portion, they had five people firing and the other 5 people loading (for semi-auto) and the we switched. I was paired up with the elderly lady. I was shooting first so I handed her the mag to load. She was very confused. The instructor came over and she said she didn't know how to load it. As it turns out she was qualifying with a revolver, so..fair enough. The instructor loaded for me and all was fine.

Then it was her turn. She grabs her revolver like it was a snake or something, obviously uncomfortable with it. She turns to the instructor and says she doesn't know how to load it. So he shows her. As she is loading it, she has a question and proceeds to point the barrel at the instructor as she is speaking with him. The cylinder was open, so he didn't say anything, but he did lightly push the barrel away from him.

So she shoots the rounds and then needs to reload. The instructor helps her again. She closes the cylinder and prepares to fire. Apparently she has another question and again points the barrel of the now "hot" revolver directly at him. This time he had a few choice words for her. When all was said and done, she passed the range portion by 1 point.

I would have thought pointing your weapon at the instructor would have been an automatic fail, but I guess not.

Dave

[txinvestigator]

I would have thought pointing your weapon at the instructor would have been an automatic fail, but I guess not.

Dave

What kind of safety briefing did the instructor give before going into the range? What did he tell you was required, how things were going to happen, and what the rules were?

[texasag93]

I have seen Master shooters and people that have never handled a firearm attending the same class. I saw a gentleman that had his skill level confused and introduced the palm of his left hand to a 9mm hollow point...really really messy on a range covered with white rock. Some might call it art This was not a CHL class.

I have made a promise to myself to remain a handgun student for the rest of my life and learn from all kinds of people if they have information to offer. There is usually more than one way to do everything!

I am fortunate enough to have an amazing CHL instructor that I trust...I realize that we do not all have that available. I just position myself at the end of a group so I can see what other people are doing and get out of the way if I see a muzzle.

I know who you're talking about.

LOL, in all fairness.....the last words he heard before his day was ruined was me saying, "You are going to shoot yourself in the hand if you keep doing that!" The last words he said were, "No, I am not!". He was wrong.

was he press safetying a 1911?

[Fosforos]

I would have thought pointing your weapon at the instructor would have been an automatic fail, but I guess not.

Dave

What kind of safety briefing did the instructor give before going into the range? What did he tell you was required, how things were going to happen, and what the rules were?

When I took the CHL class, our instructor told us before the shooting portion that if anyone pointed a gun at him, he would assume they are trying to kill him, and he would act accordingly.

[txinvestigator]

was he press safetying a 1911?

What is that?

[texasag93]

when you press the slide from the front of a 1911 style pistol you cannot fire it.

I think that I am saying that correctly.

WITH AN UNLOADED 1911, in the cocked position, press your palm firmly at the front of the barrel and slide. Then try to pull the trigger. The hammer will not fall.

So if you "safety" press a loaded 1911 and do it wrong, you shoot your palm.

I just tried it with my XD9 and the same thing.


I am not a gun smith and do not play one on TV. I did not sleep in a Holiday Inn last night.

texasag

[KinnyLee]

was he press safetying a 1911?

What is that?

I think he meant "press checking"

And no, he wasn't press checking. He didn't have a 1911 as far I remembered. I think what happened was his hand was in front of the pistol instead of on his stomach before when he drew from his holster. His trigger finger wasn't at where it's suppose to be, and bang!

[KinnyLee]

WITH AN UNLOADED 1911, in the cocked position, press your palm firmly at the front of the barrel and slide. Then try to pull the trigger. The hammer will not fall.

All weapons were inspected by the instructors on day 1. We were in a string on drawing and firing 2 sighted shots, but he shot his hand instead.

[txinvestigator]

when you press the slide from the front of a 1911 style pistol you cannot fire it.

I think that I am saying that correctly.

WITH AN UNLOADED 1911, in the cocked position, press your palm firmly at the front of the barrel and slide. Then try to pull the trigger. The hammer will not fall.

So if you "safety" press a loaded 1911 and do it wrong, you shoot your palm.

I just tried it with my XD9 and the same thing.


I am not a gun smith and do not play one on TV. I did not sleep in a Holiday Inn last night.

texasag

That is not the proper way to do that. Rule #2 is to never allow the muzzle to cover anything you re not willing to destroy.

If one wants to check that functionality first remove the magazine and inspect the chamber to be sure the weapon is empty. Then check AGAIN!. Next, point the weapon in a safe direction, that being one where if the gun were to discharge there be be no injury to any person, and minimal property damage. The you should press the slide back by gripping it from underneath, thumb on one side and fingers on the other. Grip and slide it back slightly, then press the trigger.

That said, I see no reason to do this.

[texasag93]

That was what I was doing when I was trying to do the steps I was describing.

Mag out, double check, then doing the activity. I consider myself a novice and could see how someone could make that mistake.

I would not, and do not, do this.

...that being said.....I was not the one with blood all over the rocks.

I do not dry fire my guns. I do check the safety when I pick them up because a gun is loaded until proven (twice) otherwise.

I did not mean to hyjack this thread because it is a good topic.

texasag

[zx9rt1]

I would have thought pointing your weapon at the instructor would have been an automatic fail, but I guess not.

Dave

What kind of safety briefing did the instructor give before going into the range? What did he tell you was required, how things were going to happen, and what the rules were?

When I took the CHL class, our instructor told us before the shooting portion that if anyone pointed a gun at him, he would assume they are trying to kill him, and he would act accordingly.

Was this instructor out of Ferris?

[Dave01]

What kind of safety briefing did the instructor give before going into the range? What did he tell you was required, how things were going to happen, and what the rules were?

Yeah. The range rules were clearly stated as was the coarse of fire. It was expressly stated that the barrel was to be pointed down range at all times. Many chances were given to ask any questions if anyone was unclear. I'm just not sure she undestood, or was even paying attention. Besides, anyone with even limited exposure to firearms should know this whether they were specifically told or not.

In order to pass the CHL class you need to pass both the written and range potions. I would have though that demonstrating safe and knowledgable hand gun practices would also be required though. Perhaps some instructors do. I'm not sure if an instructor is allowed to fail someone if they techincally pass the written and range portion, but this would certianly be a good reason to in my book.