Training for CHL questions

[pfgrone]

The Princess and I plan on taking the CHL course but I have a couple of questions that might help us in getting ready.

1. When taking the range test, what happens when a semi has a fail to feed? Do you just lose those shots that haven't been fired when you time out because you were clearing your weapon?

2. I'm a bit concerned about the Princess being able to do double taps, etc. on a timed basis since she has been shooting about 5 months and does ok on slow shooting but gets more erratic when she tries to speed up her shots. Is this typically a problem on the test for relatively new shooters? Should she spend a lot of extra time practicing on this beforehand or just go ahead and take the test?

Thanks and any other preparation tips will be appreciated, Paul G.

[bauerdj]

Take a look at the times on the DPS website - she should have plenty of time without rushing it. Have her fire the prescibed course before taking the class but do not tell her it is timed, I think you will find she will still meets the time requirements as they are not all that tight.

[gigag04]

+1 on easy shooting test.

Absolute worst case, you could take over a full second for each shot. That should be plent of time to exhale, re-align sight picture, inhale and shoot.

Something that may be of help is to take a CHL prep course. I know that my local range here in College Station offers them. It is like a practice run at the test, with the turns and the intervals and everything.

Might help you get familiar with the format of the test if y'all are just used to range shooting.


-nick

[BlakeTyner]

Question 1: When I shot, there was a fellow who had several FTFs. He was allowed to correct the problem and shoot while the rest of us waited for him to catch up. I suppose it depends on the instructor and size of the class, but it shouldn't be a problem. Another fellow had a trashy pistol and we loaned him a better one; he was allowed to shoot a mag through it to get used to it.

Question 2: The shots being timed makes a lot of people worry for nothing. You have all the time in the world, really. Shot, recover from recoil, aim again, shoot. There's no need to hurry, I assure you.

[John]

+ 1 on the lots of time. They aren't really double taps, You've got two seconds for two shots. From what i've seen some take more than two seconds too and you almost always hear a shot that is a second or so late. As to misfires and jams... either pull the trigger again, if you have a double action gun, or annouce that you need to clear a jam. The range master might even come over and clear it for you. He'll either let you take the shot again or call it a miss but you don't have to get 100% to pass. What i find that irritates them the most is when someone doesn't know how to operation their own gun.

[flintknapper]

There is more than enough time for good aimed shots. There are NO "double taps" or even "controlled pairs". There are times when you will fire two rounds consecutively, (also five)....but the time allowed is very generous and never requires a "double tap".

If you have a jam, simply stop shooting, put your firearm at "low ready" (pointed toward the ground at a 45 deg. angle down range) with your finger off the trigger. When the others stop shooting...inform the instructor of the situation... and he/she should allow you to correct the condition and continue.

The biggest problem instructors have is: People not listening/understanding what they have explained as the course of fire.

Example: The instructor tells the class to load five rounds only, then explains that they will take five shots ONE AT A TIME, and will be allowed 2 seconds per shot. Invariably, someone will shoot all five rounds "one after another".

If you listen carefully to the instruction, relax, see your front sight, then you'll do just fine.

Instructors are looking for a certain level of proficiency (gun handling, safety, and finally accuracy). But, if you think about it...they are not really able to judge how many hits you had unless every bullet strikes in a different spot. Typically, you will have a "fist sized" hole in the target as a result of the 3 and 7 yard shooting. This is an indicator that the shooter placed most of his/her shots in that area. There is no way of counting them!

No need to be nervous, you guys will do fine!

[nitrogen]

I'd check on the FTF issue. I just took my range test yesterday, and a poor fellow had an FTF and was NOT allowed to catch up; he just lost those shots, and ended up failing.

I don't know if my range did it wrong or not.

[RPBrown]

Nitrogen,
Where did you take your test. We had a lady with FTF and she was allowed to catch up.

[TxFire]

My range portion was excellent. We had a couple of persons w/ FTF's. Two guys w/ me had some. They allowed/helped them correct the issue and then they finished that string while the rest waited.
On the time issue, NO PROBLEM. You are given plenty of time for each string.
My biggest issue is person's not knowing how to operate the gun they brought. I am no gun guru, but I am familiar w/ my gun and how to resolve common problems.

[Texasdoc]

I was with my wife when she took the range part of her class and there was a few FTF and a few FTE and the instuctor helped adn they where able to finish and one lady had to change guns as her's had a major proble and while they where in class taking the test I found her problem ,it was a broken firing pin and after changing it out with a spare one I carry in my range bag she was able to test with her first gun and did a great job.

so I guess its up the the instuctor as to how he runs his range .



300shooter

[txinvestigator]

As an instructor I am allowed to handle malfunctions as I see fit.

If the student has a malfunction and can clear it and continue in the time alloted, then they can. If they cannot, then when that phase is finished I will clear the weapon for them, but they lose any unfired rounds from that phase.

Here is how I run my range:

We enter and hang targets, no weapons out yet. Once all targets are hung and moved to the three yard line, we remove guns (on the firing line only) and remove and unload magazines, lock slides back and step out of the shooting booth (we are an indoor range) Revolvers unload and leave the cylinders open.

At that time I inspect weapons for safety and function, and compare ammo caliber to the gun. (you'd be surprised)

I then have them load 5 rounds in the magazine/cylinder and make the weapon hot. I then announce the first phase of fire, which is 1 round on each command in 2 seconds.

I then have them assume a 2 handed shooter's grip in the low ready or position 3. I do this to check for safe grips. I have found people doing crazythings that make their grip unsafe for them.

I then begin that phase.

The second phase is to load 6 rounds, and fire 2 rounds on each command.

Third phase is load 4 rounds, and fire 2 on each command.

After that each phase is 5 rounds, so the most potential point loss is 30 if the gun fails to fire on the 1st round of phase 2.

As per DPS guidlines, if this causes them to fail they are allowed 2 more attempts.

If anyone wants the entire course of fire I can post it.

[Crossfire]

People seem to worry more about the shooting proficiency test than any other part of the class. I have never had anyone to fail the test, but then I am not as much of a hard@$$ as some others. Really, the course of fire is incredibly easy, you only have to score 70%, the new target is allowing people to get even better scores, and you have 3 chances to take the test if you aren't successful the first time. What is there to worry about?

Oh yeah, misfeeds and jams. It is pretty much up to the discretion of the instructor as to how that is handled. My policy is that if you have a single FTF, then we clear it and go on. If you have multiple problems, then either you don't have enough experience with your firearm or you are having mechanical problems that need to be fixed. So, either you rent a gun from the range or you get to pay for a private "learn to shoot" class and shoot another day. There is nothing that says you have to qualify the same day.

But, if you are really worried about FTF then "throw away that nickel plated sissy pistol and get yourself a Glock!"

[flintknapper]

I'd check on the FTF issue. I just took my range test yesterday, and a poor fellow had an FTF and was NOT allowed to catch up; he just lost those shots, and ended up failing.

I don't know if my range did it wrong or not.

Your range did it within the confines of what they are allowed. As previously mentioned, it is at the discretion of the Instructor to allow or disallow any following shots. If the "failure" (to feed, eject, fire) does not pose a safety hazard to the shooter or others, AND can be easily remedied, then IMO the instructor should correct it and allow them to continue. That is a whole 'nother subject though.

Some instructors draw a hard line and will not allow it. That is certainly their prerogative.

[flintknapper]

As an instructor I am allowed to handle malfunctions as I see fit.

If the student has a malfunction and can clear it and continue in the time alloted, then they can. If they cannot, then when that phase is finished I will clear the weapon for them, but they lose any unfired rounds from that phase.
.

I hope you won't take offense to a "non-instructor" making a suggestion.

It might be best if shooters are not allowed to clear malfunctions themselves. Unless you know for certain that each person there is competent to resolve the problem.... then I submit, it could pose a safety hazard.

Thankfully, most people who are not experienced, will simply stop and stare at the weapon anyway. But as you know, it can be a challenge just to keep all muzzles pointed down range, let alone have someone try to clear their weapon "in a hurry".

Just some food for thought, not trying to tell you how to run your range.


Flint.

[pfgrone]

Thanks for all the feedback. Really appreciate it. Paul G.