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I have not shot a revolver in 15 years. I will have to either buy one or borrow one from a friend. Just curious which revolver did you use for the class?

I used a Ruger Security Six that I bought in 1978 that has been tweaked and tuned with a really smooth trigger pull. It is one of my favorites for target shooting.

I've used a Smith & Wesson Model. 27 3 1/2", Model 586, and a Model 19 4".

Chas.

Model 19 4".

Ruger GP100

I used a S&W Model 19 4".

I am sure someone you know has a revolver you could borrow. Be sure to put a box or so down range before the proficiency demo. Also, learn how it works and basic malfunctions. Had a guy next to me shooting a borrowed S&W and it was the FIRST time he had fired the gun. He was not aware that some S&W revolvers have a tendency for the extractor rod to sometimes back out and prevent opening the cylinder. Embarassing to have to get the DPS armorer to open the cylinder for you to reload. Don't be that guy, slowed down the whole relay.

Thank you everyone for your great inputs.

I did not own a revolver when I took the Instructor class in 2001. I borrowed my Brothers S&W. Two years later I was going to requal and I still did not own a revovver so I decided to buy one. I didn't want to spent a lot of money on a gun that I shoot once every two years so I went with this: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... s_id/80038" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. The price was good and it is a tack driver. I figure I have about 700 rounds through it and it is flawless.

I am actually considering purchasing a Ruger LCR 357 Magnum Revolver. From all the research I done, it seems to be a very accurate and EDC revolver. Besides, I can use it as a BUG and may be able to lend the gun to a future newbie student to shoot. Your thoughts?

You have to score 225 points as an Instructor. You might shoot a "bug" better than me but I sure would not want to use one for my Instructor requal. Make it easier on yourself. Get a "Wyatt Earp" type revolver with a 10" barrel.

While Howdy's idea is, IMHO a bit overboard, he does make a good point. A 2" barrel takes a bit more attention in aiming than does a 4" or 6" barrel, due to the shortened sight radius. While, to some folks, it's not that big of a deal, I think that if you do not regularly shoot a revolver (and if you're going to be a GOOD CHL Instructor, I think you should regularly shoot both types of handguns to be able to empathize with and be very familiar with the types of guns your students will most likely use), you do yourself a dis-service by handicapping yourself in any way.

Knowing that I was going to have to be more familiar with revolvers than I was, I found a good deal on a new Smith &Wesson 586, a 4" blue-steeled .357 which will, of course, digest .38 Specials all day and all night.

Another thought especially relevant to the CHL Instructor's course: DPS told our class that if we wanted to shoot single-action (i.e. Cocking the hammer then pulling the trigger to fire the gun -generally less movement in the gun which results in generally better shot placement) we had to wait until the rangemaster called "FIRE" before cocking the hammer, resulting in a bit slower firing than firing the gun double-action. If you're going to shoot single action, you need to practice with that in mind. I varied things up, shooting both single and double action as appropriate. That helped when I inadvertantly started with a live tound under the hammer, instead of in the first to fire position. It was a string of five shots... bANG...BANG...BANG...BANG...CLICK (uh-Oh!)...pull the trigger again...BANG... All within the 5 second time limit for the string. And I'm sure I'm not the first person that has happened to.

Anyway, back on point... The more you shoot your revolver, the better you'll be able to teach your students, IMHO, plus, you never know when you'll need to have it to let a student, or friend, borrow it for their shooting test.

n5wd wrote:While Howdy's idea is, IMHO a bit overboard, he does make a good point. A 2" barrel takes a bit more attention in aiming than does a 4" or 6" barrel, due to the shortened sight radius. While, to some folks, it's not that big of a deal, I think that if you do not regularly shoot a revolver (and if you're going to be a GOOD CHL Instructor, I think you should regularly shoot both types of handguns to be able to empathize with and be very familiar with the types of guns your students will most likely use), you do yourself a dis-service by handicapping yourself in any way.

Knowing that I was going to have to be more familiar with revolvers than I was, I found a good deal on a new Smith &Wesson 586, a 4" blue-steeled .357 which will, of course, digest .38 Specials all day and all night.

Another thought especially relevant to the CHL Instructor's course: DPS told our class that if we wanted to shoot single-action (i.e. Cocking the hammer then pulling the trigger to fire the gun -generally less movement in the gun which results in generally better shot placement) we had to wait until the rangemaster called "FIRE" before cocking the hammer, resulting in a bit slower firing than firing the gun double-action. If you're going to shoot single action, you need to practice with that in mind. I varied things up, shooting both single and double action as appropriate. That helped when I inadvertantly started with a live tound under the hammer, instead of in the first to fire position. It was a string of five shots... bANG...BANG...BANG...BANG...CLICK (uh-Oh!)...pull the trigger again...BANG... All within the 5 second time limit for the string. And I'm sure I'm not the first person that has happened to.

Anyway, back on point... The more you shoot your revolver, the better you'll be able to teach your students, IMHO, plus, you never know when you'll need to have it to let a student, or friend, borrow it for their shooting test.

Oh wow. I didn't know that. I guess you learn something new every day.

I borrowed a revolver for my first class. Since I have taken everything from a Ruger Vaquero .357 (using .38 Special ammo) to one of my S&W 500 magnums. That got a lot of attention from the RO. :) )

Smith & Wesson 686 with a 5 inch barrel. Shot 250/250. Was actually surprised as I am not a revolver guy by nature. Only shot 249/250 with my Glock 17. I expected it to go the other way.

S&W 686 with 6 in barrel. Wonderful gun. I ran the whole course in double action.