Drawing From a HolsterDuring CHL Qualification

[dnavaille]

Did your CHL instructor teach how to draw from a holster and require you to draw from the holster during the shooting qualification?

[cbunt1]

Mine didn't.

It's not specifically required as part of the qualification, and most ranges don't allow draw-from-holster anyway.

Frankly, I'd be surprised if it's allowed as part of the qualification...the process is quite specific.

One of our many instructors will chime in here shortly.

And Welcome to the Forum. I think there's more knowledge (and wisdom) here than any other single spot on the web.

[Smallestbodyman]

No, it's just a shooting test not a test of acually pulling and using. It's just a 50 round test that you have to score 70% on, from three different distances. It's a basic follow instructions and can u hit the mark test.

[cougartex]

No one even had a holster in my class.

[OldCannon]

Did your instructor teach how to draw from a holster and require you to draw from the holster during the shooting qualification?

There are so many ways to draw _properly_ from different positions and types of cover that there can't be a "one size fits all". To do something like this, and the number of mechanical steps that people really SHOULD go through to condition themselves to draw properly, would take many more hours of instruction. While I _wish_ that more people took such training, I don't see the extension of a CHL class to cover this as very practical. I've seen some of these students...it would easily tack on at least another 10 hours of instruction at the least. Frankly, if there was drawing involved, I'd want to make sure that people qualify individually, instead of on a line like the often do. I don't want to be the guy next to the idjit that can't remember to keep his finger out of the trigger guard as he plays Quick Draw MgGraw.

If you want to learn how to draw, take a class from Front Sights or Insight Training, or start learning how to shoot in IDPA matches. All those folks will train you so that you don't blow your toes off when you draw.

[RoyGBiv]

In NC, drawing to fire was required for the (timed) test. Although drawing from concealment was not.
In TX, nobody in my class owned a holster except me and the instructor.

[MoJo]

The firearms portion of the Instructor's test was all from low ready. We were told to leave our holsters in our vehicles.

[The Annoyed Man]

With the percentage of noob shooters in any given CHL class, I can't imagine a better way to make the qualification portion unsafe.

[Keith B]

With the percentage of noob shooters in any given CHL class, I can't imagine a better way to make the qualification portion unsafe.

, but not only noob's, but those that may have been shooting for years. Due to the fact that many ranges will not allow draw from holster many shooters never get a chance to practice live fire DFH. Trying to do that in a timed test where the shooters are nervous about passing is just asking for a ND.

[MoJo]

Yessir, you are very correct on that observation. From the presentations I have seen done by IDPA noobs; I cringe at the thought of having up to 10 novices drawing at the same time. I'd have to have EMS on the range to patch up all the holes in the students.

[thr_wedge]

No drawing from holster in the CHL class, all from low ready.

[MasterOfNone]

As stated, the instructor test conducted by DPS does not require a draw. We shot from our own preferred ready. But it was not even required to be low ready. Some started at a compact ready, and some even got on target before the time began - the staff had no issue with that.
While it is expected that some instructors will have different views on what SHOULD be required, it is not our place to change the nature of the test to suit our personal views. No drawing, no timed mag changes, no combat roll to a kneeling position.

[jamisjockey]

The firearms portion of the Instructor's test was all from low ready. We were told to leave our holsters in our vehicles.

Yuck. We were allowed holsters, but fired from low ready. I liked having a place for my firearm between strings of fire. I also think I holstered my loaded firearm once or twice while waiting on those with only one magazine to load up for the next string (I brought like 6 mags, and borrowed one 10 rounder from Mr. Cotton for the longer string of fire )

[wally775]

I do not disagree with anyone’s statement.
I do think the OP was talking about the CHL course and not the
Instructor course at DPS.

On the line with live rounds Safety is absolutely always first and foremost.
You as a seasoned shooter may see it as being slow or
just slowing down the qualification. If you are new to medium range student you can see it as a stressful rate of speed.
As an instructor it is up to us to decide how the qualification is conducted.
Range rules, number of students, and student experience all can influence this
decision. All conditions being the same, I try to keep the qualification the same each time. This way I control where each student is in the process.
If I allow only one magazine on the line then I don’t have to wonder what is in one student’s weapon as opposed to what is in another student’s magazine or revolver.
This way I control where each student is in the process.

I like to run qualifying as close to DPS as possible. The reason you leave the holster
in the car is they have Blue plastic barrels you put the handgun on after every series
and they can see plainly from a distance if a weapon is fully out of battery
with a quick scan. Of course they will have up to fifty people on the firing line at one time. You may not have access to barrels or a place to lay the weapon when that course of fire is over. In that case a holster comes in handy. Remember that you want all weapons cleared if the student is moving from 3 to 7, 15 yards. If you are moving the target 3 to 7, 15 yards it is easier.

Sorry this post got so long.
I do think holsters, draw and carry options should be discussed in the classroom but have
no place on the range
My point is Instructor type qualification is different than student. The same qualification and still different.
It is “mostly” up to the instructor, with safety in mind, to determine exactly how to run the qualification for his class. With safety in mind and following DPS guidelines I would agree on whatever actual method the Instructor used.

IMHO

[Grog]

In NC, drawing to fire was required for the (timed) test. Although drawing from concealment was not.
In TX, nobody in my class owned a holster except me and the instructor.

My NC class didn't have to draw, although I had a holster to keep my gun in anyway.


From my research, TX does not even require armed security training courses to draw from a holster