1.) DParker - 03/05/2013

I took my mandatory once-every-five-years class for renewing my TX CHL this past Sunday, which included a shooting proficiency test. It was depressing how many people who have had a license to carry a concealed handgun for at least five years (some more) couldn't hit the broad side of a barn if they were standing inside the barn. Some of the targets looked like they were being used to pattern 00 buck @ 50 yards. C'mon, people. If you're going to carry that thing then practice with it a few times per year, huh?

I shocked myself and shot a lot better than I thought I was going to given that I'd just downed a 20 oz coffee on my way to the class because I forgot that the range test was going to be at the beginning of the class instead of at the end, and there's nothing like a good caffein buzz to steady your hands. :re: But, surprisingly, I came close to turning in a perfect score. Maybe I need to swallow a fist-full of NoDoze every time I go to the range.

2.) Hunter - 03/05/2013

Just because you say it don't make it so............... Let's see the target! :grin:

Seriously though..... good shooting! What piece were you using?

3.) bluecat - 03/05/2013

Wha? You just shoot up in the air to warn them like Joe said. No need to get all precise and stuff.

4.) TXHunter - 03/05/2013

it's even more scary taking your initial class in January, and watching all the folks unboxing their weapons they got for CHRISTMAS...and firing them for the first time.

some didn't know how to load the gun
others couldn't take care of common malfunctions

a couple had to had to be instructed on how properly grip the handgun...

I went in the first string and then got the heck out of the way.
License came 5 weeks later.

5.) TXHunter - 03/05/2013

The ones in the 9 and 8 ring were from 15 yards and it was Jan 3 (30ish degrees and a stout crosswind) and I was ready to go sit in the jeep and get warm.

6.) DParker - 03/05/2013

[QUOTE=Hunter;800]Just because you say it don't make it so............... Let's see the target! :grin:[/QUOTE]

No can do. All targets are destroyed by the instructors, and we aren't even given our scores. It's strictly "Pass/Fail", where a passing score is at least 175 out of a possible 250. I only know how I did because there were only two shots outside of the 9 ring on a B-27 silhouette target. I only lie about hunting...and fishing...and cooking....and maybe one or two other things. But not this. :wink

[QUOTE=Hunter;800]Seriously though..... good shooting! What piece were you using?[/QUOTE]
My S&W M&P9 full-size carry piece.

[QUOTE=TXHunter;808]it's even more scary taking your initial class in January, and watching all the folks unboxing their weapons they got for CHRISTMAS...and firing them for the first time.[/QUOTE]
Roger that. What bothered me so much was that people were almost as bad at this renewal class (and it was [I]exclusively[/I] renewals) as most were at my first class 5 years ago.

7.) TXHunter - 03/05/2013

[QUOTE=DParker;812]
Roger that. What bothered me so much was that people were almost as bad at this renewal class (and it was [I]exclusively[/I] renewals) as most were at my first class 5 years ago.[/QUOTE]

scary when they qualified 5 years ago...never shot their weapon since then...

therefore...still scary

8.) DParker - 03/05/2013

[QUOTE=TXHunter;811]The ones in the 9 and 8 ring were from 15 yards and it was Jan 3 (30ish degrees and a stout crosswind) and I was ready to go sit in the jeep and get warm.


[/QUOTE]

That's some fine COM shooting. What were you using? (And don't say, "A pistol" :p )

9.) TXHunter - 03/05/2013

S&W M&P 9mm full size
Storm Lake Barrel (threaded)

:)

10.) DParker - 03/05/2013

Oh, and the best part was that 3 different people began firing before the "fire" order not just once...but TWICE in a row. I realize that people feel pressured and their nerves can get the better of them under these conditions, but this wasn't their first rodeo...and the sequence of instructions (each repeated once, save for the "Fire!" command)...

[LIST=1]
[*]"Load [I]n[/I] rounds. Load [I]n[/I] rounds."
[*]"You will fire [I]n[/I] rounds. You will fire [I]n[/I] rounds."
[*]"Fire!"
[/LIST]
...couldn't be simpler.

[QUOTE=TXHunter;818]S&W M&P 9mm full size[/QUOTE]
You are clearly a wise man of impeccable taste.

11.) TXHunter - 03/06/2013

[QUOTE=DParker;819]Oh, and the best part was that 3 different people began firing before the "fire" order not just once...but TWICE in a row. I realize that people feel pressured and their nerves can get the better of them under these conditions, but this wasn't their first rodeo...and the sequence of instructions (each repeated once, save for the "Fire!" command)...

[LIST=1]
[*]"Load [I]n[/I] rounds. Load [I]n[/I] rounds."
[*]"You will fire [I]n[/I] rounds. You will fire [I]n[/I] rounds."
[*]"Fire!"
[/LIST]
...couldn't be simpler.


You are clearly a wise man of impeccable taste.[/QUOTE]


...and when someone is threatening them? Or shooting at them??
They get that nervous shooting for a test at a paper target?

Yikes.


Love that M&P

Quiet too with 147 gr loads and the thing that threads on to the end of said threaded barrel