Qualification Course

[Low Country Five-0]

Went to the range with my wife the other day so she could some practice in. Shes really getting good and building her confidence in her ability with the weapon. She wants to get her CCW but would like to be sure she can pass the shooting portion first. I think shes ready but she wants to know exactly what they are going to require before she goes in there. Does anyone know what the qualification portion of the class consists of?

Also are there any places in the area that people recommend for taking the class? I do NOT patronize ATP. I was thinking about signing her for the D&R class since they do everything for you. It seems pretty convenient and they are a forum sponsor. Anyone out there been through their class yet?

I'd like for her to do it soon but I also don't want to push her if she doesn't feel quite ready yet. I just like the idea of always having someone covering my six should something happen when we are out and about.

 

[oceancoursecaddy]

I cant exactly tell you the distances that are required for the cwp test. But you have to get 35 of 50 shots in the black on a shilloute target. Most of the shots are from close range, 7feet to 21 feet. There are some longer shots like 20 yards but I cant exactly remember the distances. As long as you take your time on the close shots passing the test is no problem.

As far as where to take the test, I took mine at ATP and liked it. They sent everything in for me and did the fingerprinting. Quickshot in West Ashley said they were going to start offering cwp classes but im not sure if they have yet. RPM on Johns Island offers cwp classes also. Trader world offers classes. Lots of places to chose from. Im sure some others will post with their experiences of their cwp.

 

[The General]

Course of fire at 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 and 15 yards as follows:

3 yds 1 shot from the ready position; 2 shots from the ready postion; 2 shots from the ready position
1 shot from presentation (holster); 2 shots from presentation; 2 shots from presentation
5 yds 1 shot from the ready position; 2 shots from the ready postion; 2 shots from the ready position
1 shot from presentation (holster); 2 shots from presentation; 2 shots from presentation
7 yds 1 shot from the ready position; 2 shots from the ready postion; 2 shots from the ready position
1 shot from presentation (holster); 2 shots from presentation; 2 shots from presentation
10 yds 1 shot from the ready position; 2 shots from the ready postion; 2 shots from the ready position
1 shot from presentation (holster); 2 shots from presentation; 2 shots from presentation
12 yds 5 shots from presentation
15 yds 5 shots from presentation

As said, must hit the target (man sized outline) 35 of 50 times.

-Mike

 

[Low Country Five-0]

Thanks for the info. She should be able to pass that with out any trouble.

 

[armaborealis]

Thanks for the info. She should be able to pass that with out any trouble.

There are some time limits as well, I believe (I don't have the info handy, sorry). They are pretty generous but if one has never shot with any time pressure before then that could be unsettling.

 

[bilall]

Shooting requirements vary by instructor.
I would check with the instructor for specifics and practice according to what he requires.
Some are very lenient - any handgun including .22LR and up, revolver or semi-automatic. Some require centerfire only.
Some require firing from a holster and some do not.
My instructor and many others require something like the the following:
3 yards 10 shots
5 yards 10 shots
7 yards 10 shots
10 yards 10 shots
12 yards 5 shots
15 yards 5 shots
He allowed use of any handgun .22LR and up, revolver or semi-automatic.
He did not require drawing from holster, but did time the shots.
No one in the class had any trouble passing the shooting requirements.

 

[11B3XCIB]

Has your wife taken the course yet?

In the Summerville area, I recommend a guy named Dale Cox. I used him for the Utah out of state CWP which was held at Trader World.

 

[The General]

The course of fire REQUIRES firing from the ready (bench) and presentation (holster) per the SC SLED regulations.

So if an Instructor is not requiring hoster usage on the range, they are not conducing a proper, legal course....

-Mike

 

[Bdbys59]

Just came back from the SLED Instructor update class. They (SLED) are getting serious about instructors not following the proper guide lines. When qualifying at the range, the student MUST draw from his/her concealment holster. if caught, both the student and instructor face stiff penalties (fines and jail time). They have a new test (mandatory 1 Jan 13).

 

[wylie]

I would suggest that your practice mostly at this distance, 7 yards and 10 yards, and try and keep each five shots sets in 15 seconds, and use a pistol or revolver that has the longest sight radius you have, I would suggest that you (do not) use a sub compact or a snubnose revolver their sight radius is much too short and are quite difficult to shoot at longer distances for most people, I would suggest something at least the size of a Glock 19, and some instructors do allow you to use a laser you might want to find out about that, the 10 yard line is where most people have their trouble maintaining enough hits in the black to pass the test, most people do not do very well at the 15 yard line that is why the 10 yard line is so important, when I took my test five years ago six people did not pass the shooting test but the instructor did allow them to come back and just take the shooting test again when the students thought they were ready

 

[Low Country Five-0]

Thanks for the info. I think she is going to take the class after the first of the year. To much going on right now. We go through drawing drills with empty firearms at the house but all the indoor ranges I go to will not let you draw from a holster and fire. I am a firm believer in training with what you fight with. She wont be carrying a Glock 19 around so when she practices she uses the Kimber Ultra CDP 9mm she will be carrying.

 

[armaborealis]

Thanks for the info. I think she is going to take the class after the first of the year. To much going on right now. We go through drawing drills with empty firearms at the house but all the indoor ranges I go to will not let you draw from a holster and fire. I am a firm believer in training with what you fight with. She wont be carrying a Glock 19 around so when she practices she uses the Kimber Ultra CDP 9mm she will be carrying.

Methinks you are confusing "silly hoops that the state makes you jump through to limit the number of people who can exercise a natural right" with "training to win a gunfight." :?

I would suggest that she shoot whatever she feels most comfortable with. Do not risk failure which will jeopardize her safety and lead to her wasting more time/money on the minimum-standards SC SLED approved class instead of putting money/time towards a good defensive handgun class.

 

[rotarymike]

I took the course at Trader World through my continuing ed program. I think they have the lowest rate right now ($50 IIRC).

We had maybe 10 people that had never shot before, men and women both. They were loaned .38 snub revolvers - not the easiest thing in the world to shoot right out of the box. No one failed the shooting test.

If you're decent, even with the time constraints, it's easy enough to put all of your shots in the X ring. Seriously. If your wife can't hit the black of a person-shaped target at 15' every single time over 40 rounds or so, she needs to practice way more before she's ready to carry. Or she needs a pro instructor to troubleshoot what she's doing wrong. I think this applies to anyone - if you can't hit that large a target consistently when no one is shooting at you, there is something wrong that needs to be addressed.

If the indoor ranges won't let her draw from concealment and shoot - time for Boggy Head or Philson's or whatever's nearest.