Questions about instructor certification

[A-R]

OK, so I just dropped off my packet (finger prints, affidavits etc) at DPS Building I in Austin this morning. Hopefully will be taking the instructor training this summer.

Question on the range qualifications:

1. Are lasers allowed? I picked up a laser grip for a S&W J-frame in a trade this week and was going to sell it as it's a full-size grip and I doubt I'd ever use it for carry (I pocket carry my J-frames and prefer boot grips). But thought I might hold onto it long enough to use it for the qualifying since it is a bit more comfortable. I can easily score a 245 out of 250 (or better) on the standard DPS qualifying with my J-frame with boot grip, but figure the extra bit of grip and the laser couldn't hurt.

2. Since I'm planning to use a 5-shot revolver for qualifying, I'm wondering about the shot sequence at the 3-yard distance that involves multiple 2-shot bursts ( I think it is 2 rounds in 3 seconds 5 times). With a 5-shot revolver, I'd need to reload twice instead of just once with a 6-shot revolver. Are the shot patterns staggered to allow for this? In all my CHL qualifications (original license and two renewals) I've never seen a revolver fired during the qualifying, so I hadn't even thought of this shot sequence issue.

[Papacub]

1. Last Oct. when I renewed, there were a couple of people who had lasers on their handguns, they were instructed to not use the lasers, but they did not have to remove them.

2. They will give you time to reload with a 5 shot revolver. And if I remember correctly, you would load 4-shoot 2, shoot 2, then reload 4-shoot 2, shoot 2, then reload 2 and shoot 2. If you have a revolver with a 6-round cylinder you would load 6 then 4.

[A-R]

1. Last Oct. when I renewed, there were a couple of people who had lasers on their handguns, they were instructed to not use the lasers, but they did not have to remove them.

2. They will give you time to reload with a 5 shot revolver. And if I remember correctly, you would load 4-shoot 2, shoot 2, then reload 4-shoot 2, shoot 2, then reload 2 and shoot 2. If you have a revolver with a 6-round cylinder you would load 6 then 4.

Thanks for the info. No need to keep these laser grips then. Off to eBay they go (unless someone here wants them)

[sjfcontrol]

Austinrealtor:
I have been informed (by Crossfire) that you DON'T want to take a 5-shot revolver to the qualifications. Seems even though it's legal, they will tease you incessantly, as they have to change the load sequence for everybody, since you can't load 6 rounds at a time. Thought you'd want to know....

[KC5AV]

Interestingly, I heard someone say that they would give you a hard time for qualifying with something 'too big to carry'.

[A-R]

Thanks for the tip. But i already sold my 6-shot revolver so I think I'm locked in with my J-frame. If anyone makes fun, I'll just shoot better with my 2-inch barrel than they do with their 6-inch barrel and won't say a word

[Crossfire]

Interestingly, I heard someone say that they would give you a hard time for qualifying with something 'too big to carry'.

Oh yeah, that was the new thing this past renewal class.

Really, no matter what you bring, they will give you grief about it. Your Glock is "combat tupperware", your 1911 is only good for teaching you how to clear stoppages, your small revolver is no good for anything further than 6 feet, your large revolver is "too big to carry, so why are you qualifying with that?" Get the idea?

But honestly, the 5 shot revolver REALLY annoys them. Just be prepared.

Those DPS guys only get to have this much fun once a year. Humor them as best you can.

[sjfcontrol]

Those DPS guys only get to have this much fun once a year. Humor them as best you can.

Hmmm, would a clown costume meet their dress code? If they just need a little entertainment...

[Tha_Veteran]

Hello all,

Is a 38 special acceptable caliber?

[Crossfire]

38 SPC is acceptable.

[Griz44]

austinrealtor,

I will be in Austin that week, and you are welcome to borrow my Security Six - Six Inch if you need a revolver.
Not too big, not too small.

[A-R]

austinrealtor,

I will be in Austin that week, and you are welcome to borrow my Security Six - Six Inch if you need a revolver.
Not too big, not too small.

Thanks Griz. I might also be able to borrow a S&W 6-shot from a friend of mine in San Antonio. But I'll look you up for sure that week.

Had do you like your Security Six? I had a chance to buy a VERY USED one at GT Distributors about a month ago for about $275. It was really beat up cop trade in, really looked banged around. Action seemed fine, but I was already buying two other pistols that day (trade-in clearance day) and passed on this one.