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Took An NRA Basic Pistol Course Today... Lots of fun!

post #1 of 27
9/25/10 at 10:45pm
Thread Starter 
I did about 3 hours of one on one classroom training (at a local Borders) and then did some shooting at the range.

Got to shoot a single action .22, semi auto target shooting .22, 9 mil. beretta, .347 magnum (started with .38 ammo then .347 ammo), and a very small .38 (I think). Not sure exactly what it was but it had a double barrel with no trigger guard and it had a lot of kick! It was so small it fit in the front pocket.

It was a lot of fun. I wasn't sure what to expect but I had a good time. I didn't shoot myself or anyone else in the foot either.

My instructor had Wrangler jeans, a large woven leather belt with studs on it and a large round silver belt buckle, a t shirt with rolled up sleeves with a picture of a bullet on it saying the the "first round was on him" and cowboy boots with chains on them.

I didn't tell them that I post on a website about clothing.
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post #2 of 27
9/25/10 at 10:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tck13 View Post

I didn't tell them that I post on a website about clothing.

.....I'm glad you made the right decision.

In all seriousness, I'm glad you enjoyed the training event.
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post #3 of 27
9/26/10 at 4:22am
Last one was a derringer. Probably a Bond Arms, as I don't think North American Arms (maker of crappy derringers) even does centerfire derringers anymore.

One of my favorite guns is a Bond Arms that I put a .22 barrel on.
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post #4 of 27
9/26/10 at 3:16pm
Thinking about getting a concealed carry license?
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post #5 of 27
9/26/10 at 5:01pm
".347 Magnum"? I presume you meant .357 Magnum although of late a .327 Magnum has been introduced, so you could mean that also.

Pistol shooting can be a lot of fun, and acquiring handguns can be more addictive even than shoes and other items of apparel!

Milosz, as far as I know--and I've enjoyed a close relationship with North American Arms for many years--they have never made a true derringer. They make mini-revolvers in various configurations, small vest pocket autos, and at one time they made huge, ultra-powerful single-action revolvers. No derringers, however. They make very high-quality firearms in my experience.

Could you mean American Derringer Corp.? I have no experience with their guns, but I believe they are well made. Or could you mean Davis Industries that made huge numbers of cheap derringers. Pot metal they were (mostly) but they always worked in my experience.
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post #6 of 27
9/27/10 at 1:30am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xiaogou View Post
Thinking about getting a concealed carry license?

I already have one, I just don't have a gun. Not sure what to get really as there are so many choices.

Quote:
Originally Posted by JLibourel View Post
".347 Magnum"? I presume you meant .357 Magnum although of late a .327 Magnum has been introduced, so you could mean that also.

Oops, yes that's what I meant.

Strange though... The recoil was stronger on the larger .357 but I felt like I had the most trouble with the 9 mil. It wasn't so much of a kickback but it was just weird the way the gun recoiled after it was shot. Just because of the different action I guess.
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post #7 of 27
9/27/10 at 1:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tck13 View Post
Strange though... The recoil was stronger on the larger .357 but I felt like I had the most trouble with the 9 mil. It wasn't so much of a kickback but it was just weird the way the gun recoiled after it was shot. Just because of the different action I guess.
Could have been the actual gun on the 9mm. I can't get comfortable with a Glock no matter what I do. Its the way they shaped the grip and trigger that just doesn't fit in my hand. Springfield seems to be perfect for me.
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post #8 of 27
9/27/10 at 2:52am
For carrying I know a lot of cop buddies like a 40 S&W. It's kind of a compromise between a 9mm and a 45 ACP. I have a Kimber 1911 and a beretta m9.

The experts will tell you that it's all about shot placement. Listen to them. Assuming you will be carrying the gun in case SHTF a 9mm will have less recoil and let you get back on target quicker. The ammo is cheaper and it doesn't punish you as much.

That being said, my 1911 is one sweet piece of metal. I swear I get it out just to look at it and feel it in my hand. It shoots smooth too! It's pretty heavy to the recoil is reduced, it fits in my hand better than my m9 does actually, so I stay pretty steady with it. I still have the factory metal sights on it, but I will be getting new ones soon.

My next pistol will be a 40 S&W. Not sure what brand. I'm thinking of getting an XD. I'll have to try one first to see how it fits in my hand though.
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post #9 of 27
9/27/10 at 12:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tck13 View Post
I didn't tell them that I post on a website about clothing.

Actually, someone really does need to collect some of the experience and wisdom out there regarding concealed carry and clothing. As much as I like Ayoob his size-up by 2 approach (and wearing those awful 'concealed carry vests') leaves something to be desired from those of us who like to dress well while carrying.
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post #10 of 27
9/27/10 at 1:47pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinW View Post
Actually, someone really does need to collect some of the experience and wisdom out there regarding concealed carry and clothing. As much as I like Ayoob his size-up by 2 approach (and wearing those awful 'concealed carry vests') leaves something to be desired from those of us who like to dress well while carrying.

I asked the instructor about this and he really didn't think it was much of a problem. But, then again, I described in the original post how he dressed...
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post #11 of 27
9/27/10 at 2:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tck13 View Post
I asked the instructor about this and he really didn't think it was much of a problem. But, then again, I described in the original post how he dressed...

A lot depends on where you carry, what you carry and what you wear - obviously. But if you are a slim guy who wears tailored clothing and wants to have more than a pocket .25 it can be a challenge.

These days I am pretty much inside the waistband all the time. I have had suit jackets and pants altered for concealed carry and on a pair of jeans I had the pocket altered to accommodate a pocket holster.
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post #12 of 27
9/27/10 at 7:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinW View Post
Actually, someone really does need to collect some of the experience and wisdom out there regarding concealed carry and clothing. As much as I like Ayoob his size-up by 2 approach (and wearing those awful 'concealed carry vests') leaves something to be desired from those of us who like to dress well while carrying.

Have you ever met Mas in person? I like Mas very much. Much of what he says is sound good sense, but he is one of the last people from whom I would take sartorial counsel of any kind.

I have come to the conclusion that you really cannot conceal a formidable, first-line fighting handgun well and still be elegantly attired.

For concealment with elegance, the best bet, in my opinion, would be a smallish handgun in a side pocket holster. One of the smallest 9mm autos like my Para Carry 9 or a Glock 26 would be around the upper limit.

I find inside the waistband carry quite uncomfortable with anything except a very small, slim handgun.
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post #13 of 27
9/27/10 at 11:09pm
I have not met the man in person, but I have followed his work (mostly from Aus) for a long time. Who else spends so much time researching and testing the best manual of arms for a handgun when using a public bathroom??

I tried a pocket holster for a Kel-Tec P3AT and a J Frame. The former was too bulky and the later just not acceptable as a primary weapon.

I like IWB for a medium size auto (like my Browning BDA) - but the waist has to be 2 sizes bigger and the hips and thighs normal. I've even thought about having bespoke jeans made for IWB without baggy hips and thighs.

I've only experimented with cheap shoulder and ankle holsters - but they just didn't work for me. SOB looks good for concealment, but uncomfortable - not that I have tried it.

Sometimes I think a slimmer, tailored fit makes people just assume you aren't concealing anything - so they discount what they really shouldn't miss.

Have you had many clothes tailored for concealed carry, Jan? I always enjoy learning from your experience!
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post #14 of 27
9/28/10 at 11:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinW View Post
Have you had many clothes tailored for concealed carry, Jan? I always enjoy learning from your experience!

Haven't had any so tailored. You've got to remember that in my neck of the woods it's all but impossible to get a concealed-carry permit, and I just don't want to take the risk of getting busted by some observant cop.
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post #15 of 27
9/29/10 at 10:30am
Well done on getting some basic instruction starting out. You'll be a safer and more proficient handgunner having been well taught the basics.

Regarding concealed carry; holstered pocket carry of a J frame revolver or small single stack automatic like a Keltec or Kahr can be comfortably accomplished in just about anything more substantial than a Speedo for most guys. Personally I've found carrying IWB just behind my hip to have minimal affect on my wardrobe with anything from my SP-101 to a Combat Commander or Hi Power but everyone has their own preferences.

ETA - get good quality gun leather if you decide to try IWB/OWB carry, it makes a world of difference.
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