CCW Nerve

I like what Dan in GA said. As a matter of fact, I'd be that you could just whisper the word "help" and a knowledgeable shooter 50 yds. away would hear you and come running to do whatever they could. Maybe that's the instructor in me. we all love to see smiling faces at the range, not terror, so just ask!
 
The people who are really scared by guns, especially when carrying
them loaded, should start thinking about getting an USP. Safety,
decocking lever, yet one can carry it without the safety on if you
want. The only catch is these guns are quite big.
 
Familiarity breeds competency and safety. Find a good range (outdoor preferable to me) where you can safely practice administrative gun handling: unloading, reloading, chamber checks, holstering and unholstering. do it over and over. Then start to intersperse that with shooting. After you shoot awhile, holstering and drawing, unload, clear the gun, and start over. Over and over. You'll get comfortable after you do it many times, and have no accidental discharges!

Once you get the hang of it, and get used to shooting at fixed targets etc, see if you can find a local IDPA club http://www.idpa.com and go watch. Hook up with the generally friendly folks there, and start shooting IDPA. You'll have the chance to shoot under pressure, in safe environment, with trained range/safety officers. You'll be amazed at how quickly you get proficient. Good luck, and finger off the trigger!

[This message has been edited by Covert Mission (edited May 31, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Covert Mission (edited May 31, 2000).]
 
Let me add my two cents which may differ from that of others. I do not think a 1911 or a double action pistol with a decocker are good ideas for a new shooter. I think the best pistols for a new shooter to actually carry are DAO autos (other than glocks) and DA autos with a manual safety. I think a new gun carrier will find comfort and additional security from chambering a round without the hammer ever being cocked and unlocked (ie: chambering a round with the safety ON). Regardless, I think a good revolver should be everyone's primary weapon. Only when absolute confidence and proficiency is reached with a revolver should people move on to pistols - never before - IMHO. I also find that learning the internals of weapons help to instill confidence. When you understand the function and relationship of each part, the mystery of operation is removed.
 
Covert: Actually, for practicing administrative loading and unloading, you can do that safely in your home. Just buy a bunch of snap caps and use those instead of live ammo.

Jared
 
hube1236,

If I was you I would panick too and decock it! If its not a 1911 its only cocked. There is no "locked" about it. 1911s have several safeties preventing the hammer from falling.

I'm glad you asked about c&l'ed! I have a Ruger P97DC and the only time its in SA mode is when I'm aiming at the target. Otherwise its immediately decocked.

Highly recommend an NRA class and finding a range buddy. :)

Shok
 
Lots of good suggestions, above. Let me add something.

I've always called it "feel and fondle". After making sure it's unloaded, have it with you while you, for example, watch the evening news. Just cock it, release the slide or dry fire; put in or remove an empty magazine. Just keep "meddling" so you get where you can do various manipulations so you don't have to think about it. You don't have to watch your hands as you load or unload and clear the weapon...

I was in ROTC in high school. We had to learn to field strip and reassemble the M-1 and the 1911A1. Blindfolded. Identify the parts by touch, know where they went and in what sequence. Most of us got to where we could do the drill on the pistol in around one minute, sometimes less.

While in Korea, I went to a short course at NCO school. A fair number of the other guys were from Infantry outfits. In these sorts of drills with the various weapons--M-1s, Greaseguns, M2 Carbines and 1911A1s, these guys were quick!

There's a real simple reason why. Some action happens at night; sometimes stuff fouls up; turning on a flashlight can get you real dead.

FWIW, Art
 
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