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Equipt. For Handgun Class
- Thread starter Tom B
- Start date
Tom:
You'll need equipment that works and works well. You can get a Blade-tech kydex holster for not much bucks. Also some mag holders to go with it. You will also NEED a good gun belt. The typical 3/4" wide dress belt won't do the job. You can get one from many different holster makers, including Rusty Sherrick, Lou Alessi, etc.
http://www.blade-tech.com
http://www.c-rusty.com
http://www.rfholsters.com
For flashlights, spend the extra money and get a Surefire. I prefer the 6P, but some folks like the 6Z.
M1911
You'll need equipment that works and works well. You can get a Blade-tech kydex holster for not much bucks. Also some mag holders to go with it. You will also NEED a good gun belt. The typical 3/4" wide dress belt won't do the job. You can get one from many different holster makers, including Rusty Sherrick, Lou Alessi, etc.
http://www.blade-tech.com
http://www.c-rusty.com
http://www.rfholsters.com
For flashlights, spend the extra money and get a Surefire. I prefer the 6P, but some folks like the 6Z.
M1911
equipment
I second above post but prefer Ky-Tac. Find out if you are going to be doing any shooting from knees, prone, etc. If so, get some elbow and/or knee pads. Don't spring for the "Gen-u-wine Swat Commando" edition, go to Lowe's or Home Depot. You can find a pair of black ones with hard shell (rough it up or add skateboard tape on the shell if you wish) for ten bucks or so and you are set. Am I a weenie? Maybe, but I get a lot more out of classes if my knees and elbows aren't skinned and aching. Along the same line, comfortable clothing, comfort increases your attention span (see above) for any and all weather you even THINK you may face.
I second above post but prefer Ky-Tac. Find out if you are going to be doing any shooting from knees, prone, etc. If so, get some elbow and/or knee pads. Don't spring for the "Gen-u-wine Swat Commando" edition, go to Lowe's or Home Depot. You can find a pair of black ones with hard shell (rough it up or add skateboard tape on the shell if you wish) for ten bucks or so and you are set. Am I a weenie? Maybe, but I get a lot more out of classes if my knees and elbows aren't skinned and aching. Along the same line, comfortable clothing, comfort increases your attention span (see above) for any and all weather you even THINK you may face.
Double Naught Spy
New member
Thunder Ranch suggests knee and elbow pads for its week long defensive handgun course. Weenie or not, you will be a lot more comfortable later while you are having a beer than those people who didn't have them.
Think about an extra recoil spring, some oil, maybe a couple of tools relevant to a Glock.
There have been discussions on flashlights previously and you can do a search, but for the $, ~$35, you can get a good light, with batteries and a spare bulb from Botach Tactical. It is called a Scorpion and is made by Streamlight. Yes, the Sure-Fire 6P or 6Z is a little better, but costs nearly twice as much and doesn't come with an extra bulb. Both will fit nicely in your pocket and have plenty of uses outside of the class.
A good idea to have anyway, but especially handy for class may be a first aid kit. White tape is great to cover blisters on the digits of your fingers. Duct tape will work as well, just torn into thin little strips.
Also, bring clothes for the elements and assume that whatever the weatherman said isn't right. I like to dress in layers and peel off as the day warms up, as it should be doing this time of year. Maybe it doesn't get warmer, so be sure you have a coat. Or maybe it starts raining. It would be nice if your coat was water resistent. You get the idea.
Regardless of the weather, bring your own water and power bars/candy bars are good to have in case you find you just aren't going to make it to lunch or dinner break. I promise you that few things can be scarier than a trainee with a gun and crashed blood sugar. The screaming of "Moe, Larry, Cheese!" comes to mind. Remember, the food may not be for you, although I usually manage to eat my own snacks.
Think about an extra recoil spring, some oil, maybe a couple of tools relevant to a Glock.
There have been discussions on flashlights previously and you can do a search, but for the $, ~$35, you can get a good light, with batteries and a spare bulb from Botach Tactical. It is called a Scorpion and is made by Streamlight. Yes, the Sure-Fire 6P or 6Z is a little better, but costs nearly twice as much and doesn't come with an extra bulb. Both will fit nicely in your pocket and have plenty of uses outside of the class.
A good idea to have anyway, but especially handy for class may be a first aid kit. White tape is great to cover blisters on the digits of your fingers. Duct tape will work as well, just torn into thin little strips.
Also, bring clothes for the elements and assume that whatever the weatherman said isn't right. I like to dress in layers and peel off as the day warms up, as it should be doing this time of year. Maybe it doesn't get warmer, so be sure you have a coat. Or maybe it starts raining. It would be nice if your coat was water resistent. You get the idea.
Regardless of the weather, bring your own water and power bars/candy bars are good to have in case you find you just aren't going to make it to lunch or dinner break. I promise you that few things can be scarier than a trainee with a gun and crashed blood sugar. The screaming of "Moe, Larry, Cheese!" comes to mind. Remember, the food may not be for you, although I usually manage to eat my own snacks.
Tom B,
M1911's advice is really good. I've used Blade-Tech and Alessi products in handgun classes before and you can't go wrong with either. The same goes for a Surefire flashlight.
There is a low budget alternative, however. You can get an inexpensive nylon holster (less than $20.00) and mag pouches from any number of merchants including http://www.unclemikes.com , http://www.eagleindustries.com , http://www.bagmaster.com .
Also, it looks like Don Hume has inexpensive ($12.00) leather belts for sale (they have "slight imperfections"): http://www.donhume.com/featuredproducts.html . You can probably find similar deals other places also, or go with a web-type belt from one of the vendors mentioned above.
For an inexpensive ($12.95) tailcap switch flashlight that runs on AA batteries have a look at the Streamlight 2AA Pro Polymer: http://www.brightguy.com/detail.html?cart=3063837240146711&sku=STR67501 . I have a couple, they're actually really bright for a AA flashlight (definitely bright enough for low-light shooting), and you don't have to worry so much about losing them.
All of this stuff will get you through the class. The nylon holsters are a little iffy, and if you plan on taking more classes, you will definitely want to upgrade. I hope this helps!
M1911's advice is really good. I've used Blade-Tech and Alessi products in handgun classes before and you can't go wrong with either. The same goes for a Surefire flashlight.
There is a low budget alternative, however. You can get an inexpensive nylon holster (less than $20.00) and mag pouches from any number of merchants including http://www.unclemikes.com , http://www.eagleindustries.com , http://www.bagmaster.com .
Also, it looks like Don Hume has inexpensive ($12.00) leather belts for sale (they have "slight imperfections"): http://www.donhume.com/featuredproducts.html . You can probably find similar deals other places also, or go with a web-type belt from one of the vendors mentioned above.
For an inexpensive ($12.95) tailcap switch flashlight that runs on AA batteries have a look at the Streamlight 2AA Pro Polymer: http://www.brightguy.com/detail.html?cart=3063837240146711&sku=STR67501 . I have a couple, they're actually really bright for a AA flashlight (definitely bright enough for low-light shooting), and you don't have to worry so much about losing them.
All of this stuff will get you through the class. The nylon holsters are a little iffy, and if you plan on taking more classes, you will definitely want to upgrade. I hope this helps!