Revolver for CCW Qualification?

S

Stuttz4

Inactive
Hello,

I'm hoping to take my CCW class within a few months. I know the standards are different everywhere you go, but my question is in regards to the actual shooting portion. I own several handguns, but my favorite is a .38 spcl Model 10. I definitely don't intend to carry this concealed (I have a .380/9mm for that). I shoot well with the .380 and 9mm, but I've been shooting the .38 for much longer and it's by far my favorite. Am I allowed to qualify with a gun that I don't intend to carry? And please, nothing about "shoot your .380/9mm more if you're gonna carry it." I'm a solid shot with the .380/9mm, I just prefer my .38

Thanks
 
Depends on the state. I believe in some states you have to use the gun you are going to carry.

I am in Kentucky and qualified with a .357 6" S&W but carry several other smaller guns as there are no qualify / carry restrictions.
 
I teach the course required to get a concealed pistol license in Michigan.

While I encourage my students to use the handgun they intend to use for concealed carry/home defense, the choice of which handgun to use for the course is up to them. I've had students use everything from .22s to a .45 Colt wheel gun.

Check with a couple of instructors in your area regarding your state requirements.
 
Don't know about where you live, but in Oklahoma if you qualify with a revolver you are limited to carrying a revolver. If you qualify with a semi-auto you can carry either semi-auto or revolver.

You'll need to look up your qualifying regulations for your state.
 
That Oklahoma law is very interesting, I didn't know the requirements varied so much by state. I'll head up to my local range tomorrow and find out. Thanks for the input.
 
Don't know about where you live, but in Oklahoma if you qualify with a revolver you are limited to carrying a revolver.
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Same thing in Texas. If you qualify with a semi-auto pistol, you may carry either that or a revolver.
If you stated where you live, you would probably get some good input. :)
 
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I can't say about current Mo. regs but when I took the class, we were required to fire for score with either revolver or auto and "show knowledge" of the other type by firing 6 shots on target. I qualified with the pistol I intended to carry(and still do) and fired 6 shots with a revolver. At that class there was a mix of everything from single action 22 to S&W 44 mag and from 22lr to 45ACP semiauto.
My son took the course in Iowa with my Ruger Blackhawk with a mounted Aimpoint since he was having trouble with the sights on other handguns. My SIL didn't have to do anything except show his NG duty papers but while he is safe enough, he didn't get any of the information which I thought was important during my training pertaining to the legalities of using your weapon.
 
Stangcharger said:
. . . .in Oklahoma if you qualify with a revolver you are limited to carrying a revolver. If you qualify with a semi-auto you can carry either semi-auto or revolver.
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Same in Arkansas.
 
Mo regs as of 2010

I took my ccw in MO in Feb/Mar of 2010 and my instructor was a stickler for following the regs. We had to qualify with both revolver and semi-auto. I believe it was 20 rounds "on target". I don't know for sure that it was part of the regs but the instructor also required us to demonstrate a reload with both weapons and even required that we demonstrate a short reload of the revolver and index the cylinder for the loaded round to be in the shooting position.

Almost forgot the original question. Although we had to qualify with both types of firearms, we did NOT have to use the firearm we were going to carry. For students that didn't have a revolver, the instructor had a really neat S&W snubbie in 22lr. I don't remember what he had for a loaner in semi-auto.
 
You have to research YOUR state's requirements.

Some states require you to qualify with the gun (or guns) you will carry, and they are listed on your permit/license. Some states have a rule that if you qualify with a certain caliber (such as .38 Special) you can't carry anything larger/more powerful. Other states require that if you qualify with a revolver, you can only carry a revolver but if you qualify with a semi-automatic you can carry either.

My home state only requires a safety course that includes enough live fire to demonstrate that you can safely fire one cylinder or one magazine worth of ammo. Other states have an actual qualification course of fire (Texas and Rhode Island come to mind). And some states don't require anything beyond a background check. (Pennsylvania, as an example.)

Without knowing your state, the question is entirely too open-ended to be answered.
 
Oklahoma Law,,,

What Stangcharger said is correct,,,
but incomplete.

If you qualify with a revolver you may carry a revolver and/or a derringer.

If you qualify with a semi-auto pistol you may carry a semi, a revolver, and/or a derringer.

I thought it was a bit odd but that's the way the law is written.

Aarond
 
CCW in Florida

I took my CCW course here in Florida a few years ago and the entire shooting portion of the course consisted of going to the range, picking up a revolver that the instructor provided, fire one shot, and then put it back down. The next person in line did the same.

I passed the course and can carry the handgun of my choice.

I used to carry a Colt Gold Cup in 45 ACP that had been worked over by Austin Behlert back in the late 1970's. A few years ago I moved to Florida and the horizontal carry shoulder holster that I used for 20 years just did not work as well when most of the time I am only wearing a light tee shirt and shorts. I went to a 2 1/4" S&W Model 60 in 38 Special with Criimson Trace laser grips, carried in a Crossbreed SuperTuck holster, and that is all that I use now. It is very comfortable for all day use and conceals the revolver very well.

Good luck with your CCW qualification. :)
 
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When I took my CCW class in FL the instructor took us to the back room, had us load a round into a suppressed Walther .22, yell "get away from me", and then fire the gun into a barrel of sand.

That was my qualification and I can carry just about anything I can conceal.
 
Depends on the state. I believe in some states you have to use the gun you are going to carry.
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The only practical requirement in FL is that you can pull the trigger and not accidently hit the instructor or another student.
 
I love hearing these stories! There are some truly unique qualifications out there. For all who care, I spoke with my future instructor today, and here's the lowdown as best I can remember: 3 shots from one yard, 6 from 3 yds, 7 from 5 yds, and 6 from 7 yds. Easy enough. However, the most interesting aspect is literal shooting from the hip. My instructor, a veteran LEO, stresses a scary situation: You're walking to your car and just as you open your door, a BG creeps up behind you, almost nose to nose. Obviously you can't draw, take aim, and deliver a few well-placed shots. It's all about reaction and firing almost immediately upon draw. For that reason, you have to hit the paper with 3 shots from 1 yd, firing from an awkward hip-fire position. Very well thought-out.

PS...I'm able to qualify with any handgun as long as it isn't a .22
 
Stuttz4 said:
I spoke with my future instructor today, and here's the lowdown as best I can remember: 3 shots from one yard, 6 from 3 yds, 7 from 5 yds, and 6 from 7 yds. Easy enough. However, the most interesting aspect is literal shooting from the hip.
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You still haven't told us what state you live in.

Is that course of fire required by your state, or is that what your instructor came up with? Shooting from the hip is something I have NEVER heard of as being required for a carry permit/license. The training for the permit is aimed at fundamental firearms safety, not tactical training. You are obviously free to do what you wish, but IMHO your instructor is getting far afield from what the basic course should cover. I would find a different instructor.
 
At the time I got my CCL, I used a S&W Model 36 with a 3 inch barrel carried in a Don Hume inside-waist holster. Afaik in NC use what you like in the class.
 
I live in NC.

My instructor is a family friend and LEO veteran/firearms instructor of 30 years. He claims he's never had a student of any age or skill level fail, and I'm very inclined to believe him (for my own reasons). Frankly, I think it's a very realistic test that could potentially save my life, seeing as how I never would have thought of that. I can't believe some stories I hear from CCW classes...people who've never held weapons before get to fire one shot at a piece of paper and then go forth to carry a concealed weapon? Think what you want, but I find his style of teaching much more informative. Seeing as how he runs one of the most successful CCW courses in NC, I doubt he's had many failures/incompetant graduates.
 
I was gonna say, from the sounds of the test it sounds a lot like NC. In NC, you can qualify with anything you want, even a SA 22 like a Ruger or Heritage.

As for carrying the Model 10, they are very easy to carry with a good stiff gun belt and a quality holster (leather or kydex preferred). My recommendation is to carry the gun you are most confident with, though that may mean also carrying one of your more compact guns when you don't want to bother with the larger Model 10.

With good gear, I carry a 4" S&W Model 28 pretty regularly. It isn't an EDC, but it is the handgun I shoot best so I carry it as often as possible. I also regularly carry a 2.5" Model 66 K Frame and a 4" Ruger Police Service Six (a hair bulkier than a K Frame Model 10) without any troubles whatsoever.

My preferred holsters are leather IWB types, including the FIST #20 and Lobo Gunleather IWB. They are secured to a 1.5" bullhide belt from Thebeltman.

Hope this helps.
 
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