Thunder Ranch and what would you do?

R

Rommel

Inactive
I have been blessed with a wife who has agreed that all our extra money (loose change, mileage, etc.) can go towards a visit to Thunder Ranch next fall. That's the great news. The bad news is I only currently own two guns, a S&W 686 6 shot 6" and a Colt Pony. I live in a nonCCW area but I would still love to go. My first question is which gun would you take (and I assume everyone will say the 686)? Also, I have a chance to buy a LNIB S&W model 12 light weight kframe that would only postpone the trip a little further back. I have plenty of ammo in .38 so I would have plenty of time to get proficient with my new purchase. Call me old fashioned but I really like the looks of snub nosed revolvers. Would the model 12 (which if I can finally get approval for a CCW, the judge is a real pill) would most likely become my CCW weapon. I don't really like the Pony but bought it because I got a good price at the time at a gun show. Tell me oh wise and mighty forum members. What would do? Is there another gun I should look at (knowing I really, really like revolvers)? Thanks, in advance for all that reply.
 
Oops, brain cramp. Forgive the grammar. I meant to ask would the model 12 be a good choice for Thunder Ranch.
 
You can, of course take whatever you like.

That being said, when I took my training with DTI the revolver shooters had it pretty tuff. The drills (procedures) are a bit differentand most are really set up with autos in mind, and reloads are a B&%^&h

Just my $ .02

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I am not a dangerous psychotic!
I just play one at work.
 
Second what Obiwan said. Revolvers are great, but an auto might be in order for a tactical defense class.
 
Looking at Thunder Ranch's website, they say that .38/9mm is the minimum for handguns - so that would seem to exclude the Pony.

I have been wanting to go there myself and I have been over the website numerous times, Clint Smith says that he gets asked the "What gun to bring" question more than any other question and suggests that you bring a .45 if you have it.

I think you should bring what you plan to carry or use.
 
I took the Defensive Handgun 1 course three weeks ago. I used a Sig 228(9mm) and had six 10 round magazines. We were reloading constantly(both tactical and empty), and whenever the instructor was speaking we were reloading empty mags. There were several .45's, .40 glocks, and various 9mm.
Out of 22 people in the class, there was one .38 revolver, and he was constantly reloading using speed loaders. You shoot with a partner who must cover you while you reload, and the partner of the revolver shooter was always yelling "I've got you covered". If you take a revolver, take SEVERAL speed loaders with you. For the three day course I attended, we shot apprx. 1,100 rounds. BTW, you must either ship your ammo out to Thunder Ranch, or buy it in Kerrville where most people stay. They do not sale ammo at the ranch. Kerrville is about 40 minutes away. Whatever you do, DO NOT BE LATE TO CLASS! Clint will not like that!! The guy with the .38 was shooting a 586 4". Hope this helps.
 
Take the 686 and lots of speedloaders. Don't take the model 12, since that's an airweight frame and you're gonna be doing a lot of shooting, the heavy 686 will be more comfortable and able to withstand the hard use. Good luck.
 
Take whichever gun you use the most -- it won't do you any good to train with your S&W 686 if your Colt Pony is the gun that you depend upon to save your skin.

I carry a S&W j-frame revolver on a daily basis so that's what I used when I went through Insights's Close Quarters Confrontations. I could have used my Glock 23, but a lot of good that would have done since my Glock 23 sits at home in the safe while the S&W AirLite Ti is in my pocket.

Justin

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Justin T. Huang, Esq.
late of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
 
If you aren't too pleased with the Pony, you could always sell it to finance another gun. Since Colt stopped producing .380 guns the price of them has skyrocketed! (especially in CCW states) You could get a pretty good gun for the price your Pony would bring...

Although you should prob bring the 686 if that's what you keep beside the bed.
 
Forget the Pony.
*&* 686 is a super revolver
I love *&* revolvers.
I have done DH2 & DH3 at Thunder Ranch.

Having said that, you will learn a lot more and get much more benefit from doing the class with a semiauto. My humble advise is to buy a used Glock 17 or 19 in 9mm for $350? and pick up six 10 round mags and use it for the class. If you hate it you can always get your money back, if you love it, then it was worth the price. GOOD LUCK!

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BOYCOTT SLICK & WESSON

"To be wronged is nothing unless you continue to remember it."
Confucius
 
DO NOT hesitate to buy a M12 in good shape! They are excellent for carry, and will stand up to +P. Easier to shoot than a J-frame(full size grips), and almost as packable. IMO, I would use the 686 at T-Ranch. :)
 
Of the 2 you have, I would take the 686, if you can swing a 1911 45acp, get it, the ranch seems to be geared to them, the retail store has lots of 1911 goodies.
Whatever gun you take, make sure it can take a beating and keep on ticking, good luck and enjoy the Texas Hill Country.
The trip if worth it just to see the office help!
 
Assuming you stay with a revolver: Practice your reloading. Work on your basic skills, and work to be smooth and fast. Even without worrying about drawing from a holster, become able to bring the gun up, "Front sight, Bang!" whether double action or single; whether one-handed or Weaver stance. You can work dry-fire in front of a mirror at home; start slow and work up toward speed. "Smooth" is more important, as it tends to create speed. Just like driving a race car.

What you learn about strategy and tactics in a training course at a place like Thunder Ranch is probably more important than the very-excellent, dramatic improvement in your shooting skills.

FWIW, Art
 
I attended TR in April for Defensive Handgun 1. I would not take a revolver. There is way too much shooting and loading going on to be using a wheelgun. Try firing 1500rds in 5 days out of a revolver. It can be done but it will be so difficult. It is difficult enough without giving yourself a handicap. I would try to trade one of your handguns in on a good auto, maybe a Glock. Don't go without 6 mags. Take more ammo then you think you could ever shoot. And then have fun. It is the most intense enjoyable thing I have done since me and the Wheeler twins skipped the junior after-prom!

Second on the office help. Nice ladies too.



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"Every normal man must be tempted, at times to spit on his hands,hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." H.L. Mencken
 
Justin, I just have to ask. How many rounds did you fire in your course? Did you wear a glove? What grips? I carry a S&W M642 but wouldn't go through a course with it because it would start beating me to death after the 50 round point, which wouldn't make for good concentration.

How did you do it?
 
I am going to echo, with some misgivings, the responses that say "go with a semiauto." In my heart, I agree strongly with Justin -- train as you would defend yourself. However, using a revolver in a class context may be a little frustrating for you. My first experience with modern training was in 1998, with a revolver, and although I was not frustrated with my ability to reload per se, I was very frustrated with how it slowed down the whole class. With a semiauto, you can slip mags into the pistol on or off the line if the pistol is in the holster. However, to reload a revolver, you need to step up to the line -- and that's every five or six shots, not 10, 12, 13 or 15 shots. If you're the only one doing so, you're going to feel like you're the fifth wheel -- at least I did, maybe that's (just one of <g> ) my mental hang-ups.
 
I went last year for defensive handgun 1. All of us had semiautos. The teaching is geared towards semi-autos: trigger control,tactical reloads, malfunction drills. You will spend all your time reloading your magazines while listening to the instructors. On the second day we shot over 500 rounds. You can bring a revolver, and you will learn a hell of a lot, but I think you will do yourself a favor if you get a semiauto and familiarize yourself with it and then go to TR
 
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