Shooting Pistols

[Mags]

Oregon requires a gun safety class. Live fire is optional. I think Oregon prefers, that if you have to shoot, that you miss, thus saving a life (but not your own).
The gun part includes safe handling of pistols (semi's and revolvers) and rifles aimed at avoiding accidental shooting due to mishandling.
The class also included Oregon laws as well as laws of surrounding states.

[Ernie]

Michigan required an 8 hour class with a written test and live fire certification. I took this when the state first offered concealed carry maybe 15- 20 years ago. I am required to swear I have shot every year to remain familiar with my firearm in order to renew my license. I do not have to re-certify at this point in time and a Michigan license is good for 5 years.

[The Happy Kaboomer]

My personal range 10 to 100 yards.

[BigAl52]

When shooting for score or group size, I've always done a little better with a semi-auto, but not enough for me to prefer them over a good revolver. I still consider myself to be a revolver shooter when it comes to conventional handguns. That's always been my home base.

When I go to the range to sight in a revolver (or check it for POI if it's a fixed sight revolver), I always start at 16 yards (50 ft). After that, it depends on the revolver size and intended use.

If it's a snubbie or an up close pocket style revolver, I'll keep shooting at that distance or mix in some closer work. If it shows promise, I may even try it at 25 yards, just to see what it can do.

For a full size revolver with at least a 4" barrel, I go to 25 yards, next. This is a distance where I shoot all my medium and large frame revolvers for initial accuracy testing. This is the distance where I rate full size revolvers for accuracy via group size. This is also a practical shooting distance for a woods carry revolver and even a hunting revolver when hunting in heavy cover.

For the long barreled revolvers, 6" or more, I move to 50 yards, next, sometimes even 100 yards if it's a dedicated hunting or silhouette revolver. Yeah, 50 yards or 100 yards with a revolver is pretty nutty by today's standards, but back when I was using a revolver for deer hunting, 50 yards with a revolver was very typical and 100 yards was a long shot, but still doable with the right revolver and a lot of practice. Ranges are even longer in handgun silhouette.

You can tell a lot about a revolver's accuracy potential with these longer distances and many big bore revolvers have a long history of being shot at these distances. This is NOT stunt shooting, by the way. There have been models of revolvers made and designed to be shot at these distances and they are still being made. This kind of shooting just gets overlooked with today's heavy emphasis on self-defense shooting.

Curious NCG. Would you classify a 629, 610, and a 686 all in 4 inch barrels as hunting revolvers or self defense? You can throw the Ruger line up in the mix also .

Shooting any of these beyond 25 yards takes some serious practice and I know from my experience with the 610 hitting 4 inch clays on a bank at that distance is a challenge. Maybe I put to much pressure on myself to be able to consistently hit that 4 inch target at that distance

[BigAl52]

Yes, some states are requiring so-called certification to carry a firearm. I can understand the desire of wanting to ensure safe use. I recall a state trooper expressing to me his concern of a 100 lbs man carrying a 6" .44 mag being over powered by someone and taking his fireman. Yet, the certification seems like a way of tracking who has firearms and where. In this day and time, carrying may not be a bad thing. At least, that is what the trooper told me.

Al, I suspect you will have no problem with the live fire, regardless of the type of handgun you decide to use. Shooting is not new to you. Like riding a bicycle, somethings are second nature.

Thanks GFK. I do both. Ride the bicycle and shoot. I will soon know about the shooting course here as next year I need to renew my CCW

[CT_Shooter]

CT residents are required to complete a handgun safety course, which must consist of no less than the NRA's "Basic Pistol Course", in order to obtain a five year pistol permit. That course has a live fire component. Fingerprints and a background check are also required. The permit allows the holder to carry a concealed firearm and purchase guns and ammunition. Other than the fee, there are no additional requirements for subsequent permit renewals, which can be done by mail every five years.

I shoot my revolvers at 7 yards at the indoor range and 10 yards at the outdoor range.

[GFK]

Hey CT, Is a permit required to purchase a firearm (handgun, rifle or shotgun) or ammo, even if a person has no intention of carry?

[North Country Gal]

Al, I would classify any of those 4" revolvers as excellent trail carry revolvers, perfect for self-defense against nasty critters and the occasional longer shot past 25 yards or so. That barrel length gets you good velocity with magnum cartridges, but is still fast and handy to get into action. The 4" barrel length does well for me at 25 yards, but hitting 4" targets consistently at 25 yards takes practice for me, too (and it ain't getting an easier with old age), but if any revolvers can handle that kind work, it's those S&W of yours.

For hunting, back in the day, I always considered a 5 1/2" or 6" barrel to be a minimum, not just for ballistics, but also sight radius and accurate shooting. These days, it's where I like to be for barrel length when shooting beyond 25 yards.

[CT_Shooter]

Hey CT, Is a permit required to purchase a firearm (handgun, rifle or shotgun) or ammo, even if a person has no intention of carry?

Sort of. A pistol permit holder can carry a concealed gun and buy firearms and ammo. But, there is a "certificate" that permits holders to just buy long guns, ammunition, and magazines; and another that just allows holders to buy magazines and ammunition.
https://portal.ct.gov/despp/division-of ... uage=en_US

[GFK]

Hey CT, Is a permit required to purchase a firearm (handgun, rifle or shotgun) or ammo, even if a person has no intention of carry?

Sort of. A pistol permit holder can carry a concealed gun and buy firearms and ammo. But, there is a "certificate" that permits holders to just buy long guns, ammunition, and magazines; and another that just allows holders to buy magazines and ammunition.
https://portal.ct.gov/despp/division-of ... uage=en_US

Thanks CT! I believed that I have asked that question before? It just seems like a person have to pay and require permission of a government to exercise his 2nd Amendment right. Federal background checks are a norm. But, I don't recall paying for one. Yet, I suspect this is not the first time that has been mentioned.