FAQ

 

Q: I own firearms but haven’t really shot in a while. Will I be “ok” for LTC (formerly CHL) qualification?

A: There IS a timed qualification live fire exercise out to 15 yards (45 feet) any shots not completed in the time given will count against you. It is important to know your firearm and be able to clear stoppages, load, unload and fire your weapon in a confident, competent manner. The time factor also adds an element of stress. You will want to achieve a minimum level of training prior to taking the LTC (formerly CHL) qualification course. Contact us or see our website for options on gaining confidence and proficiency with your weapon. We're here to help!

Q: I am only taking the LTC course so that I may carry a gun. Why do I need to worry about “training”?

A: You may be laughing after that question but I get it a LOT. My answer is simple. Carrying a weapon without the will to use it is a recipe for disaster on the highest order. A weapon is not to “scare” bad guys. Yes, it is true that every year, literally millions of violent attacks are stopped by the mere presence of a firearm in the hands of a would-be victim. However, I think we can agree that today’s criminals are becoming more aggressive and may not be stopped by the mere “presence” of a firearm. I pray you NEVER have to use your firearm but, if you are going to carry one, you had better be willing and able to use it. Moreover, the LTC course is designed to qualify students to use their weapon. There is no part of the course where you are graded on how well you show your gun.

Q: Do I need an LTC to own a firearm?

A: NO (not yet - remember to vote).

Q: What is minimum caliber allowed for qualification?

A: Recent changes in the rules allow students to qualify with .32 caliber and up

Q: How many attempts to I get to qualify on range day?

A: You may have TWO attempts to qualify on range day. We can arrange for coaching and additional qualification days. We're here to help you succeed.

Q: Do you offer training for women only?

A: We do! We have been offering classes for ladies for years (beginning in CA). We’ve learned that some ladies find that to be more comfortable environment for this type of training. Our lead instructor has trained hundreds of ladies from 18 on up to 80.

Q: Will this class TRAIN me to carry my weapon?

A: This course is designed to last 4-6 hours with a full two hours on one subject not related to practical use of a firearm. That is not enough time to get a shooter up to speed. The sate of Texas requires qualification, which by definition is an exhibition of prior skills. This is NOT the place to learn to use your weapon. If you are not confident in loading, unloading, firing and clearing stoppages on YOUR weapon, please contact us ahead of time. We have can help. It’s what we do.

Q: What gun do you recommend?

A: This question should be #1. I get it a lot. The answer is: I don’t know what gun is right for you. No one does. The only way to know is to shoot some different weapons (after some minimal training) and see which works for you. Be wary of ANYONE who tells you what gun would be right for YOU. Especially if that person happens to have one of those guns for sale :)

Q: How much should I spend on my gun?

A:How much is your life worth? I know, I know, that is a pretty flip answer but think about it. Why are you carrying a gun? To feel good (If so, think about it some more) or in the unlikely event you need it? You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a reliable firearm BUT it does need to be reliable. What does that mean? Well, my rule is; can I get through a FULL range day (about 500 rounds for me) without my gun stopping on me more that a couple times? ALL weapons have stoppages - even if only caused by a defective cartridge, especially after a couple hundred rounds - that is why we train to clear stoppages. BUT excessive stoppages are sign of an unreliable weapon (provided you are using quality ammo). For instance, a couple years ago, a fellow brought out one of your less expensive firearms to a class, after holding up the class for the third time in the first two hours, I asked him if he had another gun. He said he did and brought out a different gun of the same model. We had the same problem. Alas, he had a THIRD gun of the same model. It failed as well. THAT gun is unreliable and I would NOT trust my life to it. It is important to note here that cost is not always a factor. I have seen guns costing north of $1,000 consistently fail at classes. For whatever reason, in my 12 years and thousands of hours training, I have found, for example that subcompact 1911s don’t do as well as I would expect, and they aren’t inexpensive. Bottom line is this. If your gun can’t get you through an 8 hour class, you probably shouldn’t trust your life to it. There are many good options available for you. Just remember to find what works for YOU. Opinions are plentiful and are usually worth what you pay for them.