I am a rifle guy.  Anyone who knows me can testify to that.

After an inident this week on my way to work, I have decided to stop putting off getting my CCW.

However, I have only shot my home defence revolver over tha past few years.

I plan on carrying a semi auto..

How many rounds did all of you shoot practicing for your license?

How much do you shoot to stay in practice?

This has been a bad year for me shooting.  Less thn 10 rounds of all types all year.

I know I need the pactice and will not go for my CCW until I think I am good enough to be responceable.

Shotar, you do the plate shoots, would the pistol shoots there be any help?

With a baby due any time, it will be a short while before i get the chance, but I think I need to really practice.

I have rarely shot pistols, just never needed to.  I think it is learning time.

The "qualification" standard of the class I attended was 15 hits of 18 in a 9" pie plate at 15 feet.  No time limit.

Regardless of the number of rounds fired these courses only punch your ticket, you won't have any proficiency you didn't have when you started.

If you really want to gain some skills take a 3-day weekend course that shoots 600+ rounds.   Practicing on your own before you take a course like this only reinforces bad habits..

-- Chuck

Chuck, good info.  Anywhere you know of in the N. E. Ohio area to taker a course like this?

I am good with the rifle, sub-gun, and my MG's, just not pistol.

Visit the FIRE Institute webpage and click on Basic Tactical Pistol.  This course is taught two or three times a year at Greater Pittsburgh Gun Club about 25 miles west of Pittsburgh off US22.  The instructor is Giles Stock (Giles Sling, etc.) who is probably the best instructor I've ever met at this level.  Giles lives in Phoenix, hence only a couple of times a year for the course.  It's worth the wait.  Giles is that good.

This course is strictly limited to 12 students and there are at least two other skilled instructors on the range at the same time so the student/instructor ratio is very high.  GPGC is one of the few ranges in this area which allow movement up and down range with loaded weapons and while shooting.  It's one of even fewer ranges which allow night firing.

A good review of this course is at the PA AR15 Shooters Website.  

As the review notes this is an intense course run over three days (Sat - Mon).  You will be completely immersed in the training day and night.  You'll carry your pistol home with real skills.  I intend to take this course again next year.

Some major lessons you'll learn in this course right up front, and which you can avoid learning just by reading this message are:  (1) M1911 or Glock pistols are most suited to carry; (2) you need night sights; (3) you need a Milt Sparks VM2 holster for street use; (4) you need a BladeTech holster for range use; (5) you need a low thumb safety on your M1911.

(1)  DA/SA pistols throw the first shot away.  Para LDA pistol is great if you can master the long trigger reset.  The gadgets on pistols came off quickly as they routinely cause stoppages.  This includes the condom around the Glock grip and extended slide stops on the M1911.  You need the largest ejection port you can get on the M1911.   (2) AO XS 24/7 Big Dots are simply wonderful street fight sights and are much faster and much less confusing than 3-dot types.   (3)  Or other good IWB holster.  May as well go first class.  (4)  Very secure, comfortable, and fast drawing.  (5)  Unless you keep your thumb on top of the M1911 thumb safety you'll get accidental safes.

-- Chuck