Shooting - Holsters

Prior to getting a permit to carry, I didn't own a holster or magazine pouch that was suitable for concealed carry.  My experience is with military style holsters and when in military situations you really don't care if folks see you carrying your sidearm.  I didn't think that the process of finding a holster and magazine pouch would be too difficult.  Well, I was wrong.  I have really decided that holster and magazine pouch selection for concealed carry is not easy.  It was one of the most frustrating things that I had to figure out.  It frustrated me because having the proper holster and magazine pouch allows you to safely and securely carry a weapon and extra magazine.  It can also facilitate the deployment of that weapon.  Carrying a weapon in my belt or in my pocket just doesn't appeal to me.  If it's in my belt it could fall out of or slip into my pants or get snagged when I try to deploy it.  If it's in my pocket it would be very difficult to deploy in a self defense situation and I would think that the possibility of the weapon jamming would increase due to things like lint.  Having a lint ball between the hammer or striker and firing pin could be bad.  Also, having and carrying an extra magazine or two could be the difference between life or death in a self defense situation.  Without a magazine pouch it would be difficult to carry any extra magazines except in my pocket.  I would think that could cause problems such as jamming or snagging also during reloading.

After doing some research I decided that I wanted to purchase one of the molded paddle type holsters for comfort, flexibility, safety, and that I didn't have to wear it on a belt.  I feel that those type holsters would allow me to lock the weapon in place without a thumb strap (they hold the weapon in place by clamping down on the trigger guard), but would still allow me to draw and deploy the weapon in a reasonable amount of time if needed.  I also liked the option of being able to adjust the tension that holds the weapon in place.  So, I looked online at several different manufacturers web sites to find the type of holster that fit the weapon I was planning to use as my carry weapon.  I couldn't find a good match for both the weapon and magazine pouches. I also felt that looking online wasn't much help since you can't try it on for fit and feel and some of the descriptions of the returned search results didn't match the pistol type I was trying to fit.  I then went to some of the big box outdoor retail stores with the same result.  I searched through the holsters they had on display without results and when I asked I got a lot of "we don't carry holsters for that weapon".  I then went to some of the local gun stores. One of the guys told me to look online even though they sold the weapon I used and had it in stock in the store.  I couldn't believe they didn't have a holster for it.  I finally did find one online that fit it and I ordered it.  I then had to purchase a generic magazine pouch to carry my extra magazines.

I am not too sure why handguns, holsters, and magazine holders don't come as a package or as options.  I am also not sure why handgun manufacturers don't work with holster manufacturers to ensure that holsters and magazine holders are available for all of their models.  I would guess that they could put a slip of paper in the fancy box that they give you with at least a list of holsters and magazine pouches that fit and where to purchase them.  I am also not too sure why a store would sell a weapon without having the proper accessories for it.  I would guess at the time of sale they would tell you which holsters and magazine pouches fit or don't fit.  I would think that would be great customer service.  Hey, maybe that will be a new business line for Outdoors with Bill.  Have a weapon?  What do you want to use it for?  Here are your accessories.

Getting a Carry Permit - Shooting

Getting a carry permit in Tennessee was an adventure in itself.  First I had to locate, register, pay the $65 dollars (It would have been $75 if I had not registered early), and then attend an 7/8 hour training class, that included a classroom portion, written test, and a range/firing test.  There were numerous classes offered at the various firing ranges around town, but I opted to attend the class at Pellissippi State Technical Community College since it was less expensive than the ones offered at the ranges.  My research showed that taking the class at one of the ranges would cost $90 to $100.  $25 to $35 more than the Pellissippi State class.  The only drawback with taking the class at Pellissippi State is that I had to drive over to the John Sevier range to shoot and pay an additional $5.50 range fee.  That still made the class $20 to $30 less than going to take it anywhere else.

The description of the course from the Pellissippi State web site reads "Completing the Tennessee State Handgun Safety Coursefor the handgun carry permit is required before application can be made for the state permit.   The classroom portion is conducted at the Pellissippi State campus off Hardin Valley Road.Participants then go to the John Sevier Range on Rifle Range Road, where the firing exercises are held. Four-five hours classroom time + 3 hours range time. Upon satisfactory completion of the course, participants are given the necessary certificate to apply for the state carry permit at their nearest Department of Safety office. The instructor is an NRA certified firearms instructor and Tennessee certified handgun instructor. Students must furnish their own gun and ammunition. $5.50 range fee payable to instructor."

I was a little leery about taking the course, but I had no choice if I wanted a permit.  After all, I was a Reconnaissance Marine.  I have shot all types of weapons.  What was I going to learn in this class.  Well, I was pleasantly surprised.  I thought that Mr. Huffman, who is also a seasoned Sheriff's Deputy for Knox County, conducted a fantastic and very effective course.  He brought several types of handguns (pistols and revolvers) for the class to take a look at, hold, ask questions about.  He covered a great deal of useful information and I feel that I learned a lot from him about firearms, the types of ammunition available for self defense, the laws related to carrying a firearm, how to properly conceal a firearm, the use of holsters, loading and unloading, the use deadly force, liabilities, effective grips and stance, storage, misfires/squib fires, what to do if stopped while carrying your weapon, extra magazines, and self defense with a firearm.  He even covered how to properly clean a firearm.  It was a very well done class.  He teaches some other classes through Pellissippi State and I hope to take another one or two from him.

After the classroom portion, Mr. Huffman gave us our written test.  He taught well enough to make the test easy.  After the tests were graded and he was sure that we passed he dismissed us and had us meet him at the John Sevier range for the shooting portion of our course.  We all met and made our way over to the pistol range.  Once there Mr. Huffman covered our course of fire and we hung our targets.  We shot at 5, 7, and 15 yards.  Again, Mr. Huffman was great.  If folks had issues with their weapon he helped them out.  If folks were having issues with their stance, he helped them out.  I think we shot 48 rounds and had to have something like 35 hits on the target to pass (I might not have this correct), but it should be close.  After we completed our course of fire we collected our targets and Mr. Huffman counted our hits to determine if we passed.  I passed.  The only thing that I didn't like was that he was required to keep our targets as documentation that we shot and passed the shooting portion of the class.  Mr. Huffman then gave the folks that passed their certificated to apply for a carry permit.

Once I got my certificate to apply for a carry permit all I had to do was take the certificate and a birth certificate or passport to one of the full service drivers licenses offices.  I went once and forgot my passport, but the folks there did give me my paperwork to fill out.  On my second try I gave them my paperwork, I even remembered to not sign it until they were able to witness it, paid my $115 fee for the permit and background check, and had my picture taken.  All together it only took me about 45 minutes at the drivers license office to take care of all of that.  To top it all off, the folks there were very nice and very helpful.  The lady that helped me even thanked me for being nice to her.  It's my guess that folks give her a hard time.

They told me it could take up to something like 6 months to receive my permit.  I got it in about 3 weeks.  The next issue I had was finding an adequate holster and magazine pouch to carry, but that is another story.

So go take the class and make sure you can defend yourself!