Hey Instructors, some of you have already been receiving information about this event and here are the links for those who can not access the "Texas Instructors" sub-forum. . . .
Time to pump up the Pistol Program in North Texas! KProctor's mad as hell and he's not going to take it anymore! And by that, I mean he wants to get teachin' pistol; yesterday! If that's you, come on out to the famous Goin Firearms and Shooting in Gainesville, TX and lets ‘git'er done!
Pistol IBC - If you missed the thread title . . . we're scheduled for August 13-14, 2022 at Gainesville, TX. Any Red Hat who satisfactorily completes the Pistol IBC and shoots Pistoleer™ would be able to work a pistol event and SBs would be able to run those events. The target audience for this event is instructors who want to learn to run events. Although there is a shooting component, this is an IBC. If you're merely interested in trying pistol, this probably isn't the right event.
Instructor-only signup link:https://goappleseednow.org/?event=gainesville-tx-pistol-clinic-august-13-14-2022-instructors-only (https://goappleseednow.org/?event=gainesville-tx-pistol-clinic-august-13-14-2022-instructors-only)
UPDATE: pre-IBC Pistol Clinic. KProctor is adding the Friday Instructor-Only Pistol Clinic for those who might need it. If you've previously attended a Pistol Clinic, you don't need to come out for this. This event is NOT part of the IBC but the option will be available for anyone who needs it. Thank you again Paul Goin!!
Sign up link for Friday Event https://appleseedinfo.org/schedule/?qstate=TX&state=Texas (https://appleseedinfo.org/schedule/?qstate=TX&state=Texas)
Information. The program is new, so some of these "definitions" are just my own take on what's current, and some is current policy. The best place to find authoritative information is the Pistol Manual (which is undergoing a major rewrite/revision). Being a new program, things are evolving and changing quickly.
Appleseed Pistol Instructor:
- Full Red Hat instructor in rifle (and, of course, green and grey hats)
- Shoot Pistoleer™ on the PQT
- Satisfactorily completed a Pistol IBC***
*** There is a new requirement to attend a Pistol Clinic prior to attending a Pistol IBC. We will add this event on Friday, August 12 if it is wanted/needed. Sign up above.
Charter Pistol Instructor - Pistol Instructor qualified to conduct a Pistol IBC. Ideally, someone who can make themselves available to help grow the new pistol program by conducting these events at different locations. Malabar is spearheading the Pistol effort and runs the "Charter Pistol IBCs".
As of right now, there is no upgrade path for a "pistol orange hat". That may change as the pistol program gets started, but for now, if you want to instruct pistol at a pistol event, you will have to have a Red Hat in rifle.
Qualifying. Shooting Pistoleer™ - most pistol shooters find this a worthy challenge, on par with your earning the Rifleman patch. The entire PQT is shot from 7 yards and is a balance between marksmanship and time pressure. There are five stages. Stages 1 and 2 are shot at a quicker rate of fire (up to 10 rounds in 10 seconds) and with stage 2 requiring a reload. Stages 3/4 are shot strong hand only / weak hand only. This is another challenge that's somewhat unique to the PQT for newer shooters. Stage 5 is mirror to our rifle stage 4; it's all about marksmanship, 10 rounds, small targets, lots of time and scores doubled. Just like rifle, a qualifying score is 210 or better out of 250.
Which Pistol? IMO, you'll get the most out of the IBC with a centerfire defensive pistol, but like Appleseed, we encourage shooters to "shoot what they brung". There is no restriction to shooting 22 rimfire if that's what you have and it should be easier to qualify with a reliable rimfire pistol. Many instructors have taken this path to get their initial qual. If you can, bring both! By the way, revolvers are also welcome offering their own challenges.
Ammo. The course itself doesn't take a significant amount of ammo. Conditions should also permit some opportunities to qualify on the PQT and each one requires 40 rounds. It's easy to get carried away on PQTs when the entire shoot time is less than 3 minutes. I'd recommend 500 rounds, although you could shoot a whole lot less if you're trying to conserve.
Prepare? If you'd like to start preparing for Pistol, download and check out the Pistol Manual. Even though it will soon be revised, most of the concepts will be the same. Work on your pistol skills. You don't need holsters because the pistols will be on a bench or table in front of the shooters. Appleseed is using a isosceles/modified isosceles stance with a thumbs forward grip. You will find the basics of this in the manual or a million places on the internet. Practicing on a regular squares target at 7yds will be a little more challenging than the actual PQT. Try 10 rounds in 10 seconds. Try 5 rounds in 15 seconds with weak and the same with strong hand only. Then move to 10 rounds in 15 seconds with a mag of 6 and mag of 4 (start with the 6 and there will be a slide-lock reload). The PQT COF is all detailed in the Pistol manual along with pistol practice targets. Some shooters prefer the practice targets since the squares are on the small side and could prove frustrating.
More information will be sent via email (flip charts, practice targets, manual, etc.)
Orange Hats? Well, your best bet is to get in the Manual, get to some events and get that Red Hat! :) However, exceptions have been made. There have been Pistol IBCs that didn't fill up which were opened to motivated orange hats. This is usually left up to the discretion of your SC. Orange hats completing the IBC would still need to wait until they had their Red Hats to become Pistol Instructors.
KProctor has let the genie out of the bottle; pistol is coming to North Texas and beyond! Brush off those pistols and get ready!
This just might the best Pistol IBC of your life!!!
Captain
Captain / KProctor, the three of us are all going to be onsite this coming Sunday for the Gainesville rifle event. I'd love to take 10 minutes and discuss what help would be needed / useful for that Friday / Saturday / Sunday.