I was thinking about going through the pistol qualification program and would like to get opinions about the program in general. If you've gone through any of the qualification programs, which one(s) and what did you think about it/them.

 

For those of you who don't know what I'm referring to, check out Winchester/NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program.

I can't say from experience, but down at SJSC there are a number of folks involved in it and they seem to love it. Our instructor who runs it is Chuck Berwick, former Marine, NRA instructor, USMC combat marksmanship trainer, and all around good guy. From the website you went to, ihs info should be there under south jersey shooting club. Sorry I don't have it on me at the moment.....I say go for it.

The program is something you can do yourself, on your own time. Only Distinguished Expert needs a witness.

I usually spend time doing aspects of the program each time I go to the range.

I have done/am doing pistol, light rifle, high power rifle, and am doing some shotgun.

As I do these I am also getting the equipment and targets to do others.

I'll be spending time with light rifle tomorrow (weather permitting).

Our Club's Black Powder League at Old Bridge Rifle & Pistol is doing both Rifle & Pistol Qualifiers for the Black Powder Sports in the book. I currently hold the Distinguished Expert rating in Rifle as well as the Expert rating in Pistol. The Qualification Program is a wonderful tool to aid marksmanship and the participants get to do it at their own speed, with several advancements available that get progressively harder to accomplish. Although you can do it mostly all by yourself (with the exception of DX), it's a lot more fun to do it with the camaraderie of fellow League members to help spot for you through a spotting scope (which is allowed).

 

I sincerely recommend the Program to you and/or your Club and would highly encourage you to try it for yourself. It will make you a better shooter.

 

Dave

NRA Distinguished Expert in Muzzleloading Rifle

NRA Expert in Muzzleloading Pistol

NRA Range Safety Officer

NRA Certified Instructor for ML Pistol & Shotgun