Week 79: Original Air Marshal Pistol Qual

[gtmtnbiker98]

HK P30 V1 9mm

Pass 150/150

1. 1.42, 1.51 2.93
2. .84, .72 1.56
3. 1.25
4. 2.11, 2.60 4.71
5. 1.20, 1.09, 2.39
6. 2.43, 2.46, 4.89
7. 3.02, 3.14, 6.16

Used an IDPA target, all hits -0. Outside temp, 92 deg, heat index, "balls hot!"

[GJM]

OK, Origami, dare you to run this not to the 3x5, but to a two inch dot!

[JeffJ]

Glock 19, bladetech nano under a sportscoat at 3:30

Fail - 150
Took 4.13 for the 1st string, 2.99 for the second

[KevinB]

It would be an interesting drill to shoot with a sports coat (considering the FAM dress policy, I'm not sure I want to ruin a suit jacket and definitely not pants on the range)

[JeffJ]

The sports coat can be interesting. The sweep back and draw is great, the grab as you extend the arms is not so great. In general, though, I really like it - it's become my go to day to day cover garment.

[Mr_White]

OK, Origami, dare you to run this not to the 3x5, but to a two inch dot!

Given the results from what I did do yesterday, I predict FAIL on that...

First run - used the standard target zone and allowed times, and shot it cold as per the instructions.

• gun & holster used - Gen3 G34, Keeper concealed under a t-shirt
• PASS
• total number of points scored 150/150

Second run - tight for accuracy with the regular times - used the upper A-zone as the 5 point zone, the B-zone as the 2 point zone, and everything else was a miss.

• gun & holster used - Gen3 G34, Keeper concealed under a t-shirt
• FAIL
• total number of points scored 129/150

Third run - tried again, slightly better result but not enough better.

• gun & holster used - Gen3 G34, Keeper concealed under a t-shirt
• FAIL
• total number of points scored 132/150

Fourth run - used the standard target zone, but with halved time limits. Some of those were just too tight for me and resulted in a ton of dropped points.

• gun & holster used - Gen3 G34, Keeper concealed under a t-shirt
• FAIL
• total number of points scored 96/150

That is a VERY interesting observation by GJM about misses vs. overtime shots in this qual. The FAMs, which I have seen held out as an example of an organization that must shoot to a standard of tight accuracy cold and on demand, used a qual that allowed multiple misses, a great big huge max-point target zone, but fails a shooter for one single drill over the time limit. Seems incongruous. And that's not even the current qual, which I understand to be considered easier.

[CCT125US]

What are the current FAM qual standards? Maybe next DotW?

[JHC]

Given the results from what I did do yesterday, I predict FAIL on that...

First run - used the standard target zone and allowed times, and shot it cold as per the instructions.

• gun & holster used - Gen3 G34, Keeper concealed under a t-shirt
• PASS
• total number of points scored 150/150

Second run - tight for accuracy with the regular times - used the upper A-zone as the 5 point zone, the B-zone as the 2 point zone, and everything else was a miss.

• gun & holster used - Gen3 G34, Keeper concealed under a t-shirt
• FAIL
• total number of points scored 129/150

Third run - tried again, slightly better result but not enough better.

• gun & holster used - Gen3 G34, Keeper concealed under a t-shirt
• FAIL
• total number of points scored 132/150

Fourth run - used the standard target zone, but with halved time limits. Some of those were just too tight for me and resulted in a ton of dropped points.

• gun & holster used - Gen3 G34, Keeper concealed under a t-shirt
• FAIL
• total number of points scored 96/150

That is a VERY interesting observation by GJM about misses vs. overtime shots in this qual. The FAMs, which I have seen held out as an example of an organization that must shoot to a standard of tight accuracy cold and on demand, used a qual that allowed multiple misses, a great big huge max-point target zone, but fails a shooter for one single drill over the time limit. Seems incongruous. And that's not even the current qual, which I understand to be considered easier.

I recall credible reports that in the massive spool up after 9/11 that the fail rate was enormous and much of it due to shooting standards.

Around that time I worked with a fellow who had been a FAM in the '90's. I gathered that the object of this was the incredible stress it created when one was actually shooting to keep their job - cold - on demand. That is probably what the time standard Pass/Fail provided. I heard of other drills though on narrow vertical strips (spinal column) tests that sounded pretty challenging.

[BN]

FAIL 150/150. Stage 5, I was over time by .05 seconds.
FAIL 150/150. Stage 5, I was over time by .13 seconds.
I had a hard time giving up my accuracy.

I'm not used to failing, so I've been thinking about this qual. I am a competition gamer. All I need to do on stage 5 is sling 3 shots downrange within the time limit. Even if all 3 are misses I will be flying instead of grounded.

Does this mean this qualification is flawed or do I just need to shoot faster. This ties in to the software thread a little.

[Slavex]

Don't you have a Value Village down there you could hit for some nice range suits?

It would be an interesting drill to shoot with a sports coat (considering the FAM dress policy, I'm not sure I want to ruin a suit jacket and definitely not pants on the range)