Don't even know where to begin

[SecedeTX]

I have been shooting/hunting my whole life. Most of that is shotgun and rifle, and I have been to the range with my hand gun fairly often because I simply enjoy shooting. I am patiently waiting my CHL (approved, issued, and in the mail....this is the worst time to wait! Hope it comes in Mondays mail).

What I want to do is to get practical training with my concealed gun. The real world is different than punching holes through a paper target.

What is the best orginzation for me to join so I can learn tactical shooting, what to do in situations, an threat assesments, etc. I really don't care if I am the fastest/high score/most points. If there is an orginazation that can teach me how to shoot in a fluid environment, that would be ideal.

I have a good amount of experience with guns, just none with any real world training. (which is what I want to get better prepared for)

I live in Pearland, which is a suburb of Houston. What group or org should I look at?

[WildBill]

Join PSC Range in Friendswood and shoot IDPA.

[USA1]

PSC is highly recommend. Take a look at the website----> http://www.psc-range.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Edited to add..WildBill beat me to it.

[SecedeTX]

I have a Kahr MK 9. I my gun ok to use? This is going to be my primary concealed weapon, with a Ruger LCP 380 for times when I need to go more dressed up "out on the town". Would I need to get a full frame handgun to participate or is the Kahr acceptable?

[WildBill]

I have a Kahr MK 9. I my gun ok to use? This is going to be my primary concealed weapon, with a Ruger LCP 380 for times when I need to go more dressed up "out on the town". Would I need to get a full frame handgun to participate or is the Kahr acceptable?

IDPA is geared towards guns and equipment that you would actually carry, so I think the Kahr MK9 is fine. There are plenty of IDPA shooters on the forum, so I am sure that one of them will reply soon. You may want to buy some extra magazines and magazine holders.

[Skiprr]

Your Kahr is perfectly legal for use in IDPA in the SSP (Stock Service Pistol) division. The downside you'll face is that division capacity is 10 in the mag, plus 1 in the chamber to start. You can shoot the Kahr, but you'll have to plan on more frequent reloads. No single string of fire can exceed 18 rounds, so you'll be performing a minimum of two reloads compared to other division competitors' performing one. Which is not an issue with your participating; it just means you'll have to do more work.

The folks shooting in the Custom Defensive Pistol division have a maximum capacity of 8+1. So your method of running a course will be more similar to theirs.

Big +1 for PSC. If you're in Pearland, that's a no-brainer. And while IDPA is great fun, costs little, and is great gun-handling practice, it isn't tactical training. If schedule and money permit, I'd also recommend looking into formal, defensive shooting classes from well-known schools/instructors. IDPA is designed to simulate some real-word scenarios, but it's still a sport, and as such has to make total safety paramount. There are some things about IDPA which run counter to what you might want to do in a real-word situation.

[SecedeTX]

I looked at PSC online. MUCH nicer than where I have been going to say the least. I also was told that there is a range south on 288 in Alvin across from an auto dealership. I live on the exact oposite side of Pearland from PSC. I was told the one south of Pearland was nice also.

Any ideas on this one?

[LarryH]

288 doesn't go through Alvin.

PSC is along FM 528, about a mile east of TX 35, near the Ron Carter dealerships.

[Plato]

... And while IDPA is great fun, costs little, and is great gun-handling practice, it isn't tactical training. If schedule and money permit, I'd also recommend looking into formal, defensive shooting classes from well-known schools/instructors. IDPA is designed to simulate some real-word scenarios, but it's still a sport, and as such has to make total safety paramount. There are some things about IDPA which run counter to what you might want to do in a real-word situation.

Excellent post, especially the part quoted above +++1

I think the best approach is to get some formal training in defensive pistol, and then let the local IDPA match be your regular practice session -with the understanding that to have a competitive sport you always give up some of the true "tactical" aspects of shooting to make a level rule-based playing field.

[SecedeTX]

I have found an instructor that teaches a defensive handgun course over two days. Lots of topics, and shooting around 600 rounds. The instructor is a current LEO. My intention is protection of myself and my family foremost. If I can get to that point, participating in a shooting sport to keep my skills up would be a bonus.

PSC seems like a no brainer at this point. It practically looks like a country club compared to where I have been going.