Was it difficult for anyone who took the black badge course? Was it worth it?

It will take your gun handling skills (mostly related to safety) to a whole new level. As far as overall experience...hey you're on the range with bunch of like minded individual firing off a few hundred rounds. There are definitely worse ways to spend a weekend!
I really wise we were allowed to incorporate live fire into the CRFSC.
 
1oldfart said:
How long ago was that and where you take your course? We had a couple of really green shooter in my class when I took it, I've never seen them at any competions after the course so I assume they just took it to improve their safe handling of hand guns
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It was Ontario several years ago, and I have to imagine that there will be variations depending on who's running the course in how they try to prequalify candidates.

And I have to imagine that some ace the course, others do merely okay, and there may be a few who quietly don't graduate either knowing they're in beyond their depth or being taken aside for a chat by the instructor. And probably some are in for the bucket list and soon turn to life's next challenge. It takes a certain mindset to keep showing up for matches!
 
1oldfart said:
Oh I forgot to mention it is not difficult if you have a basic knowledge of handguns. You will require a holster 5 magazines and magazine pouches. Get some that Competes in IPSC to help you pick out the gear you will require
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You require 5 magazines? I was not aware of that requirement.
 
As others said, if you want to shoot IDPA matches, it's required. Here in SSW Ontario, I am not aware of any IDPA matches being held (Windsor, Chatham, Sarnia). I have never taken my Black Badge course, yet participate in Bullseye League, PPC League, "Action Pistol" League, Steel Matches, as well as IDPA, 2-Gun, and 3-Gun matches in Michigan.

From a safety standpoint, I can see it being very useful for most people. I suspect I will never get my Black Badge due to the lack of IPSC matches near me and the "other" matches/shooting that I do.

YMMV
 
I took the course last year without much of a desire to shoot IPSC. I live in a small town, so any firearms training is limited without driving a few hours away. I really enjoyed the weekend and had great instructors (lead by Walter Hornby in Vauxhall, AB). I feel I learned quite a bit about pistol handling as will happen when you put 500 rounds down range under the instruction of great shooters. Midway through the course I realized that yes, maybe I would like to try competing in IPSC. Due to working shift work I haven't been able to make a match, but if all goes well there is a match near me mere weeks before my 1-year expiry comes up. I have decided though that even if for some reason I can't make that match, I will take the course again if for no other reason than to get out on the range with other folks interested in the same sport as I am

Point to add: Don't worry if you aren't great, or you don't have the best gear. Make sure you have the safety fundamentals and the openness to learn. You'll get better as the weekend progresses.
 
If I took the course but had no immediate interest in competing, or continuing with an annual membership, does the qualification completely expire at 12 months? For example, is it a total redo if I wanted to rejoin on month 18? Thx.
 
joemanco said:
If I took the course but had no immediate interest in competing, or continuing with an annual membership, does the qualification completely expire at 12 months? For example, is it a total redo if I wanted to rejoin on month 18? Thx.
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This would depend on where you are. I don’t believe there is a national standard for this. IPSC Alberta uses three years as the cut off. If you haven’t shot for less than three years a Black Badge Instructor has to recertify you. After three years you have to redo the course. IPSC New Brunswick less than 2 years you just need a current membership. 2-4 years a Black Badge Instructor needs to rectify you. More than four years you have to do the course again.
 
In the Firearms world proper knowledge and use of your Firearm is absolutely critical. Whether competition or just plinging, a course on how to use a firearm by a creditable individual in my opinion is definitely an asset.
The IPSC Blackbadge course is recognized in many countries thru out the world.
I've had my Blackbadge for over 15yrs and have met some of the Best and Top notch shooters in the world. Other then a very few who may have a different opinion on various Firearm ideals or usages the people are excellent.
My 2 cents
 
DiMP said:
I took the course last year without much of a desire to shoot IPSC. I live in a small town, so any firearms training is limited without driving a few hours away. I really enjoyed the weekend and had great instructors (lead by Walter Hornby in Vauxhall, AB). I feel I learned quite a bit about pistol handling as will happen when you put 500 rounds down range under the instruction of great shooters. Midway through the course I realized that yes, maybe I would like to try competing in IPSC. Due to working shift work I haven't been able to make a match, but if all goes well there is a match near me mere weeks before my 1-year expiry comes up. I have decided though that even if for some reason I can't make that match, I will take the course again if for no other reason than to get out on the range with other folks interested in the same sport as I am

Point to add: Don't worry if you aren't great, or you don't have the best gear. Make sure you have the safety fundamentals and the openness to learn. You'll get better as the weekend progresses.
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Walter is a good instructor. I had him for my Range officers course.
 
With hand guns being banned.

How does this course work now?

I wanted to compete with a shotgun and in PCC with the R9.

I live in BC
 
It seems for the most part you are screwed if you don’t have a pistol. Someone posted in the IPSC Shotgun thread that a PCC Black Badge course rolled out last year. Not sure where, but definitely not in my area.

I put a post on the IPSC Shotgun page to see how it is done in other countries and there is a lot of variations depending on firearm laws. The UK has two courses, long guns (shotgun, rifle, mini rifle and PCC) and short gun (handgun and action air). Italy has a course for each different type of firearm and in Poland the pistol course is the only course which allows you to compete all types of matches.

IPSC shotgun seems to be only offered in B.C. and Ontario. It would be nice if Black Badge was expanded or if separate courses were available so new competitors could jump in with shotgun or the few remaining PCC.
 
armycat said:
It seems for the most part you are screwed if you don’t have a pistol. Someone posted in the IPSC Shotgun thread that a PCC Black Badge course rolled out last year. Not sure where, but definitely not in my area.

I put a post on the IPSC Shotgun page to see how it is done in other countries and there is a lot of variations depending on firearm laws. The UK has two courses, long guns (shotgun, rifle, mini rifle and PCC) and short gun (handgun and action air). Italy has a course for each different type of firearm and in Poland the pistol course is the only course which allows you to compete all types of matches.

IPSC shotgun seems to be only offered in B.C. and Ontario. It would be nice if Black Badge was expanded or if separate courses were available so new competitors could jump in with shotgun or the few remaining PCC.
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Specially with the ban, how can they expect newcommers to join the sport.

Suppose I'll just have to reach out and see where I can fit in.
 
sunnydayitw said:
I have been thinking of taking the course, but I am not sure if it is worth it.
If you could please share your experience for a bit, that would be appreciated.
Thanks!
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I took the Black Badge course back in 1992 shortly before I got hired at Brinks.

The only handgun I owned was an Interarms Virginian Dragoon in .44 Rem Mag, with a 7 1/2" barrel. I knew that wasn't going to cut it, so I borrowed a friend's Dan Wesson .357 Mag revolver and shot .38 Specials out of it. (I was also the only person that shot a revolver during the course.) I was hoping that taking the course would increase my skill level if I carried a revolver at work.

On the last day, a few of the friends that I'd made let me try their semi-autos. I shot a CZ-75, a Glock 17, and a Colt 1911 Gold Cup for the first time.

I had a blast and it really helped me when I took the firearms training at Brinks a few months later.

On the first day, the Brinks firearms instructor asked me if I shot IPSC after he saw my groups and the way that I handled the revolver. I told him "No, but I just took the Black Badge course recently."

I never did compete because I didn't have the time or money to back then. I was working 50 to 60 hours a week and rarely had a Saturday or Sunday off.

I still have my plastic ID badge and I think that I have a black and gold metal pin somewhere.

I might get back into it someday, but I want to be set up for reloading if I ever do. I can remember guys complaining about how expensive factory ammo was back in the 90's.

As long as you can afford it and have the time and desire to take the training, then you can't really go wrong.

It's good training no matter what you shoot and you can meet a lot of really nice people.

Oh, and I'd definitely take the course with a semi-auto now. A stock CZ would be my choice.
 
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seaslug said:
With hand guns being banned.

How does this course work now?

I wanted to compete with a shotgun and in PCC with the R9.

I live in BC
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Hand guns are not banned. The importation, transfer and sale of them is now highly restricted. One could still use most handguns they currently own for target practice or competition shooting.
 
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