what is the Black Badge course??

just wondering what its for and what you get out of it...what do you need?

THe BB course is required to participate in IPSC shooting. Google "IPSC", "Black Badge Course", or just do a search here on CGN for it.

You'll need a centre fire handgun, a holster that retains well and covers the trigger completely, at least two (4 is better) magazine pouches or speed loader pouches. Find the website for your provincial IPSC organization or talk to members of your local gun club.

You don't need the course for anything except shooting IPSC.
 
at this time...there are no immediate plans to hold a BB course for the Moncton area...
I did have some interest, but only 1 or 2 committed applicants...I would need at least 3 or 4 to hold one with paid deposit.
With your paid fee, you get a years membership in IPSC NB, 1 evening theory and review, and 2 days on the range for live fire instruction. Once you shoot a match, and have completed all the drills and excercises successfully, you then recieve your certificate and BB pin to follow up. It is more than just a holster course, you gain knowledge about the sport, rules, etc...in a practical manner via hands on application and demonstrations. You also learn very quickly that under even minor stress in competition and on the line, even experienced shooters need to develop coping mechanisms that allow them to participant...AND be safe. (case in point,..I just had 2 police officers and one current duty soldier complete the course....it was an eye opener for them...and they all commented that it was not as easy as they thought)
The dynamics and movement of shooting an IPSC stage are more challenging than a static firing line. IN the course, we help you resolve issues pertaining to those dynamics.
 
Black Badge

The 'Black Badge' course will make you a very safe, adept gun handler. It is arguably the best program available to civilians and ought to be standard for LEOs as well.
 
That varies range to range and is not a law.

In some ranges, you can carry your gun in a holster (while moving from firing bench to targets, for example) but you're not allowed to draw (as in Westerns or as in IPSC) ---from holster--- and fire.
 
The 'Black Badge' course will make you a very safe, adept gun handler. It is arguably the best program available to civilians and ought to be standard for LEOs as well.
.... I just knew I'd missed out on something ! Even though I carried a gun for over 25 years ! ..... Sorry, nice idea but completely unnecessary and entirely superfluous, given the actual Training that a Police Officer goes through, including Weapon retention. ;) ...... David K
 
.... I just knew I'd missed out on something ! Even though I carried a gun for over 25 years ! ..... Sorry, nice idea but completely unnecessary and entirely superfluous, given the actual Training that a Police Officer goes through, including Weapon retention. ;) ...... David K


Sooo,...you HAVE NOT taken the Black Badge course. d:h: This is NOT a self defense or weapon retention course. You draw from a holster and reholster. Most LE have the advantage of doing this already...but if you had taken the course, you would know it is much more..It is a course to teach YOU about the sport, rules of the sport and the history of the organization. You are not just shooting on a NON static range. This is not Requalifications my friend.
Safety was not an issue for the officers I have put thru the black Badge course,..but when you add movement, barriers, metal targets, moving targets, hard cover targets, penalty targets, obstacles, walls, etc...and self induced stress,..you have entered a different ball game.
No one I have put thru the course (including military and LE) have ever said...."Gee,..I wish I didn't take that course",..or "That wasn't necessary".
 
Certainly interesting for those entering Action Shooting Competition

Sooo,...you HAVE NOT taken the Black Badge course. d:h: This is NOT a self defense or weapon retention course. You draw from a holster and reholster. Most LE have the advantage of doing this already...but if you had taken the course, you would know it is much more..It is a course to teach YOU about the sport, rules of the sport and the history of the organization. You are not just shooting on a NON static range. This is not Requalifications my friend.
Safety was not an issue for the officers I have put thru the black Badge course,..but when you add movement, barriers, metal targets, moving targets, hard cover targets, penalty targets, obstacles, walls, etc...and self induced stress,..you have entered a different ball game.
No one I have put thru the course (including military and LE) have ever said...."Gee,..I wish I didn't take that course",..or "That wasn't necessary".
... No S...... ! BUT, I was actually shooting Competition, IPSC ( Favorite being the Three Gun Matches)& PPC, before the "Black Badge" course was added to the requirement's. .... Useful Training ? Yes! From a Training and Safety perspective, for those that would otherwise receive none, but simply have been "Thrown in the Deep End". ... The PAL and RPAL do teach safety, but not specifics as such,aimed at potentially, "Action Shooters" and no actually direct, Competition focus. .... But essential for LEOs ? No I don't think so, useful ? But mainly for those that are wishing to enter Competition, as you've so aptly pointed out, "courses of fire" involving rapid movement. And it's nice to have a little practice and experience before paying entry fees. ...... Anyway just my thoughts. ..... David k
 
Sooo,...you HAVE NOT taken the Black Badge course. d:h: This is NOT a self defense or weapon retention course. You draw from a holster and reholster. Most LE have the advantage of doing this already...but if you had taken the course, you would know it is much more..It is a course to teach YOU about the sport, rules of the sport and the history of the organization. You are not just shooting on a NON static range. This is not Requalifications my friend.
Safety was not an issue for the officers I have put thru the black Badge course,..but when you add movement, barriers, metal targets, moving targets, hard cover targets, penalty targets, obstacles, walls, etc...and self induced stress,..you have entered a different ball game.
No one I have put thru the course (including military and LE) have ever said...."Gee,..I wish I didn't take that course",..or "That wasn't necessary".

I just did it, and I will very readily say it wasnt necessary for me to do. Only reason i didnt go nuts doing it was a)im at a gun range, could be worse b)treated it like a weekly practice session c)everyone in my course was competent already and therefore didnt have to spend any extra time going over super super basic items.

It's a good course for people with no experience as david said, but it should be elective and not a requirement
 
I just did it, and I will very readily say it wasnt necessary for me to do. Only reason i didnt go nuts doing it was a)im at a gun range, could be worse b)treated it like a weekly practice session c)everyone in my course was competent already and therefore didnt have to spend any extra time going over super super basic items.

It's a good course for people with no experience as david said, but it should be elective and not a requirement

So,.how does IPSC Canada assess who is competent and who is not?
ie:
"I'm Johnny shooter,..I am competent and should not have to take this course. I practice every week. I also know the rules, and read the book already".

Awesome that you enjoyed it and passed.
Others may need more work. Something to keep in mind.

How many matches have you shot so far....and do you enjoy it?
 
So,.how does IPSC Canada assess who is competent and who is not?
ie:
"I'm Johnny shooter,..I am competent and should not have to take this course. I practice every week. I also know the rules, and read the book already".

Awesome that you enjoyed it and passed.
Others may need more work. Something to keep in mind.
... I think that is a very fair comment! Particularly the last line, is very relevant! ..... Always fun at the Range! Better than a day stuck inside somewhere !! .... David K
 
Do you get an actual "badge" to sew on your range gear signifying that
you've passed the course, or a small certificate?

Yes you do, its made of metal and its actually black and has brass colored lettering and logo on it, its also laminated so it dosen't get demaged.
 
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