Black Badge Questions....

D

djmay71

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 87.5%
7   1   0
Location
Eastern Ontario
1) Why is it SO expensive?? Lets see: $50 instructor fee, $50 Course fee and a $70 membership fee. 1000 rounds of ammo- not everybody has a thousand rounds just kicking around.
I understand some of the reasons of why its that high: ie- overhead costs, new membership paperwork, etc., but has anyone ever considered looking for an economy priced Black Badge course.

2) What exactly is taught at Black Badge courses? I get that it teaches the fundamentals of safe holstering and unholstering your weapon- but why can't that be taught with a holster and a plastic replica of a handgun? Why does it take a 1000 rounds to do, when it could (correct if wrong, haven't done it) be done with less.

3) Is it essentially worth it? Yes- to compete in IPSC, and other handgun competitions its required, but what about for the average shooter who wants to use a holster? I know at some ranges, to use a holster, you must be Black Badge Certified, but what about other ranges, where it isn't mandatory?

4) Now this point- (and question)- drive me up the wall- why does everyone literally pronounce IPSC as "ipsec"? Its an acronym! Why not pronouce it "I P S C"? What- wow, it takes 1 more second to say it that way! Am I the only one who spells it out?
 
Not expensive at all if you intend on going to lots of matches or practicing once a week

The only way to get better is to shoot and that takes lots of ammo

You also learn how to play ipsc

Go take it you will learn lots
 
I'd say the "holster" portion of the course is only a minor part of the whole thing.

The BB course teaches you how to shoot the game. It's far more focused on the rules and skills you need to know in order to shoot a match.

IPSC has a lot of rules... You won't get through a match unless you know the basics...

As for the cost... I bet golf lessons cost more.
 
The BB course is a very good deal with regards to value for information learned.

Safety is number one and you need to practice and practice until you can make sure you are safe for all COF.

I used 328 rds for my BB course, nobody used more than 500 rds for my course.
 
BB teaches you the game, not just the shooting skills.

You need to know the rules, and more importantly, what you can and cannot do. And how to make sure you can properly play the game staying in the rules, and when you can argue for your actions.

And I say I-P-S-C too, not Ip-Sic.
 
djmay71 said:
1) Why is it SO expensive?? Lets see: $50 instructor fee, $50 Course fee and a $70 membership fee. 1000 rounds of ammo- not everybody has a thousand rounds just kicking around.
I understand some of the reasons of why its that high: ie- overhead costs, new membership paperwork, etc., but has anyone ever considered looking for an economy priced Black Badge course.

2) What exactly is taught at Black Badge courses? I get that it teaches the fundamentals of safe holstering and unholstering your weapon- but why can't that be taught with a holster and a plastic replica of a handgun? Why does it take a 1000 rounds to do, when it could (correct if wrong, haven't done it) be done with less.

3) Is it essentially worth it? Yes- to compete in IPSC, and other handgun competitions its required, but what about for the average shooter who wants to use a holster? I know at some ranges, to use a holster, you must be Black Badge Certified, but what about other ranges, where it isn't mandatory?

4) Now this point- (and question)- drive me up the wall- why does everyone literally pronounce IPSC as "ipsec"? Its an acronym! Why not pronouce it "I P S C"? What- wow, it takes 1 more second to say it that way! Am I the only one who spells it out?
Click to expand...

1. That is CHEAP! and generally it only calls for 500 rounds. You are getting instruction from VERY experienced shooters who have lots of knowlege to bestow upon you. It is a 2 day all day course that not only teaches you how to holster the gun, but teaches you the rules of IPSC and helps you solve the stage in the most effecient and effective manner. Not to mention that these instructors often have to travel to teach the course and the fee barely covers their travel costs and meals. There is little to no profit in a BB course. They tech them to help promote the sport! Also (at least in AB) your BB fee includes the match fee for your 1st match as well so you shoot the 1st one free.

2. It can not be taught with a replica becasuse learning hands on is the most effective way to learn. I could tell you a million times a million ways how to do something, but until you see it done and do it yourself it won't really sink in. This is the first time I've heard someone complain about getting to shoot!

3. Again the course doesn't just teach you how to holster and unholster a gun. It teaches you how to move with that gun SAFELY. It may sound easy, but it requires alot of thinking to someone new to it. Most ranges there isn't much movement. You stand on a static line and shoot at some paper and possibley hit it. With IPSC you are running all over hell and back shooting at targets and the course teaches you the best practices on how to do this and leave at the end of the day with the same amount of holes in your body you arrived with.

4. If that is your biggest problem then really what are you complaining about? If it makes you feel better this guy says "eye pee ess see"

[youtube]-M1fzejlapo[/youtube]
 
P.S. I seem to remember you saying you'll be in lethbridge this summer. Let me know if you'd like to come to our weekly "action league" night. It's basically IPSC but we score differently.
 
ndb86 said:
1. That is CHEAP! and generally it only calls for 500 rounds. You are getting instruction from VERY experienced shooters who have lots of knowlege to bestow upon you. It is a 2 day all day course that not only teaches you how to holster the gun, but teaches you the rules of IPSC and helps you solve the stage in the most effecient and effective manner.

2. It can not be taught with a replica becasuse learning hands on is the most effective way to learn. I could tell you a million times a million ways how to do something, but until you see it done and do it yourself it won't really sink in. This is the first time I've heard someone complain about getting to shoot!

3. Again the course doesn't just teach you how to holster and unholster a gun. It teaches you how to move with that gun SAFELY. It may sound easy, but it requires alot of thinking to someone new to it. Most ranges there isn't much movement. You stand on a static line and shoot at some paper and possibley hit it. With IPSC you are running all over hell and back shooting at targets and the course teaches you the best practices on how to do this and leave at the end of the day with the same amount of holes in your body you arrived with.

4. If that is your biggest problem then really what are you complaining about? If it makes you feel better this guy says "eye pee ess see"
Click to expand...

Thanks for the informative post. I didn't know it taught the game of IPSC.
That being said- is it typically only people interested in IPSC taking Black Badge?
As for the costs- the most expensive part of it is the rounds. Why am I saying a 1000 rounds? Because my range is putting on two Black Badge courses, and their crack IPSC co-ordinator is saying that a 1000 rounds is reccommended to bring.

I was thinking of taking the course, for the holstering part of it, as it might look good on a resume for an armed position, but if its main purpose is to teach the game & rules and regulations of IPSC, I'll reconsider, as I have no interest in IPSC.

EDIT: Yup, I'll be in Lethbridge, and I'll show up if spectators are allowed. Plus I might be able to get some awesome footage with my camera.
 
You'll burn 1000 rounds sooner rather than later.

Why not do it as part of a course, rather than with friends just shooting pointless into paper? (Happens far too often)

Good reason to get into reloading
 
I would like to reiterate what broncoo said. In my course, I learned more about safety, holster use, the rules of the game and how to shoot better and I shot about 500 rounds. I was taught by someone that represented Canada in the worlds this year. Him and I shoot about the same points in each stage, but he does it in half the time. I enjoyed my course and I enjoy shooting handguns more since that weekend.

You think it is expensive for you, I bought a Glock 22, 4 extra mags, a holster, 2 double mag pouches and 20 boxes of ammo in the week before my course. It was an all inclusive kind of idea for me. I wanted to play the game so I had to buy the stuff.
 
djmay71 said:
Thanks for the informative post. I didn't know it taught the game of IPSC.
That being said- is it typically only people interested in IPSC taking Black Badge?
As for the costs- the most expensive part of it is the rounds. Why am I saying a 1000 rounds? Because my range is putting on two Black Badge courses, and their crack IPSC co-ordinator is saying that a 1000 rounds is reccommended to bring.

I was thinking of taking the course, for the holstering part of it, as it might look good on a resume for an armed position, but if its main purpose is to teach the game & rules and regulations of IPSC, I'll reconsider, as I have no interest in IPSC.
Click to expand...

If you're in Lethy come out and shoot a league night and you'll quickly change your mind!

I get BDX loaded 9mm for $270/1200 rounds. 23 cents/bang. That's the cheapest you can get without reloading your own and it's great ammo. I unerstand that not everyone is rich (neither am I!) and that 1000 rounds may sound like a lot of ammo/money to you right now. However if cost is a factor for you then IPSC is NOT a sport for you. Shooting in general is not a sport for you. It's expensive! It takes ALOT of rounds to improve! I had about 8-10 000 rounds through my 1st handgun by the time I sold it and have had my new shadow for less than a year and already have close to 10 000 rounds through it and I'm still only a D class shooter! However every time I pull the trigger I get a little better. When I screw up I now know WHY i screwed up before anyone tells me! It's all about practice.


Even if you don't ever shoot an IPSC match I feel a BB course is excellent value for the money. You get a very experienced instructor teaching you and coaching you for 2 entire days. Some people show up to a BB course without having a clue how to even load a mag let alone shoot. They leave knowing the proper grip, stance, tigger squeeze sight picture how to shoot on the move, how to move witha loaded gun, run backwards forwards shoot on their feet, knees, prone, etc etc etc. It is an excellent course for novices.


I had about a year of "practice" shooting every week at our league night before I took my BB. In that 1 weekend of shooting I learned more than I had in that entire year and my skill level and confidence improved 10 times.
 
djmay71 said:
1) Why is it SO expensive?? Lets see: $50 instructor fee, $50 Course fee and a $70 membership fee. 1000 rounds of ammo- not everybody has a thousand rounds just kicking around.
I understand some of the reasons of why its that high: ie- overhead costs, new membership paperwork, etc., but has anyone ever considered looking for an economy priced Black Badge course.

2) What exactly is taught at Black Badge courses? I get that it teaches the fundamentals of safe holstering and unholstering your weapon- but why can't that be taught with a holster and a plastic replica of a handgun? Why does it take a 1000 rounds to do, when it could (correct if wrong, haven't done it) be done with less.

3) Is it essentially worth it? Yes- to compete in IPSC, and other handgun competitions its required, but what about for the average shooter who wants to use a holster? I know at some ranges, to use a holster, you must be Black Badge Certified, but what about other ranges, where it isn't mandatory?

4) Now this point- (and question)- drive me up the wall- why does everyone literally pronounce IPSC as "ipsec"? Its an acronym! Why not pronouce it "I P S C"? What- wow, it takes 1 more second to say it that way! Am I the only one who spells it out?
Click to expand...

:eek: Wow, this is quite a list of negatives with the only positive being to fill a requirement ?

Find another range and just don't bother.

I personally found the whole BB thing to be rather fun. Guess I must be just a sucker and too easy to please. I'll try to be more discriminating in future. Color me duly inspired :rolleyes:.
 
If you are comtemplating shooting IPSC, the BB course is a must.
It is also an opportunity to receive some pretty concentrated formal instruction.
The comparable IDPA training is valuable for similar reasons.
This weekend we are doing a pistol clinic on Saturday, followed by a holster clinic on Sunday. We shoot Service Conditions.
For our matches, we recognize our training, IDPA, IPSC, Police or Military training. Formal holster training, you are good to go. No holster training, you start matches at the low ready.
www.osacanada.ca
 
djmay71 said:
I was thinking of taking the course, for the holstering part of it, as it might look good on a resume for an armed position, but if its main purpose is to teach the game & rules and regulations of IPSC, I'll reconsider, as I have no interest in IPSC.

.
Click to expand...

Yep right there.........along with some of your other inspired posts puts you squarely on my

"DO NOT TEACH THIS INDIVIDUAL A BB COURSE" list.
 
It actually took 8 posts for a derailment into silliness.

Good job OP, you are getting better.

Aren't you a CSIS agent yet?

Wow, just wow.
 
Does raise the issue of how much screening should be done before accepting someone in a course.
If you are uncomfortable about someone, do you just say, sorry, but.....
We've ended relationships with "and don't come back".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom