Experience for Black badge.

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I am new to pistol, but interested in IPSC. What skills do I need before I sign up for a Black badge course.
What should I practice before hand? What to expect during the course?

Thanks.
 
You would need to have some semblance of a shooting skill (hit the target and perform mag changes) using the holster and mag pouches that you have.

Get a mentor to help with these skills.
 
What should I practice before hand? What to expect during the course?
Two handed, Right hand and Left hand group shooting with the gun you plan to use.
Familiarize yourself with the operation of your pistols' mechanicals; Safeties (if equipped) Mag Button, slide lock.
That's it.

Unless a BB instructor shows you; don't practice reloads, draws or movement - wait for the instructor to show you the correct technique at the course.
It's harder to unlearn bad technique than it is to learn good ones.
 
Two handed, Right hand and Left hand group shooting with the gun you plan to use.
Familiarize yourself with the operation of your pistols' mechanicals; Safeties (if equipped) Mag Button, slide lock.
That's it.

Unless a BB instructor shows you; don't practice reloads, draws or movement - wait for the instructor to show you the correct technique at the course.
It's harder to unlearn bad technique than it is to learn good ones.


OMG this ^^^^^
 
I did mine with only ever shooting at paper... No movement or holstering experience...
Better to start from scratch at the course... easier then fixing bad habits.
 
Most important thing to remember in BB (apart from the usual ACTS and PROVE) is to always
be very, vewy, mindful of your trigger finger. Instructors and Range Officers will send you home
if they are not 100% satisfied that your trigger finger did not even think of moving if you're
not already pointing at target.
 
O.K., so I know the basic workings of my gun. I can field strip it and work the mechanicals. It's not exactly rocket science.
I can keep my shots on paper at 20 yards....say 19 out of 20 in an 8 inch circle. Not so much with one hand, but working on it.
I went to sign up for black badge, and the guy said I would probably struggle to keep up. He has never seen me shoot, just wants me to take
beginner courses first. I don't mind that, except they are not until March, and then I need to find a black badge course after that. (the one I wanted will be over by then.) So I really am trying to find out if this is good advice, or just a salesman getting me to take more courses? 3 months is a long time to wait, but I can see the wisdom in not practicing until being taught correctly.
 
I did mine with only ever shooting at paper... No movement or holstering experience...
Better to start from scratch at the course... easier then fixing bad habits.

^^^

This is how I did my black badge as well. I didn;t want to practice unsafe movements or holster draws etc.

If you can hit a piece of 8x11" paper from 20 yards two handed you should be good. Most everything else should be taught in a safe environment in my opinion.

Good luck, its really a lot of fun and a great bunch of people are out there.

Just remember that everyone had to start somewhere so ask questions.
 
Two handed, Right hand and Left hand group shooting with the gun you plan to use.
Familiarize yourself with the operation of your pistols' mechanicals; Safeties (if equipped) Mag Button, slide lock.
That's it.

Unless a BB instructor shows you; don't practice reloads, draws or movement - wait for the instructor to show you the correct technique at the course.
It's harder to unlearn bad technique than it is to learn good ones.

This is good advise. Going into the BB course with zero draw knowledge is better than going in with incorrect draw technique that you'll then have to overcome, and replace with proper technique. I was fortunate enough to take my club holster course with Ken Bell (Black badge instructor) prior to taking the BB course. Made things a hell of a lot easier.
 
OP - you accuracy is good enough for BB course.
Practice shooting groups with the gun of your choice, spend 1000 rounds or more to get used to that gun.
And have fun!

s>
 
"I was fortunate enough to take my club holster course with Ken Bell (Black badge instructor) prior to taking the BB course. Made things a hell of a lot easier. "

I did the same and then took the BB course from him as well. He corrected several of my faults before they became an issue. Other than being a rotten shot, which continues.
 
You must and better practice finger along with muzzle control before you do anything.......anything!Go to the range and practice these two things or you are toast.
 
OP: it sounds as if your accuracy is OK, but you don't mention what you're using, or how you're using it...

The thing is, some people don't shoot their pistol as it was intended. Some people buy a pistol with a manual safety and/or decocker, but then shoot them only with the hammer pre-cocked, and without using the manual safety/decocker; they fail to learn the integration of the manual control manipulation with the shooting. Some people buy a double-action autoloader but then shoot them only with the hammer pre-cocked; they fail to learn the double-action first shot, and they fail to learn the double/single transition. When these people come to a Black Badge, they're facing a sharp learning curve.

If you're shooting your pistol as it was intended, you're unlikely to experience any problems.

 
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I am new to pistol, but interested in IPSC. What skills do I need before I sign up for a Black badge course.
What should I practice before hand? What to expect during the course?

Thanks.

When I was in this position...I did a lot of dry firing and practicing movement in the basement while focusing on trigger finger and muzzle control.

On the range, I practiced getting all rounds consistently on target at 20 years....under some time stress.

Depending on how much you practice, you could be ready for the black badge within 1 month or 2, or longer. I think you'll kind of know. You could also stop by an IPSC night at your local club and ask them to coach you after a match or something. You can't shoot the match but they will probably be willing to give you some tips
 
When I was in this position...I did a lot of dry firing and practicing movement in the basement while focusing on trigger finger and muzzle control.

On the range, I practiced getting all rounds consistently on target at 20 years....under some time stress.

Depending on how much you practice, you could be ready for the black badge within 1 month or 2, or longer. I think you'll kind of know. You could also stop by an IPSC night at your local club and ask them to coach you after a match or something. You can't shoot the match but they will probably be willing to give you some tips

Watch Canadian IPSC YouTube clips and if possible visit a match or training night to observe. Worry about safety and accuracy first before speed in that order.
 
Get some good practice with common positions like this:

3764931881_28ff7311d3_b.jpg
 
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