Nervous about PAL test

[ren666]

1. there will be 5 or more guns on a table. you'll be asked to pick up a specific gun by name, like the lever action or the pump action. you need to know which is which. as soon as you pick it up say "this is a pump action shotgun, I assume it is loaded". prove it safe, then do what the instructor says. usually you will have to go to a stack of mixed ammo, pick the correct ones and then load your gun.
2. point the gun at the instructor or the observer or yourself except when checking the barrel and you fail. one wall will be designated as the safe zone, always point the muzzle in that direction. you have to watch, when you look on the barrel for the data stamp, turn your body, not the gun, keep it pointed at the wall.
3. ask a lot of questions during the training before the exam, this stuff isn't a secret. they don't have time to cover the whole manual in the course so read it once or twice on your own (it's available on-line) and pay attention to the ammo section and the actions section.
4. be able to perform any of the carries or shooting positions with a gun in your hands (muzzle direction, either at the safe zone or straight up).

 

[al100]

As has been said here before, verbalize EVERYTHING, the instructor may be making notes and misses seeing you doing a step. You've done the step but he might think you overlooked it. By verbalizing everything, even if he glances away, he will know you went through all of the procedures because he heard you.

This is important. Talk your way through every thing. As an instructor it is important to know that you actually know what the steps are and how to do them. I have seen some that just go thru the motion and try to make it look good but dont really know. Knowing the actions and general operation is important too. Having intamate knowledge comes with expiriance. There are still guns I pick up that I have to figure out or ask about there unque features.

 

[alphawolf29]

I passed with 94% on the practical and 100% on the written, now collecting references etc to send out on monday! I placed a rifle on the ground loaded before the fence test, but realised my mistake and then picked it up, PROVEd it and then placed it back down and continued (lost 3 marks for that). I was just a bit nervous but it turned out okay!

 

[NShunter1254]

I have never heard of anyone failing this stupid test

 

[oneguy]

Congrats! Those were my exact scores for my non-restricted tests too.....lol

Scored a 98% on both parts of the restricted. Now it's a waiting game.

 

[crackerbarrel2]

Take LOT'S of time This is not a timed test...He may ask you to simulate a situation whereby you are at a range with a firearm and you are ready to leave for the day.Don't forget to mention you have your ATT and don't forget your trigger lock as well as the locked case for your firearm...

 

[silverfoxdj]

I passed with 94% on the practical and 100% on the written, now collecting references etc to send out on monday! I placed a rifle on the ground loaded before the fence test, but realised my mistake and then picked it up, PROVEd it and then placed it back down and continued (lost 3 marks for that). I was just a bit nervous but it turned out okay!

TOLD YOU SO Congrats

 

[m.taylor]

I passed with 94% on the practical and 100% on the written, now collecting references etc to send out on monday! I placed a rifle on the ground loaded before the fence test, but realised my mistake and then picked it up, PROVEd it and then placed it back down and continued (lost 3 marks for that). I was just a bit nervous but it turned out okay!

Sounds just like my test.

I have never heard of anyone failing this stupid test

2 people in my class did.

 

[canadaman30]

If the instructor hands you a gun, do not accept the gun from his hands until he proves it's unloaded. Simply tell him "please unload your gun before you give it to me". If your asked to pick a gun, pick a gun you are familiar with. If he tells you to take a gun your not fimiliar with, tell him your not familiar with the action and ask him to show you it's operation. As long as you show safe handling and don't hand back or put back the gun in a loaded state you will be fine. If you are forced to pick-up a gun from a table in a loaded state, unload it right away. Any thing you simulate ie; crossing a fence getting in a boat unload, do not accept a gun from anyone's hands until they proove it unloaded. Don't sweat it and keep your gun pointed in a safe direction. Prepare yourself for what may become a life long addiction.......guns.

 

[Sixgunjohnny]

Too much advice now. If you can't pass the tests then you should not be allowed to have firearms. It just ain't that hard,. If its too hard for you, then the system works.....

 

[themikea]

I passed with 94% on the practical and 100% on the written, now collecting references etc to send out on monday! I placed a rifle on the ground loaded before the fence test, but realised my mistake and then picked it up, PROVEd it and then placed it back down and continued (lost 3 marks for that). I was just a bit nervous but it turned out okay!

Congrats. Now you have a bit of waiting ahead, but that's ok, because that is just time to save up some cash for future purchases.

 

[KRJ]

Don't forget to put the piece of paper with authorization to transport written on it in the case when you are asked to prep a restricted for transport. That was a two pointer for me. Don't shortcut the calibre names either, if the slide/ barrel says 9mm para, tell the instructor 9mm parabellum, not just 9mm. That was another two pointer for me.

Just be thorough with your acts and prove, use the time on breaks to handle any guns you aren't familiar with and you should be fine. Good luck.

But the barrel is stamped 9mm Para & the ammo is stamped 9mm luger what will I ever do. :>)

 

[dHb]

Thanks, that's what I figured. But theoretically if the instructor did try to pass you a firearm, you would ask him if the safety was on right?

If the instructor passes you a gun, he's not following the testing standard. You should be asked to pick up specific firearms from a table (3 of the 5 in the CFSC).

 

[dHb]

Hi guys, I have the distinct feeling that these guys will not show me where the bolt/mag releases and the safety are during the test, saying something like "you should have learned before the practical". Is there anything I can do about this? Can they arbitrarily fail me if they want to?

The current policy in Ontario is that examiners are only allowed to point out the location of a specific control if asked where it is. They shouldn't be telling you how to do anything. The only way to get an automatic fail is to unnecessarily point a firearm at yourself or the examiner. If you do that, the examiner should let you know immediately that you got an automatic fail and then give you the option of finishing the test. You're supposed to sign the practical test form after you do the test so you can see where you lost points. I always give students a full debrief on any points lost. I give my students an opportunity to ask any questions they have about the guns before the practical test starts.

 

[dHb]

... 20-25 guns seems a lot to have to be familiar with, considering that i will only really have to be completely familiar with my own guns in the future...

How big is your class? Each instructor should have 5 guns per 10 students during the handling practice. For classes of 20 I provide two sets of 5 identical (or nearly so) firearms so there's less for the students to remember - it makes it easier for the students and the instructors.

 

[dHb]

The tests haven't changed since about 1999 when the CFSC and CRFSC were split into separate courses. If you still have your test results from the 1990s, you shouldn't have to redo the tests.