Nervous about PAL test

Has testing changed much over the years? I did my course/test in early 1995. Course was 4 hours a night over 4 days. One of our college profs (former TO cop) mentioned the laws had changed and recommended we all get our FAC. With no Internet access, it was hard to keep up2speed on things.

Percy Allen and Herbert Lamm (sp?) were my instructors (also did my hunting course years earlier with them). I only recall losing a point % on the practical b/c I did not lift the revolver up (mock range session) high enough for Percy to see up the bbl (to show it was unloaded). Other than that, it was a very easy going atmosphere with no pressure at all.

Just relax and use common sense and all will go well. :)
 
I took my course (restricted and non) not too long ago, and with 0 knowledge (last time i fired a gun i was 12...im 32 now) i got 100% on everything...The advice posted by everyone here is bang on. Verbalize the steps while doing your test, and dont be afraid to ask questions. I took advantage of everyones smoke breaks to practice with the firearms, and it helped a great deal...In my test, I even forgot to put my imaginary att in the case with the pistol (i was asked to go through the procedure of packing the gun up as though i were heading to the range). I realized this and said "Wait, i forgot att", corrected the mistake and still got 100%...The instructor wants you to pass...dont worry, it will be fine...
And just like you, i was super nervous...but it all worked out...and the training sticks with you...i just got my first handgun and within 2 minutes of taking it out of the case, i had it PROVED and field stripped...simple...
 
When I got my RPAL a few years back in BC, the instructor made it perfectly clear that they do not expect us to know anything.

I had only handled a gun 1 or 2 times before I took the course. Yes, I was nervous, but as long as you follow ACTS and PROVE, there is nothing to worry about. We were allowed to ask any questions about the firearms and there was no time limit. It is almost impossible to fail.
 
Seriously if you're nervous about your PAL test, look at some of the people that post here, and you'll realize how easy the test is.
 
Take a breath .
ACTS and PROVE .
Take your time .
ALWAYS point in a safe direction , this is a biggie !
You'll be fine .
Don't worry so much about which gun the instructor chooses for you to use , they are all just variations . If you keep ACTS and PROVE in mind for the whole time , you are golden .
 
Boy am I ever glad this thread was started. It was very reassuring. I am starting my Safety course soon and have zero experience with firearms. I have been looking over the manual and must admit that I find it a bit overwhelming. So much information about firearms I will never own or use. The only history I have with firearms are those I see in video games. HAHA. It was nice to read that the instructors are there to help us and hopefully want us to succeed. Thanks for the encouragement, everyone! For us newcomers I believe this thread is a big help.
 
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?
 
you cant be an expert on every gun, you can ask'where is the safety', you need to know if its engaged or not. There are only so many ways of doing the same thing. If you came across a gun you were comepeletly unfamiliar with, you will learn over time different systems and use that knowledge to 'figure it out'. The test is designed for you to pass. You are over thinking this, take a breath.
 
Might be a stupid question, but if the instructor goes to pass you a firearm, must you first ask him if the safety is on before accepting it? In a real situation, I know you should, but is that expected?
Or do you pick up all the firearms from a table?
 
msroest said:
In my practical test everything was on the table. The instructor just asked you to identify and manipulate things from there.
Click to expand...

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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
I hope everything goes well for you.
I was a TOTAL newb going into my cfsc and crfsc and I certainly didn't
know about all the firearms. I was a little nervous too, but did well.
I had time to study the firearm, and could ask questions. When I challenged the restricted
safety course it had been the first time I've touched a handgun in my life. (no, seriously!)

Its common sense and remembering the acts/prove. When in doubt try thinking logically...
Alot of great tips, and replies. I can't honestly think of anything I can add to it.

edit: -- except take the muzzle direction VERY seriously.
 
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You mean no one else has to field strip a rifle and reassemble it in under 2 minutes in the dark any more ? we got 2.5 minutes for the pistol portion ... don't worry you will do fine , ask questions and remember your safety rules , the instructor knows not everyone is an expert with every gun, and questions are expected . When I did my Restricted fac we were lucky our Grade 9/10 school principal was the local instructor and we got the Rfac and the Core course for under 25-30 bucks ( we paid the going rate for exam fees) . Later grade 9-10 classes, had them paid for by the school as an elective.


Good luck you will do fine .
 
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