Passed cfsc, about to challenge restricted, any advice?

James Howlett

James Howlett

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Alberta
I hope the newbie FAQ is the best spot, mod's if not feel free to move it (Please and thank you)

I just took the CFSC course for non-restricted and passed both the written & practical. I think being worried helped, I payed attention, asked questions and tried to take in everything I could. I also had a great instructor so that was a huge plus, really felt like I was being taught everything I needed.

Problem: I thought (and yes also asked while registering, not the instructor) if this was PAL & RPAL course and tests for both. I was told yes. Turns out the course was only for non-restricted but I can challenge the restricted test tomorrow (didn't have time to post this earlier)
So in the next 14-18 hours I plan to challenge the test. I'm reading through a borrowed cRfsc handbook, does anyone have advice on what to focus on, or things that wouldn't have been covered in the cfsc course?

I think I can do fine but would love any help or tips I can get. The reason I'm not waiting for the restricted course is I need to send my forms from Alberta-Ontario for my reference signatures and I'm itching to get my licence and get going. The restricted course isn't for weeks still and my marks today gave me the confidence to try and go for it all now. If I fail, I'll need to strongly consider if the restricted is worth getting for now. I can still submit for my pal.

Anything you can add helps, thanks in advanced. Keep you all posted.
 
Lol ya, I hear that's a bad move. I'm good so far with muzzle control unless I do something silly that shouldn't be a problem.
I'm a little concerned with the pistols, single action vs double action when told pick up gun ____. I understand the long guns, I understand pistol/revolver. Single action revolvers always seem to be the old school cow boy style vs the snub .38 newer styled revolvers. I'm not sure if there are singles or doubles that look like the other but I can normally tell the difference in pictures movies ect.
But off a table the pistols all look the same, and I'm having a hard time finding the difference.
Unless they give me, Single action-cow boy styled revolver, double action revolver, single action pistol-with a hammer and a double action pistol-with striker, also I suppose a break action handgun which I can find by the hinge/break.
I'm just worried to try and challenge and fail because of some handgun thing I don't know on the written or choosing the wrong gun during the practical.
I haven't been around or handled many guns (long or hand) before but I was rather comfortable with the longs maybe because of the course and having a chance to try all the different types but I'm nervous of screwing up and blowing my money for nothing. Yet I think I can probably pass with good marks again. Self doubt is odd.
 
You know maybe I should just try and show up as early as possible, hopefully before the other challengers, pick up and try all the guns there and that may teach me what I need to know. I may fumble with mag releases and such but just getting a quick hands on and a few trigger pulls will show me what I need.
That and reading as much of the handbook as I can tonight.

Still any advice is appreciated.
 
Hopefully one of the instructors pops online and gives you the lowdown.

Two tips;
1) Never touch the trigger during your test unless you're specifically told to, such as decocking a revolver.
2) ACTS & PROVE each firearm as you pick it up. You WILL lose points if you just pick it up and, even as simple as, check the data stamp.

As I recall there was two semi-auto's and two revolvers when I did mine. One was old looking, the other newer with "357 MAGNUM" on the side. When asked which was the single action, I picked up the older one and after PROVE'ing it safe said "I'm unfamiliar with this pistol and would like to pull the trigger to check it's action". Inspector said "no, that's the correct one". Didn't lose any marks so I guess that's correct.

The semi's were a little tougher only because the slides were much stiffer than I expected and I was nervous. By turning my body sideways I was able to full-grip the slide (vs. pinch-grip from the back). Being right handed, I turned to my right 90° and put my right thumb against the slide-lock so when I slid the slide back I KNEW the lock would hold it for me (some pistols don't auto-lock). This may work for you too. I could then properly finish PROVE'ing the pistol.
 
As my instructor told me, "No naughty fingers.". Maintain safe muzzle direction at all times. If you are required to look down the barrel, keep in mind that if you are facing down range and you tilt the gun towards your head you just lost points/failed because the barrel is pointed away from the safe direction. Magazine capacity is 10, even for 22 caliber and rimfire. Trigger/cable lock at all times, even if disassembled to be unable to discharge. Must be stored and transported in a locked, opaque, secure container. Authorization to Transport is required to transport the firearm anywhere. ATT and registration certificate must be on you at all times while transporting/using. Can only be removed from case and unlocked on an authorized range. Can not be displayed with ammunition. No hunting with restricted firearms. Only valid reason to apply is target shooting.

I do recommend seeing if you can get some extra hands-on time with the handguns, especially if you don't have "average" sized hands. I've got small hands and doing ACTS and PROVE on the imitation 1911 was downright awkward because it was too large for me to copy the way the instructor demonstrated.

I was tested on a single-action cowboy style revolver, a more modern double-action revolver, and an imitation 1911. The selection available to you will likely vary by instructor and location.
One way to tell SA from DA is that DA triggers have much more travel, they are located farther away from the grip. If the trigger is close to the grip it's probably SA. Granted, this distance might be less than half an inch...Unless your instructor is sadistic he'll probably make it easy for you, as opposed to giving you a gun that you need to pull the trigger/#### the hammer. That being said, don't touch the trigger/hammer unless instructed to, and make sure you've done ACTS and PROVE.

Remember the safety. My experience is with glocks, and I almost lost points for forgetting to set the safety on the 1911. If you're unsure of it, ask.

Ask questions, even if you're sure you know the answer. The right answer isn't always the correct answer. Ask questions other people might ask. Pretend you're the village idiot and ask questions he might. Pretend you're a super genius and ask questions he might.

One question the instructor asked while holding up the DA revolver was, "This is prohibited. Why?" My first guess was barrel length, it looked a bit short. My second guess was caliber. Third guess was that it was a replica, because it was reflecting light oddly. It was a replica. That's just something to keep in mind, as an instructor might very well ask you the difference between a restricted one and a prohibited one.

As a disclaimer, this is all based on my experience in Edmonton, Alberta. Where you are might be very different, and your instructor might be very different.
 
Your teacher will probably set guns on a table and let you pick them up,handle them and shoot.

Its super easy to point a handgun at someone by accident:eek: so really watch this especially when trying to figure out how to load/unload-your mind can slip away from thinking about the muzzle direction for just a second:eek:
 
Your teacher will probably set guns on a table and let you pick them up,handle them and shoot.

Its super easy to point a handgun at someone by accident:eek: so really watch this especially when trying to figure out how to load/unload-your mind can slip away from thinking about the muzzle direction for just a second:eek:

Also it never hurts to get there early and try to figure out the guns and ask your instructor if your not sure,they want you to learn! Oh ya,relax and have fun:D
 
Its essentially the same as your Non-Restricted, only dealing with handguns. So people tend to sweep and point in an unsafe direction more often as small movements have a big impact with those smaller barrels.
 
Wow falling asleep on the couch for a few hours may have been the best move I could make :p

First thing, thanks a ton for any/all advice you guys added.
Even (scratch that) especially the, watch the muzzle/don't sweep the barrel around/finger off the trigger :nest: bit. You never know and being told over and over and over again, either prevents that mistakes or says WE TOLD YOU A MILLION TIMES!!!!

I've got that in my head for a few reasons but you never know what stupidity my brain can come up with. I've had a licenced owner wave his pistol (I think a Desert Eagle) around at my while talking and I kept following the barrel around till I had to tell him to quit it. 'Oh yeah, sorry' I wouldn't have felt better if he had shown it was empty but he didn't do that either.
So yes being extra careful of the automatic fail worries me a bit. I don't want the instructor to say something or me ask a question and just turn around to face him...

Other stuff... ATT always always always if it ever leaves the house, or range if you can store the gun there? I'm not sure if that's an option anywhere. Either way if the gun is going for a ride (only to or from home-range, or gunsmith I suppose) you need the ATT and certificate.

Disassembled AND locked, he mentioned 'everything is doubled' for restricted even though it was a non-r class, he knows some of us are challenging today (its midnight here now). If its disassembled I'm guessing the lock is if the case is opened the gun can be easily assembled so at least at that stage there will still be a lock. Good to remember.

I still plan on reading more in this thread and the handbook when I'm awake in the morning, I had a question but lost it while typing, I read more of the handbook and still can't think of it. I hope that's a good thing.
If anyone adds more that's great I'll be checking this in the morning and right before I leave.

I have a feeling if we begin the practical and I ask if I may have a minute or two before we begin to become familiar with what's on the table before we begin, that will be fine.

One of my references added some advice in here.... I won't let you down brother, and thanks for your input.
Same goes for all of you. Thanks again.

Ok bed time for real...
 
:stfun00b:
Sorry I had to and it's going to be forever before I'm not a n00b and can use that one...

I remember the question I had: Is there anything similar to the 'crossing a fence' exercise or question for the long guns? If its a fence I know how to tackle that, but anything similar where you may need to know the answer and what to do, rather than "Yeah I'd just climb over, like so, holding my rifle"?
 
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There are no obstacle courses like in the CFSC practical. As others have said, always point the muzzle in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard. My instructor had us simply rock the handgun on a table to proof and load, muzzle pointed down on the table to grip on the table and muzzle pointed up to check for obstructions. It all depends on your instructor's designated "safe" zone. Also remember the storage and transport rules and do not forget the ATT. Honestly, if you can pass the CFSC the CRFSC will be very easy. Good luck!
 
A club ATT only allows from your home to club. Otherwise, to gunsmith, to or from gunstore requires a short term att(call CFO). If you're unfamiliar with handgun, hold safely and tell examiner what you want to do(ie remove mag or open action).
 
Great good stuff people. For some reason I'm awake nice and early so I think I'll try to start this rather early. I'll use a few min before hand to hopefully pick out which handgun is what, and to check where the safeties etc
I'm just taking another flip through the book but I think I'm ready. Thanks for the tips guys. Earliest I can start is in about an hour and a half.
 
I'm back, thank you to everyone in this thread!
If you aren't sure from my excitement I did pass the challenge...

Again good marks. So now I can focus on the paperwork and the hard part, the waiting...

I think with a good, fair instructor anyone who takes the non-restricted should have a good shot at the restricted.
I'm not sure how many challenged today but I was at least the second and I did well, the person before me also sounded happy when leaving so I'll hazard a guess that she passed.

I think knowing what some things are helps, no doubt, but the closer to a blank slate you are walking in helps. At least as far as misconceptions or in knowing exactly what the feds are looking for in a correct answer.
One of my few wrong answers today was about rim fire and I knew the answer when my instructor repeated the question, on of those awww and a palm slap on my forehead type moments, read carefully, re-read and be careful. Less "tricks" than I thought there would be.

My practical tested guns were, non-restricted: Pump shotgun 20ga, 2 3/4 & 3", bolt rifle 22. Restricted: revolver double action .38special, pistol double action 9mm
It's different for everyone just for variety but in case anyone is wondering, of if I'm curious years from now I'll use this to check.

Thanks CGNers
 
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