Yesterday my wife and I had our concealed carry class. The class was HUGE - over 70 people showed up. This was a record number for that gunstore. They usually do classes twice a month, but they had been busy with sales, gunshows, etc, so they hadn't done one in just over a month. They had to split the class up into a lecture and Q&A group, and another group that watched two videos. Then, we switched rooms.
The videos were boring, except for the scenario section [which was sort of ridiculous]. The main guy in the videos was like a cross between Colonel Harland Sanders and Ben Stein. I'm surprised I didn't fall asleep.
Next, we had a written test, and then went to the range.
There were so many people, who were shooting in groups of 8 people, that some people were shooting very close to sundown [thanks daylight savings].
The H&K USP 45 Tactical shot like a dream. Really, I am going to have to shoot it more to MAYBE adjust it [may have just been me] or get used to it, but as far as I recall it had roughly the same amount of recoil as the PT92 I shot. The PT92 was shot about 2 years ago, so there is a margin of error. Still, the USP was not harsh at all. The head instructor told me "Don't let Mike see that, he'll start drooling all over." Another instructor came over and his eyes got big. I said "You must be Mike." We talked a little about the gun. He seemed nice to me, but overall he was a sexist, racist pig.
During my shooting portion I did well. The guy next to me did better, but he had a Glock 23 with a laser - total cheat! His first shot was DEAD center. Either way, the head instructor asked how I liked it, and said "It's the Cadillac". Shooting from the waist I did alright. Increasing distance a little and shooting regular yielded consistant shots - a large section of my target was missing when we were through. I'm pretty happy.
After the class I locked slide, screwed the barrel thread protector on, and cable locked it. Unfortunately I could not take it home. Due to a miscommunication or misunderstanding on my part, I can't take this home until I either get a purchase permit, or my concealed carry card gets here [usually 2 weeks to 90 days!]. That is NOT the impression I got from talking to them BEFORE the purchase. I guess I will go to the Sheriff's office Monday and cough up the $5 apiece, plus the 20 minute [average] wait for the background checks and get the purchase permits.
I shot 230 grain non+P FMJ Federal American Eagle. Maybe it is the gun, but all of the rumors you hear from others and from the movies [what the instructors labeled their biggest enemy] are wrong. That 45 didn't "kick like a mule" and wasn't bad at all. If it was a single-stack magazine [thus, smaller grip for smaller hands] I would totally recommend this gun for the petite, though there are MUCH better carry options out there.
-Forgot to add that I am left handed and shot that way, though I shoot rifle right and scored expert marksman in the service shooting right. I may be an ambi pistol shooter. I will test that out one of the next few times I go to the range.
If I shoot pistol strictly lefty though, I am going to need an ambidextrous safety for my USP, and this also complicates the slide lock for me [or need to work on my grip and thumb strength for left-handed operation of the slide lock].
