HANDGUN REQUIREMENTS

Handgun Recommendations

To train with First Strike at one of our Defensive Handgun Firearms Courses  your weapon must meet our minimum standards to ensure your safety and the safety of everyone in the classroom, or on the range. Throughout your course, you will learn all the strengths and weaknesses of your particular weapon, and will discover if it’s the right firearm for you, or if you need to consider other options. Either way, if you really want to learn the ins-and-outs of both your weapon, and defensive handgun shooting, then First Strike is the place to do that—not when you actually need to use it to defend yourself or others.

If you have been issued a weapon by your department or agency, bring it. We will train you to exceedingly high levels, that surpass the minimum requirements mandated by departmental policy or by oversight organizations—no matter what kind of handgun you’ve been issued.

If you are trying to decide from the dozens of weapons you already own or you are going to purchase a new weapon, then the following discussion is for you. Below are a few things to consider when selecting the perfect handgun for your individual needs.

Defensive Handguns

One of the most fundamental questions you need to answer when you are considering what handgun to purchase is, what exactly is a “defensive handgun”?

At First Strike we firmly believe the role of a defensive handgun is to stop a fight that someone started. But therein, are some limitations and considerations. However, the basic underlying point is that a defensive handgun is not a competition firearm, made for hunting, or recreational target plinking. There are certainly overlaps between these categories, but they each have their own characteristics that are unique to the purpose. Just like tools, the may be similar in nature, but they’re made for different things. An example would be screwdrivers; a flat is made for flat head screws, whereas a Philips, is made for the cross-head screws. They look roughly the same until you get down to their purpose and use. The same applies to handguns.

Secondly, you need to ask yourself where you plan to carry this firearm. Will it be at home, locked away in a safe or by your bed in a nightstand drawer? Will it be your Every Day Carry (EDC) concealed weapon? If you’re going to conceal the firearm on your body, you will obviously need one that’s an appropriate size. If, however, you plan to carry this weapon in a purse, for example, the criteria will be slightly different.

Important Factors

One of the most critical considerations is reliability; a defensive handgun must be 100% reliable. It can’t be prone to malfunctions. God for bit you need it, but if you ever do, it must do what it’s supposed to. We’re not talking about plinking cans or shooting paper targets. There are serious consequences if the firearm fails to perform as expected, when you most need it.

Another consideration is quality. Not all manufacturers use the same high standards during the production of their firearms. Trusted names, with decades of experience have remained in business for a reason. The Glock is an excellent example of a firearm that has been truly tested, beat up, and still works. That is because the company knows what they’re doing, and the quality of their products are high. The same can be said for numerous other firearms.

The size is important too. It should fit in your hand reasonably well. No firearm will fit into your hand perfectly, but some will be more comfortable than others. Your grip plays a major role in your ability to put rounds on target accurately, but with training, you should be able to use just about any handgun you happen to have available. The size is also relevant to concealment; if you’re a smaller bodied person it is hard to conceal full size handguns. If you’re a larger person, it may not be as difficult.

Along with that size, is relative weight; if you carry it all day, the total weight of your firearm loaded, with extra magazines, can become a pain very quickly. Both figuratively and literally. It has to be light enough to carry all day, but not so light it negatively impacts your ability to shoot accurately. This is because weight also has an impact on the weapon’s recoil, and being able to put the front end back down on a target for successive shots. Smaller handguns may have extreme recoil compared to heavier weapons. So keep this in mind.

Those who shoot a lot, especially at tactical distances, can often draw their weapon and put rounds center mass without having to acquire the sights. But the rule is fairly simple: to get good shots, you need good sights. This is especially at night. Properly installed, robust, fixed steel sights with tritium inserts tend to work the best. You can add things like optics, but be careful about getting into the habit of having to relay upon extra technology. Learning the fundamentals is part of becoming a competent, safe, and effective shooter. However, your eyesight will also play a role in your decision making here.

Your trigger has to be setup for your hand-strength, and must be easy to use. But not so easy that you could accidentally discharge the weapon if you failed to follow basic safety protocols (ie, never put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to fire). The press weight (what it takes to pull the trigger to release the hammer) should be 4lbs or more. Anything less than that can pose a risk to those who aren’t well trained and well practiced.

The overall design of the handgun should also be considered. It should be easy to handle, well weighted and that weight properly distributed when positioned to fire, without any sharp edges or hard corners. The fact is, weapons with these kinds of design edges don’t get carried.

We prefer handguns chambered in 9mm, 40 S&W, 10mm, or 45 ACP. From a practicality standpoint, most police departments carry 9mm pistols. The US military, except for in some special operations units, carry the 9mm because it is a NATO round. In terms of accessibility to ammunition, it’s a consideration. But the bigger round, generally the more stopping power. That isn’t universally true, and there are other factors that play a role. It’s just something to think about.

You should properly budget for your handgun. Don’t skimp. After all, this weapon can save your life or that of a loved one. Expect to invest between $400-1000 USD. You’ll also need to budget for accessories such as magazines, a holster, etc. Speaking of those, make sure to stick with factory high-capacity magazines, provided they are legal in your area. And the holster should be practical. For example, we don’t allow drop-leg holsters during our training programs. Preferably, get yourself a kydex or injection molded plastic holster specifically made for your firearm and the way you intend to carry it (ie, inside the waist band, or out). And make sure to get yourself a flashlight, either one you can hold in your hand, or that can be affixed to the handgun itself.

Prohibited Handguns

The following are entirely prohibited. Participants will not be allowed to attend their chosen Defensive Handgun Course with weapons or features/lack of features provided here in this section. There are no exceptions, so please keep this in mind when you sign-up.

• Handguns with a trigger press weight of less than 4 lbs are prohibited. This applies to the initial press for both double action handguns, and single action handguns in Condition 1 (hammer back). We always have a gauge on range, and instructors will randomly check at the beginning of courses.
• Double / Single action handguns without a decocker are prohibited. Manually dropping a hammer is not allowed. If you have a CZ or similar firearm that does not have a decocker, it must be run in “cocked-and-locked” mode (ie hammer back, safety on) and the trigger press must be 4lbs or more.
• Single action revolvers are prohibited.
• Handguns that have a modified or after-market triggers that can render the weapon unsafe are prohibited.
• Pyramid Triggers are prohibited.
• Handguns with safety devices that have been disconnected, pinned, or otherwise rendered inoperable are prohibited.
• Handguns with no trigger guard are prohibited.
• Handguns with external safeties that cannot be operated by the shooting thumb.
• Pocket pistols. We do no consider a Glock 42 or single stack 43, or the M&P Shield firearms in this category. All others are prohibited. Examples include the Kel-Tec P11, PF9 or P40, Kahr Micro (.380 or 9mm), Ruger LC9, Smith & Wesson Bodyguard, Sig Sauer P238, Taurus Millennium or Slim 709, Walther PPS, and other similar types of handguns.
• Any caliber .22, .25., .32., or .380 handguns are prohibited. With the exception of the Glock 42.
• Any large-bore handgun such as the 44 magnum, .454 Casull, .475 Linebaugh, and 50 caliber Desert Eagle. We do not consider 45 ACP large bore.

You should bring a full-sized (e.g. Glock 17) or compact (e.g. Glock 19) pistol chambered in 9mm/.38 caliber or larger with the trigger guard intact. It is highly recommended that you bring a back-up handgun similar to your primary weapon (at least the same caliber).

No single-action revolvers are allowed.

Don’t bring a “Pocket Pistol” which is a very small handgun usually in .25, .32, or .380 calibers. Their small size and complexity will greatly increase the difficulty level of learning new techniques and could cause increased frustration on the part of the student.

A holster is required. The holster must secure the weapon, cover the trigger guard and be worn on a waist belt.

Two spare magazines for auto-loading pistols with magazine holders worn on the waist belt or two speed loaders for revolvers with appropriate holders are required.

A light jacket, sweater, or shirt is required in the 4-Day Defensive Handgun, 2-Day Handgun Skill Builder, 2-Day Advanced Tactical Handgun, and 4-Day Advanced Integrated Handgun courses as there is training from concealed carry.

Holster Recommendations:

Firing side, outside waistband (OWB) belt holsters are recommended for all handgun classes. Inside the waistband (IWB) holsters, depending on style, are permitted for all classes, but are not recommended. IWB holsters should not be worn forward or past the firing side hip for range use.

Holsters must have full trigger guard coverage.

Holsters should have a vertical cant.

FBI cant holsters are allowed, but discouraged.

Holsters with a cant greater than 15 degrees are not allowed.

Thumb-break straps must be taped out of the way.

Blackhawk Serpa or similar holsters requiring trigger finger release mechanisms are not allowed.

ABSOLUTELY NO THIGH HOLSTERS, even for advanced handgun students

Fobus holsters, while most styles are usable in our courses, are specifically NOT recommended due to retention and fit issues. Leather holsters are acceptable provided they are rigid enough to remain open when the gun is withdrawn and their thumb-break straps can be taped out of the way.

In general, we recommend Kydex or injection molded polymer holsters when possible and either two single magazine pouches or one double magazine pouch. There are some good manufacturers out there, such as Blade-Tech, Alien Gear, Safariland, etc. A simple internet search will turn up products and reviews on a multitude of holsters and magazine pouches. Factory supplied Springfield Armory XD/XDM holsters are not recommended. They are not designed for the frequency of use we demand of them.