More tips for success in class

If you are a student in a handgun class, here’s some further tips for success:

• Bring lots of magazines. I would say 5 is a bare minimum, and there’s not really any such thing as too many magazines.
  • Make sure those magazines are clean and functioning.
    • Have a magazine brush on you, in case the magazine gets that dirty that you need to clean it to keep it running. Of course, this is slow and takes time and class may not have a break in the action to clean them. This is why it’s good to have as many magazines as possible, so you can just set the broken/dirty one aside and grab a working mag and get back into class.
  • Have appropriate ways to carry those magazines. At least 2 mag pouches on your belt, more if you can and/or is appropriate. Have a way to carry more magazines to the line, like wearing cargo pants.
• Load all your magazines before coming to class (e.g. night before, at home).
• The magazines should be appropriate to the context. A 33 round Glock magazine is not appropriate for a defensive handgun class (unless you’re somehow able to conceal a 33 round Glock magazine). A 33 round mag might be appropriate if it was a competition class. Whatever, just consider context and be appropriate for it.
• The “Sabrina” is rarely a good thing to do.
• If you are the sort that always racks your slide after inserting a magazine, likely dumping a live round on the ground, at the appropriate time please pick up your live rounds off the ground. Not only is it a waste of good ammo, but it’s more work for us that have to clean up after you to have to sort out all your live ordinance.
• If the range policy is no steel nor aluminum cased ammo (i.e. brass-only), please honor that policy.
• Electronic ear muffs aren’t required, but they are nice for hearing range commands and receiving instruction.
• Safety glasses that completely enclose your eyes are good. So it’s not just from the front, but also from all sides. Things fly around, especially if you’re shooting steel… little lead fragments can and do happen.
• If you’re not on the line shooting, you should be reloading magazines. While you do that, keep one ear and one eye on the line so you can be aware of what’s going on, especially if any instruction or teachable moments happen.
• Keep hydrated.
• Don’t skimp on your gear. Good belt. Good holster.
  • Make sure that good holster allows you to reholster without looking and without having to use your other hand to work the holster… putting your other hand in front of the muzzle isn’t a recipe for success.
• Keep a little note pad and pen in your pocket, so you can take notes on the drills, your progress, or whatever else you deem important.

Anything to add?