[Gun Quest] NRA Pistol Class and where to shoot in Hilo

This Sunday, I completed the NRA handgun class provided by Stubes' Guns and Ammo. If you're already familiar with pistols, this class is basically just a formality. The class is broken up into three basic sections. First, they go over Hawaii's insanely restrictive gun laws. Our class spent quite a while on this topic, as everyone had a lot of questions. We had an interesting mix of people of all ages, and as such everyone had different things they were wondering about. We had questions ranging from the use of deadly force to ordering ammunition from the internet.

The next section is the official NRA course. It's basically done via a canned DVD lesson. It covers what you'd expect, basic pistol operations. Following the section on loading and unloading, we stopped and did a practical snap-cap exercise. Basically, step up and load a revolver with dummy ammunition (using the proper NRA technique, of course), decock with your thumb blocking the firing pin, unload. Following that, we loaded and unloaded a semi-auto Ruger 9mm pistol. This took a while, but thankfully I went first and scored a smoke break while the rest of the class soldiered on.

After this, it was back to the DVD. Boring, but I guess it's a right of passage or something.  I do wish that we'd done a practical exercise on gun cleaning, but I suppose that would take too long and be rough on the firearms. There's a written test that follows, but the purpose is mainly to hammer home the points made in the video. Once the test was done we reviewed the range rules, and broke for a quick lunch. Then it was off to the range.

The Glennwood range is about 15 minutes outside of Hilo. It's a private range, and you need to be a member to shoot there. Applications are available at all of the local gun shops. Last year (2012), membership was full, and they were not accepting new applicants. Due to a membership rule change that purged their roster, however, they are now accepting applications again. Apparently, they made completion of the NRA course mandatory for membership. Lucky for me, not so great for people who just shoot long guns. As far as I know, this is the only legal place to shoot on the Big Island, barring hunting. There is some talk of a range opening in Kona, but that's a little far for my taste.

Qualifications were done at 15 feet with an 8-round .22 revolver. Eight shots sitting, and eight standing. I was feeling like a go-getter, so I went first. Due to the current ammunition shortage, .22LR was replaced with .22 short. Not my best groups ever, but I passed easily.

Sean and Josh brought along a few other pistols for us to try, and after everyone qualified, we spent a couple of hours plinking away with a their guns. I'd never shot .38 before, so that was interesting. I spent most of my time burning through their supply of 9mm ammunition.

The next step is to wait a couple of days and then pick up the affidavit that the shop is preparing for each of us, and fill out the range application. Then it's back into the wonderful world of Hawaii's gun laws.