BREAKING: NRA Disallows 1911s As "Primary Handguns" From Its "Carry Guard" Classes
Released to quite a bit of controversy at the NRA show, the NRA’s Carry Guard program is again the focus of controversy. As listed on the NRA’s Carry Guard website, instructions for prospective students of their “Level 1” program are specifically asked not to bring revolvers or 1911s as “primary firearms” to the classes. This instruction is added as a note to bringing a full-size or compact handgun:
*NOTE: NRA Carry Guard Level One is designed for training with a semi-automatic handgun (Glock 19/17, Sig P226/P228 or equivalent). We will not allow revolvers or 1911s as your primary firearm in this class.
I can understand the reasoning to NOT want revolvers in a semi-auto class, but the decision to specifically bar the 1911 is most peculiar and likely to draw some ire of the NRA membership and potential student base.
I mean, the instruction simply does not add up. The NRA specifically asks for a “semi-automatic handgun” but then disallows America’s favorite semi-auto? I can understand if the program wants a minimum capacity, but even that does not make sense as they mention bringing backup guns, etc which then has the 1911 allowed:
You should bring a secondary firearm that you carry concealed, as well as a holster for such. We will run the course with a primary carry weapon and then run a course of fire with a secondary or back-up gun to evaluate the differences. Please bring at least 40 rounds of ammo appropriate for your carry firearm for this portion of the class. Revolvers, 1911s and/or subcompacts can be used for this portion of the class. (emphasis added)
If anything, the NRA should have set a type of handgun and impartial requirements. Instead, they are managing to shoot themselves in the foot with Carry Guard yet again…
TFB's FNG. Completely irreverent of all things marketing but a passionate lover of new ideas and old ones well executed. Enjoys musing on all things firearms, shooting 3-gun, and attempting to be both tacticool AND tactical.
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Dumb move NRA. My carry gun is a 1911 and the backup is a S&W CS40 normally. So you think the CS 40 should be used in class? No freakin way you'd want to go thru a class with it. Why? Because after the first mag full, your hand and wrist are going to hurt. And if 1911s are banned the that would mean the S&W 59, 659, 5906, 645 and a whole lot of others have to be banned too. If students can't use what they know or carry, the class is worthless.
I have taught concealed handgun classes, but never shot a 1911. I feel the1911 is a fine, big, complex handgun with big ammunition that run up the weight and costs to carry and practice. It's a great fun to shoot targets and compete. It is a poor choice for beginners, as the manual of arms begs for much practice. I can imagine one of my students facing mortal danger and having to draw shoot a big 45 that could have a hammer down on its single action and/or the safety in an unexpected position. I've never shot a Glock, but feel they would be a big improvement, with no safety, exposed hammer, or the weight of all metal construction. I wouldn't suggest Boberg's,which I own two, as they just are too complex and are finicky with ammo. My (bigger) subcompact P250 Sig is accurate and so simple. My Bodyguard 380, without manual safety, is simple and small, it has an integral green laser that just a good grip turns on. When I want smaller pistol, but the punch of a 9mm, I carry a Kahr PM9. I've practiced quite a bit, and have been in scenarios that suggest, under stressors, I still function OK, (e.g. carrier landings, street fights, Tae Kwon Do competitions, and now, direct patient care (rn) of acutely ill psychiatric patients). I don't think the NRA is making 1911's a forbidden handgun, but giving due diligence to the need to address the less experienced, less interested in larger guns, cost-sensitive, and less likely to practice frequently students. I shoot my 357's, and 40's, and reload for all. I've never had a student that does those hobbies. I want my students to be effective at protecting themselves, and live with comfort and confidence that they have an additional tool and option to keep themselves and loved ones safer. I am sure there is the outlier -student, somewhere, that picks up the passion for guns and shooting. To such student, the course was just a starting point. (Hemmingway learned his abc's before authoring books)!