Firearm Handgun Qualification

Handgun Qualification

• The handgun qualification is a pass/fail test that evaluates the recruit's proficiency in shooting.
• The qualification is the culmination of hours of instruction and practice.

Objectives

• Demonstrate proficiency in shooting stages of fire designed to test the fundamentals of handgun shooting.
• Achieve a qualifying score of at least 70% on the D.P.S. qualification course.

Instruction

• The qualification score can be recorded as pass/fail for recordkeeping purposes.
• The D.P.S. handgun qualification course consists of six stages of fire.
• The stages of fire are the same for recruits using semi-automatic handguns or revolvers.
• Unless specified, all stages of fire start with the handgun secured in the holster, and the shooters' hands held above their waists in a field interview type stance.

D.P.S. Handgun Qualification Course

• The course requires 60 rounds of handgun ammunition.
• Various silhouette targets may be utilized, but the maximum size silhouette target allowable is the B-27 target.
• A scoring template measuring 1 1/2 inches wide by 17 1/2 inches tall will be utilized for scoring, independent of the style of silhouette used.
• Unresolved shooter-induced malfunctions/errors will be scored as misses.
• Stages involving weapon/ammunition induced malfunctions may be fired over for score.

Scoring

• Only those shot holes within the scoring templates will count toward the shooter's score.
• Bullet holes that completely break the scoring line of the template will be counted as within the template.
• Final score will be determined by dividing scoring hits by 60 (total shots fired).
• 60 scoring hits would be graded as 100%, 42 hits would score as 70%, the minimum passing score.

Stages of Fire

• Stage 1: Distance = 1 yard, handgun condition: Holstered, loaded with 6 rounds.
• Stage 2: Distance = 3 yards, handgun condition: Holstered or held in strong hand, loaded with 6 rounds.
• Stage 3: Distance = 5 yards, handgun condition: Holstered or held in strong hand, loaded with 6 rounds.
• Stage 4: Distance = 7 yards, handgun condition: Holstered, loaded with 6 rounds.
• Stage 5: Distance = 15 yards, handgun condition: Holstered, loaded with 6 rounds, reload of 6 rounds will come from duty belt.
• Stage 6: Distance = 25 yards, handgun condition: Holstered, loaded with 6 rounds, reload of 6 rounds will come from duty belt.