5-6 years ago I went to a LGS/range (I think it was Sharpshooters in Lorton VA) but couldn't shoot because because the FAMs had booked it. Each lane had a chair in it about 15 yards downrange. That's all I saw.

There used to be a FAM that was a regular poster here although IIRC, he left the Forum. I asked him about the 239. He said that while both the 239 and the 229 were authorized, most FAM’s chose the 229 because of capacity. I believe that J Jones said they went to the G19 now though.

Yes, the FAMS is transitioning to Gen 5 G19s.

When I used to shoot 3 gun every month and used to throw in some practice time at the range in between, maybe, maybe on my best day I could have gotten to 130.

But now, when I have shot 2 matches in the last 4 years and those are the only rounds I have expended in those 4 years, not even close.

Having shot from a timer plenty of times, those are some darn tough requirements.

Hi guys. Maybe there's an intro thread somewhere, but I saw this pop on a Google alert and wanted to chime in.
The TPC never really saw the light of day after 2001.
I passed it as much as I failed it. And females, forget it. The 229 was such a big gun for small hands. And as much as I love the 229, it was the wrong pistol for the job. But, it was the USSS pistol and since our Directors all came from there, then so be it.
TPC was just a speed test. It really didn't have much tactical use as far as training went.
Today's Qual is a standard Federal 60 round PPC, with a total of 300. Ranging from 1.5 yds out to 25. Passing is 255. I'd have to guess 3 out of 10 shooters were in the 280-300. To me, 300 was easy.
That's all I'll say about scores.

The 239 was authorized and those who chose it, chose it for concealment. I carried it awhile, but it ended up being a terrible combat pistol with the small single stack mags.
G19 is going to be a better fit for people now. Took way too long.

quote:

Originally posted by dewhorse:
Not sure about them dropping it, talked to a good friend a month ago and he was pissed that he shot a 280, he normally gets 290.

They shoot the course monthly

That would be the 60 round PPC. Qualification is quarterly, not monthly.
Not much difference between 280 and 290. I was a 300 shooter and would be pissed if I got below 280, which I never did.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
It's understandably tough.
A missed shot goes through the side of a pressurized plane or can hit passengers in a packed plane (less packed right now).
They have a need for the most precise standards of any law enforcement organization.

Shooting through the fuselage is not an issue, since a plane is a controlled leak anyway. They aren't air tight.
Now, shooting into the floor where there's important stuff running back and forth, yeah might be an issue.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
A missed shot goes through the side of a pressurized plane


Which by itself isn't a big deal. "Explosive decompression" of an airplane cabin from a bullet hole (or even several bullet holes) is a common trope in fiction, but isn't actually realistic.

Poorly placed shots and misses are more likely to have terrible consequences.
The exceptional skill requirements for air marshals are there for good reason.

This is why you close the gap and take shots. You're in the fight and there's no cover. Might as well hedge your bets and land a shot the right way.

quote:

Originally posted by The Remote:
TPC was just a speed test.

Interesting because whenever I pondered the course’s purpose that thought kept intruding. But who was I to criticize what an agency believed was appropriate?

So thanks for your opinion, and welcome to the forum.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:

quote:

Originally posted by The Remote:
TPC was just a speed test.

Interesting because whenever I pondered the course’s purpose that thought kept intruding. But who was I to criticize what an agency believed was appropriate?

So thanks for your opinion, and welcome to the forum.

Thanks for the welcome.

As the agency progressed more into a "Law Enforcement Agency" with Federal standards, no way that qual was going to float. The qual is not the meat and potatoes anyway. But the specialized shooting as it progressed over the years was fantastic.