While it is not absolutely necessary to qualify with every handgun you own, you should be tested with the handguns that you carry on a regular basis. Becoming proficient with different types of ammunition is also critical.

The author's youngest son is training here with his .45 ACP Kimber Warrior 1911. Shown is a close view of him executing a combat reload from his DeSantis N81 ankle holster.

It also makes no sense to qualify with standard-velocity FMJ ammunition, then load more powerful hollowpoints in the gun you use for personal protection and home defense. You can do most of your practicing with standard ammunition as long as you fire enough rounds of your hollowpoints from different distances to see how your gun performs with higher-velocity ammo.

In order to qualify, a person must be tested on a course of fire that determines his ability to shoot accurately and then achieve a passing score. While bull's-eye targets are often used for competition shooting, law enforcement agencies have transitioned to targets that depict a human shape of some kind. You can also use politically correct targets that are more non-descript.

A 50-round law enforcement course of fire that designates each hit as being worth five points and has a perfect score of 250 points and a minimum passing score of 210 translates to 84 percent as the minimum passing grade. This is a very stringent passing score and one that leaves little margin for error. One particular federal agency uses a 60-round course of fire that requires a minimum score of 210 out of 300, or 70 percent.

Ready On The Left, Ready On The Right, Ready On The Firing Line

The following 30-round qualification course is used by the National Park Service. It requires NPS rangers and special agents to score a minimum of 21 hits within the four and five rings of a Transtar II Target. Civilian shooters can score this course of fire by deducting five points for every round that fails to strike a vital area of any man-size target. This means that if you establish the passing score at 75 percent you can only miss five shots. The same course is also used for night qualification with the exception that all rounds that are fired at 25 yards for daytime qualification are fired at 15 yards. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Follow the instructor's commands at all times. Never leave the firing line without being instructed to do so, and never turn around with a loaded or unloaded firearm in your hand once you position yourself on the firing line. If you have a problem or question, you are directed to face forward and raise your non-gun hand. You must remain in that position until an instructor arrives by your side. COURSE OF FIRE 1. At the three-yard line, on command draw and fire three rounds in three seconds using a hip-level or point-shoulder position using one or two hands (shooter's choice). 2. Repeat number 1. 3. On command with the line safe and your handgun holstered, move to the seven-yard line. 4. At seven yards, face the target, then on command draw and fire two rounds in three seconds using a two-handed point-shoulder position. When finished firing, decock or make the handgun safe and reholster. 5. Repeat number 4. 6. At seven yards, scan the target area, then fire two rounds, weak-hand only. 7. Repeat number 6, then holster your weapon. 8. At seven yards while facing the target with your weapon loaded and holstered, draw and fire two rounds from a point-shoulder position using two hands. Do a combat reload, and fire two more rounds, all in a total of 12 seconds. When finished, decock or make the gun safe and reholster. 9. On command with your handgun holstered and the firing line safe, move to the 15-yard line. 10. At 15 yards while facing the target, on command draw and fire three rounds in six seconds from behind a protected low-cover position. Decock or make the gun safe, and remain behind cover with the weapon in the ready pistol position. (A kneeling position in the open can be used if low cover is not available.) 11. At 15 yards while facing the target from behind low cover (or while using a kneeling position with simulated cover), on command draw and fire three rounds in four seconds. Decock or make the handgun safe and reholster. 12. On command with your handgun holstered and the line safe, move to the 25-yard line. 13. While facing the target at 25 yards, on command draw and fire three rounds in eight seconds using both hands from a standing strong-side barricade position, then decock and make your handgun safe before you reholster. 14. At 25 yards while facing the target, on command draw and fire two rounds in five seconds from a standing weak-side barricade position. Decock and make your handgun safe before you reholster. 15. At 25 yards while facing the target, on command draw and fire one round in three seconds from a low-cover or kneeling position using two hands. Once you are finished firing, decock or make your handgun safe before you reholster and stand. Do not go downrange to score your target unless the line is safe and you are authorized or instructed to do so.

In law enforcement circles anyone who fails to achieve a passing score is given at least one more opportunity to qualify. Civilian gun owners should be given as much time as necessary to qualify and should have patience if they have problems achieving a passing score. If you're unable to qualify after two attempts, you should take a break before you continue.

You may also want to consider changing the type or caliber of handgun you carry, if that is what it takes to make it possible for you to qualify. In my opinion, legally armed senior citizens should not be expected to qualify under the strictest of standards but should be able to consistently hit a man-size target at close combat distances.

One option is to be creative and design your own course of fire. You should include the use of strong- and weak-hand shooting positions, shooting within reasonable time constraints and performing at least one combat reloading drill. A simple course of fire that I created recommends that you shoot the following:

These U.S. Department of Defense personnel are training with their 9mm Glocks and Berettas before being deployed to their missions in the War on Terror. At their request, the author's photos do not show their faces.

• Five rounds at the three-yard line.
• Five rounds at the seven-yard line with two hands and a combat reload of another five rounds using your weak hand.
• Five rounds at the 15-yard line with two hands and a five-round combat reload.
• Three rounds at the 25-yard line from a standing position and two rounds from the kneeling position, for a total of 30 rounds.

You can modify the same course for a six-shot revolver by adding one round to each station for a total of 36 rounds.

It is also important to practice and qualify in low-light conditions. One way to accomplish this is to dim the lights in an indoor range. Another option is to purchase a pair of DeSantis Low Light Simulator Goggles that allow you to train in low-light conditions in broad daylight.

Every time I qualify I leave the range feeling confident that I can hit the mark with the firearms that I use for personal protection and home defense. While shooting at tin cans and metal plates is fun, I strongly suggest that you qualify on a regular basis with the firearms that you carry and use for personal protection. You will not regret your decision to do so.

The author would like to thank Warriorschool for allowing him to observe and photograph classes of U.S. DoD personnel training in Arizona.