Tri-Cities Bob

The Department of Safety changed their firing requirements in April 2013.  All schools are now required to have students shoot a minimum of 50 rounds at a B-29 (small) silhouette target at ranges of 3 yards (20 shots), 5 yards (20 shots) and 7 yards (10 shots).  These are generally fired in 5-shot groups, but that is left up to the chief instructor.  Scoring is two points for any shot inside or touching the outside ("7") scoring ring and one point for shots outside the scoring rings but still inside the silhouette.  Zero is awarded for anything outside the silhouette.  A minimum score of 70 is required to pass.  If the student has submitted his or her application online before entering the class, written and shooting test results are reported online on a pass/fail basis; otherwise test scores are faxed or mailed to Nashville.
 
In our class we can handle up to12 students on the firing line in each relay.  We have four or five instructors participating in each class, so each instructor only has two or three students to monitor during the firing phase.  If someone seems to be having trouble during the first phase or two, one of the instructors will step in give them individual help to overcome the problem -- usually it's a problem with sight alignment for a first-time shooter.  We also have .22 semi-automatic target pistols we can lend students for the firing phase, or they are free to use their own guns.  Our only restriction is that we do not allow .44 magnum or .357 magnum ammunition to be used during the class.  Students who own a gun in either of these calibers can still use the gun, but substitute .44 special or .38 special ammo, as other shooters and the instructors find the report of the magnum ammo distracting and annoying.  We also feel that neither of these types of magnum ammunition is a good choice for a defensive carry gun because of the potential problem of over-penetration ("You are responsible for the bullet no matter where it goes" -- even if it's through your assailant and out the other side).  If you're really concerned about passing the firing portion of the class you may want to locate a class that has a number of instructors assisting with each class, then if you need it you can probably get individual attention to get a satisfactory score.