We are serious at DTI about your safety and survival, and we don't want you to waste your time and ours with unrealistic and impractical equipment. You will need to supply your own firearm, holster, extra magazine pouches or speed loader carriers and ammunition. If you do not have your own equipment, contact the course sponsor or DTI directly.
Modifications such as extended slides, "accuracy jobs," wide, target triggers, trigger shoes, long barrels, vents, compensators, oversized grips, grip weights, external magazine funnels, light triggers, etc only serve to make your gun unreliable under heavy use, difficult to carry, and dangerous. Accordingly, we don't want to see these kinds of guns and modifications at DTI training courses. Nor do we want to see competition holsters and other impractical competition accessories. Stomach holsters, cross-draw holsters, low-slung holsters, etc will not be permitted. Also, don't try to wear a thin, dress belt to the range. It will not support your holster and gun properly. You will need a stout, leather gunbelt and sturdy trousers.
In summary, you will need a quality, concealable handgun that is serviceable and within factory specifications, and you will need a quality, concealable holster, belt, ammunition, and accessories. You will also need all your safety equipment, including clear safety glasses, sunglasses, sunscreen, a baseball cap, non-prescription pain reliever, necessary prescription medications, Band-Aids, and hearing protection.
Understand that the place we will be shooting is relatively isolated, and your ability to purchase important items that were carelessly left behind is extremely limited. Therefore, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU WILL NEED WITH YOU WHEN YOU ARRIVE.
We have listed below the specific handguns we recommend. We want you to get the most out of your DTI Training Program, and unreliable guns have historically been a plague to students. The secret is to bring only high quality defensive handguns that are properly sighted in and keep them well maintained and appropriately lubricated. If you have a tricked-out, super-accurate, fragile, compensated, competition target gun or a "mouse gun", PLEASE DON'T BRING IT TO OUR TRAINING PROGRAM . Weapons chambered for 380 Auto are permitted at DTI ranges, and are recommended for some people. Pistols chambered for lesser rounds, such as 22 rimfire, the 25's, and the 32's, are not permitted at all. We do not consider them to be serious calibers, and pistols chambered for them are seldom sufficiently reliable to get through several days of heavy shooting.
For many people, it makes little sense to buy a new gun. Many perfectly serviceable examples of the guns recommended below are available used, either at dealers, from private individuals, or at gun shows. Many "used" guns have been fired only a few times and are every bit as serviceable as a new one. A stroll through a gun show may well yield you an excellent gun at a price far below what you would pay for a new one. Regardless of your choice, we still strongly recommend you arrange for a qualified armorer to detail inspect and thoroughly check your weapon before you bring it to DTI. Be sure you and he test fire it to insure safety and serviceability.
Recommended defensive handguns for DTI Classes:
What is mentioned above is what we consider best choices. There are other guns available, not specifically enumerated, which may also suffice.
You may notice that the Continuous Motion System (H&K) autoloaders are not mentioned. These pistols have a lot of very nice features, but the incorrect operation of the squeeze-cocker has led to many accidents. In fact, there has been so many accidents with this pistol, that we no longer recommend it for general use, although it may be a good choice for certain individuals.
Discussions of "accuracy" have been the source of much confusion when it comes to the topic of defensive shooting and defensive handguns. Reasonable and acceptable accuracy in a defensive handgun means that the weapon will shoot inside a fifteen centimeter (six-inch) circle (from a machine rest) at a range of fifty meters. This degree of accuracy is more than adequate for nearly any imaginable defensive shooting situation, yet can be attained without adversely affecting the reliability, durability, or carryability of most handguns. In fact, most factory handguns are readily capable of that kind of accuracy right out of the box. On the other hand, an "ultimate accuracy job" on a factory handgun, that is, one where everything is sacrificed for the sake of the greatest possible accuracy (e.g.: three centimeters at fifty meters, from a machine rest) is best left to esoteric target handguns. In order to achieve that degree of accuracy, the gun itself must become bulky, temperamental, and extremely sensitive to rough handling, lack of meticulous maintenance, and dirty environments. That degree of accuracy is unnecessary in defensive shooting, and the sacrifices necessary to achieve it are obviously unacceptable.
If you decide to modify your new handgun, you are particularly cautioned to avoid trendy, novelty, and gimmicky add-on's, like trigger shoes, grip adapters, buffers, compensators, target grips, sight ribs, grip expanders, grip weights, etc. That kind of rubbish does not belong on a carry gun and may disqualify the gun for use at DTI shooting ranges.
Please see our recommended manufacturers
section for a list of recommended armorers.
Use good magazines. Avoid the low-priced surplus ones. The choice between a "flat" or "curved" mainspring housing is a personal one. Either is acceptable. Get rid of the lanyard loop. It sometimes interferes with reloading.
Sights that are large, sturdy, flat/black, non-adjustable, and easy to see but that do not hang up or snag on clothing or holsters during the draw are the best choice. Sights must be sturdy and securely attached (welded, anchored in a crosscut dovetail slot, or affixed via a Millet dual Crimp) to the gun. Plastic fixed sights that come with the Glock pistol have proven themselves to be sturdy and very useable. They are therefore acceptable and recommended. Self-luminous "night sights" are acceptable and recommended.
Don't equip your gun with gooey rubber stocks or stocks with sharp checkering. The best stocks for an autoloader that is carried concealed are lightly checkered plastic composition with no palm swells. The best revolver stocks are those which are narrow, slick, round-butted, and generously scalloped out to readily accept speed-loaders.
We recommend Robar for surface treatments:
Practical, comfortable, and concealable holsters and ammunition carriers (spare magazine or speed loader carriers) are required of all students. We only allow strong-side (forward facing), belt holsters on the range. Cross-draw, low-slung, and shoulder holsters are not acceptable, except in special cases. Your holster must cover your pistol's trigger and trigger guard when the gun is holstered. Exposed triggers on holstered guns are not permitted. Holsters must hold the gun securely enough so that it will not fall out inadvertently during running, jumping, etc. If a holster has a thumb-break snap, it must be snapped every time the gun is holstered. Plastic holsters designed for concealed carry are very acceptable and are recommended. A stout gunbelt is also indispensable. Dress belts are not satisfactory. The holster makers listed in our recommended manufacturers section will be happy to supply you with a gunbelt too.
Very good concealable holsters and magazine carriers are available from
the any of the gunleather suppliers listed in the
recommended manufacturers section.
We specifically DO NOT recommend any caliber or gauge of ammunition
manufactured by Norinco or Sellior & Bellot.
If you have a hearing problem, invest in a set of electronic hearing protectors, so that you can hear verbal instructions clearly.
Go to a local range or pistol match and get accustomed to being around other shooters. Five or six people together shooting in an enclosed area can be disconcerting if you are not used to it.
Do bring a good flashlight. You will need it for the low-light shooting exercise if low-light shooting is included in your training course. Cheap, dim flashlights will not suffice. High-intensity flashlights are expensive, but they are worth it. It must have an on/off touch button. There are several excellent choices from Streamlight, Mag Instruments, and Sure Fire. Sure Fire flashlights are best.
Do bring a second gun, preferably the same type, model, and caliber as your primary gun. Your gun will receive heavy use at DTI, and it is very common for handguns, both revolvers and autoloaders, to break, seize, or otherwise become inoperable during the training program. Sometimes we can fix it. Other times we can't, particularly if a critical part is broken or missing. If you brought a second gun, this will present no real problem. Your simply press it into service and continue your training. If you did not bring a second gun, you may not be able to continue.
Do bring at least two magazines for your autoloader (at least two speed loaders for your revolver).
Do bring suitable eye protection. You will not be allowed on the range without it. All students will be required to wear safety glasses all the time they are on the range. We recommend that you bring two pair of safety glasses, one dark tinted for the daytime portion of the course, and one clear set for the low-light shooting. Prescription glasses are acceptable if they provide adequate coverage and protection. Reading glasses and "Granny glasses" are not acceptable.
Do bring a baseball cap. All student are required to wear baseball caps all the time they are on the range.
Do bring suitable hearing protection. Severe and permanent hearing damage can occur when hearing protection is not used on a firing range. Therefore, we require that adequate hearing protection be worn by all students all the time firing is taking place. Ear muffs and ear plugs are acceptable.
Do bring RAIN GEAR. Our range training proceeds regardless of the weather. As you can well imagine, warm clothing and good rain gear are indispensable.
Do bring an expendable sports or suit coat. This is necessary for concealed gun training, but it will probably be damaged during the exercises, so get an old one from the Salvation Army or Goodwill Industries. ALl testing is done from a concealed draw.
Do bring sunscreen lotion. Sunscreen should be used daily on all exposed parts of the body, particularly the face, arms, hands, and neck.
Do bring a bottle of non-prescription pain reliever, and a box of Band-Aids. Headaches are not uncommon, and hands tend to get beat up.
Don't bring contact lenses. We may have high winds and blowing dirt and sand at the range. Your contact lenses will quickly become unusable and will have to be removed. If your eyes require corrective lenses, bring regular eye glasses (see above), and leave your contacts at home.
Don't bring expensive, uncomfortable, or impractical clothing or shoes to the range. There will physical activity (running, moving suddenly over uneven ground) required of every student at the range. Clothing and shoes take a beating! Wear practical and comfortable clothing and shoes. DO NOT show up in sweat pants, tight slacks, or shorts. YOUR TROUSERS MUST HAVE BELT LOOPS THAT WILL ACCOMMODATE A HEAVY, LEATHER GUNBELT.
Don't Don't bring homemade, reloaded ammunition! Experience has shown it to be typically unreliable, underpowered, and filthy. Bring only new, factory ammunition or factory reloaded ammunition, loaded to full power, from a reliable and reputable source. We shoot only jacketed ammunition. Unjacketed, lead, pistol ammunition is dirty and gummy and will turn your gun into a gummy mess within several hundred rounds.
We specifically DO NOT recommend any ammunition manufactured by Norinco, Sellior & Bellot, or Wolf.
The following checklist contains information intended primarily for female students attending our defensive firearms training, although some of the points enumerated on this checklist apply to all students.
Hair styles must accommodate the wearing of a baseball cap. A baseball cap must be continuously worn by all students.
Long hair should be tied back or otherwise secured so it stays out of your eyes.
Fingernails should be short, as long nails may interfere with the proper handgun grip and with the correct pressing of the trigger.
Large or dangling earrings are not permitted on the range. They are a hindrance when wearing the required hearing protectors.
Pants must (1) allow for ample freedom of movement, (2) have functional and useable pockets, and (3) have belt loops that will accommodate a sturdy leather belt. Belts simply buckled around the waistband of sweatpants or other types of pull-on pants will not work and will make it impossible for you to safely participate in the course.
As noted above, a sturdy, leather belt is a must to properly support the holster and accessories. Be prepared for the realization that wearing a sturdy gunbelt, handgun, holster, extra magazine, and magazine carrier may cause some initial discomfort around the waistline on someone not used to doing so.
Hands, fingers (particularly trigger fingers), and arms can become very weary. The days are long and strenuous. Some arm and hand strengthening exercises, done in advance, are often very helpful.
Bring adequate clothing for cold weather. You will also need rain gear, sunscreen, and a water bottle or canteen. Your instruction will continue day and night in rain, heat, or snow. Being as comfortable as circumstances allow helps you keep your concentration. Sturdy shoes that lace up the front are best (such as athletic shoes or hiking boots). A sports bra is helpful for some.
Regular sunglasses will usually do for the required eye protection during the day, but clear glasses are necessary for low-light shooting. SUNGLASSES WILL NOT WORK AT NIGHT.
Wear a crew-neck T-shirt to the range. This will prevent hot brass cases from going down your front and lodging next to your skin.
Dehydration can be a serious problem. Bring and drink plenty of water or Gatorade to keep from dehydrating.
Using the toilet: Last but not least, even though there may not be a rest room at the range, the question is often asked, "How do I use a toilet when I am wearing a gun?" The best technique we have is this:
DO NOT HANG YOUR GUN FROM A HOOK THROUGH THE TRIGGER GUARD.
This practice can easily cause multiple, accidental discharges.