CARRY GUN

SB25-003

HOLSTER

STUDENT QUESTION

5-MINUTE SKILLS

September 2026 Colorado Gun Owner Briefing

Practical firearms training, Colorado firearm updates, student questions and responsible gun-owner education from
Have Gun Will Train Colorado.

Buying a handgun is easy. Walk into a gun store and there are plenty to choose from. Holsters, ammunition and accessories aren’t much different.

Figuring out what actually works for you takes a little more thought.

This month we’re looking at choosing a carry gun, what makes a good holster, and why the equipment that’s easiest to carry isn’t always the easiest equipment to learn with.

We also have an update on Colorado’s SB25-003 program now that we’ve had a month to see how the system actually works.

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Featured Article

Your Carry Gun Isn’t the Gun You Should Learn On

Small handguns make a lot of sense for concealed carry. They’re lighter, easier to conceal and usually more comfortable to carry.

Those same qualities can also make them harder to learn on.

I see it regularly in class. A new shooter buys a small handgun because that’s what they intend to carry and naturally assumes that’s the gun they should use to learn everything else.

There’s nothing wrong with that handgun. It may be an excellent carry gun.

But learning the fundamentals with a larger, easier-to-control handgun can sometimes make the learning process much easier.

READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE →

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Colorado Firearm Update

SB25-003: One Month In

Colorado’s new Specified Semiautomatic Firearm program has now been operating for about a month, and students are making their way through the new process.

There is still some confusion, particularly surrounding the name-based background check and procedures used by individual sheriff’s offices.

The new law is also being challenged in federal court. We’ll continue watching the case and let you know if anything changes.

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Training Tip

Don’t Buy a Holster Just for Class

A lot of new gun owners buy their first holster at the same time they buy their handgun.

That makes sense. But remember:

That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re selling you a bad holster. Their choices are limited to what’s hanging on the wall.

A holster for carrying a handgun on your body has a different job than a holster used to protect a handgun inside a backpack or range bag.

If you’re coming to class and already have a holster,
bring what you have.

If you don’t own one yet, don’t run out and buy something just because you’re coming to training.

Learn first. Buy second.

WHAT MAKES A PROPER CONCEALED CARRY HOLSTER? →

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Student Question of the Month

What’s the Best Gun to Buy?

I get this question all the time.

There isn’t one handgun that’s best for everybody. Before I can answer the question, I need to know what you’re going to use it for.

For that mission, I’m looking for a handgun that does four things:

• It fits your hand.
• You can operate it safely.
• You can shoot it well.
• Nobody knows you have it.

A handgun can be extremely popular and still not fit your hand. You may have difficulty operating the slide, magazine release, safety or other controls.

A very small handgun may disappear under your clothing but be difficult for you to shoot well. A larger handgun may be easier to shoot but harder to conceal every day.

That’s why choosing a concealed carry gun is a balance.

Don’t buy a handgun simply because somebody tells you it’s the best carry gun. Don’t buy one just because it’s small. And don’t assume the gun someone else carries is necessarily right for you.

Handle different handguns. If possible, shoot them before you buy.

For concealed carry, find a handgun that fits your hand, you can operate safely, you can shoot well, and you can actually keep concealed.

That’s the mission.

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From the Training Room

Five Minutes Can Make a Difference

Many handgun owners simply don’t practice very often.

Going to the range takes time, ammunition costs money and life gets in the way.

But not everything you need to practice requires a trip to the range.

That’s why I’ve been developing the
5-Minute Handgun Skills Program—a simple way to work on primary handgun handling skills at home for just a few minutes at a time.

Picking up and putting down the handgun safely. Establishing a proper grip. Working the controls. Loading and unloading. Becoming more comfortable handling your firearm.

It doesn’t replace live-fire training.

It’s about making good handgun handling a habit.

More information about the 5-Minute Handgun Skills Program is coming soon.

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Upcoming Training

Ready to Train?

Colorado Concealed Carry Permit Training
Initial permit training with classroom instruction and live fire.

Concealed Carry Renewal Training
Renewal/refresher training with classroom instruction and live fire.

Handgun Fundamentals
Build better primary handgun handling and shooting skills.

SB25-003 Firearms Safety Training
4-hour and 12-hour programs available. These classes are arranged separately from the regular online schedule. Call
719-821-3958
for upcoming sessions.

VIEW THE TRAINING SCHEDULE →

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Thank You for Reading

Thank you for spending a few minutes with the
Colorado Gun Owner Briefing.

My goal is to provide practical training information, safety reminders and straightforward explanations that help Colorado gun owners make better decisions about their equipment, their training and their responsibilities.

Train safely. Practice correctly. Make good decisions.

Have a question you’d like answered in a future issue? Send it through the website and it may become a future
Student Question of the Month.

SUBMIT A QUESTION →

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