I love shooting various police and military qualifications and testing my skills against those of armed professionals. It’s rare to find a qualification that’s truly relevant to concealed carry, but not impossible. Today’s qualification, the Georgia Backup Weapon Qualification (GBUW), is relevant to concealed carry.
Backup or off-duty guns are carried concealed in most situations. For the GBUW, shooters are required to shoot from concealment. The average concealed carrier can benefit from time and accuracy standards applied to drills and qualifications that focus on realistic training. Let’s see if the GBUW can teach us a thing or two.
What We Need For The GBUW
You’ll need a gun and a holster. You can use a semi-automatic or a revolver. Each stage requires a maximum of only four rounds per string, so even the smallest guns can handle the GBUW without ammo capacity issues. A concealable holster is also necessary. I went with my favorite setup: the Safariland Model 25 paired with a KelTec P32.
The entire course of fire will consume 20 rounds. It’s not a ton of shooting, but if your ammo budget is tight, you can shoot through it without going broke. You’ll need two SQT A-1 Targets, but you can alternate with other silhouette targets. The SQT A-1 Target does have the lines required for easy scoring.
We’ll need something to use as cover, whether real or notional. Reloads aren’t done on the clock, but I’d still bring a spare magazine or speed loader for a little extra training, which I’ll explain during the course of fire. You’ll also need your eye and ear protection, and of course, a shot timer.
Scoring
Scoring is super single and requires the SQT A-1 Target.
- Inside the center mass line: 10 points
- Outside the center mass line: 8 points
- Maximum Raw Score: 200 points
- Minimum Qualifying Score: 160 points = 80%
Shooting the GBUW
The GBUW starts at a distance and moves progressively closer. I prefer quals that start far and close the distance. That’s how gunfights tend to happen, at least with police and military forces. You close the distance and eliminate the threat.
Stage One: 15 Yards – 4 Rounds Total
String 1
You’ll start positioned outside of cover with your weapon holstered. At the signal, draw and move to the right side of the cover. If you’re using a shot timer, hit the go button again, and at the beep, fire one round into the right target and one round into the left target—within four seconds.
String 2
We’ll repeat the above drill with a slight change. Start outside of cover and, at the signal, move to the left side of cover. Within four seconds, fire one round on the left target and one round on the right target.
Stage Two: 10-Yard Line – 4 Rounds Total
I’d recommend executing a reload between stages. Do it tactically and quickly to get a little extra training between each stage. The GBUW states reloads are on the user, so let’s make them practical.
String 1
Start outside of cover with your weapon holstered. On the first command, move to either side of cover while drawing your gun. The second command (or shot timer beep) is your signal to fire one round on each target in any order you prefer.
Now drop to a kneeling position and fire one round on each target. You have to fire all four rounds within 8 seconds.
Stage Three: 7 Yard Line – 8 Rounds Total
String 1
Begin with your firearm in the low ready. At the beep, aim and fire two rounds into each target within five seconds.
String 2
Assume a low ready stance. At the command to fire, aim and fire with your dominant hand only. Fire one round into each target within three seconds.
String 3
Assume a low ready stance with your firearm in your support hand only. At the signal, fire one round into each target within three seconds—using your support hand only.
Stage Four: 3 Yard Line – 4 Rounds Total
String 1
Start with your gun at the low ready. At the signal, issue verbal commands to the target—something like “Stop! That’s my purse, I don’t know you!” Then take one step to the left or right and fire one round into each target within three seconds.
String 2
Start with your weapon in the low ready. At the signal, issue verbal commands to the target. Aim and fire one round into each target’s head within four seconds.
That’s it. Unload, show clear, and score ‘em up.
My Thoughts
The GBUW isn’t incredibly difficult to shoot and pass. With some guns, the 15-yard line might feel a bit far—especially with pocket pistols or snub-nose revolvers—but the times at that range are generous. I do like the use of cover, multiple positions, and a little movement.
It is too easy to pass, but it can be excellent training for newer shooters. There’s a lot to manage, and the introduction of time and accuracy standards can be intimidating at first. It’s fun to shoot, fairly short, and easy on ammo. If you’re at the range and looking for something practical to practice, give it a shot—literally.
