Ahhh, it’s time to vacation. We are going to my home state of Florida and looking at the Security Qual for rifles. In my home state, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services handles lots of licensing in the state. This includes concealed carry licenses, repo licenses, PI Licenses, and even Security Guard licenses. There are armed and unarmed security forces, and to be an armed class “G” security guard, you have to pass a firearm qualification. The basic is for a handgun, but if your agency arms you with a rifle or shotgun, you have to qual with a rifle or shotgun. So today, we are looking at the patrol rifle qualification for the great state of Florida.
You might think it seems silly for a security guard to have a rifle, but remember, this is Florida. We are home to the Florida man, the methagator, and Disney adults. Sometimes a rifle is completely warranted for such duties. A good rifle can go a long way. When we stop joking and start thinking, it’s a lot easier to accurately shoot a rifle than any handgun, and even at close ranges, it’s a much more capable weapon.
Gear for the Florida Mall Cop Patrol Rifle Qual
We’ll need a rifle, duh. A patrol rifle is typically defined as a semi-auto, intermediate-caliber weapon. An AR-15 fits the bill just right, but a Mini 14, a PCC, or any other rifle can sub in and act as your patrol rifle. I used my MkGs, a 9mm PCC from CMMG. Optics aren’t required, but I went with a red dot.
You’ll also need thirty rounds of ammunition, so it’s not logistically challenging. You will need two magazines, at the very least. Two magazines can work, but three is optimal. Don’t forget something to hold your spare magazine.
You’ll use two reduced-size B29 targets. This slightly smaller B-29 target provides more of a challenge at a reduced range. You can sub in any small man-sized target, but the B29 reduced targets are pretty easy to get ahold of. Don’t forget your basics, in the form of ear and eye protection, as well as a shot timer.
Scoring
Scoring is pretty dang easy with a B29 reduced size target but goes against what I account to natural instincts. The B29 Reduced has 10, 9, 8, and 7 rings, but those numbers aren’t used for scoring. For the Florida Patrol rifle qual, you get five points for any shots inside the 8, 9, and X ring. Anything in the 7 is 4 points and anything in the silhouette of the target and outside of the 7 counts as three points.
You can score a total of 150 points, and you need 105 points to pass. This means that Cs get degrees in this qual, and a 70% is passing. It’s Florida. We aren’t well known for our education system.
Florida Patrol Rifle Qual — Feeling Secure
When I initially read the qual, I thought the distances were in yards and not feet. This is the first time I’ve seen a firearm’s qualification use feet instead of yards, so pay attention to the distances.
All drills start from the low ready, with the weapon loaded and on safe. You should place one target on the left and one target on the right. Load one magazine with 18 rounds and the other two with 6 rounds each. If you are only using two magazines, load one with 18 and one with six, and you’ll need to reload the other magazine halfway through.
Stage One: 75 Feet – Six Rounds
Phase 1: Assume a low-ready stance. When the timer goes beep, assume a kneeling position and fire three rounds into the left target in 20 seconds. Continue to cover down on the target, but remain in the kneeling position.
Phase 2: While covering down on the target, hit the timer, and at the beep, assume a prone position and fire three rounds on the right target in 20 seconds.
Stage Two: 50 Feet – Six Rounds
Phase 1: Get a low-ready stance, and on the beep, aim and fire three rounds on the right target in 10 seconds.
Phase 2: Reassume the ready stance, and on the beep, aim and fire three rounds into the left target in 10 seconds.
Stage 3: 30 feet – Six Rounds
Phase 1: Assume a low-ready stance. At the beep, you will engage the left target with three rounds, then transition to a kneeling position and engage the right target with three rounds. You have 15 seconds to complete this drill.
While covering down on the target, reload your rifle with your second magazine. The reload is not timed. If you are using two magazines, go ahead and reload that now-empty magazine with six additional rounds.
Stage Four: 14 feet – 12 Rounds
Phase 1: Assume a good low-ready position, and when you hear the beep raise your gun and fire six rounds into the right target. Conduct a speed reload and fire six additional rounds into the left target.
All Done
Boom, you are done, done, and done. It’s not too hard but it’s a good little basic qual. As usual, I would tighten up the times. 75 feet is only 25 yards, and it shouldn’t take twenty seconds to kneel and fire three rounds into a target. That’s enough time for me to kneel, shoot my shots, get a drink, tie my shoes, and maybe eat a light snack.
How do you expect to fight a methagator moving that slow? The reduced size targets do make it a little more challenging at these close ranges and make it easier for you to accomplish the qual at most ranges. I do like the multiple target engagements and positional change shooting challenges.
Luckily the ammo requirement isn’t heavy, and it’s a decent little qual for a new shooter. For a supposed armed security guard, I would want them to be a little more skilled in their ability to engage. The security guard pistol qual is a little more intense and I’m not sure why they wouldn’t make the rifle (and shotgun) qual a little more intense and challenging.
What do you think? Can you pass the qualification? Are you ready to strap up with a rifle and take on the legendary Florida man, the methagator, or the swamp ape? Let us know below.
