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Originally Posted by Sten
Thank you very much for this information.
I have a few follow up question on training. Aside from Google, what is the best way of vetting a good civilian trainer/coach? What is your opinion of the IDPA as a civilian training tool?
Again, thank you.
TJ
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I work part time at an indoor range and every Wednesday we hold different types of matches. USPSA, IDPA, ICORE, and some 3 gun stuff. My observations are of people that are doing it for fun, but also somewhat competitively. We host 3 world class shooters that offer a great deal of info but will be the first to tell you, it's a game and admit that how they run stages may get you killed in the real world.
If you have no place that allows you to shoot on the move, find one. Shooting courses give an oppourtunity to understand the mechanics of how to shoot on the move. Every Friday we close down the shop and the employees will take info from past training courses and experiences and we'll create a course of fire.
For instance this last week we went to the backstop on the range and set up IPSC/ IDPA targets to engage. Course of fire dictated that you must draw the weapon from a holster that is concealed (under shirt, vest, etc). While drawing the weapon you must move to your left or right (your decision) to come off your line and accurately engage the targets. First shot must be double action if the firearm is DA, or for 1911 fans, safely disengage your thumb safety after the weapon clears the holster and body.
We engaged two targets, I stick with 3 shots on the first target (center of mass, shot count is personal preference) and transition (while moving) to the second target. Move away to create space and continue engaging the target. You must conduct a magazine change while on the move when your weapon is empty. This is an untimed event, but must be taken seriously and safely, but also to learn what your abilities are.
I opted for a little added training value, load your buddies mags. Not knowing on which round your weapon will fail (if at all) makes it more realistic. Snap caps offer great malfunctions training. You can load one per mag or a whole mag. I did two inert rounds back to back to see if my brother listened to another employees advice. His advice: If your weapon fails to fire, rack the slide, if it fails again on the same mag, drop it and change mags. If it still fails to fire, monkey stomp the aggressor. The look of suprise on my brothers face when two rounds failed to go downrange was enough to make him realize how unprepared he was.
I've come to find that my magazine changes were great if I was in a static shooting position. That all went to crap when I had to come off my line, engage the target while moving, and reload on the move. Eye opener to say the least. But I learned more about my shooting ability and had an chance to slow down get it right and make it work.
After you've engaged your targets force yourself to threat scan 360 degrees to ID more potential targets. Some people only move their head, I'm big on the eyes, body and weapon all move together.
There are benefits to running a competition, but it creates bad habits. If you game a stage to better your score and time, then stay in the competitive realm. If you watch the competitors they will engage a set of targets, drop a magazine with rounds remaining while moving just so they can engage remaining targets downrange without sacrificing time. I go to slide lock every time and force myself to do a mag change on the move.
Bottom line: Take a training course in your local area. Save money to attend the good ones like Gunsite (I'm saving my pennies). I've personally taken 4-5 basic pistol classes just to refresh my basics and learn how others do it. I apply it, tweak it to my personal standard and implement it into my toolkit. Never be ashamed if you get corrected, it's going to happen. Have an open mind, instructors are there to help you, not make an example out of you. If you continually mess up then expect it.
Pick up (good) videos and in your spare time, dry fire drills, mag changes while you walk around your house, draw from the holster you want to use or are using for daily carry. This forum has many threads that are worth the while to read, re-read and do again.
One of my recent favorites:
http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...practice+makes
TR's: ......Perfect practice makes perfect.
Poor practice ingrains bad habits that will take thousands of rounds to overcome.
TR
Says it all.