Weapons training advice

[Team Sergeant]

Ever wonder why we have millions of golfers (hackers) and only a handful of individuals playing the game on a professional level? Many will tell you they can play golf but only at a very basic level.
Same goes for professional runners, bowlers, tennis players etc. What separates the pro's from the amateurs, it begins their training and then continues with their commitment to their sport.

When I train individuals I always ask at what level does that person believe he or she is currently at in their weapons training the answers very from a beginner to intermediate and I've had some that will answer "I'm a weapons instructor" I then usually ask them to shake my hand and attempt to crush my hand at the same time. This action identifies their strength level in their wrist and forearm.

A weak grip tells me the individual is not an advanced shooter and will have a long road ahead to become a great shooter. Conversely a strong grip tells me that they have the necessary physical strength to become an advanced shooter and if they have been shooting a long time there might be some quarks to watch for such as a "controlled jerk".

Most golfers are hacks and play just to relax. They might have taken a few lessons and then feel they know enough to play. And most just learn the game from their buddies and don’t bother taking any lessons. Again, they don’t mind as I mentioned they are there to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. The same goes for the weekend shooting enthusiasts, they also have taken a few lessons, maybe none and off they go to the range, and like the golfers they go to relax, shoot and enjoy the company of like minded individuals.

Some are game shooters, some are cowboy six shooters, some serious target shooters, clay birds, paper targets, there are the metallic silhouette shooters and the list goes on. Then there are the serious minded shooters, the ones that fall into the category of "defensive shooters".

These individuals are the CCW holders, the females (and males) that take responsibility for their own welfare and most law enforcement. (And some are those tinfoil hat wearing sorts that believe the United Nations will soon be attempting to disarm American citizens by force.)
These weapons aficionados are the ones that think/hope they know enough that if ever faced with lethal force to fight and hopefully prevail. They are law abiding citizens and take advice and just enough training to get by, they hope.

In my opinion their training is adequate, only because the evil men they face usually possess no weapons training at all.

Think about this, you’ve been playing golf for years, you can break 100 on a good day but you are anything but pro. Now enter that beginner, his first day and he barely knows which direction to swing his club, has six clubs in his bag, is hyped on drugs and adrenalin, challenges you to best of 18 holes competition. Not much of a challenge right? Food for thought.

Like golf weapons training depends on what you want out of it, do you want to beat that beginner or take on Tiger Woods? Or are you looking for a happy place in the middle?

That’s the first step in your weapons training, knowing what you want out of it. As in any decision, you first need to set your goal and then move to accomplish that goal.

I have little doubt Tiger Woods could show you the proper swing in an hour, but without practice and a lot more training & commitment you don’t have a snowballs chance in hell beating Tiger one on one.

Same goes for weapons training, again food for thought.

I really enjoy the individuals that tell me: “I want to shoot like you!” to which I answer, "fine, you only have a few more years of hard training ahead."

Set your training goal, then set out to meet it.

Team Sergeant

[monsterhunter]

Great analogy Team Sergeant, I think I'll spread your words around my area if you don't mind. Thanks for posting.

[Sten]

Would you elaborate on "controlled jerk" a bit.

[NoRoadtrippin]

Excellent post. Its just one more among many that is helping me to learn the correct mindset as I get started in my military career.

In a couple weeks, I'm taking AWG's basic BRM course, having this thread and others in mind will hopefully help me to get as much as possible out of such an opportunity.

Thanks Team Sergeant.

[Dragbag036]

TS

You hit the nail on the head. Can we take it to another level? What really is our shooting program? Does sending one to an advanced school imply that he is now a great shot. Its only the beginning. Going downrange and shooting a bunch of bullets also does not make one an expert, but it does give a person insight into what he really needs to focus on. Many times concentrating on advanced skills instead of the basics and fundamentals of shooting gives individuals false sense of skill. I see it every class. (I've been there, done that, have two years time...but I can't shoot a group at 25m with my M4)

Just my .02cents

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Sten

Would you elaborate on "controlled jerk" a bit.

Yes I could, especially since I made up the term.

It's simply jerking the trigger the same way everytime causing a "shot group" but not in the place the individual was intending. The shot group looks fine and no one would ever question the fact it was not where the individual was actually aiming.
A way to check if someone has indeed a controlled jerk is by using the "ball and dummy" drill.

I've seen it many times and in every case its a seasoned shooter.

Team Sergeant

[Tubbs]

Gentleman, I have a question for the Professional Soldiers.
If you could only shoot 100 rounds of centerfire ammo a month as practice in your handgun how would you shoot it?

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by Tubbs

Gentleman, I have a question for the Professional Soldiers.
If you could only shoot 100 rounds of centerfire ammo a month as practice in your handgun how would you shoot it?

I would tell you to read this thread before asking again.

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...ad.php?t=11553

TR

[82ndtrooper]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

Yes I could, especially since I made up the term.

It's simply jerking the trigger the same way everytime causing a "shot group" but not in the place the individual was intending. The shot group looks fine and no one would ever question the fact it was not where the individual was actually aiming.
A way to check if someone has indeed a controlled jerk is by using the "ball and dummy" drill.

I've seen it many times and in every case its a seasoned shooter.

Team Sergeant

Prior to actual tactical pistol training by professionals I was one of those "controlled jerkers" on a static paper target at 25 meters. My group was tight, but it was alway's high and left of the center of the B-27 target.

Certain professionals showed my the "thumbs forward" grip. This helped in of itself because it tends to allow the shooter, at least me, to have an index finger and a thumb directly on plane with the target. Next was proper follow through on the trigger and two sight's for every shot taken. The ball and dummy drill cured this.

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

[swatsurgeon]

I'm now 2 months after surgery on my right arm and have to wait one more month.......
TS whispering in my ear: DRY FIRE, again, and again, and again............

[nmap]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

A weak grip tells me the individual is not an advanced shooter and will have a long road ahead to become a great shooter. Conversely a strong grip tells me that they have the necessary physical strength to become an advanced shooter

Sir, I am surely in the weak grip category. I would appreciate guidance on how I can begin remedying the situation.

[Gene Econ]

Originally Posted by nmap

Sir, I am surely in the weak grip category. I would appreciate guidance on how I can begin remedying the situation.

nmap:

Not sure why you think your grip isn't strong enough but mash a racket ball for a few hours a day and after about six months you will notice a very decisive ability to grip things. There are a bunch of things you can do but probably the racket ball technique will be one you may even stick with for more than a week. Obviously you don't lift weights for exercise. If you did, you would not be questioning your ability to hold on to a pistol under recoil.

So what are your goals? I am not sure if motivation occurs before goals or goals create motivation. Honestly, no one knows which comes first. Goals assist in focusing your motivation and resources. The stronger your desire to achieve a very well defined goal, the more you will be willing to sacrifice other things in order to attain that goal.

Define your goals very specifically. Then state how you will attain those goals -- very specifically. There are many web sites devoted to goals setting and accomplishment. All say about the same things.

Let me caution you on a couple of things. Guys who are goals oriented get upset when others start out their goals statements with caveats such as "I only have ten rounds of ammo per week and can only get to the range once every month." Or "my wife doesn't like guns so I have to keep this real quiet." Or "I work two jobs so do not have a-lot of time." Guys who caveat stuff are already saying that they aren't serious about goals attainment. They are giving themselves and excuse for failing to achieve their goals.

Gene on Goals

[nmap]

Thank you, Sir. I appreciate the excellent ideas.

Actually, I do a minimal amount of weight lifting - I go to a small gym and do 30 minutes of cardio workout and 10 minutes on a universal machine, 5 times per week. It's better than nothing, but not much.

I can hold onto the firearm well enough (Glock 22, 155 gr. Federal Hydroshoks), and hit the target at usual civilian training distances of 15 yards or less - but the shots lack the precision I would like. I'm also unhappy with my speed and effectiveness when I try to do a double-tap.

My goal is simple enough - I want to improve my self-defense abilities (yes, I know I need to be more specific). It's my opinion that some of the long term economic trends will increase the crime levels, and hence the likelihood of facing some challenges in the years ahead. But you make a good point about "caveats" - excuses for failure mark a poor beginning for any project.

I'll take a look at the goal setting material you mention; decades ago, I went to a motivation seminar that emphasized writing down goals. I was amazed at some of the things I got done.

Thank you again. I'll find that racket ball and start squeezing.

[x-factor]

I went shooting today for the first time since at least November (I had sports injuries to my left wrist and then my right hand) and it was a disaster. When I was in shape I qualified near perfect and was shooting palm-sized groups at a fairly rapid pace. Today, geez, I was a mess...7 yards looked like 15, my trigger finger placement was all over, my stance felt wrong, etc etc.

Also, to answer TS's earlier preliminaries...I do have the requisite strength described earlier. My training has all come through my job from current and former special operations personnel, so I feel pretty confident that I'm working from a good base set of knowledge. I'm interested only in practical shooting (I hardly ever put the target farther than 10 yards). My goal is higher than civilian self-defense, but not quite a full military standard. I'm not going to be attacking anything, but I want to be able to pull my weight in the event that me or my element comes under attack while in the field and I want the guys I travel to be confident that I'm not a security liability. (Am I making a false distinction between offensive and defensive scenarios?)

Has anyone else ever had to rehab their skills after a long break? Was there a specific drill or routine that helped you or is it just about getting reps? I'm worried that I'm just going to reinforce a bunch of bad habits if I just try to "practice" myself back into shape. Any advice from the experts would be greatly appreciated.

[Archangel]

Originally Posted by nmap

Thank you, Sir. I appreciate the excellent ideas.

Actually, I do a minimal amount of weight lifting - I go to a small gym and do 30 minutes of cardio workout and 10 minutes on a universal machine, 5 times per week. It's better than nothing, but not much.

Go three times a week instead and do 30 minutes on specific muscle groups using free weights and 30 minutes cardio to finish up.

It could look something like this:

Day 1: Chest / Shoulders & Triceps - Cardio

Day 2: Rest

Day 3: Legs / Abs - Cardio

Day 4: Rest

Day 5: Back / Biceps - Cardio

Day 6: Rest

Day 7: Go to church.

I can hold onto the firearm well enough (Glock 22, 155 gr. Federal Hydroshoks), and hit the target at usual civilian training distances of 15 yards or less - but the shots lack the precision I would like. I'm also unhappy with my speed and effectiveness when I try to do a double-tap.

Bring the distance back down to 7 yards until your accuracy improves. Stop doing "double-taps" and start doing "controlled pairs." The difference is that you don't pull the trigger on the second shot until you have a sight picture. Be precise and be smooth. Don't start doing controlled pairs until your single shots are hitting exactly where you want them to hit. Perfect your stance, grip, breathing, trigger manipulation (taking off slack), sight alignment, smooth trigger squeeze and follow-through.

Edit by Razor: Maybe your eyes are better than mine, but Navy on Black was pretty hard to read.