The Need for Weapon’s Training When Training Is Not Attainable

Are you just as fed up as I am, from all the shutdowns on businesses due to things that are out of their control, or frustrated at the costs of weapon ammunition, the upticks in range memberships, and more? These are all triggered by outside influences that affect our economy as a whole.

If you have tried to purchase ammo or range time lately, I am sure that you have run into one, if not all of these situations. I have had family members and non-gun owners scoff at my frustrations, and not see the value nor the necessity of continuous weapons training. Most would rather see the second amendment go by the wayside than worry about whether or not gun owners have access to affordable and proper training equipment or environments, but I digress.

Being able to train is imperative to gun ownership. It is education and experience with said weapons that build upon one’s safety, knowledge, and best practices that go with gun ownership, but for the firearms owner, it is about fundamentals and skill development. We don’t get our education from the media on these matters, if you think we do then you’re making a huge mistake. Nor do we adopt firearms skills from watching the latest Bourne or Wick movies; we need to practice and train.

I remember once in the military when I was stationed in Germany and I wanted to improve my physical fitness tests scores. I wanted to diet better, get the right weight room programs that would make me bigger, stronger, and faster. Then my 1st Sergeant (E-8) told me “Sergeant, if you want to get better at PT Tests, then do more damn PT Tests.” He stopped me in my tracks. He was right because to get better at a specific action, one must do more of that same action. Develop a muscle memory within your system to become more capable and get better scores.

To increase your education, safety, and fundamentals, in firearms, one has to continue to have the proper equipment and a place to do more training, but with firearms, we are not always able to do so in today’s society, and the type of environment needed to safely train and maintain developed skill sets. We have got to put rounds downrange, or do we?

Have you tried your living room? Your bedroom? Your den? Maybe your garage or basement? No, I am not saying to shoot up your home. I am talking about dry fire training that can be done at home without shooting any rounds and still aid the development of your muscle memory and skill training. Note: Remember, of course, you still need to put rounds down range when attainable by funds or accessibility to ranges, but when you cannot, there are always other options.

The top shooters in the world are indeed in some kind of shape. I am not trying to offend anyone, however, there are so many individuals that are just plain what I call “sloppy out of shape,” and yet these same people buy the latest and greatest firearms just to brag and show off their collections. None of these attributes should be in any weapons owner’s personality traits, nor character when it comes to exercising your 2nd amendment rights. So, before we talk about anything else, make sure that you stay in shape the best you can, by running, simple weights, stretching, and eating well. I am not saying you must become an Olympic athlete but work on your physical and mental fitness levels as well. They are necessary for focus, and good decision making and can only help with all your much-wanted weapons training.

Now let’s get back to your home dryfire training.

Step One- Space
First is Personal space, this just simply requires standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms stretched out and parallel to the ground, and being able to pivot in a circle. So, about 16 square feet for the average person, (a 4 ft square). Then, for room space, we will go with the average size room of 10 to 15 square feet. Note: The size of the room does not matter, as you will see below.

Step Two- Targets
If you do not already have small targets, you can go to any big box store and purchase simple targets. You could also cut out pictures from magazines, print off the web, or simply draw targets on paper Since you won’t be firing any rounds, you can even just use existing décor items you have around the room.

Step Three- Techniques
Like any type of training, there are many varieties and styles out there. I suggest that you research others, besides what you read here, and put it together with what works for you, and stick with it. I am only going to cover a few that I myself use from time to time, which will get you started in realizing the quality of weapons development you can achieve by adding home dryfire training to your regiment of firearms preparation. Before you begin, I suggest you take off all bells and whistles from your firearm. Always start with your basic weapon before adding additional items that you might use. Note: Without fail, always clear weapons before any training begins.
a. Steadying your trigger pull. My father actually taught me this when I was about 12-years- old. I would get into my firing stance and he would place a quarter on the barrel of my weapon. He would tell me to aim, breathe out, and slowly pull the trigger to see if I could maintain my site picture and keep the quarter from falling. Then I would do it with nickel, then a dime. Some of the oldest techniques are still the best.
b. Sight Placement. This is basic but so crucial in developing muscle memory in aiming. I don’t care what your skill level is, this cannot be overlooked. After the coin drills, hold your site picture on your target for 30 seconds, then bring your weapon down for 3 seconds and back up to your sight picture, and hold for 30 seconds, then turn to another target and do the same. Do this multiple times, then again holding for 1-minute drop for 3 seconds, and repeat. Start with your heaviest weapon first.
c. Quick Draw. You can only defend yourself as quickly as you can get to your weapon. Continuing with your site placement drills, now start from the holstered position. Draw your weapon bringing it straight up the side of your torso, then stabbing it toward your target ending in a good firing stance and holding, checking on your sight picture. Re-holster, pivot to another target, and repeat.
d. Reload. This can be done during both the site placement drill and the quick draw drill. It is imperative that reloading is added to your muscle memory development list. Most real-life situations do not use an entire clip when having to use your handguns, however, as military and police studies have shown, a shootout often goes to the shooter with the most muscle memory development, so, reaction time becomes second nature over stress-related situations.

Like any sport, or lifesaving survival skills, it always boils down to fundamentals, which always need to be the highest number of practice sessions on your list to stay at the highest skill level wanted to achieve. Do not allow Covid-19, anti 2nd amendment politicians, or any reason to keep you from training when you have the space and ability to do so. With technology increasing as it does, there are many new opportunities out there with laser sites, phone apps, etc. Until next time, keep researching for other techniques.

“Charlie Mike” (Continue the Mission).