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Is Your Firearms Training Realistic?
Townhall Magazine ^ | Sep 09, 2014 | Bob Owens

Posted on 09/12/2014 12:09:36 PM PDT by RC one

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I have recently modified my own firearm training to reflect the uselessness of standing still while engaging a stationary paper target

My training is comparable to an infantry battle drill, the idea being, when the SHTF, you aren't going to be able to think. You will be able to react however and your reaction will be whatever you have trained yourself to do.

If you trained yourself to stand in a perfect isosceles stance while holding your weapon in a perfect two handed weaver grip or whatever while delivering slow well aimed shots to a bullseye, you will probably end up hurt or worse. Or maybe you'll get lucky.

1 posted on 09/12/2014 12:09:36 PM PDT by RC one
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To: RC one

The problem is most ranges don’t even allow drawing from a holster, let alone realistic training.


2 posted on 09/12/2014 12:13:36 PM PDT by TurboZamboni (Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.-JFK)
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To: RC one
According to DOJ crime statistics, guns are used by US citizens 2.5 million times per year to prevent violent crimes like rape, robbery, home-invasion and carjacking, 99% of the time without a shot being fired (Source: GunFacts.info).

Given the above, 99 times out of 100 all you have to do is produce a firearm and the bad guy leaves.

You don't have to be a special operator to successfully defend yourself with a firearm.

3 posted on 09/12/2014 12:14:47 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum ("The man who damns money obtained it dishonorably; the man who respects it earned it." --Ayn Rand)
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To: RC one

For the most likely scenario (home invasion), my lady has been instructed to empty the magazine (17 9mm) in their general direction.

Of course she’s shot at the range, and knows how to sight a “threat”.

But my assumption is that any average home invader is going to start running by at least shot #3, and (if not dead yet) keep running when shot #17 rings out.

Just sayin’.

If it’s me, I’ll be a little more judicious in ammo usage, making sure I’m on a useful target. I’ve practiced rolling on the ground, and can hit paper while in a complete log-roll upside down while on the move. I think I’ll be okay.


4 posted on 09/12/2014 12:15:16 PM PDT by Uncle Miltie (Clinton / Bush 2016?)
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To: TurboZamboni
The problem is most ranges don’t even allow drawing from a holster, let alone realistic training.

Absolutely agree. Even at my private club they've banned paper targets with human silhouettes or a picture of a bad guy. They say area home owners were afraid that the militia were training there.

5 posted on 09/12/2014 12:17:13 PM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: RC one

M4L


6 posted on 09/12/2014 12:18:03 PM PDT by Scrambler Bob (/s /s /s /s /s, my replies are "liberally" sprinkled with them behind every word and letter.!)
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To: RC one
Is Your Firearms Training Realistic?

Is Your Is my firearms Training Realistic? YES!

7 posted on 09/12/2014 12:23:27 PM PDT by The_Republic_Of_Maine (In an Oligarchy, the sers don't count.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

The one time I needed my weapon, I didn’t even have to pull it. I just put my hand on it in its holster and readied myself to draw it and the threats recognized the move and opted to leave us alone. I saw what I took to be the leader who, after sizing me up, looked over at the guy standing by my wife and he shook his head no and they walked away. They had a lookout posted in the street too. three of them and me with a little old 5 shot j frame. Real glad I didn’t have to pull it. 5 rounds isn’t enough.


8 posted on 09/12/2014 12:25:06 PM PDT by RC one (Militarized law enforcement is just a nice way of saying martial law enforcement.)
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To: Puppage; TurboZamboni

I’m fortunate that I can get away with shooting in my back yard so I can be a little bit realistic. Typical pistol ranges are kind of a waste of time IMO.


9 posted on 09/12/2014 12:27:13 PM PDT by RC one (Militarized law enforcement is just a nice way of saying martial law enforcement.)
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To: RC one

Bad guys are, first and foremost, cowards. That’s why they operate in packs. And they are only interested in defenseless victims.


10 posted on 09/12/2014 12:27:13 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum ("The man who damns money obtained it dishonorably; the man who respects it earned it." --Ayn Rand)
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To: The_Republic_Of_Maine

care to elaborate? I understand if you want to keep your gunfu secrets....secrets.


11 posted on 09/12/2014 12:28:18 PM PDT by RC one (Militarized law enforcement is just a nice way of saying martial law enforcement.)
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To: TurboZamboni

exactly.

the only thing that comes close is a practical shooting class/exercise/course.


12 posted on 09/12/2014 12:30:36 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man ( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Yep. that was basically what it was, a pack of wolves sniffing around for fear and weakness and retreating when they didn’t smell any. If all else fails, appear strong when you are weak.


13 posted on 09/12/2014 12:31:15 PM PDT by RC one (Militarized law enforcement is just a nice way of saying martial law enforcement.)
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To: Puppage

put one up of oscar the grouch.

who’d believe the militia were training off that one?


14 posted on 09/12/2014 12:31:54 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man ( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: RC one
I have done the force-on-force training and it rocks. But setup is elaborate and expensive - we ended up building our own shoot house in a parking lot, probably way outside the city ordinances, but nobody came to object before we had the place torn back down. Very intense training. Simunitions are better than paintball but more expensive. Good times!

There's an easier solution, of course. We just make it illegal for anyone to commit a robbery without shouting "Threat!" and standing still. Dunno why nobody thought of that.

15 posted on 09/12/2014 12:33:34 PM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: TurboZamboni

> The problem is most ranges don’t even allow drawing from a holster, let alone realistic training.

I can see the problem with a handgun.
I used to prepare for hunting season with a pellet gun in my basement. I had a cardboard box filled with newspapers and rags. The box was suspended from the ceiling by a single long cord that allowed the box the swing and rotate. A second string went from the bottom corner of the box across the basement to where I was shooting from. I would jerk the string and then give myself one second to bring the gun up, draw a bead on the target and get off a round. When I started each hunting season, I had very few meaningful hits, but after a couple of weeks, it was almost always a bullseye. Anyone can do this; it’s just practice and reflexes.


16 posted on 09/12/2014 12:33:59 PM PDT by BuffaloJack (Bomb ISIS; bomb them again; bomb them again; kill all survivors; take no prisoners.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“Bad guys are, first and foremost, cowards. That’s why they operate in packs. And they are only interested in defenseless victims.”

Exactly. And they will rarely step over their bleeding and screaming buddy to get to you.


17 posted on 09/12/2014 12:37:25 PM PDT by wrench
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To: Secret Agent Man
IDPA/USPSA/3-Gun/2-Gun etc. are all entertaining, and useful for developing proficiency and familiarity with your weapons. Try them if you can; you'll become a better shooter.

But don't be fooled. They're all games.

How do we know this?

They all have a rulebook.

18 posted on 09/12/2014 12:42:34 PM PDT by NorthMountain
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To: Uncle Miltie

I always think back to the samurai when I contemplate how best to defend oneself with a pistol. Their ideal was to draw their sword as fast as possible and cut the threat down in a matter of seconds, basically in the same motion of the sword draw. They avoided actually crossing blades. With that in mind, I don’t get down on the ground anymore. I train for speed and fluidity with a minimum of required thinking.


19 posted on 09/12/2014 12:45:08 PM PDT by RC one (Militarized law enforcement is just a nice way of saying martial law enforcement.)
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To: NorthMountain

i think for existence as an org that has live fire exercises, rules on the course are required.

it’s as close to real life as you can get. i know some people who’ve gone through the courses and they’ve found it useful. obviously not perfect, but more dimensions than static paper target.


20 posted on 09/12/2014 12:49:20 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man ( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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