Doing it in the dark

ZeSpectre · June 11, 2011, 03:16 PM

Now this is intended as lighthearted...so let's keep it that way okay?!

with regards to firearms training how much time have you spent in the dark?

Above and beyond low light movement and shooting scenarios, have you ever tried to....
-identify and insert the proper magazine
-load rounds into a magazine
-reload a revolver? a shotgun? (practiced with dummy rounds of course)
-identify and clear a jam
-determine the state of readiness of a firearm
-emergency change the batteries in a tactical light (or laser)
-re-holster

Yeah several of these aren't things you'd want to try in a true emergency but I have at least attempted all of these and more in semi or total darkness before (with dummy rounds and full safety precautions) just to see what happens.

PS - shortly after the "emergency battery change" test I dumped my cheap tac-light for a surefire

Don P · June 11, 2011, 05:09 PM

Place those sleep eye covers on and practice with a EMPTY FIREARM
All you stated can be done with practice and quite fun specially if someone is watching.
I have done this and it takes practice to do all this stuff with out looking

C0untZer0 · June 11, 2011, 06:04 PM

What do you mean by "determine the state of readiness of a firearm"

ZeSpectre · June 11, 2011, 06:36 PM

Quote:

What do you mean by "determine the state of readiness of a firearm"

Is it loaded/ready to fire.
For example with a revolver you pop the cylinder and feel for rounds in the chambers and then close. A mag check and "press check" with a semi-auto is tougher in darkness but there are techniques.

The few times I've tried a "blackout" reload of an 870 shotgun (with snap caps) I've screwed it up every time. Seems like it should be so simple but I sure don't have the knack. No issues with my Mossberg though, how weird is that?

Mello2u · June 11, 2011, 08:06 PM

ZeSpectre,

I have practiced all of the above except changing batteries. But my practice has dropped way off in the last decade or so.

Practice in low light such as under a full moon is good practice. You might me surprised to discover how much you can see, identify and shoot fast and accurately. Practice in even less light with a tactical light is good too.

highvel · June 11, 2011, 08:21 PM

I feel confident in my muscle memory and have gone thru clearing,reloads, and shooting with my eyes closed.

I have shot many rounds drawing from a holster and firing at short range, 15-20 feet while only using instinct and memory, with very bad results as far as the targets were concerned.
I'm not talking all center mass by any means, however the target would be in severe need of patching

Sometimes you will be surprised what your "minds eye" can see

smince · June 12, 2011, 06:18 AM

I always make sure my weapons are loaded and checked before it ever gets dark.

I can do this in the dark, but why if I can do it earlier?

ClayInTx · June 12, 2011, 06:51 AM

Quote:

I can do this in the dark, but why if I can do it earlier?

Because my revolver doesn’t hold 7 rounds.

FireForged · June 12, 2011, 09:44 PM

In my home, firearms outside of a safe are loaded/ready to go (always).

Checking a firearms state of readiness?? come on guys, its not a spec-op mission.

Cant we just say "check if its loaded"?

Steviewonder1 · June 12, 2011, 11:25 PM

I follow the 7 P's, "Prior proper performance prevents *&^^% poor performance". I know my gun's status at all times. Yes, I can do a dead of night reload to an empty gun that I carry in short order.

June 11, 2011, 03:16 PM	#1
ZeSpectre Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Shenandoah Valley Posts: 3,276	Doing it in the dark Now this is intended as lighthearted...so let's keep it that way okay?! with regards to firearms training how much time have you spent in the dark? Above and beyond low light movement and shooting scenarios, have you ever tried to.... -identify and insert the proper magazine -load rounds into a magazine -reload a revolver? a shotgun? (practiced with dummy rounds of course) -identify and clear a jam -determine the state of readiness of a firearm -emergency change the batteries in a tactical light (or laser) -re-holster Yeah several of these aren't things you'd want to try in a true emergency but I have at least attempted all of these and more in semi or total darkness before (with dummy rounds and full safety precautions) just to see what happens. PS - shortly after the "emergency battery change" test I dumped my cheap tac-light for a surefire __________________ "The dogs may bark but the caravan moves on"

June 11, 2011, 05:09 PM	#2
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	Place those sleep eye covers on and practice with a *EMPTY FIREARM* All you stated can be done with practice and quite fun specially if someone is watching. I have done this and it takes practice to do all this stuff with out looking __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.* Last edited by Don P; June 11, 2011 at 05:16 PM.

June 11, 2011, 08:06 PM	#5
Mello2u Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,424	ZeSpectre, I have practiced all of the above except changing batteries. But my practice has dropped way off in the last decade or so. Practice in low light such as under a full moon is good practice. You might me surprised to discover how much you can see, identify and shoot fast and accurately. Practice in even less light with a tactical light is good too. __________________ NRA Life Member - Orange Gunsite Member - NRA Certified Pistol Instructor "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." Frederic Bastiat

June 11, 2011, 08:21 PM	#6
highvel Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2010 Location: Powhatan VA Posts: 633	I feel confident in my muscle memory and have gone thru clearing,reloads, and shooting with my eyes closed. I have shot many rounds drawing from a holster and firing at short range, 15-20 feet while only using instinct and memory, with very bad results as far as the targets were concerned. I'm not talking all center mass by any means, however the target would be in severe need of patching Sometimes you will be surprised what your "minds eye" can see __________________ Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.--Mark Twain "I have opinions of my own 'strong opinions' but I don't always agree with them."--George Bush

June 12, 2011, 09:44 PM	#9
FireForged Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 1999 Location: Rebel South USA Posts: 2,074	In my home, firearms outside of a safe are loaded/ready to go (always). Checking a firearms state of readiness?? come on guys, its not a spec-op mission. Cant we just say "check if its loaded"? __________________ Life is a web woven by necessity and chance... Last edited by FireForged; June 13, 2011 at 12:10 PM.

June 11, 2011, 06:04 PM	#3
C0untZer0 Junior member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,555	What do you mean by "determine the state of readiness of a firearm"

June 12, 2011, 06:18 AM	#7
smince Junior member Join Date: October 9, 2004 Location: Northeast Alabama Posts: 2,580	I always make sure my weapons are loaded and checked before it ever gets dark. I can do this in the dark, but why if I can do it earlier?

June 12, 2011, 11:25 PM	#10
Steviewonder1 Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2009 Location: John's Creek, Georgia Posts: 328	I follow the 7 P's, "Prior proper performance prevents *&^^% poor performance". I know my gun's status at all times. Yes, I can do a dead of night reload to an empty gun that I carry in short order.