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July 1, 2020, 12:04 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: June 14, 2020
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Becoming a better 'real world' marksman at the range
Hey all -
a relative noob to pistol firing. I shot rifles a bunch in my 20's, but almost all target practice, and no scenario / real world training mindset. I have a SS P365 (to be my EDC) and a Beretta 92x. I'm going to the range 2-3 times week, and shooting 100-150 rds. I've been reading, and talking to instructors, watching training & competition videos and whatever else I can soak up. My hope for posting this - to get good advice on how to become a more precise and quicker shot, so I can be confident and composed if things go to he11. Things I'm focusing on: - Always taking at least 2 shots in every aim. I hope this gets me used to dealing with resetting after recoil. Managing recoil is another thing I'm working on - Never shooting (aiming at) the same points on a target 2x in a row. I'm using targets with different shapes, colors, numbers on them, looking down trying to forget what's there, pick a color / number, and then come up to set and shoot at what I picked, and 2 rounds at each part. - I already see improvement, and 2nd / 3rd rapid shots are getting more accurate, and recoil has less impact on getting set again. - On a narrow range there is only so far I can push this, but I'm trying to push my abilities to shoot without delay, do it confidently, accurately, and under control. - Hopefully you get the gist of where I'm going with this. Any other tips (other than going to an outdoor tactical range?) to improve on this? TIA, and be nice.... Last edited by supersport939; July 1, 2020 at 12:06 AM. Reason: words |
July 1, 2020, 01:00 AM | #2 |
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Tom Givens usually posts a link to his current Rangemaster newsletter. There's a drill in that every month. Once you get to his web site you can find all the back issues and copy or print out the various drills.
https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=607691 If there's a club near you that runs IDPA compettions, that's also a good way to get some practice in doing a bit more than standing in one place and shooting at one target.
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July 1, 2020, 10:36 AM | #3 | |
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Join Date: June 12, 2020
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Quote:
I also learned things like firing from a draw and moving with a gun. Plus it is loads of fun |
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July 1, 2020, 12:30 PM | #4 |
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"You have to learn how to walk, before you can run."
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July 1, 2020, 02:47 PM | #5 |
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Take the money you would spend on your next gun and put it towards a class at one of the shooting schools. That will put you on the right path and give you direction on WHAT and HOW to practice.
A much better way then trying to figure it out yourself. Let the professional guide your efforts |
July 1, 2020, 05:49 PM | #6 |
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If you are interested in self defense, save your money and go to a school. Some sort of fighting pistol class that is supplemented with force on force training. What people do while playing (comp) gun games is not preparation or training for real fighting.. that's just my opinion.
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July 1, 2020, 09:30 PM | #7 |
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You need to slow down and take a breath. Focus on the fundamentals. Skills take time to build. I have really been enjoying this 50 rnd training drill. I consider myself a reasonably good pistol shooter, and have made progress every time I have shot this drill.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8MvKIiXC2M also, if you can swing it take a pistol course and try to get into some competative shoots. Remember the goal is learning and making progress.
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July 1, 2020, 10:25 PM | #8 |
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A couple of things that I would recommend is to always practice with the gun you carry always. If you don't reload don't buy another gun, instead buy all the bullets you can for your edc with the money you would use for another gun because you want one.
Composure and confidence comes with practice, practice, practice and more practice. Take a class or two as has been suggested also. The final important thing I would recommend is learn to defend your self physically as well. Either take boxing lessons, or other type of martial arts that you may like. Doing this will give you the confidence you seek and the composure you want to allow you the ability to walk away and de-escalate a situation to a lower lever where no one gets hurt. But if it does escalate to a higher lever, knowing how to defend yourself physically, you can contain the situation without getting yourself killed or even worse killing someone else. I find nowadays that many people have a false sense of security because they have a gun on their person and are willing to use it simply because they have it. Where a punch to the solar plexus or chin or a kick to the knee can just as easily keep you safe.
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July 1, 2020, 11:04 PM | #9 | |
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Competently carrying a gun for self defense involves more than just marksmanship:
Dry fire and some of the drills mentioned would be useful. Also, when on the square range and not able to do holster work or move, it never hurts to keep up with basic marksmanship skills -- trigger control and flash sight picture. I'll often shoot quick 2, 3 or 4 shot strings starting a low ready. I'll also do some multiple target drills by putting smaller targets (I like the 7 inch Shoot'Nc ovals) around on a standard bullseye target and shooting 1, 2 or 3 shots on each, starting at low ready. IPSC and IDPA competition can also be helpful. But laying a solid foundation of sound fundamentals is a good place to start. The principles described below apply to both handguns and rifles. It's all about learning how to press the trigger to make the gun fire without moving the gun.
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July 1, 2020, 11:14 PM | #10 |
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It's great to see your enthusiasm. About classes: you *could* sign up for a defensive pistol class, but what I'd actually recommend is to look for an NRA instructor, basic pistol. Not because you need the basic stuff, (although you will always be seeking to improve the fundamentals) but it would be a chance for some personal coaching. My wife and I went to an abbreviated Basic Pistol class and we arranged it so it ended up being just the two of us! That was a good opportunity for nearly 1 on 1 pistol coaching at a good price. A couple hours of solid fundamentals review in a classroom, then range time, with some laser training tools in between, all in one morning. Way more fun than any university class. I had been shooting pistols for years and I still learned some things. Your experience may differ, it is ultimately up to the quality of that particular teacher as a communicator and coach, but he had taught for the army and was still sharp albeit hard of hearing.
I agree with the fundamentals. Because all the fast tactical cool stuff requires extremely good fundamentals. When I have the time, I start and end my session with fundamentals. But in between, I do try to push things a bit, to tread the line where I sacrifice perfect clover leaf groups for more speed - because I know it goes against my nature and my background of slow fire. There are also unpopular things to practice because they don't feel good, don't look good, or are a problem at indoor ranges. Shooting weak hand only, shooting from a reload, malfunction clearing, drawing... Don't forget dry fire, but also don't get sloppy with safety because you believe the gun to be empty. I also believe doubling up on hearing protection accelerates building fundamentals and working against anticipation / flinch. |
July 3, 2020, 03:51 PM | #11 | ||
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Join Date: June 14, 2020
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@Frank_Ettin
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July 3, 2020, 03:59 PM | #12 | |
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Join Date: June 14, 2020
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@dyl
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July 10, 2020, 04:39 PM | #13 |
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For shooting on a typical indoor range in a populous urban area where there may be restrictions on rapid fire, working from the holster, etc.
An easy thing to practice is just watching your front sight through the entire firing cycle. Be able to track the front sight through the whole process; because this is a key to learning the fancy stuff. Once you can do that, work until your front sight goes straight up and straight down. No rocking off to the side. Just straight up and straight down - this will tell you you have a good grip and proper trigger control. Assuming range rules allow, practice firing the next shot as soon as the front sight drops back down on to target. Are you still tracking straight up and down on that second shot? If your range allows multiple rapid shots, then once you can do two shots in succession straight up and down, try doing two shots as fast as you can pull the trigger with a single sight picture. This will require a solid grip more than trigger control, a grip that minimizes sympathetic squeeze. Another huge thing is dryfire... any kind of dryfire helps and it will let you work from the holster and practice techniques you may not be able to try at your local range. The four rules still apply though. If that pistol goes “BOOM” instead of click, know where the round is going and have something that can contain it. Old tube monitors and some flatscreens are great for this - you can even do a little Hogan’s Alley slide show on the monitor. Finally, the Laser Strike cartridges and similar products are just tremendous for getting the most out of dryfire and well worth the money. |
July 11, 2020, 07:05 AM | #14 |
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Join Date: June 12, 2020
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For marksmanship fundamentals that translated well for me to IDPA and IPSC matches, take a look at the dot torture drill.
It will have you moving through slow fire, rapid fire, changing targets, single hand (with both hands), drawing and firing (if you can't do that at your range, start from low ready instead), and reloads over 50 rounds. It is a great drill. |
July 11, 2020, 12:51 PM | #15 |
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Join Date: August 16, 2018
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Becoming a better 'real world' marksman at the range
Yes, on competitive shooting!
Idpa and Uspsa each have their strong points and annoyances. shooting on the clock against better shooters will up you game quickly. Take classes on shooting while moving and moving targets. Learning to shoot and move from cover to cover to either retreat to safety, advance tactically or get to a safer spot is essential. Get training on clearing failures. Get fast doing them. Use snap caps randomly in your mags to give you failures. Let your friends load your gun so you don’t know if a round is chambered or not. Lots of variation that if you do with friends is kinda fun. Who can stump the chump! Finally, get your mind right to be able do do what you have to do to defend yourself and your love ones. |
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learning , precision |
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