Going to the range and shooting randomly at targets is fun, but it’s not the most effective way to improve. Drills give you specific exercises that focus on different aspects of shooting, like accuracy, speed, or reloading. By following a structured routine, you can systematically work on your weaknesses and build on your strengths. It’s like going to the gym with a workout plan instead of just randomly picking up some weights.
Drills give you a way to measure your progress, which is an important part of evolving your skills. They also help you build your confidence with your firearm, which will make you feel more comfortable and capable in different shooting situations.
If you want to improve your skills, it's not just about showing up at the range and pulling the trigger. To really make the most of your practice time, you need to approach shooting drills with a plan and purpose. Here are several ways you can get the most out of your time shooting drills.
One of the best ways to make your practice sessions effective is to set clear goals. Before you start, think about what you want to achieve. Are you aiming to improve your accuracy, speed, or maybe your technique? Having a clear focus for each drill helps you stay motivated and makes it easier to track your progress.
Like any skill, shooting requires regular practice. Make a habit of practicing consistently, even if it’s just a short session. Regular practice helps you build and maintain your skills over time. Create a practice schedule that fits into your lifestyle, so it becomes a routine part of your week.
Keeping a log of your practice sessions might seem tedious, but it’s incredibly helpful. Note what drills you did, how you performed, and any areas that need improvement. Tracking your progress allows you to see how far you’ve come and where you need to focus your efforts.
Not all drills are one-size-fits-all. Start with basic drills and gradually increase the difficulty as you improve. Modify drills to match your skill level and challenge yourself appropriately. This way, you’ll avoid frustration and stay motivated to keep practicing.
Mixing up your drills keeps practice sessions engaging and comprehensive. Incorporate different types of drills that focus on various aspects of shooting, such as accuracy, speed, and transitioning between targets. This variety not only keeps things interesting but also ensures you’re improving across the board.
Don't be afraid to seek advice from more experienced shooters or instructors. Getting feedback can provide valuable insights into your technique and help you improve faster. You can use that feedback to refine your skills and make adjustments where necessary.
Keeping practice sessions fun and interesting will help you stay committed to your training, which is crucial for long-term improvement. Set milestones and reward yourself when you achieve them. Whether it’s hitting a new accuracy goal or mastering a challenging drill, celebrate your progress.
There’s a wealth of knowledge out there from experienced people who have developed some fantastic drills. Look for drills recommended by experts, whether in videos, articles, or shooting manuals. Once you find a drill that interests you, feel free to adapt it to your needs. You can adjust the difficulty or targets to match your skill level and goals.
If you’re looking for tried-and-true drills to add to your practice routine, you can start the training drills we publish every month. They’re great for beginners and anyone new to shooting drills because we keep them simple and focused on fundamental skills.
There are also several classic drills you can turn to. The Dot Torture drill, for example, is fantastic for improving accuracy and consistency. It involves shooting at small dots on a target in different sequences, which challenges your precision and control. The Bill Drill is a very simple drill that uses only one target. The whole drill consists of firing six shots into the middle of the target as fast as possible.
As you get more comfortable with shooting drills, you might want to start creating your own. First, take an honest look at your skills. What are you good at, and where do you need improvement? Set specific goals for each drill, like boosting your speed or improving your accuracy. Design exercises that challenge you but are still doable. Keep things interesting by changing up your routine now and then. This way, you’ll stay engaged and keep pushing yourself to get better.
]]>There are a lot of shooting drills to choose from, so which ones should you start with? Classic shooting drills are an excellent choice because they’re easy to understand, repeatable, measurable, and proven to improve your marksmanship.
Here are several classic shooting drills you can practice at the range in order to improve your accuracy and overall proficiency.
Accurate shooting requires consistent sight alignment and strong trigger control. Dot Drills can help you improve both. You’ll find that shooters of all levels practice dot drills because they go a long way toward mastering sight alignment and improving trigger control to achieve better accuracy.
There are a lot of different versions of this drill, but all of them include one or more small dots or circles on a single target. By aiming at a small area, you’re forced to focus on your front sight, which is crucial for accurate shots.
To shoot the Dot Drill, find a target with a series of small dots or circles. Place the target at a distance of your choice, get a proper grip and stance, align your sights with the dot, and fire one untimed shot. Focus on your sight alignment and trigger control with each shot. Your goal is to place every round on the dot or inside the small circle with no misses.
Repeat the drill several times during your practice session and try shooting it at different distances. We have several free, printable targets that are perfect for shooting a dot drill. Grab one here.
This is a classic drill originally designed by renowned competitive shooter and gunmaker, Bill Wilson. It’s designed to help you improve your accuracy at speed. It will also reveal how relaxed you are when firing multiple rounds (tensing up results in poorly placed shots). It’s great for shooters of any experience level and can be performed at an indoor or outdoor range.
The Bill Drill involves shooting 6 rounds at a target as fast as possible while still maintaining accuracy. The goal is to complete this drill as fast as possible while putting all 6 shots into your target's scoring zone.
To shoot the Bill Drill, set up a target or paper plate at a distance of your choice (we recommend starting at 5 yards if you’re new to shooting). Start with the gun holstered or at the low-ready position (gun lowered and pointed in front of you at about a 45-degree angle) and fire 6 rounds as quickly and accurately as possible.
Repeat the drill several times during each practice session. Your goal is to improve your time with each attempt.
Here’s our version of the Bill Drill
This drill is sometimes called the ‘failure’ or ‘failure to stop’ drill. It’s another tried-and-true drill that can help you practice shooting quickly and accurately in a self-defense situation. There’s a long history behind why it’s named the Mozambique drill – we won’t get into that in this article, but you can read more about its history here.
To shoot the Mozambique Drill, set up a USPSA/IDPA target at a distance of 3-5 yards (You can also use a paper plate for the midsection and an index card for the upper target). You can start with your gun holstered or at the low-ready position. While timed or untimed, aim for the midsection area of the target and fire two shots, then fire a third shot at the head. Repeat the drill several times, and try to improve your time with each attempt.
If you want to incorporate movement into your practice sessions (and you should), this drill is a great way to ease into it. It’s a slightly more advanced drill that involves turning, drawing, then shooting multiple rounds. The drill will help you get a feel for what it’s like to move, then shoot. It can also help you speed up your target transitions while maintaining accuracy.
To shoot the El Presidente Drill, set up three USPSA/IDPA targets at the same distance (we recommend starting at 5 yards). Start with the gun holstered, your hands at your sides, and facing away from the targets. While timed or untimed, turn, draw (after turning), and engage the targets with 2 shots each. Make sure to fire 2 shots on one target before moving to the next one. Repeat the drill several times, and try to improve your time with each attempt.
Before you attempt this drill, make sure you know how to draw from a holster. Take a look at our tips for drawing from a holster if you're new to it.
All of these drills are a great way for you to benchmark your current skill level and track your progress over time. By incorporating them into your regular practice sessions and taking note of your times and accuracy every time you shoot them, you can identify areas where you need to improve. It’s also a great way to see how much progress you’ve made!
]]>If you live in a cold climate, you’re likely planning to put away your range bag for the next few months, if you haven’t already. But if you carry a gun, it’s essential to train when it's cold outside.
Practicing your shooting skills outside in the winter has many benefits, as long as you're prepared. Here are some tips to help you safely and successfully train with your gun in cold weather.
We know it can be challenging and uncomfortable to shoot in cold weather. We would all like to be at home sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace on chilly days, but cold weather practice should be done at least a couple of times a year. Since you can't predict when you might need to use your gun for self-defense, practicing in every weather condition is the best way to make sure you’re prepared for any situation.
Training with your firearm in cold weather is the only way to understand how it affects your performance. You need to experience how your body and mind will react in cold conditions — the gun will feel different in your hand and your motor skills will not be as sharp. If you know what it feels like to shoot in the cold, you won't be caught off guard if you're ever in a defensive situation and have to use your gun.
There are some things you can do to make winter trips to the outdoor range more bearable. The following tips will help you have a better range trip when it's cold outside:
You need to stay warm on the range without getting so bundled up that it restricts your movement. Dressing in layers is the solution. Even when it’s freezing, it’s not hard to work up a sweat during a practice session, so layering can keep you warm while allowing you to shed some clothing if necessary.
If you have moisture-wicking base layers, this is a good time to wear them. It’s also a good idea to bring a couple of extra pairs of socks, in case you get the pair you’re wearing wet. Hats are also helpful to wear to keep your head warm and dry.
You probably already know that manipulating small things with cold hands, like loading magazines, can be difficult and frustrating. There’s actually science behind it — cold weather constricts the blood vessels surrounding our extremities, rerouting blood flow to our vital organs to keep them warm. This leads to cold hands and feet, as well as reduced movement and stiffness due to lowered chemical levels.
There are a few things you can pack in your range back that will make shooting when it’s cold outside a little more bearable. If you find your hands are getting too cold at the range, investing in a pair of shooting gloves can help. These gloves are designed to keep your fingers warm and still allow you to operate the gun. A high-quality pair of shooting gloves will withstand the elements, and some even have features like touchscreen capability.
A magazine loader like the UpLULA comes in very handy when the temperatures dip. It makes jamming those rounds into your mags much easier, even if you’re wearing gloves. Additionally, it can help reduce the pain associated with loading magazines over and over.
Hand warmers are also a great thing to keep packed in your shooting range bag. They don’t take up much space and that little bit of warmth can make a big difference in your ability to manipulate your hands and fingers. You can purchase reusable warmers or the disposable type, which are inexpensive and don’t take up much space in your bag.
While keeping your equipment in good shape is always the right thing to do, it’s especially important when shooting in cold weather. Make sure your equipment stays as dry as possible since moisture and water can have negative effects on guns. Using a high-quality range bag or backpack can help minimize your risk of exposure. If you’re shooting at a bench, putting a range mat down can help keep some distance between your firearm and a damp surface.
As always, your firearms will need to be well-oiled and lubricated, just make sure you’re using an oil or grease that can handle cold temperatures — not all of them are designed for cold weather. If you use products that aren't rated for low temperatures, it could gum up your gun, which can cause malfunctions.
Don’t risk frostbite or hypothermia by staying in the elements too long. Try to pick a day when the weather will be relatively warm and there’s no chance of rain or snow. don’t hesitate to leave if you start feeling uncomfortable, and don't feel bad about leaving if you need to!
Preparing in advance by choosing a few shooting drills or targets will allow you to get a good session without spending a lot of extra time setting up. Monitor yourself for signs of physical concerns and be extra conservative about your safety if you are in any way uncertain about how much time you can spend outside in cold weather.
Training with your gun in the cold weather can be challenging, but it's important to be prepared for any situation. Keeping these tips in mind will help you train in the cold safely and effectively. You don't have to wait until spring to start practicing again - get started now!
This article is not meant to be medical advice. Use common sense and have fun!
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Creating training goals and a plan can be difficult if you've never done it before. The following guide will help you set goals and develop a training plan you can stick with.
No matter how long you’ve been shooting, it’s important to train. When you set goals, it’s easier to come up with a training plan and you’re more likely to stick with it if you have an end result in mind.
To figure out what goals you want to set, think about how you use your gun. If you carry concealed for self-defense, your goals can be centered around gaining competence in those areas. For example, being able to draw from concealment in 2 seconds or less would help you a lot if you ever have to defend yourself.
If you’re a competitive shooter, your goals can revolve around the skills you need to achieve a higher class. For example, if you’re a USPSA competitor, good goals would include improving your split times while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
To make sure you achieve your goals and get some motivation while you’re training, it’s important to have a way to measure and track your goals. The first step is to figure out how you’re going to gauge your progress. If you don't think about how you define improvement, you may end up measuring the wrong thing.
One of the best ways to measure your progress is to start by figuring out where you are now. Do some baseline benchmarking to measure your current skillset as it relates to the goal you’re trying to achieve. For example, if your goal is to improve your time to first shot from your holster, head out to the range and time yourself several times to get a good idea of your current times.
It may be tempting to just write down your goals on a random piece of paper or keep them in your head, but it’s important to avoid that temptation. A dedicated training log will help you accurately capture information and keep everything in one place so you don’t end up with gaps in your records.
A training log can be as simple as a notebook. You can also track your progress using a spreadsheet, but we recommend keeping a notebook in your range bag so you can write down important information while you’re at the range.
Benchmarking may sound intimidating, but it just means you need to test against the original times you wrote down when you started training to find out how you’re progressing with your goals. Select a cadence for when you will put yourself on the clock to check your progress and write down those dates in your training log. If you’re going to the range several times per month, check up on your progress once a month. If you train once or twice a month, it’s a good idea to benchmark your skills on a quarterly basis.
Ammo might be easier to come by these days, but we know it’s still expensive and some calibers are still tough to find on a regular basis. Working dry fire into your training plan can save you money you would have spent on ammo and can keep you training when you can’t find time to make it to the range.
Make sure to track your dry fire training just like you do with your live-fire training, but don’t mix up your numbers. Since any times you track will be different with dry fire, use a separate area in your training log to document your dry fire sessions.
If you don't have everything you need when you start your training plan, you may feel the urge to procrastinate. Take some time to make sure you have all the equipment and tools you need, and pick up what you don't have right now. For instance, purchase your holster, belt, and any training tools like dry fire books as soon as possible so your training plan doesn't go to waste.
]]>So what's the solution? How can you make dry firing more fun and less of a chore so you won't procrastinate? The answer is simple: start small and have a well-defined plan before you start!
Here are several things you can do to create a dry fire shooting routine that will stick so that no matter where life takes you, your skills will always be improving.
The key to creating a plan you'll actually stick to is to keep your plan simple. Dry fire practice doesn't have to take a lot of time and the results are cumulative - you can make serious progress with short periods of consistent practice. To make sure your plan doesn't get out of hand:
Time-box your practice sessions - choose a realistic amount of time you know you'll be able to commit to and gradually increase the amount of time. For example, write down that you'll practice 5 minutes, 5 times a week for the first month, then increase that time to 10 minutes for the next month.
Choose your drills in advance and limit the number performed each session - Your notebook should include a page with a list of several drills that address the areas you want to improve. Choose 2-3 drills in advance of your sessions so when you get started, you won't waste time trying to figure it out. We have a list of shooting drills you can choose from or you can find plenty of them on the internet.
Focus on areas you want to improve - similar to working out, you can choose drills to work on that address the areas of shooting you want to improve and you can change them up throughout the week. For example, one session you can work on strong hand/support hand, and the next session, you can work on drawing from the holster or magazine reloads. The more variety you include in your routine, the more likely you'll stick with it.
Since your dry fire plan will be simple, you may be tempted to keep your plan in your head, but you need to get it on paper (or in a doc on your computer) to make it real. We recommend grabbing a new notebook you can use just for your dry fire sessions. When you're practicing, you'll want to make notes, create benchmarks, and track your progress, so keeping a single notebook is a great way to log all of your notes in the same place.
Find an appropriate place for your dry fire sessions and use that place each time you practice. Pick somewhere where you won't have any distractions. If possible, try finding a relatively quiet spot where there's nothing else going on. When you do find your perfect spot, make sure there's never ammo in the room and each time you start a session, triple check to make sure your firearm and magazines are unloaded before you begin.
To make sure your fire routine becomes an integrated part of your life, set a regular schedule and put it on your calendar. The goal is to make dry fire practice something you do without having to think about it too much (like brushing your teeth), but when you're starting out, do everything you can to remind yourself of your upcoming session. You can also sprinkle a few post-it notes on your desk or bathroom mirror to give yourself gentle reminders throughout the day.
Having an accountability buddy is a great way to make sure your routine stays on track, and it's a lot more fun! You can sync up your dry fire schedule with your buddy and compare notes and tips, plus you can create friendly competitions. When you're working with someone else, you can get better faster because you're creating goals that help you push yourself to improve.
Don't be surprised if you hit a rut after a while, it happens to everyone. You can push through those ruts by switching things up a bit - own a rifle or shotgun? Rotate your firearms every week. Do you have a semi-auto and a revolver? Change things up by alternating weekly between the two. You can also add variety by rotating through drills, so make sure you have enough drills in your notebook to switch them out every couple of weeks.
We've given you a lot of advice on what to do when you're creating a dry fire plan and how to stick to it, but what does a routine actually look like? Here's a sample below that you can use as a dry fire routine template:
Dry Fire Routine - Your Name
Mon/Wed/Fri - 10 minutes (6pm to 6:10pm)
Goals:
Drills to practice:
Confirm improvement in live fire practice by shooting the same drills once every two weeks.
Like we said above, keep it simple! This dry fire routine easily fits on less than one piece of paper and doesn't feel overwhelming at all. Once you're done putting your plan on paper, take a look - if it feels intimidating, rework it by reducing the days, time, or number of drills. You can even start with a single drill that only takes a couple of minutes to complete. As long as you're practicing consistently, you'll see a noticeable improvement the next time you head to the range.
]]>It's certainly more challenging to manage your ammo stash while still practicing and training, but with a little planning, it can definitely be done. Here are some drills and tips to help you improve your skills during the current ammo drought.
One of the best ways to improve your skills is by shooting well-designed drills that test your skills in several areas at once. Right now, it's important to find drills that cover the fundamentals in as few rounds as possible and the following drills strike a good balance between covering the fundamentals and minimizing round counts:
The Dot Torture Drill
The Dot Torture is a classic drill that's deceptively simple. It may look too easy, but once you shoot it, you'll see how challenging really is. It's a very well-rounded drill that covers many of the fundamentals, including dominant and support-hand practice, while requiring only one box (50 rounds) of ammo to complete. The Dot Torture Drill is printed on a regular sheet of paper, so you can find it online and print it out when you're ready to head to the range.
Our Fall Fundamentals Drill is based on the Dot Torture drill, but it uses less ammo. You can even use this drill for dry fire practice if you really want to conserve!
Dummy Round Drills
Do you flinch when you shoot? It's a common issue with many shooters and one of the best ways to work through a flinch is with dummy round drills. You can use any drill you like, just replace some of the ammo in your magazine/cylinder with dummy rounds, snap caps, or spent cases.
When the dummy round chambers and you pull the trigger, your trigger press will highlight any flinching or jerking and will allow you to practice trigger control and sight alignment. Using dummy rounds also helps you practice clearing malfunctions, because you'll need to eject the dummy round to chamber the next round.
We often encourage dry fire practice, and that's because it really is one of the best and most convenient ways to maintain or improve your shooting skills (and it definitely conserves ammo). Becoming a better shooter is all about repetition and those steps can be broken down into micro-actions that you can repeat many times during each dry fire practice session.
Dry fire is most beneficial when you practice regularly, so strive for at least a couple of 10-15 minute sessions per week. You can pick your favorite drills and "shoot" them, or work on individual items like reloading a magazine or your draw. If you're new to dry fire or not sure how to put together your sessions, a good book about Dry Fire can help you put a plan together.
If you do decide to dry fire, make sure you follow all safety precautions, including triple checking your gun and magazines to be extra sure there is no ammo in the gun and placing all your ammo in a different room. You can never overdo it when it comes to safety!
If you do decide to shoot up some of your ammo at the range, make sure you have a solid plan before you go. It's really easy to hang a target and start shooting, then next thing you know, you've gone through an entire box of ammo. While that's not normally a big deal, every round is precious right now!
Your plan doesn't have to be figured out down to the very last round of ammo (although you can certainly do that). It's best to decide what skills you want to work on and what drills you are going to use before you start shooting so your practice session will be more efficient and every shot will count toward improving your skills.
These are just a few of the most popular ways to improve your skills during an ammo crisis like the one we're in the middle of now. If you know of another tip for improving your skills while conserving ammo or have a question about anything in this article, please get in touch with us!
]]>Without a doubt, the best way to move past your apprehension about carrying is through training and repetition. Here some tips and training drills that will help you get more comfortable with the idea of carrying concealed.
When you first begin carrying a firearm, you'll have a few things to deal with - you need to get comfortable with carrying a gun on your body, you need to choose a location for your holster, and you need to make sure your holster of choice works for the style of carry you are using. All of these things can be accomplished by putting on your holster and (unloaded) gun and wearing them around the house. Commit to a specific amount of time and schedule for these practice sessions. For example, practice 15 minutes a few days a week to start, then ramp it up to where you are practicing every day for as long as possible.
While you're practicing around the house, make sure to perform the tasks and movements you would normally do in a day (bend over, reach for something above you, get in and out of a chair...) to make sure that your holster is working properly and your holster is in the proper location (feel free to adjust it if you find an issue).
Over time, your basic comfort level will increase and you'll be ready to start working with your gun on the range.
Once you're sure where you'll be carrying your firearm and you feel relatively comfortable with it on your body, it's time to start practicing with dry fire drills. If you're new to this concept, "Dry fire" means working with your firearm without ammunition in the gun, and it's a great way to practice without spending a lot of money on ammo.
Here are a few dry fire drills that will help you with concealed carry:
Draw to First Shot: Place your unloaded gun in your holster (triple check your gun and magazines before you start and leave all of your ammo in another room), draw the gun, and "fire" one shot. Repeat this several times during each practice session and don't try to rush it - this is about learning to safely clear your holster, get your gun up to the target.
Magazine Changes: If you are planning to carry a spare magazine, place it where you will be carrying it on your body and practice changing your (unloaded) magazines. Start with your gun in an extended position (like you just fired a shot) and focus on smooth movements, not speed. You can let the magazine in your gun fall to the ground and you can also practice tactical reloads, which is when you stow the magazine that was in your gun somewhere on your body before you reload with the new magazine.
Position Work: In addition to standing while doing your dry fire drills, practice doing the same drills while kneeling, with one hand, and while using some kind of cover like a doorway or wall. This will help you get the feel for shooting in a defensive position.
You can find more dry fire drills in The Dry Fire Primer Book
The last step to getting more comfortable with carrying concealed is doing the same drills you did in dry fire practice, but with live ammo. Drawing from the holster is a critical skill for carrying concealed, so it's important to find a place where you can practice. Regardless of the drill, make sure to start slow and methodically - speed will come, but you need to be safe first!
The best way to get comfortable with concealed carry is through training and repetition. Practicing the drills above will go a long way toward improving your confidence and skill and getting you to your goal of carrying without hesitation. If you have a question about carrying concealed, please get in touch with us!
]]>Before we get started, let's talk about why you should set at least a few training goals every year. If you're carrying concealed, it's absolutely critical to be competent with your firearm. If you are ever in a situation where you have to defend yourself with your firearm, you will need to be able to draw and fire a well-placed shot in a couple of seconds at most. If you are shooting competitively, the only way to improve your scores is to train and having specific goals will make you a better shooter much faster.
Now, let's get started with your goal planning!
If you don't know your destination, you'll never get there, so the first step is determining your goals. The best way to do this is by using SMART goals because they give you a clear path to accomplishment. If you're not familiar with SMART goals, don't worry! SMART is just an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.
For example - the goal "become a better shooter" is going to be difficult to achieve because it's not specific and there are no timeframes. Instead, use the SMART strategy to create a goal like "I want to get my draw-to-first-shot time down to 2 seconds within the next 6 months".
If you don't have everything you need when you get started, it's going to be tempting to procrastinate. Have your equipment and tools ready before you need them so you can work them into your training program from the start. For instance, if your training goal includes dry fire, purchase your dry fire books now. If you're going to start competing, don't use your concealed carry holster, get your competition holster and start practicing with it away.
Now that you have your goals set, it's time to figure out how you are going to achieve them. Make a list of drills that align with your goals and write them down. You'll want to choose at least a few drills that you can shoot every time you go to the range, as well as during your dry fire sessions. If you're not sure which drills to use, start with the classics - The Bill Drill, 5x5 Skills Test, and Dot Torture Drill are great choices for just about any shooting goal.
It's time to put your plan into action! The first time you head to the range, you’ll set your baseline and figure out where you're at right now. Set up your drills, shoot them, and score them on paper. If your goal includes reducing your times, make sure to use a shot timer and write down your times.
Once you’ve determined a baseline, practice your drills regularly and make sure to note your scores/times. You don’t have to work on every goal each time you practice, make sure you're consistent with your practice for each goal.
After you’ve been practicing for a couple of weeks, head back out to the range and run the same drills you used to set your baseline. Take a look at your current times against your baseline times and see if and where you’ve improved. Once you have that data, you can adjust your plan to make sure you’re moving toward your goals.
Set a practice schedule and do your best to keep it. Don't beat yourself up if you miss a few sessions, just get back on that horse and start again. If you have trouble keeping yourself motivated, find a shooting buddy to train with. You can even compete with them during your practice session, which makes time at the range more fun.
Once you meet your initial goals, set some new ones using the same process. It really can be that easy!
The key to achieving your training goals is making sure you have an actionable plan. Take a little bit of time right now to set some goals and you'll be a better shooter before you know it!
]]>So it makes sense to spend some time learning and practicing one-handed shooting to develop and improve your defensive skills. It just might give you an edge if you ever need to utilize your firearm in self-defense.
]]>You’ve come to the right place! We’re going to break down everything you need to know about this extremely effective method of practice and give you the tools and information you need to get started.
Simply put, dry fire is using your gun to practice shooting skills and techniques without using live ammunition. With dry fire practice, you go through all the motions of shooting just like you would at the range, but without all the noise and recoil.
All gun owners should be proficient with their firearm and If you’re carrying your gun, it’s crucial that you possess the skills to manipulate your firearm safely and effectively. If you’re ever in a situation where you need to defend yourself, you’re going to fall to your lowest level of training, which means you’re going to have to rely on your current skill level to save your life.
Our shooting skills are developed by performing actions to form “muscle memory” and there’s only one way to do that—repetition.
The good news is that you don’t have to get all of your reps in by putting hundreds of rounds down range every week—you can perform the same tasks in the comfort of your home without ammunition. You’ll still need to go out to the range and test your skills, but you can drastically improve your performance with dry fire while saving money and time.
Before we start with the “how”, there are a few VERY important safety issues you need to consider each and every time you dry fire. You may be working without ammo, but every one of the rules of gun safety still applies.
Before starting a dry fire session, make sure you’re following these steps:
Empty all of the magazines you will be working with and double and triple check your gun to make sure it’s unloaded. Now check your gun and magazines again and make sure they’re unloaded.
Look around to make sure there’s no ammo in the room you’ll be practicing in and if you find any, move it to a different room. No exceptions.
Find a place where you won’t be interrupted. We know that can seem like an impossible task, but do your best to find an area free from distractions.
Find a safe direction and a good backstop. Think about what’s behind whatever you’re pointing your gun, just like you would if the gun was loaded. If you’ve looked high and low and can’t find a safe direction, consider getting a training barrel, a training gun like a SIRT pistol or a blue gun.
These steps may seem like overkill, but they are not. There is no room for error and no safety measure too strong when you are handling your gun (loaded or unloaded).
Now that the safety precautions are taking care of, it’s time to start practicing! Dry fire can be as simple or complex as you would like it to be, but it’s best to start out with some simple drills.
Do you have a flinch when you shoot? Practice pulling your trigger smoothly and focus on what it feels like to break a shot without disturbing the gun. If you’re carrying concealed, several reps of drawing from concealment should be a standard part of your routine.
There’s no need to beat yourself up during a dry fire practice session—it only takes about 10-15 minutes of solid, focused practice on a regular basis to see a noticeable improvement in your skills.
Dry fire practice isn’t rocket surgery, but it can be challenging to come up with a solid plan that produces the results you’re looking for.
We recommend using a structured training guide that will give you the tools you need to set up a successful plan and move through any barriers that may pop up.
We’re now offering the book, “The Dry Fire Primer” by Competitive Shooter and dry fire expert, Annette Evans. Her book will help you fast-track your way to dry fire success and we've included a sampling of her tips in this article.
The only way to become a better shooter is through practice, and dry fire is a proven technique that can help you fix your issues and improve your skills surprisingly quickly. Even just a few minutes every day is enough to make a difference, so don't wait—get your dry fire routine started today!
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I SHOULD be practicing with my gun.
I SHOULD take more training classes.
I SHOULD try shooting a competition.
The big problem with telling yourself what you "should" do is that it has the exact opposite effect. It's an emotionally-driven word that brings up feelings of duty or obligation, and well, that just doesn't sound like fun at all.
Telling yourself that you "should" become a better shooter by practicing and training just ends up causing unnecessary anxiety and stress.
Instead of telling you what you SHOULD be doing, we're going to help you change your outlook on practice and training so you can start looking at both as something you will actually get excited about.
Let’s start with a quick primer on the differences between practice and training.
Why is it important to know the difference? Because trying to practice before you train is a recipe for never wanting to practice again.
If you don’t know what to work on, and more importantly, HOW to work on it, a range practice session gets frustrating VERY fast.
It’s like trying to cook something that you’ve never made before without a recipe—there’s a small chance it might turn out ok, but more likely, you’ll end up with a big mess that screams “let’s call for takeout”.
Practice is what you do AFTER you learn some skills (through training) and training is where you acquire the skills that will help you when you practice.
Assuming you have basic gun handling and shooting skills (if you don’t, do not pass GO, do not collect $200 and get to a beginner’s class ASAP), taking at least one structured class that includes skills and drills is a fantastic place to start. The training you get will help you build a solid foundation that you can use when you practice.
Take note of the skills and drills the instructor teaches you so you can use it to develop a live-fire practice plan.
If you can’t make it to a formal training class right away, you can do a search online for training videos, but be careful which trainers you choose to study. Just like everything else on the internet, there’s a lot of garbage out there so you need to make sure you’re learning from a credible teacher.
In the self-defense arena, Tom Givens, Ken Hackathorn, and Melody Lauer are all instructors with reputations that are impossible to beat. For handgun skills with a competitive slant, Todd Jarrett, JJ Racaza, and Rob Leatham are all amazing shooters and trainers that have published watch-worthy skills and drills videos.
Now it’s time to take what you’ve learned in training and put it to good (and fun) use!
First, you’ll need to set some goals. Whether you’re practicing for competitive shooting or concealed carry, your goals will likely be pretty similar. The application of the skills may be a little different, but the fundamentals never change.
Just like any other goal, it should be actionable and attainable. Setting a vague goal like “I want to be a better shooter” isn’t going to get you where you want to be.
An actionable goal is specific. For example, “I want to be able to draw and fire a shot using concealment in under 2 seconds” or “I want my splits to be under .4 seconds” are examples of well-designed goals.
An attainable goal is realistic and doesn’t skip any steps. Sure, you can set “I want to beat Jerry Miculek at a major 3-Gun match next month” as a goal, but unless you know how to stop time and have unlimited resources for ammo, you’ll never achieve that goal.
Finally, it's time to practice! The first time you head to the range, you’ll set your baseline. This is where you figure out where your skills are at now. Shoot the drills you learned during your training and make sure to write down your times and hits.
Once you’ve figured out where you stand, make a list of the drills and take them with you every time you go to the range. You don’t have to shoot every single drill on your list, just pick a few and rotate them each time you go out.
After you’ve been practicing for a couple of weeks, head back out to the range and run the same drills you used to set your baseline. Take a look at your current times against your baseline times and see if and where you’ve improved. Once you have that data, you can adjust your plan to make sure you’re moving toward your goals.
When you start out with your new plan, you probably won’t have any trouble sticking with it. But as time goes on, it’s normal to lose motivation.
An easy way to boost your motivation is by finding a shooting buddy to practice with. It’s more fun to train with a partner and you can help keep each other motivated and even compete during your practice sessions. And who doesn’t love a little healthy competition for bragging rights?
The key to successful (and fun) practice and training is having a plan. With a little preparation and some realistic goals, the excitement of seeing yourself get better every time you go to the range will become the best motivator you could ever have.
And when you’re motivated, you will never say I “should” again (at least when it comes to practice and training).
]]>So you’ve decided to learn to shoot and you’ve even taken a few lessons from an instructor that you have come to trust. But now, you’ve decided to take a class that interests you from a different instructor. So with your current instructor’s blessing, because any good instructor will encourage you to take courses from multiple instructors for a well-rounded learning experience, you sign up for a course with a new-to-you instructor. Class starts and your instructor is telling you to do things that conflict with the way you have already learned. What do you do?
Safety First
The first thing you must determine is if the new instruction is safe to perform. Safety is always the most important consideration on a gun range. Review the safety rules in your head and if anything the instructor is asking you to do is in conflict with these rules, then stop! You have the right to walk away if you do not feel safe. It may mean that you forfeit your tuition, but that is far better than you or a classmate facing injury or even worse.
Know the Reason
If you determine that the class and instructor are indeed safe for you to proceed, but you are receiving conflicting information, ask the instructor to provide additional information. A good instructor will tell you WHY. They will give you the reason why they believe this grip or that stance is the best one. If the only reason is because they say so or because that’s the way they learned and have always done it, then this might not be an instructor you want to continue to use for learning.
Do it Their Way
If they are safe and they have explained why, then do it their way. Good class etiquette is to use the instructor’s way for at least the duration of that class. Who knows? You might find that their way works better for you. For many tasks in shooting, there is more than one right way. Any instructor who insists that their way is the only way and everyone else is incorrect may be one that you want to steer clear of in the future.
We are all different in multiple ways. We have different learning styles, different physical attributes and different goals. Learning from multiple instructors is a great way to learn processes in shooting that work for you. So get out there, get some training and become the best shooter you can be!
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Written for consumerlawyernetwork.com by Tracy Hughes. Tracy is a firearms instructor, competitive shooter, facilitator for A Girl and A Gun Women’s Shooting League and the owner of Brilliant Backstraps.
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