Posted: 11/29/2013 1:53:43 AM EDT
|
Hi everyone,
I've been shooting for about a year now, and I want to bring my handgun/rifle skills to the next level. The only training I have is Appleseed, and I also watched the Art of the Tactical Carbine (not exactly training, but you get the picture). -Appleseed was okay, but I feel like I had already learned the things they taught through my own research on the internet. -Magpul DVD was also okay, but it was largely focused on "run-and-gun" type training (e.g., shooting under cars, from behind barriers, etc.), which I'm not really interested in. I basically want to learn how to properly holster/unholster, how I should react in a defensive situation (i.e., do I move backward while shooting, etc.), recoil management, etc. I was wondering if any of you could recommend a training strategy. I was thinking about taking an instructional course, but it's my understanding that a lot of instructors really aren't qualified to teach in the first place. Are there any books or DVDs you recommend? At this point, should I just continue to practice on my own? Thank you. |
| Try the Magpul handgun video... there are a lot of fundamental exercises and drills to practice that start with the basic grip and stance. I've watched that one pretty recently and I don't recall everything that was in thier carbine video, but it seemed like a good basic handgun course, provided you start slow with the first few techniques and don't try to cram the lesson into a one hour range session. |
|
Quoted:
Hi everyone, I basically want to learn how to properly holster/unholster, how I should react in a defensive situation (i.e., do I move backward while shooting, etc.), recoil management, etc. As far as "how you should react in a defensive situation" ... there are too many variables for this to be answered easily... there is no one answer fits all. Closing on the treat or creating distance, returning fire or not, etc., are tactical decisions that depend on a variety of factors such as... number of opponents, firepower/type of force being used against you, firepower you have on hand, distance to cover if cover is available, target background and your surroundings are other considerations. I'm not a big fan of stressing a SPECIFIC way of holstering/unholstering so long as there is an economy of motion and grip control of the handgun is accomplished BEFORE the pistol breaks leather. While certain "count methods" are popular, I feel that it matters not so long as you clear your holster while maintaining total control over the pistol and can take a shot AS SOON AS the pistol is clear of the holster. Keeping your elbow tucked in and pointing behind you is important to avoid flagging yourself and/or shooting yourself in the leg/hip. I recommend you research training providers in your area and take some formal classes. By researching who, what, where, you should be able to find affordable training from instructors that have good feedback. There are several ways to do the same tasks... learn various techniques and pull from them what you like and what works for you. Continue to practice on your own BUT you need to make sure you are not practicing bad habits... a video camera or fellow shooter can help you spot some of your own training weaknesses. You do not have to attend a $500 or $600 handgun class in order to improve... just my opinion. |
|
This is my free advise so take it for what its worth. Craw, Walk, and Run. Craw. If you cant put rounds on a index card at 10 yards on demand, then you are still on the craw stage, keep sharping your fundamentals. Dry fire is one of the best ways for this, I like a 3:1 ratio of dryfire to live fire. Walk. Now you can start working on drills. From a self defense point of view I would be looking at drills that include drawing from the holster with multiple shots on a target, mag changes, engaging multiple targets, and malfunction clearing. Also don't forget Strong hand and Support hand (some times called weak hand, I refer to mine as "other killing hand") These skills need to be second nature. You need to buy a shot timer if you are serious about tracking your performance. Run. I would look for some force on force classes, even if its Airsoft. It can be done right as long as you plan a realistic scenario. Also dont overlook the hand to hand stuff, and even some knife stuff. Some times you have to fight your way back to even draw your gun. Contact shooting is a very important skill to work on, and can be done with Airsoft with no BB's as long as you have some one willing to train with you. Kyle Defoor as been putting out a lot of great videos, also Kyle Lamb as a great book on the subject. Tactics are really the last piece of the puzzle, every thing else has to be squared away first, but then through force on force training you can find what works for you. |
|
As far as defensive firearms shooting, and not wanting to or not intrested in shooting around barricades and underneath things, well brother that is what alot of defensive shooting is, its not like a threat comes head on, on open ground all the time, though that would be nice.
You might want to rethink your approach and definition of handgun for defence, and see if you are really intrested in learning how to defend yourself with a handgun in reality brushing aside things like use of cover, comforming to cover or just getting into awkward positions and doing stuff with one hand is going to help you not hurt you. That being said no matter what level you are at or how old, in shape outta shape or whatever, mastering the fundamentals and going back to the basics are things that should never be forgotten. I would say get a good solid grasp on the 7 fundamentals before you progress to any movement or multiple threat or scenario based training. Stance, grip, breathing sight alignment sight picture, trigger control and reset and recol management are very very important, both for a rifle and much more so for a handgun. There are several drill you can work on to gauge your proficiancy from a lot of instructors. Kyle Lamb is a favorite of mine and has multiple videos on Youtube to check out. |