More on training, again from one of our Sticky threads:
"Using a defensive firearm effectively is not the same as shooting at a target for accuracy.
"When we go to the square range, we are planning to shoot, and we know precisely where the target will be. That's not at all like reacting to an unexpected violent criminal attack, which will come as an unplanned and very disturbing occurrence. Shooting a firearm while standing in front of a stationary target at a fixed distance is a good thing to be able to do, but it does not really equip one to use it effectively for self defense. And being able to achieve good "group sizes" on our targets won't help us much in the gravest extreme.
"One must have the skills to draw quickly while moving, to hit targets at varying distances, with a balance of speed and precision.
"That speed is a lot higher than most people try at the square range. In a justified defensive use force incident, our attacker is not going to pose for us and act like a target, or stop while we evaluate his condition after we have fired. In the Tueller Drill, we have learned that the average person can close on us at about five meters per second, making it necessary to draw and fire in about a second and a half if he starts at seven meters, making him difficult to hit, and placing him much closer to us than most or targets we see being used in the square range. And from other sources, we learn that, contrary to what we see in screen fiction, we may have to score several good hits in the very short time interval that we have. That requires fast shooting and combat accuracy--a balance of speed and precision--but not the bullseye groups we like for fun.
"The firearm that one ends up carrying will likely depend upon what they learn about defensive shooting in training. For example, a firearm with too much recoil, or one with a very small grip, will be difficult to use in the training drills.
"One can, and should, also train in the use of OC, a cane, and hand skills.
It is important to understand that the use of a cane, walking stick, or other impact weapon can constitute the use of deadly force. If we intend to employ them as less than lethal weapons, it behooves us to know how to do that and to be able to document that we we possessed that knowledge before the fact.
"We cannot overstate the importance of having at least some realistic defensive training. There are several sources for this kind of training, up to and including FoF training.
"By training, we mean learning the skills from knowledgeable persons who know how to teach.
"There are kinds of shooting skills. We start with basic shooting--with firearm safety, grip, trigger pull, use of the sights, and stance.
"Defensive shooting training encompasses reacting to an unexpected attack from any angle, drawing while moving, shoot/no-shoot exercises, and learning to balance speed and precision in different encounters.
"Finding qualified instructors is the first challenge. Beware of those who advertise their experience in military combat. Look for endorsements from people such as the authors mentioned at the end of this note."
