How do you practice?

Thinker · Sep 3, 2012

When I practice for self defense my primary drill starts from IWB holster. My goal, which I am obtaining with regularity, is to put five rounds in a 8" circle in under three seconds. I do this drill from 5-12 yards using the point shooting technique. Of course this is not the only drill I do, and of course I also shoot using sights from various distances up to about 20 yards. How do you guys practice?

Btw my carry is an XD9sc. I am looking to go with something slimmer however in the future.

Sam1911 · Sep 3, 2012

Most of my practice is through IDPA matches and practice sessions for them. So I really don't have a set practice routine where I'm running the same drill over and over. Instead I'm trying to ever change and increase the range and variety of target presentations I'm confident to shoot.

Having said that, I find the IDPA Classifier to be one of the most comprehensive drill sets I've run across. (You'll find it on pages 67-69 of the Rule Book.)

While it certainly doesn't include every skill you should practice, it is a very good start.

Thinker · Sep 3, 2012

Thank you Sam1911. Good info. Always looking to improve.

Really like the aspect of multiple targets-threats, this is a little problematic for me at the present time however due to limitations where I shoot. We are currently working on a new pistol range at home though. I will definitely incorporate some of this in the future.

PabloJ · Sep 3, 2012

Being ambidextrous I can hit Dixie plate every time shooting 10x25mm (Fedreal Premium 180gr Hydra Shoks) one handed right or left hand from 15 paces. Being right eye dominant I need to close it when I shoot from left hand. That is good enough for me.

Shawn Dodson · Sep 3, 2012

The first rule of a gunfight is: Don't get shot.

Train yourself to MOVE off the line of attack simultaneously as you draw and shoot. It creates two problems at once for the bad guy: 1) you're now a sudden moving target, which resets his OODA Loop and makes him vulnerable while he figures out what to do, and 2) when you begin shooting it resets his OODA Loop again and he has to decide if he's going to return fire or do something to keep from getting shot. (Or he freezes with indecision.) You've seized the initiative and now he's playing catch-up.

MOVE off line first, then draw and fire while you're in motion. The sudden movement is your protection - it's a fast transient maneuver that will surprise him. Once you're milliseconds into taking your first step off line THEN draw and fire.

Don't train for speed. Train to do it smoothly and quickly without bobbling.

"Fast is slow. Slow is quick." -- Navy SEAL adage.

Vern Humphrey · Sep 3, 2012

One of my deep, dark secrets is 'Dilly Dumping. Armadillos invaded the Ozarks in the 1980s, and I often go out with my M1927 Argentine with the Colt Service Ace conversion kit. I carry in my regular tuckable holster, and when I hear a scurrying in the leaves, I try and dump that dilly before he can make it to his hole.

9mmepiphany · Sep 3, 2012

Most of my practice on the range is working on trigger control or seeing the sights faster (actually trusting what I am seeing). What I'm really confirming is that my dry fire practice routines are correct...your draw and magazine changes are great things to perfect at home

If you get these techniques down correctly, you'll be able to perform them when moving without having to think about them. If you try to learn them, while also learning to move, you dilute the input and feed back of how you bare performing the skill.

This is one of the advantages of not being military or LE, you are not limited in your time spent practicing by budget or class progress/attention span.

I try to pick out one technique and drill on it until I get it down. I test them during IDPA matches or practicing the Classifier...it is amazing how the different heights and angles make the various shots more challenging.

I'm currently working on the Press Out and breaking the first shot more quickly. What used to be automatic went away somehow...the video camera doesn't lie...and I look like a fool with my arms at full extension without the shot having already broken.

M2 Carbine · Sep 3, 2012

How do you practice?

Considering that it's said about 70% of defense shootings take place in low light/dark, along with the daylight practice, I try to get in at least 5 evenings a week shooting in low light/dark (home range).

All my defense guns, handguns, rifles and shotguns are equipped with good lasers or laser/lights.
In the interest of keeping the noise down after Sundown, because the neighbors are as close as a hundred and fifty feet away, I try to mostly use 22LR guns such as,
Ruger SR22, Ruger 22/45, S&W M&P 22 and S&W Model 17.

But I do get some low light laser practice with the carry calibers.

How do you practice?

Thinker

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Sam1911

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Thinker

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PabloJ

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Shawn Dodson

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Vern Humphrey

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9mmepiphany

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M2 Carbine

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