How do you train & how often?

[Axis II]

Its been about 5yrs since I've carried a firearm for work and now days its just the occasional CCW but I got to thinking I need to stay up to date with my handguns because it was pretty sad last weekend when I fired 50 rounds of 9mm and that's probably the first 50rds in about 8 months. so I would like to know how often and how you guys train for defensive handgun?

Any tips on course setup, drills, CCW firearm training vs work firearm training?

 

[Chuck R.]

IMHO, there's a difference between training and practice.

I generally take a couple classes a year for training, which involves learning new skills, corrections, etc. I practice a couple times a week and shoot a couple matches a month. For practice I usually run timed drills or set up stages.

 

[9mmepiphany]

As already stated, training and practice are completely different things.

When Training, you are either learning new skills or having you're techniques evaluated. During Practice, you're drilling those skills so that they can be performed on demand. In Competition, you're testing your ability to perform those techniques.

When I started, I tried to attend 3-4 classes a year. After you've developed some fundamental skills, 1-2 classes a year will tend to keep you sharp and up to date on newer techniques....also pick out bad habits you've developed.

I try to get in some dryfire practice 3 times a week (I like to break down skills into simple sections to avoid getting sloppy) and get out to the range once a week...that will increase when larger matches are coming up. I shoot 3-4 matches a month.

I tend to practice timed drills rather than set up stages; there are several good books on the the subject.

 

[Wisco]

Training is presumably provided to someone by a trainer. Practice is taking what you learned from the trainer and using it on your own.

I practice a lot. Same basic pistol and carbine skills I learned in the Army when I got to an SF unit and got some quality instruction from some dudes who knew what actually mattered.

I dry fire often. Work on my draw often as well.

I work on my draw every range session. Controlled pairs. Failure drill. Multiple shots close range. Standing. Kneeling. Two hands, one hand, offhand. Reloads. 2-4 silhouettes, usually, to practice multiple bad guys. Sometimes a rocking target. Often do moving and shooting. Shooting from behind cover.

Similar with the carbine or SBR, but it’s all CQB focused. I rarely take shots, even with the M4, past 25 meters/yards during practice.

One day a week, 200-300 rounds a session for the pistol. Carbine once a month or so - it’s a backup and not really for home defense, so less practice time.

I also do much of the same stuff with my mouse guns to feel better about carrying them. I’ve got probably 1000 rounds through my range Tomcat...just waiting for it to crack.

Get some training to ensure you’re doing it mostly right and then execute it as often as possible during practice.

 

[bearcreek]

Its been about 5yrs since I've carried a firearm for work and now days its just the occasional CCW but I got to thinking I need to stay up to date with my handguns because it was pretty sad last weekend when I fired 50 rounds of 9mm and that's probably the first 50rds in about 8 months.

Training, IMO, requires a trainer. I believe that everyone should be spending a minimum of $500 (at todays prices, of course) or so on good, professional firearms training every year, unless that training is already provided to them for some reason. Keep in mind that not all trainers are created equal. Many gun owners would do well to sell a gun or two and put that money towards training.

Once, you've started attending training regularly, you'll have a much easier time coming up with drills for your practice sessions and you'll eventually develop the ability to self diagnose issues, based on what you were taught in training.

so I would like to know how often and how you guys train for defensive handgun?

I attend handgun specific training classes once a year or so. Some years more, some less. Remember that you should also be attending medical training classes as well. If you're going to be prepared to take a life you should also be prepared to save them. If you're talking about practice, rather than training, I do at least a couple drills every two weeks, usually more often. I tend to shoot more often in the winter since work gets rather hectic for me in the warm months.

Any tips on course setup, drills, CCW firearm training vs work firearm training?

The best online resource I think I could point you to is to subscribe to Greg Ellifritz's email updates. Being from Ohio, you should also attend some of his classes. He's an excellent instructor. Here's the link: http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/

 

[FL-NC]

I train once a week- 86 rounds of 22 LR followed by 100 rounds through my Glock 17. This includes presentations, plate racks, double taps, failure drills, combat reloads. I may also fire some other pistols, pretty much the same thing- all on steel. In addition, some drills with the AR, and finally at least 50 rounds of 308 from distances of 200- 700 meters. Every week.

 

[bearcreek]

I train once a week- 86 rounds of 22 LR followed by 100 rounds through my Glock 17. This includes presentations, plate racks, double taps, failure drills, combat reloads. I may also fire some other pistols, pretty much the same thing- all on steel. In addition, some drills with the AR, and finally at least 50 rounds of 308 from distances of 200- 700 meters. Every week.

How would you define the difference between training and practicing?

 

[FL-NC]

How would you define the difference between training and practicing?

All training is practicing, but not all practicing is training. To train for a specific scenario, elements of practical realism must be incorporated. For example, pulling my Glock from a range bag, and firing 100 rounds slow-fire in the shade trying to get all the bullets in 1 ragged hole isn't realistic training. Working from the holster while firing doubles as fast as I can hit a 8" plate after sprinting 50 yards to increase breathing and heart rate, in either the blazing sun or cold rain is more realistic. Extreme? OK. If I am going to invest time and $ to "train", I'm going to make it worth it. I prefer to DOMINATE in a gunfight, a match, or even just hunting- not "just win". Find your boundaries, and chip your way through them a little more each time you go to the range, the gym, or anything.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Wow lots of good responses ITT already.

I do not attend training nearly as often as i would like, but i do practice quite a bit.

I compete in idpa, 3 gun, 2 gun, etc to keep my skills up.
I also practice on my own running drills and having fun with friends.

Keeping you skills sharp though consistent practice will advance your take aways at a training class.

Instead of having to learn how to hit the target, you can better focus on techniques presented in the class.

 

[bearcreek]

All training is practicing, but not all practicing is training. To train for a specific scenario, elements of practical realism must be incorporated. For example, pulling my Glock from a range bag, and firing 100 rounds slow-fire in the shade trying to get all the bullets in 1 ragged hole isn't realistic training. Working from the holster while firing doubles as fast as I can hit a 8" plate after sprinting 50 yards to increase breathing and heart rate, in either the blazing sun or cold rain is more realistic. Extreme? OK. If I am going to invest time and $ to "train", I'm going to make it worth it. I prefer to DOMINATE in a gunfight, a match, or even just hunting- not "just win". Find your boundaries, and chip your way through them a little more each time you go to the range, the gym, or anything.

Sounds good. Many people use the term "training" rather loosely. As I mentioned in my post above, I consider "training" to be something that is done under the direction of a trainer. Your definition is well thought out though and makes a lot of sense.

 

[Axis II]

Do you guys any recommendations for a good training class?

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Do you guys any recommendations for a good training class?

Where abouts are you from?

ETA: You asked for drills and setups in your OP. Do you have a place you can shoot? I do some run-'n-gun drills on some ranch property I have access to. Helps a lot.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Do you guys any recommendations for a good training class?

I'd start with the first two and consider the third after practicing what you've learned
https://opspectraining.com/intro-to-practical-fundamentals/
https://opspectraining.com/practical-fundamentals/
https://opspectraining.com/applied-fundamentals/

I'd personally avoid classes at Front Sight, unless it was that or not taking any training

My current bucket list is:
Gunsite
Rogers Shooting School
Thunder Ranch

 

[Jack B.]

I practice with my cc gun once a week or more..

 

[Axis II]

Where abouts are you from?

ETA: You asked for drills and setups in your OP. Do you have a place you can shoot? I do some run-'n-gun drills on some ranch property I have access to. Helps a lot.

NE ohio. I looked up the NRA courses and nothing is offered around me.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

My current bucket list is:
Gunsite
Rogers Shooting School
Thunder Ranch

I need to get to Thunder Ranch someday.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I need to get to Thunder Ranch someday.

It's close but expensive. They limit the kind of ammo you can use

 

[bearcreek]

NE ohio. I looked up the NRA courses and nothing is offered around me.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with NRA courses. Lots of better options out there. Look up Active Response Training that I mentioned earlier. Greg regularly does classes in and around the Columbus area. Also, I'd recommend attending some classes at Tactical Defense Institute in southern Ohio. Waypoint Shooting School offers classes in NE Ohio as well. I haven't attended a class taught by them but I took a class with Pat McNamara where some of their instructors were students and they seemed like very competent guys. Here's the links.
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/
https://www.tdiohio.com/home_page/
https://www.waypointshooting.com/course-offerings/

 

[Armored farmer]

I make a point to practice with my edc a couple times per month. I keep my gongs set up in the back yard.
I usually shoot 7 (a full magazine), reload, and shoot three more.
This keeps my ammo fresh, it keeps me familiar with my edc point of aim, and makes sure everything is working properly.

 

[Wichaka]

I view things a bit different...any time one manipulates a firearm in any way, its another repetition that trains the brain...I've not separated training and practice...it's one and the same.

The subconscious is what folks refer to as "muscle memory". Best example is when one first operated a stick shift vehicle. That was the conscious part leading the way in learning it. Now one can go around the streets looking for an address etc, while up or down shifting and not think a thing about it...that's the subconscious taking over.

Problem is, the subconscious doesn't know right or wrong, it just remembers how something was done last time, and it goes on auto-pilot...it's the conscious that needs to do the thing correctly or the subconscious gets trained wrong...which equals bad habits.

So when learning new skills, move painfully slow to train the brain. At any point when you do it wrong, stop...don't continue, start over. This is where I think the term " Perfect practice makes perfect" comes from.

 

[Armored farmer]

I view things a bit different...any time one manipulates a firearm in any way, its another repetition that trains the brain...I've not separated training and practice...it's one and the same.

The subconscious is what folks refer to as "muscle memory". Best example is when one first operated a stick shift vehicle. That was the conscious part leading the way in learning it. Now one can go around the streets looking for an address etc, while up or down shifting and not think a thing about it...that's the subconscious taking over.

Problem is, the subconscious doesn't know right or wrong, it just remembers how something was done last time, and it goes on auto-pilot...it's the conscious that needs to do the thing correctly or the subconscious gets trained wrong...which equals bad habits.

So when learning new skills, move painfully slow to train the brain. At any point when you do it wrong, stop...don't continue, start over. This is where I think the term " Perfect practice makes perfect" comes from.

Well said.

 

[Wichaka]

The drills should be relevant to what you're wanting to accomplish.

Example, a call for initial engagement, which will come from three positions...holster, some kind of ready position or aimed in...like a sidewinder missile, locked on and got tone.

A drill I run for potential entry team folks encompasses all three of the above positions at 3 - 15 yards using a 6" circle.

Starting with aimed on target, at the sound of the shot timer, shot has to go off within 1/3 of a second...which happens to be the length of most shot timer beeps.

At a ready position, no more than 1/2 second, from the holster no more than 2 sec.

I hear people talk about " Train as you fight", which tends to lean more toward equipment than actual training. I have my students train past the drill. If the drill is 2 rounds...have them think 3, 4, and 5 rounds. At the last shot, hold on target for an extra second or more verifying target is no longer a threat...and I can't stand that useless back and forth pistol waving after the last shot...have never seen that used yet in a gunfight.

There's no prize for the one who comes off target or holsters first...except possibly a nice quality casket.

Minimum standard response for a pistol should be 3-5 rounds, as pistol ammo doesn't have the power for reliable stops, unless they go in the snot locker...and double tap garbage is for competition.

Have students reload before reholster, be ready for threat number next. Get out of the small box shooting school useless procedures...think and train past the drills and range commands...let your students breathe.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I train in the house with trigger control and changing magazines! all with ammo in the bed room!