Lack of Tactical Training

[Puncha]

Dear All,

Your honest opinions would be much appreciated.

Due to the fact that I live in SE Asia, NRA or self defense orientated pistol classes are not available to me. With this in mind, the only pistol training I am exposed to is the self directed kind. This means that once every week, come rain or shine, I will religeously make my way to the range and fire either 150 .38 or 200 9mm rounds in total at static carboard targets from the 10, 15 and 25 meter firing lines. I adopt the standing unsupported position and can reliably dump 6 .38 rounds into a 5" group at 15 meters or 15 9mm rounds into a 7" group at the same distance. Both groupings are done under timed stress. Additionally, the range is only open in the daytime so simulated night shooting is not possible.

With such training limitations, how prepared am I for property defense or self preservation shooting? Will the training that I put myself through help at all when it comes to saving my own bacon? Any suggestions to improve my training routine?

BTW, before anyone asks, I really detest joining the local IPSC society as many of their members are arrogant, insulting and rather loathsome individuals.

 

[Thain]

Well, any practice is better than no practice, so you are better off than many. I'll let the more experinced shooters and trainers here add more, but...

Since you live in SE Asia, might you consider a local airsoft club? I know their very popular in Japan, Hong Kong, and (I think) Singapore. Yeah, its a game, but its something.

 

[SIRVEYR666]

BTW, before anyone asks, I really detest joining the local IPSC society as many of their members are arrogant, insulting and rather loathsome individuals.

Well, you'll have that. There are plenty of A-holes at every range. You don't have to like them to shoot among them. Just do your own thing. If you want to practice "tactical" shooting at an IPSC match, go for it. You paid your money like everyone else. I shoot IDPA and IPSC. I end up shooting the IPSC matches like an IDPA match. I use cover, don't dump ammo, retain my mags, etc. I don't win any IPSC matches, but my IDPA scores improve. Moving and shooting among A-holes is more fun that standing still and poking holes in stationary targets, IMHO.

For your personal practices, I would move the targets much closer and work on "point shooting". That's all I have to offer. Good luck!

 

[hso]

I'm not sure I'd let the unwelcoming behavior of others prevent me learning new or imporving skills that may be needed to save my life.

Can you carry within you area?

Can you practice while moving or are you required to stand still?

Low light conditions can be simulated by the use of dark glasses of you can not train under true low light conditions.

 

[Mike Sastre]

At one time DeSantis was making some low light simulating goggles. Worked pretty well. Like HSO said, don't let the A-holes get you discouraged from improving yourself. You'll get better and they'll still be A-holes.

 

[strambo]

Get some good books and DVD's and continue to train yourself.

 

[CountGlockula]

IMO, being self-taught has it's disadvantages because you don't have a pro give you a second opinion. (first opinion is all about you.)

Does the local police department offer courses? I'd inquire about that. Or maybe make a friend with an instructor and get some personal one-on-one training?

 

[crebralfix]

One of the best actions to take is to acquire two Airsoft pistols, some training knives (NOK trainers are great), safety gear, and Gabe Suarez's Force on Force book. Do the drills in the book. Really learn to shoot while moving with explosive force "off the X". Figure out how to avoid an attacker with a knife. Learn knife fighting.

 

[Vitamin G]

Definately IDPA if possible. If not, try to download the IDPA qualifier and practice that with a friend maybe?

 

[Rob Pincus]

You might at least look into Videos as a good option for exposing yourself to what is being taught at courses that you can't attend.

 

[raghorn]

Since you've developed good range skills under ideal conditions, add some stressors.

Practice your drill set in the rain.
In the cold.
When you're tired.
Try it in the dark with a flashlight.
Do it one handed.
Switch hands.

Self-defense situations occur under any of these conditions. Good luck and keep at it!

 

[DougW]

Read as much as you can from the various sources, taking everything as an opinion. Then, at the range, challenge yourself by shooting one handed, off handed, weak side one handed, from the low ready position, etc. Put some pieces of tape on your target board at various locations and practice hitting them is different sequences. Make the tape targets different sizes, and engage them as if the largest was closer, the smallest is farther. If you can use more than one target board, put them at different distances and engage. Have a friend go with you too, to give you the sequence of engagement to challenge you.

I am assuming that slow fire is the only option so use it to your advantage. Load your revolver with some open chambers, and rotate the cylinder SLOWLY, closing at random. Engage the "multipal targets" with the 6 shots, concentrating on trigger control and sighting. If you can double tap, do the drills from the low ready position working on accuracy and speed, in that order.

Practice at home with a TRIPLE CHECKED EMPTY pistol, either the .38 or the 9mm the techniques you read about , and try them out at the range to see if they actually work.

If the range closes at sundown, get there early enough to be the last shooter off the line. Also, watch what other people do, compared to your acquired knowelege. You will be able to pick out the bad habits early on.
Use your imagination. Most of what you can learn yourself will be TONS better than the "bad guy" will know, if he is in the same boat about training.

But this is just my opinion!