Training? Practice? Competition? What have you done?

[David E]

Choose all that apply.

I notice there are a LOT of armchair commandoes that post on these boards.

How many have actually sought out and paid for serious handgun training?

That is to say, money YOU paid out of YOUR pocket. This is different than attending required 'training' the dept or agency mandates.

Or, have you tried to convince your superiors that a certain training school, but not mandated by state law, would be a good thing for them to send you to?

How many have kept up with their handgun skills? How often do you practice?

Do you shoot any handgun pistol competitions?

Or do you "know" that you're good sitting behind your keyboard and have no need to go out to the range and prove what you already "know" about your skill?

 

[Riss]

I pay for classes on my own, and compete on a regular basis to keep in the groove. I attempt to do some "new" training at least once a year funds permitting. My next vacation will be spending a week doing some Suarez classes.

 

[Nushif]

I go shooting almost every week for at least 100 rounds and wish I had the money to pay for a nice Defensive Pistol class? 8(

 

[mljdeckard]

I have paid for training, but I disagree with your guidelines. I am still scheming to find a way to get my unit to send me to Thunder Ranch. I have been picked as the instructor for the new shooters, and I would sell it as being necessary to have a designated pistol instructor for support soldiers. Just because the agency/department/unit pays for it doesn't make it less significant training.

I would very much like to get into competition when I am available again, but the main thing holding me back is cost. It's all I can do right now to buy regular training ammo, I don't have cash for competing ammo. I'll start handloading and get more stable.

 

[David E]

but I disagree with your guidelines. I am still scheming to find a way to get my unit to send me to Thunder Ranch.

When I was a cop, we were required to do the mandated training. The officer(s) didn't have any say in the matter, they had to attend.

When the person involved has to pay for training that's not required, it means more to them. If they accept a slot for training, they may simply regard it as a free vacation away from the same old dept. routine.

I've been able to finess my way into some pretty high-end classes at no monetary cost to me, but I had to fight for it.

Since you are fighting to get the dept to pay your way for non-mandated training, that's certainly a worthy goal and not what I was talking about.

I'll edit the OP to reflect that.

 

[mljdeckard]

Well ok then.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Just because the agency/department/unit pays for it doesn't make it less significant training.

i don't think he's saying it's less significant, i think paying for your own training says something about how important it is to you...where you've prioritized it.

i never could get my department to pay for training i thought would make me better...i wasn't one of the favored ones...the best i could get them to do was issue me the ammo and sometimes even give me the time off (sometimes i was lucky if they would let me use my own leave balances)

another route is to host classes for traveling schools...it offsets your tuition and you don't have travel or lodging expenses

 

[mljdeckard]

See his follow-up comment. Getting your department to fund it when they didn't before is also indicative of importance. (Especially when it's dead last on your unit's priority list.)

 

[jbkebert]

I fire at least 50 rounds per week through my CCW gun. I have paid out of my own pocket for firearms training. I do not shoot formal matches with a handgun; but may partake in friendly matches with range buddies. Somethimes I win and sometimes I don't. Try not to take myself to seriously.

 

[Nasty]

Aside from being both SAMTU and CATM (Small Arms Marksmanship Training Unit and Combat Arms Training and Maintenance) during my military career, I have shot in everything from old school PPC, the original IPSC (pre-gamers), National Match at Camp Perry, represented the USAF *and* later coached the teams, won 1st place in several Peacekeeper Challenges and most recently, IDPA.

I guess I fall into the slightly experienced category...almost 40 years of competition both personally and professionally.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // I pay for my own classes, before a class I do not shoot for a week or so.

IMHO I have benifited most by having a former LEO Father and Uncle with revolver use/knowledge.

I recently embraced semi-autos(other than a .22 Luger, I've had since '85) and am taking an advanced defensive pistol class tomorrow 7:30am, (before I develop any--more?-- bad habits). I think it is best to learn from folks who use firearms often and this school is right down the street, the instructor for this class is well thought of too.

I have not taken the time for competetion or group shoots. I am a member of the local indoor range shooting much more than once a month. I am also a member of a six man hunt club,working and hunting private land and scouting/hunting public land. We sometimes practice handgun/shotgun together during the summer and friendly competetion does create an edge/desire that individual target shooting does not.

Best/most frequent practice for me right now is getting off the X over rough terrain and weak hand with all firearms handguns/shotguns/rifles.

I started with bb guns and have worked up, to me it seemed much safer when moving. With bb guns you can practice almost anywhere. I only have one airsoft and have not really enjoyed it as much as the bbs.

Be safe first....content

 

[Hk Dan]

I bring in 4-6 trainers a year to train our group. We've met some outstanding instructors and learned a lot, and we were able to reduce the cost this way.

I shoot equal parts IDPA and USPSA, averaging 3-4 matches per month. Yes, I practice incessantly. Before bullet prices went sky high I was getting in 600 rounds a week or so; it's far less than that now, but dry fire is good too...<g>

 

[JoeMal]

I have yet to pony up the money for 'professional' training. I would like to, though. I do get down to the range at least once a month, usually 2 or 3 times to shoot

 

[Greg528iT]

I so wanted to vote the last selection, just to be a joker.

 

[texas bulldog]

Your options are beyond slanted in their wording. Why do you assume that people who don't train or practice frequently are doing it out of a sense of ego and think they're better than others?

In my case, I don't get to practice nearly as much as I'd like to due family and job circumstances. That certainly doesn't mean that I don't value practice and training or that I think I'm somehow "above it."

 

[minutemen1776]

+1 texas bulldog

It seems the premise of the question is cynical almost to the point of being offensive. BTW, if the question relates to one's actual proficiency, what does it matter whose pocket the training expense comes from?

 

[huntsman]

I shoot once a month

I haven’t had formal training

I want formal training

I can’t afford formal training

I will accept donations for my formal training

I spend all my allowance on ammo

I hope to have formal training by fall

I don’t compete in shooting skills because I’m poor.

 

[Nasty]

I was lucky being on active duty. To maintain proficiency, all instructors were allocated and expected to expend in serious training (we all had to fire Expert on every weapon we taught, although most of us could do it strong, weak, using two fingers, etc) the following *ever month*:

1000 rds .22
1000 rds .45/.38/9mm depending on the year we are talking about
1000 rds 5.56
1000 rds 7.62
200 rds 40mm grenade
25 rds 12ga (never did figure out why so little for the shotguns)

Needless to say, we had weekly competitions against every other instructor, with accompanying bragging rights and beer calls based on match outcomes.

Almost all of us were active competitors in different shooting sports off duty as well.

I thinks it's fair to say that we all got pretty good after a while.

 

[flipajig]

Formal training none..
But I do shoot twice a month in IDPA
every week in steel chalange
and once a month in action pistol
not to mencion just going out and shooting some of my other guns just to stay on top of them. im meaning my long guns and my tenders.

 

[speaksoftly]

Haha! Had a hard choice between 6 and 7! Jk

 

[David E]

BTW, if the question relates to one's actual proficiency, what does it matter whose pocket the training expense comes from?

You and TX bulldog should re-read posts 1 thru 7, as this was made clear early.

 

[David E]

It seems the premise of the question is cynical almost to the point of being offensive.

Maybe. But we all know someone that #7 applies to.

Here, it was brought on by certain posters of this forum that totally fit that description.

I see that two of them have voted for #6.......but wanted to vote #7....

 

[esheato]

Been to training, practice all the time and shoot several matches a month.

 

[167]

What exactly is the purpose of the poll? Why would an "armchair commando" answer any of the questions in the negative even if not true?

I agree with what you are saying, but I fail to see this making any real point. It is the internet, the problem with the internet is that there is no accountability, we should all be keeping that in mind.

 

[Mags]

I have paid for handgun training out of my own pocket.

Actually my buddy is an instructor so I got half a dozen different lessons for free.

I only participate in the annual Police Week competition, but I shoot my carry gun at least once a month. I normally make my way to the range twice a month with my other guns.

I am looking forward to the Magpul videos as a gift in the future as well. Got to go I have some armchairs that need commanding.