Training? Practice? Competition? What have you done?

[Sam1911]

This poll borders on insulting. I can claim to meet all of your "positive" standards (and more) but my training and practice pales in comparison to that of MANY good friends and fellow competitors I'm blessed with the opportunity to shoot with.

You've written a "push poll." You aren't asking a question, you're using a poll to make a statement of your own. Few posters are going to be fool enough to choose any of your disfavorable choices. Giving folks no choice but to agree with you or shut up is not a legitimate debating tool.

Your "poll" should simply read:

"You should pay for training. You should practice once a month. You should compete. If you don't do these things, shut up -- you are unworthy."

Was there something you were looking for with this, aside from a chance to pontificate to the faithful?

 

[minutemen1776]

I saw your explanation in #5, but my question still stands. Training paid for by you may mean more, but if you're proficient it shouldn't matter who paid for you to get that way. I think mljdeckard has made the same point here.

 

[David E]

Post #7 summed it up pretty well regarding free training vs paid for out of your own pocket training.

We all know someone that never shoots, or shoots poorly, but never hesitates to tell others how to do it.

I was curious how others prioritized their training and/or handgun skill.

Most of the comments have been enlightening in that regard, altho a few seem to have missed the humor and the overall point.

 

[167]

I guess so, and still do. Care to explain?

 

[The Bushmaster]

I lied....

 

[MCgunner]

Just lots of practice over 40 years of handgunning and some competition. Never took any sort of course except for NRA's instructor's certification course and the 3 CCW classes to get my carry permit. I just can't see spending money on learning how to clear rooms in a house. I'll never have to do that. If someone's in my house, that's why I have 911 buttons on my cell phone. I pay a HELL of a lot of property tax and that's what the cops are supposed to be trained for, right? If they get into the locked bedroom before the cops get there, they'll get a load of buckshot. My wife is in long term health care and could pass away any time and my daughter is married and gone. It's just me and I at my age, I'm mean, nasty, and don't tive a ...., so don't mess with me.

BTW, IDPA is fun. Don't have a club near me anymore. I do still shoot fun matches now and then with the club, but not really a training thing. I love to shoot and try to get to the range, anymore, a couple times a month or more. Might go today.

 

[Mike J]

I agree with others that your poll is insulting. I do not compete nor have I had formal training. I do read books, watch videos, practice, listen to any information passed to me from other shooters & try to learn every time I get an opportunity.
I am not as good as I want to be. I would love to take formal training. I am not in a financial position to do so at this time. I would also like to try competition but don't have the funds to do that at this time. I have already decided that I will seek training before buying any more guns.
I understand you want to shake people up & get them to hone their skillset etc. but I believe you might need to be a little less judgemental. If you want to have a positive influence on people insulting them is not a good way to start. BTW I did not vote in your poll.

 

[Sapper771]

I don't really meet any of the polling criteria.

I have been through the basic pistol course in the military. In my opinion, it is lacking as far as tactics go.

I have been through a few police schools that were great, but I will only see them once in my career, no refresher/advanced tactics courses.
With our current slinder training budget, we are limited to just qualifying and light tactics drills yearly.

There are no shooting clubs in my immediate area. I would have to travel 50-100 miles to the nearest shooting club to be able to compete.
I don't make enough money currently to be able to afford to travel to these clubs to compete/train regularly. I really wish I could, I am very interested in IDPA. I do not make enough money to send myself to the civilian shooting schools.

I shoot every week, around 200-300 rounds a week. The only way I am able to afford that is because I reload. It is getting harder and harder to find property to shoot on these days. The general public here does not see shooting as a sport, more like a nuisance.

 

[Deaf Smith]

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

I see no need to pay for training when I already know all there is to know

X I practice my handgun skills at least once monthly. (once a week is more like it.)

I see no need for practice, I'm already extremely good.

X I shoot matches sometimes to keep my skills sharp.

I don't shoot matches, I don't want to embarrass the others by beating them so badly.

I haven't trained, don't practice or shoot matches, but I can tell others what they're doing wrong.

Been to several shooting schools over the years.

Competed in IPSC for 20 years (made class A with a Browing High Power.)

Competed in IDPA for 10 years (expert or above in all divisions.)

Deaf

 

[TexasBill]

I do shoot at least once a month. I haven't paid for training but have been very fortunate to have received instruction from some very knowledgeable shooters. Cost me some beers, if that counts.

That being said, I am always open to good instruction and, if I win the lottery or something like that, I would definitely sign up for one of the schools I see advertised. However, I am currently putting my daughter through college without student loans, so such will have to wait.

 

[MICHAEL T]

What about all the people that defend themselves every day in this country with out any training or range time. Other than maybe shooting pop cans . Should they just give up as not possible to defend themselves . From what I read they seem to have a better hit to shots fired than the so called pros(police) May be all this isn't really needed. Where were all the gunfighting schools before the late 60's early 70's Other than FBI Police and Military Their wasn't any. Was their?
Yet again people defended them selves. What Col Cooper taught was what he figured out playing shooting games along with Weaver and much of todays is still based on games and against clock. Revolvers have been pushed aside in favor of hi cap autos and rapid fire.
Yet as a civilian most time less than 3 shots needed. I my self think a lot of people are spending money on training they really don't need. But that's the American way take something, commercialize it, hype it , sell it . The people will come and lay their money down .
Like I said people been shooting each other for a long time and no hi dollar school required. . They just point and pull trigger along with the will to survive. They may not have proper stance or sight picture but BG is hit and runs or DRT .
Hit or miss they defended them selves They stop possible injury or death to themselves or family .
I would like to see the number of grads that have. (other in line of duty military or police.) fired in SD. Against the number of common people who have used their gun in SD . Bet the untrained side is larger number. We on the internet are a small % of gun owner and CC holders. We tend to think we know best and look down on those that see different than we do.

he read about every day people using firearms

http://www.thearmedcitizen.com/2010/06/26/north-carolina-store-clerks-shoot-and-kill-robbery-suspect-during-shootout/

ok my flame suit is on

 

[9mmepiphany]

What about all the people that defend themselves every day in this country with out any training or range time. Other than maybe shooting pop cans . Should they just give up as not possible to defend themselves .

ok my flame suit is on

no flaming intended

i don't think the OP is about who is able to defend themselves, it's about what makes folks think they can speak definitively about shooting...who have the desire or inclination to improve their ability

believe me, it doesn't take much training to shoot someone with a gun...i've seen gangbangers do it from moving cars while truly pointshooting. i even spoke to a Mexican gang member who traveled up and down the state teaching the proper way to do an effective drive-by...there is actually a correct way to do it.

it has been my experience that people who take self defense seriously seldom think they are prepared enough...while people who do, usually aren't

 

[Smith357]

I have not paid for training, but have received a lot of free training from Uncle Sam. I also make sure to listen closely to all those old timers and pay attention while on my weekly range trips. Occasionally I'm the old timer helping out the younger shooters. I compete informally on a regular basis, I try not to take myself to seriously, I want my range trips to be fun and relaxing rather than stress filled work.

 

[MCgunner]

it has been my experience that people who take self defense seriously seldom think they are prepared enough...while people who do, usually aren't

Uh.....WHAT?

wait, wait, I think I see it now, the point of the statement, I think....

 

[9mmepiphany]

Uh.....WHAT?

wait, wait, I think I see it now, the point of the statement, I think....

OK it wasn't a well structured sentence...it made sense in my mind

how about..."people who do think they are prepared enough, usually aren't"

 

[Clifford]

No armchair commando here. I shoot steel matches once a week and when the summer rush at work is over I shoot Sunday paper matches 1-2 times a month. I don't practice as much as I should, only once a month in the summer.

I should probably pay for a lesson or two at gunsite but I just don't have the time or money for that at this point in my life. Same old story, wife, kids and work.

 

[possum]

i have attended many training courses, not only handgun but other weapon systems, and tactics classes as well. i also shoot approx 30k rds a year between handgun, carbine and shotgun, in that order. however i will never have enough training, and i will never be able to practice as much as i want too. i also do comps but i run them consistant and in context of my training.( ie have inert rds in my mags etc).

"In a fight for your life you will never wish you had less training!"

 

[toddyboman]

I try to shoot once a week......weather and other obligations sometimes stops me from that

 

[MCgunner]

i have attended many training courses, not only handgun but other weapon systems, and tactics classes as well. i also shoot approx 30k rds a year between handgun, carbine and shotgun, in that order. however i will never have enough training, and i will never be able to practice as much as i want too. i also do comps but i run them consistant and in context of my training.( ie have inert rds in my mags etc).

"In a fight for your life you will never wish you had less training!"

Well, I hope so if it's your job to get into gun fights. Thank you for your dedication and service.

 

[oldfool]

3 questions and 4 insulting statements qualify as more troll than poll
it would not have been the least bit difficult to construct at least 5 honest questions worthy of topic

armchair commandos and range commandos have more in common than they think they do
neither one has much in common with LEOs or combat soldiers