Training Question

[CTGunner]

I'm curious to know how you invest your time and money on training? When you attend a defensive class or go the range and train do you stick to a single platform i.e Glock, 1911, Revolver, etc. or do you change it up frequently? For those of you who instruct how do you advise your students on this?

I ask this question in part because for me personally I continue to come back to the Glock as the platform that I shoot the best. I own a few 1911s, Sigs, Revolvers etc. and as much as I want to shoot them all well (especially the 1911) I find myself achieving superior results with the Glock. So, given limited time and resources should I scrap the others and stick with the Glock or keep plugging away and try to improve with all?

 

[Al Thompson]

Mostly depends on your goals. I used to muddle along shooting competition with virtually a different gun every couple of months. Not trying to buy competence, but I had a decent assortment and enjoyed shooting them.

Fast forward a few years and I've decided to standardize on one platform with a few exceptions (and got some good training). I converted a lot of my firearms to cash. I used the cash to build my skill base (classes) and get more magazines, holsters etc., etc.

I find that my skill level is improved concentrating on one platform.

 

[harrygunner]

My goal is to survive an encounter with a bad guy in a lethal situation if that ever happens. Since my life depends on it, I want to maximize my chances, within reason.

So I train with the one platform type I carry.

I've posted this before, imagine a bowler using balls of different diameters, finger holes of different sizes and spacings. Or, a golfer using clubs with shafts of different lengths and composition along with balls with different surfaces and cores. Would someone doing those things ever perfect their technique?

My advice, once you chose a decent gun, forget about hardware. Personally, I believe we should spend more money on training and practice than on our carry gun.

 

[Jenrick]

If you're not shooting for work, do what you enjoy. You will not train well and often if you are shooting something you hate. I'm not a huge fan of the M9, however since I train .mil personal on occasion I know how to shoot it. Not my first choice, and to be honest, taking it out to the range is a chore compared to some other pistols.

For a class I'll pick one gun and shoot it for the duration, and bring a backup in the same caliber if I don't have the same model. For personal range time I usually shoot two or three guns. Main reason is you can only do so much training before you start to loose focus and accuracy. Switching to another gun can help to regain some of that, and it's just fun.

-Jenrick

 

[9mmepiphany]

I go over this with clients because many of them are new to handguns.

Priorities:
1. Learn proper technique
2. Find the correct platform...for you
3. Train with that platform until comfortable
4. Transfer technique to other platforms

It is hard to evaluate the correct platform until you have the technique to base it on. You need to stick with that one platform to work on technique as opposed to constantly adapting to different platforms. Once you have the technique ingrained, you can try different platforms for fun.

I work to maintain competency (as opposed to proficiency) across several platforms to accommodate whatever a client comes to train with. I don't push them toward any specific platform or trigger system as I haven't seen much difference in shootability or difficulty of instruction

It really has little effect on accuracy or manual of arms (I don't use the slide stop to release from slidelock)...but my follow up shots are not optimized as there is more lag between seeing the sights aligned on target and the trigger press...which affect accuracy when trying to shoot at speed. I usually instruct with a DA/SA platform (Sig 220 or 226) because it offers the greatest teaching flexibility

 

[sm]

Get the correct basic fundamentals and continue quality practice of these correct basic fundamentals.

All shooting is, is the correct basic fundamentals, repeated. In time one becomes smoother, faster, and more accurate. When gets into a slump, or misses, it is because one or more of the correct basic fundamentals was not carried out properly.

This applies to other defensive "tools" one may use, besides firearms.

Forget THE Great Equipment Race, as one cannot buy skill and targets. Find what fits you, and you use best. Once what works for you is found, stick with it and it okay to buy multiples of same.

I cannot stress "dry fire" practice enough, and not just in firearm use.

Applicable to use of stick/cane, martial arts, etc, even situational awareness.
In anything dry runs, of correct basic fundamentals are extremely beneficial.

Steve

 

[Crusader103]

If you are like many of my students you simply like a variety of firearms. I believe this is a good thing as I do see merit in being proficient with a variety of platforms. The firearm that is made available to you in an emergency may not be the one you normally rely on. A familiarity with a variety of platforms is a positive.

That being said, I do believe that your focus should be on the firearms(s) that you are most likely to have available to you when the chips are down.

Personally, I work from an 80/20 rule. I spend 80% of my time shooting the few firearms that I am most likely to have when I need them most, i.e. Glock, AR, and 11-87. 20% of the time I am shooting "for fun" and have no real purpose other than leisure, i.e. trap/skeet, .22 plinking, single action revolver, etc.

I have many firearms and would not even consider liquidating those that are not my primary arms. I like them and I enjoy them. To me, shooting is not just for survival though that is a primary and worthy cause. While all my firearms (excluding antiquities) see the range, some see it more than others. Thus, the 80/20 rule.

 

[AOK]

Mostly depends on your goals. I used to muddle along shooting competition with virtually a different gun every couple of months. Not trying to buy competence, but I had a decent assortment and enjoyed shooting them.

Fast forward a few years and I've decided to standardize on one platform with a few exceptions (and got some good training). I converted a lot of my firearms to cash. I used the cash to build my skill base (classes) and get more magazines, holsters etc., etc.

I find that my skill level is improved concentrating on one platform.

Same exact situation here. Over the past few years I have been only practicing (daily) and taking classes (every 3 months) with my Glock 23's. A large part of paying for all of my classes, trigger time, upkeep and accessories for my G23's has come from selling about 2/3 of my firearms.

 

[sidheshooter]

I'm with Mr. Scott on this one. I'm not necessarily trying to "buy proficiency", since I already have long owned/shot a variety of firearms, but I am trying to be in a good position to make any gun I might have at hand do. Over the last couple of years or so of classes (I try to get out to one every few months) I have purposely diversified platforms just to spend some adrenaline time with each one. Since I am no pro operator by any stretch, I can get away with it.

That said, I do maintain weekly practice with my main squeeze; the courses are adjunct training to get pro input into the guns that I don't know as well, along with trying to stay current on all the "global" tactics and manipulation skills out there in the community.
JMO.

 

[ricco]

If we are talking civilian self defense and civilian self defense training. One pistol, one holster and one carry position all the time.

 

[mortablunt]

I normally do all my training session on a single platform, and then I normally do repeat sessions with the same platform uninterrupted.

 

[JoeSlomo]

You pretty much answered your own question...

should I scrap the others and stick with the Glock...

Yes.

Why?

Simple.

I continue to come back to the Glock as the platform that I shoot the best.

And...

I find myself achieving superior results with the Glock.

Go with what you know, and what works for YOU, which, is apparently the Glock.

EVERY piece of kit has its own unique "personality". A certain amount of slack in the trigger, a certain feel to the grip, recoil impulse, a distinctive feel to a mag or slide release, etc... IMO, it is better to stick with one gun, as you can truly develop and maintain a "relationship" with it, so to speak, and it can almost become an extension of your body.

Fortunately for us, there is a wide variety of handguns that can fulfill multiple roles. My platform serves the role of defender, "fun" gun, and competition gun. Your Glock can do the same.

Best to you, regardless.