shooting drills

[BBradley]

I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions regarding shooting drills. I have access to a range which is a standard setup with mechanical paper targets etc, and unlimited rounds (courtesy of the dept). I am wondering whether you can suggest drills which can be practised while walking, kneeling, moving etc which will improve my combat shooting. I am trying to put together a personal program which I can use on the range. Thanks.

[crimecruncher]

First off Im going to assume that youre using w firearm such as a 9mm, 40 cal something semi automatic. Trying loading a blank cartridge which will cause a misfire forcing you to take the appropriate action to clear the weapon and resume firing while keeping your eyes on the target (Very Important). Also try weak handed firing, reloads using one hand i.e., drop magazine,kneel down putting the weapon in the bend of your knee, pull and insert new magazine, resume firing. Always,ALWAYS,ALWAYS ensure safety. I spent 10 years in the Army as a MP and was a member of the SWAT team + I attended the combat pistol course and tactical officer survival course taught by H&K. Hope it helps you out a little. Take Care

[Kegan30317]

The number one problem area for new guys at the academy (when it comes to firearms) is just getting the weapon out of the leather quickly and safely. Especially with new level III holsters. Tough to manipulate the first few times, plus the leather is stiff.

To practice this, you don't need to be at the range, and in fact, make sure you're unloaded when you drill on this. Snap it in, draw, get a site picture on a fixed object on the opposite wall. The TV newspeople work great. Everytime the scene changes, draw and fix your site on the talking head. The randomness of the changing scene is great practice. REMEMBER, unload your weapon for this drill.

Hope that helps.

[CO_Hopeful]

Crimecruncher--

You were obviously taught the one hand reloading technique by putting the weapon in the bend of your knee. It can also be done in the same amount of time by simply reholstering, reloading, and redrawing....not to mention that this is considerably safer.

What happens if you need to move while reloading, and you have your gun in the bend of your knee?

What happens under stress if you cover yourself while trying to position the gun here?

One handed reloads can be done by reholstering with both the left and right hands, and it provides a more consistent "harbor" for your best friend.

I see you have some excellent teaching, and some nice credentials, but I also think it is important point out all the techniques...especially to us beginners.

[crimecruncher]

Youre right that one does work better however, the crouching and putting the weapon in the bend of youre knee gives you more self defense as far as being a target "smaller is better" . It also gives you a place to chamber the round if the slide is foward by chance or accident "off of the heel of the foot. Either way is good and they are both widely taught. Thanks for the post though

[kennethm3]

I recommend that you concentrate on drills that are appropriate to your qualification course and to real world application. In that vein I suggest that you do all your work "from the holster" anyone can be good just aiming at the target from a ready position. Draw, get your grip, acquire the target, double tap, clear the target area (of threats) and then re-holster. Are your hits where you aimed? Work on shot placement if not, that will come from how fast you can acquire your sights. FRONT SIGHT! FRONT SIGHT! FRONT SIGHT!!!. Do it again, Start slowly, then work to get faster. I use a triple retention holster and can now draw as fast as, or even faster than, the others on the line using single retention holsters. How is you one handed (strong side)shooting? Can you shoot with just your weak hand? Important things to work on as they will apply to real life. Doing one handed re-loads are great but mean nothing if you can't hit your target before you empty that magazine. I practice double taps to the point that is instictive, the gun comes out the trigger pulls twice. Once double taps are instictive work on the third shot, to the head (to defeat body armor, those two well placed center mass hits are meaningless if you hit his trauma plate twice!!) Your shooting should apply to your envirnoment. Are you doing traffic stops? I just shot on a target of a man with a drawn weapon seated in a car, a very small target area. Shoot in low light. learn to use your night sights. Ever shoot targets lit by a strobe light? Be creative and remember to have fun while you do it, someone else is buying the ammo!! Be safe out there.

[seaker]

Try some night fireing as well. ( great comments)

Aloha
:cool:

[tcsd1236]

http://www.kuci.uci.edu/~dany/firearms/drills.html
http://www.idpa.com/cof/submittedcof.htm
http://www.inform.umd.edu/UMS+State/MD_Resources/MDSP/ppc.html
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/dcj/agguide/firearms.htm