I recently read an article in American Handgunner on the 10 Things Most Gun Owners Do Wrong. I agreed with most of it. Here’s my take with a nod to the author, Ralph Mroz:
- They don’t zero their gun. This is so true! Even if you can hit the same hole in the X ring over and over, you’re shooting at only 5 yards right? Push that target out to 25 yards. Do you think the result is only your poor shooting? Think again. Grab the bench rest above the cabinets in the Indoor Range and it will ensure the gun doesn’t move as you press the trigger. Fire 5 rounds (slowly) at the X ring. Pull back the target and adjust your sites accordingly. Remember, move the rear sight in the direction you want the rounds to move.
- They don’t have a holster to work from concealment. Yep, and neither did I until I found out the Indoor Range permits it. It’s a long drive for me to get out to the Combat or Plinking ranges at the Outdoor Range. Holsters are funny things. Perhaps they breed in the box when I’m not looking, but I’m sure I’ve spent more on holsters than handguns. You still need a holster. As for concealment? I know that appendix-carry is all the rage right now, but you know, I’m over 50, and I struggle to ensure I can still fit in my pants! Sticking something else in my pants just isn’t going to work, so I recommend the outside the waistband It doesn’t matter what kind, just get one.
- They don’t have proper carry ammo. This may be true, but I don’t see this as a very big deal. Just carry the gun! Even with regular ball ammo that you train with at the range, you’re ahead of the masses. With enough practice you can take out the bad guys with good shooting, even if the round doesn’t sprall, mushroom and splinter on entry.
- They don’t know the law. This is so true. Mroz recommends The Law of Self Defense: The Indispensable Guide to the Armed Citizen, by Andrew Branca. I haven’t read it yet, but I just bought the Kindle version for less than $10. There are several Concealed Carry instructors in our club. Consider asking what they will charge if you want to sit in on a refresher, to get brushed up on the changes to our laws. My experience is that they would love to have you. But be considerate. Many of these instructors are teaching to supplement their income. Let’s not take advantage of their generosity, if they offer a seat for free.
- They confuse plinking with practice. This is a big deal! I don’t know a single guy at our local range that has a plan for their pistol practice. If you can’t measure the growth, you can’t manage the training! Get a baseline. Write it down. It doesn’t matter what the skill is, find your skill level and help it improve. I’ve got baselines for how fast I can put 5 rounds in an 8 inch circle at 25 yards (5.24 secs) and how fast I can draw and put two double-taps in an 8 inch circle at 7 yards with a reload in between (4.49 secs). I’m working through the Spring and Summer to get those times lower. That’s practice.
- They never train with a tactical instructor. After a great deal of private training (alright, yes, I’m anal) I recently had the privilege of training with a real tactical instructor for a level one tactical training class similar to the qualification retired LEOs go through. It was spectacular – and fun! Again, there are several tactical instructors in our club that would welcome you warmly.
- They don’t do judgment training/scenarios. If you are not training with an instructor and you only plink, what else should we expect? When to use deadly force, how to present the firearm, instinctive reloads with movement, finding cover instead of concealment… The list goes on and on. We can do better – as responsibly-armed Americans.
- They don’t use a timer. This made the biggest change to my shooting skills. I have two timers, actually. I’ve got a good buddy who recently started training with me. What a blessing! I suspect his wife is lamenting his decision, as his 2nd Amendment spending has increased considerably. J I recently got the ShotMaxx shot-timer from Double Alpha Academy. It is the only Bluetooth timer of which I am aware. When my shots are done, the ShotMaxx adds my split times directly into my iPhone SM Trainer app. This is a screen shot of a recent practice session:
- They don’t practice at distance. This is too hard for most folks, and if you haven’t zeroed the gun, you’re hosed before you start. I get it. You can’t hit it, heck, you can’t really see it unless you run the target back and forth from one end of the range to the other. But it’s REALLY important. Great competitive shooters will tell you the distance practice forces them to be totally grounded on the fundamentals of muzzle management, sight alignment and trigger-finger discipline. Get it at 20 yards and the 5 yard shots are a piece of cake.
- They don’t carry. Really? Why not? This is the only country in the world where you can walk around armed to protect yourself and those you love. Don’t know where to start? Check the bulletin board at the Indoor Range. Ask everyone shooting when you visit the range. Why not come to the Handgun Familiarization class on the third Sunday of the month? I’ll bet you won’t believe how many highly trained and truly caring folks will talk your ear off and help you out.
See you at the range!
Joseph