What to practice at the Range

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ScotZ

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I have recently gotten into handguns. I have a SIG 229 40 cal and a Kel-Tec p-11. I have been around guns most of my life but hunting with rifles and shotguns were most of what my family did. Normally I would have asked my father this question but he passed away about a year ago. I never realized how much I would miss him. I am just looking for tips on practicing at the range. I dont want to develop too many bad habits and simply get better at bad habits:D . I am a decent shot using a two handed grip but that is as far as I have gotten.

TIA
Scot
 
sorry for your loss brother.

now on to happier subjects. i like to do combat cqb type drills, things that i might actually have to use some day. train as you fight.

so here are the basics. if you need further explination let me know and i will tell you all about them.

drawing
from concealment
thigh rig
paddle
combat reloads
malfunction clearing
controlled pairs
faliure to stop
mulitple targets
rapid fire
hostage rescue techniques
obstructed target
kneeling
prone
lying on sides both
lying on back
weak hand only
strong hand only
enos/ letham grip
point shooting ie drawing shooting from hip and moving back (break contact)
shooting behind cover lean right and left
standing behind cover
kneeling behind cover
both eyes open
transitions( when using a carbine or other primary weapon, simulating a malfunction or empty weapon and resorting to the side arm)

and that is all i can think of right off the top of my head. i will have to loacate my trainning guide that i made for myself to keep me sharp in all the various areas and i will probally have a few to add. if you have any questions please feel free to pm me or post here. hope this helps.


edit: I also love doing low light shooting with my m6 light laser combo when i am some where where this is allowed.

also:
shooting at close targets and using oly the front sight post.
reflexive fire
high ready/ center hold push out
turn and shoot left and right.
 
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What he said.....if your range lets you do these things.Some don't.Some just want you to stand and shoot.If that's the case,practice trigger control,sight alignment,the basics.
One thing I've found is that I need to have a "plan" when I go to the range,otherwise it's a waste of ammo for me.
 
all the above is excellent advice btw...

i've read a couple of good articles over the last year on this very subject.

one great piece of advice i read was from ms. goloski who said; "be honest with yourself" when you practice. yep.

another article was titled (i believe) "100 rounds to perfection" - which, as a budget shooter, i thought was a good concept. basically it was breaking down the essential drills you can (should) do with only 2 boxes of ammo or 100 rounds. this was nice b/c you could tailor it to your needs, as i did.

the last seminar i attended by cops who train other cops, the instructor stressed; "these are perishable skills, practice, practice, practice". the instructor outlined how you could practice trigger control by dryfiring while you watch tv. or do 20 reps of "draw, sight, squeeze" before bedtime every night as well as practice reloading, etc etc. all without firing a single shot.

personally, i follow the concepts of kyudo. hey, works for me, i recently made the jump from C class to A class in GSSF by finishing 8 outta 40 :D

bottomline: target practice above all.
b/c if you cannot hit the target, all the tactical drills in the world mean nothing.

either way, be safe!
 
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How will you know that you aren't developing bad habits if you are practicing by yourself?

I would suggest that you take at least a 2-day pistol course. You should have someone show you techniques and watch you while you go through the proper motions.
 
I would recommend taking a Basic Pistol Course of some kind, there's no way for you to know if you are doing things improperly and developing bad habits. The first few times I went shooting handguns I was using the tea cup grip method, and was barely hitting the broadside of a barn. :barf: Then I decided to take a Basic Pistol Course put on by the NRA, and it was more than great! I'm still a fairly new shooter, but I can't tell you how much that course taught me. I can shoot better than my 2 LEO friends, and they have how many more thousands of rounds down range?

-Ryan
 
yes a combat handgun course is a great thing and a great tool if you have the time and money for sure. I have develpoed alot of good skills with out them but i am anxious to go to a few courses when i get back from this upcomming deployment. do a search on google and i am sure that you will find something offered in your area. i plan on taking approx 6 of the tactical response courses when i get back. and i can't wait.
check out
www.tacticalresponse.com
www.tdiohio.com
and there are many many more. if you read gun mags especially SWAT there are adds in there all the time.

el tejon,
yeah i hit on that briefly!
weak hand only
strong hand only
Click to expand...

One thing I've found is that I need to have a "plan" when I go to the range,otherwise it's a waste of ammo for me.
Click to expand...
yep i am the same way so i devised a strict trainning schedule that is a 3 day type cycle. every three range trips is a full cycle. approx 1150rds handgun.
 
If anyone would like the three day trainning cycle i go by let me know i would be glad to post it here or pm or e-mail it to you. just give me some time to type it up. you might do some of the same, this or that and throw your own drills here and there but i think it is a pretty good guide. thanks
 
Thanks to all

Possum I would be interested in anything you have to offer. TDI Ohio is about an 1 1/2 hours away. I am going to check into their courses a little more thoroughly.

Thanks once more for all of your advice
Scot
 
ScotZ,
great idea i have been trainned by some of the tdi alumni and a few Rangers here ane there. the Tdi guys have a great program.
 
Lots of good advice here…
Nothing reminds you of safety like keeping a loaded 1911 pointed downrange with your finger off the trigger while you grab a handful of shirt with a fresh HOT empty inside it.:eek:

I did it (again) Tuesday. Dang nice weather.;)
 
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