Why Do you train with firearms???

What is your reason?

Some people train for Personal Protection.  Others to learn a Martial Science skill set.  Someone else may be training because they are in the military for combat.  Others for work in Law Enforcement or for Competition.  Some for Hunting or for Personal Growth.  Personally I train for a variety of reasons such as Personal Protection, Martial Science skill set, Law Enforcement and Personal Growth.  However I primarily train for Personal Protection.  I no longer hunt with a firearm but instead prefer to hunt at a grocery store.  😀  At the this age I hope I never find myself in a Combat Zone.  I could see myself one day competing in The Tactical Games!

So with my main reason as Personal Protection.  My goal then should be that I am accurate with speed.  Speed is essential in a firefight.  You don’t want to be slow when your life is on the line and someone is shooting at you.  If your slow you may be dead.  So we need to learn from this.  I have to qualify twice a year.  I must be accurate in the qualification.  Groupings are important in this but is it the most effective way to train for Personal Protection?  If most armed encounters that happen are quick shootouts then I need to be practicing to be accurate but also fast.  I need to zero in quickly where I need to shoot and ensure that I shoot until the threat is stopped.  To stop the threat I need to address it quickly and also to spread out the damage.  The following photo shows a target where someone shot for accuracy but not speed on target A.  Great marksmanship but the second target B shows where someone shot faster and also spreads the damage around.

Not as accurate but if done with significant speed very, very effective.  There are times when pinpoint accuracy is a must such as a hostage situation and you may have to take time lining everything up.  However, most armed encounters are all about speed and accuracy.  Make sure you train with speed and do this with a trimer or a stop watch, whistle, etc.  Don’t be a one trick pony and don’t shoot just to be a perfect marksman.  Sometimes you need too have pressure incorporated and a timer really helps with that.

This is the timer I use.  The PACT Club Timer III.

What are you shooting for?  Why are you training with firearms?  Figure that out and design your training around it!!!