The Importance of Practice - Correctly

Once a person has made a decision to own and/or carry a firearm for self defense and they have obtained the appropriate legal permission to do so, the very next step is proper training which was previously discussed in this blog. The far too often overlooked and very important followup is constant practice of what has been learned.

Drawing and firing a firearm to win in a gunfight is substantially a matter of muscle memory tied to the mental process of recognizing a threat and deciding what to do about it. The only way I know to reenforce muscle memory is through constant repetition of the same movements over and over again. That means practice and plenty of it. One needs to practice until whatever one is trying to do becomes as routine as scratching an itch.

How Much Practice?

In the beginning, more is certainly better. Under ideal conditions, that would mean at least two hours every single day for 90 days. Unfortunately most do not have ideal conditions or circumstances, so the answer must be as often as possible. At a minimum, at least once a week for an hour which is really minimum maintenance time for a very experienced shooter.

It would help those challenged by conditions and circumstances to at least practice a hour a day at home drawing and firing from various positions and dry firing at a variety of targets in the clothing they would normally be wearing when away from home.

Every practice round on a once a week schedule should include the discharge of at least 100 rounds of the ammunition one chooses as a carry round. So called "practice rounds" will do one no good and possible harm when engaged in drills. Practice ammunition should be reserved for those interested in target shooting, or while learning basics or improving position and grip.

How to Train

While taking the time to train is important, it is just as important to train correctly. Training correctly, means going as far as possible to duplicate the conditions and situations where you are likely to encounter a need to utilize the firearm being carried. Those include:

• Using the firearm or firearms you normally carry;
• Using the same holster or retention device you would normally retain the firearm with;
• Using the ammunition you have selected as your carry ammunition;
• Wearing the same type of clothing you would normally wear;
•  Duplicating the conditions under which you might draw and fire the firearm or firearms.

Down and Dirty

Sometimes, time critical situations arise where an individual needs to suddenly start carrying a firearm because of a likely need for its use in self defense. Because of time and situation constraints, they need to learn some very basic things quickly. In those cases, revolvers become the only choice when and where available and normally in a midsize frame and in .38 Special using ammunition intended for defense. At least one trip (preferably more) to the range and a minimum of 50 rounds of ammunition are called for with a focus on just being able to hit a man sized target as close to center of mass as possible at no more than ten yards. As often as possible this should be repeated until the individual has the time and circumstance to actually get a proper introduction to, and training in, firearms.

For everyone else, training should be scientific and methodical with constant progress to becoming very efficient in weapons use for self defense. That starts with the gun itself.

Beginners
Some people will make a choice to own or carry a firearm with little experience in firearms. The right way to start is either with a .22 revolver or full size automatic. Before I would start training any neophyte, it would be necessary for them to handle the firearm extensively and to learn to field strip and clean the weapon. Then they would need to learn the technique of aiming that weapon choice two handed as well as learning the "aiming circle" so they understood what kind of hold and trigger mistakes they could make and what the results looked like when they made those mistakes. They would also learn the methods of correcting those mistakes for the firearm they were training with. Finally, they would get to go to a live fire station and learn to load and unload the firearm. Not until they had mastered all of that would they be allowed to actually fire the firearm.
The revolver is always the best choice for new shooters of either sex. It is simpler to learn the drills on, less intimidating, and easier to field clean. It is also far safer for the beginner and bystanders like the instructor. The .22 is preferable because beginners will be less frightened of the noise and recoil and the cost of learning the basics will be less expensive even with the current much higher costs of rimfire ammunition. That means they will be more likely to practice their gunhandling and shooting and fire far more rounds than they would with centerfire cartridges.

Everyone Else


Practice ammunition usually means cheaper and normally lower powered rounds and while such ammunition has its place, that place is not when practicing defensive drills. Every brand and configuration of ammunition normally hits the target in a different place and when someone is shooting at you, or about to, you need to know, with confidence, where your rounds are going to go. It is hard enough to hit a moving target, and harder still with your adrenaline gland working over time and your practice and confidence can and will make a difference. There can also be a difference in the way the recoil affects followup. Much of the practice ammunition is so low powered it is almost, but not quite, like practicing with a hot .38 Special when you are really going to carry a mid range .357 Magnum. Finally, for those choosing semi automatic pistols, different rounds cycle and function differently in the same pistol. Your mind and body needs to be prepared for what is going to happen during a serious social situation.

If you are training for encounters outside the home, practice in the type of clothing you will likely be wearing during an encounter. If you normally wear a suit, then wear a suit when training. Use an old suit or go to a thrift store and buy one, but wear one for training if that is your normal garb. Practice for cold weather by adding a topcoat or whatever you normally wear in cold weather. Practice in summer wear as well.

I once watched a long time LEO who had been in soft clothes (read:suit) for over ten years miss a real life draw because he had never practiced his draw with a sport coat or suit on at the range and did not know how to "sweep" his coat. He took a bullet because of it.

Accuracy with a carry piece is important, but the speed and smoothness of the draw is also very important. This is even more true for non LEO encounters because normally the adversary already has a weapon out and ready to use. The majority of armed encounters for uniformed LEOs occur when the LEO has warnings or already has drawn their weapon. Even most soft cover investigators fall into the same situations. Admittedly, there are some encounters that are different. Once in a while LEOs are ambushed but that is rare. Only the deep cover LEOs face situations similar to what civilians are normally subject to and must train to deal with - a surprise encounter with an adversary who already has a weapon in hand and ready to use.

Deep cover LEOs are different from almost all other types of LEOs in that they normally have no ready back up when a situation turns serious, and it is far more likely they are going to encounter armed confrontations. When special squads are taken out of the equation, only about 12% of local and state LEOs ever draw and fire a gun in a serious social situation during their entire career. They, like civilians, often have little or no warning of when a firearm is needed and as a consequence, have a critical need to train in drawing and firing.

The ability to draw and fire rapidly is often overlooked, or poorly handled, in most training classes, including in law enforcement range training. As a result, even LEOs considered experts in firearms average about three seconds to draw and fire after they have made a decision to do so. While that might seem adequate, it isn't. A fairly athletic attacker with a knife would have stabbed them at least once, assuming they were less than eight yards apart.  A attacker with a drawn gun could have shot them twice, and truly expert gun handlers could have easily emptied a revolver before they could get a single shot off.

 The primary reason that this critical training element is overlooked is safety on the range. Part of the safety issue is that most LEO ranges and almost all civilian ranges are set up as target ranges designed to maximize the number of people who can use the range at the same time. For those who want or need to carry a firearm for self defense, this must be overcome. Unloaded practice is part of the solution, but ultimately drawing and firing every single round is the goal. Most highly skilled gun handlers spend at least 1/2 hour every day on unloaded practice drawing and "firing" and at least three days a week doing the same with live ammunition.

Once accuracy is sufficient, those who carry firearms should spend 98% of their range time drawing and firing live ammunition - preferably at moving person sized targets at seven to ten yards.

Practice drawing and firing from a variety of positions including sitting down at a "desk" or in a car. While some retention methods may work fine standing up, they may be practically impossible while sitting in a car, or in a cafe, or at a desk. It is better to find that out in unloaded practice first before attempting it with a loaded firearm or worse in a critical situation. Make any necessary corrections and practice the corrections.

Whenever conditions permit, practice, unloaded at first, the draw and fire with other weapons (or firecrackers) going off while doing so. At the now defunct Illinois Bureau of Investigation deep cover LEOs were trained to draw and fire while surrounded on four sides with strings of live firecrackers about two feet away from them. They had eye protection but no hearing protection. The results were startling with many experienced officers not even able to hit stationary targets at seven yards with any degree of consistency.

The Armed Civilian as opposed to the Armed LEO

First, lets deal out the uniformed LEO because most private citizens are not going to be in the same situations. The comparison will be based on plain clothes officers and agents.

LEOs have more access to superior training than most private citizens but, as a group, pay far less attention to it, and often don't take advantage of any non mandated training opportunity.

It might come as a surprise to some gun owners, but the majority of LEOs have little interest in firearms and hope they never have a situation where they might need one. To them their career choice is a job, just like any other job and they just want to put in their time, get paid, and go home. Getting involved in serious social situations where guns are drawn and fired is a nightmare to most LEOs, and many go to great lengths to avoid it. The average cop never fires his weapon during his entire career except on the range, and they like it that way.

• Most LEOs tend to be terrible shooters who struggle to pass required proficiency examinations.
• Many LEOs are very careless with their firearms often failing to clean them or check them unless they are attending a mandatory training or qualification event.
• Some actually (in violation of their own agency rules) often work days at a time without being sure where their duty weapon actually exists.

The key protection LEOs have is that they usually travel in groups when serious confrontations are expected, which is a protection rare for the private citizen at a time they encounter a need for firearms. They also have the authority of law which frequently (but not always) helps when they encounter one or two adversaries, and in their self assurance going into a situation.

Notes: I had a very good friend (LEO) who unloaded his duty weapon under instruction at a training range, and spent two months on the job carrying a totally empty sidearm before discovering it was empty. I have know at least a half a dozen FBI agents who were always looking for their sidearms when they thought they were going to need them. I was once in a firefight where I had to loan two LEOs two of my backup weapons because the driver couldn't find his (we found it later under the seat of the car) and the other had forgotten his altogether. I once watched two city police officers discharge 12 rounds between them (six each) in an alley at a rabid raccoon without hitting it. When one of them suggested going for the riot gun, I stepped up, identified myself, and dispatched the terrified raccoon with a single shot from my smallest backup weapon. When certain federal agencies were attempting to train experienced officers on single action semi automatics, the number of "accidental discharges" were legion and  frightening. Unfortunately these stories could go on and on.

The armed citizen on the other hand knows, or should know, that if firearms are discharged, they often will be the only "good guy" in the confrontation. That means only their skills, their training, and their attitude are going to determine which side is going to win. It also means ten times the potential for immediate hassle, possible arrest, and large legal bills the LEO doesn't normally face which can make the citizen hesitate far longer than they should.

The armed citizen cannot afford to not take advantage of all the correct training they can afford and can access. They cannot afford to not give the training their full attentions and follow up with as much practice on their own as they can manage. The problem is often where and how to get the right training and how to judge if the training is actually appropriate for their needs.

Before jumping into a discussion about training, it is primary to understand what the average armed citizen is training for:

1. Encounters, sometimes in the middle of the night, in their own home and on their own property;
2. Sudden and unexpected encounters out in public;
3. Most encounters will take place at less than 21 feet, and often at arms length.

Rarely does the armed citizen know in advance they are about to be attacked or threatened. This is substantially different than most situations that LEOs face, and the tactics must be different.

Armed Citizen Training

Most military or LEO based training has little or no bearing on what the average armed citizen really needs. I am amazed at all the training being offered to concealed carry permit holders that requires scaling walls, constant running, only to shoot at targets 25-50 years away. I am equally amazed at the training gurus who insist you need a black belt in some martial art along with learning how to actually shoot. All of those are certainly valid for the military and for LEOs, but not for the 60 year grandmother or even the 45 year old white collar guy who just wants to protect themselves and perhaps some loved ones.

Do not misunderstand me. For the citizen that really wants to shoot IPSC matches, that is their choice as long as they realize they are learning to play at combat rather than learning to win in the type of firefight they are likely to engage in. At the very least, they will learn how to focus on what they are doing under stress.

Most LEO background instructors are as lousy a choice as most NRA instructors when it comes to instructing armed citizens in what they need to know and what they need to accomplish to protect themselves in the situations they will encounter. Please do not jump to any conclusions. I am a Life Member of the NRA and am an active member. If you do not belong and you own even one firearm you should join. I am also a former LEO firearms instructor. Here are my reasons for my statement:

• Almost every NRA certified instructor I have ever met focuses on safety in every course. That is certainly an important goal because no one wants an accidental shooting during training. The problem is, certain exercises are often avoided because of either increased costs to stage, or because of too much caution, so far too much goes untaught, and some very bad habits can be learned along the way. The very basic courses are very good for those who know little or nothing about the firearms they intend to use and any neophytes should enroll in the basic course and pay attention. Beyond that point, different training is needed and the NRA is not the place to get it.
• Instructors with LEO backgrounds do have some advantages over many NRA instructors, but most LEO instructors developed their expertise training uniformed officers who (see above) rarely are interested in doing any more than passing the training and the range requirements. They are used to training people to semi accurately punch paper targets at far longer distances than any armed citizen is likely to need. They are also used to people carefully drawing a sidearm from a LEO style holster before even thinking about acquiring their target, which is absolutely wrong for an armed citizen suddenly facing a deadly threat.

There have always been exceptions. I would have loved to have access to training by Jim Cirello when he was with FLETC. Massad Ayoob is an exceptional trainer in many areas of importance to armed citizens and a valuable contact if an armed conflict occurs and expert testimony is required. Bill Jordan, now long gone, lacked patience at times, but knew what needed to be known.

Why are some LEO firearms instructors very good at proper instruction and others either not so good or horrible for training non LEOs? Part of the reason is that many, if not most, LEO firearms instructors aren't even very good at training LEOs that work as investigators or agents. Those LEOs working as undercover agents or investigators are especially often undertrained or trained incorrectly.

Those working in undercover assignments, like the armed citizen, generally when confronted with a life or death situation have only themselves to rely on. They, like the armed citizen, are normally carrying handguns only, and they are carrying them concealed. Most of the confrontations are at 15 feet or less, and they may be facing multiple adversaries who caught them more or less by surprise.

Conventional LEO and military training does not contain the right components to prepare either the undercover LEO or the armed citizen very well for these types of encounters, nor does the civilian training that focuses or prepares someone to hit targets accurately at longer distances. Because of safety concerns, almost no military or LEO training spends much if any time having trainees drawing from concealment and firing live ammunition at a target. The ease and speed of the draw is extremely important for both the armed citizen and the lone LEO, and yet it is almost never taught, nor is on your own practice encouraged as much as it should be.

In some ways, this is "shades of the old west", but in many important ways, it is completely different. The fast draws seen in old westerns, and the fast draw competitions that still exist depend largely on specially created guns and highly engineered holsters designed to be carried openly. The special aluminum barrels make the gun itself faster to draw, and the steel lined holsters with just the right pitch and cant make sure the gun can be drawn quickly and that, with operator training and coaching, will naturally force the gun to present itself at the target easier than other, more conventional holsters. Unfortunately, these rigs and guns are totally impractical in real life. These setup are as far from what a uniformed LEO needs as the the uniformed LEO rigs are from what an undercover agent or armed citizen is going to be using to carry concealed.

The painful truth can be easily seen in the firearms retention systems chosen by most armed citizens. The systems often chosen are inadequate and not truly purpose driven. While it is important to choose a system that one can live with and will use - meaning it is comfortable over long periods, it is equally important that that system be both reasonably secure against loss during a struggle and fast to access and draw from. Serious questions must be considered when thinking about "on the body" systems as opposed to "off the body" systems, and whatever system is chosen, that real time and live ammo practice with that system be a regular part of any training. Unfortunately, very little of that type of training is actually done or advocated by most LEO or NRA instructors.

One of the most important factors in selecting a training program is to research the instructors themselves. From my perspective any instructor who hasn't been a part of serious social situations (read gunfight) and hasn't been faced with the need to respond by shooting at another human being in order to survive themselves isn't the right person to be instructing. Those who have been actually shot in a situation also bring real value to training. There is no substitute for real life experience.

Unfortunately, people who have this experience are very shy in today's world to publicize or talk very much about it. Charles Askins who certainly had all the expertise anyone could ask for, was very public about his gunfights in the U.S. Border Patrol was often shunned and even ostracized for his public reputation. At one point he was even asked to his face if he considered himself a "psychopathic killer". Jim Cirello was denied promotions in the New York City Police Department because of his reputation. Other very qualified and experienced people learned from this early, and rarely discussed their actual gunfight experience other than what they might have written prior to learning the lessons of others.

In today's politically correct world, it would be career suicide for a LEO who has been heavily engaged in gun fights to discuss them publicly. Incident reports are heavily edited and even the collective data gathered by various law enforcement organizations are difficult to interpret and often far from complete.

Worse, the known experts are mostly gone now or so old they are no longer active. The new ones with real experience rarely talk about their background in a public setting but they do exist and they are worth seeking out if one is looking for real world training.