Because...
1. I have been trained in the past. Handgun and long gun, hand-to-hand, blades, and force-on-force.
2. So-called "trainers" have told me that what I learned in '98 to '2000 (handguns and FoF) is "outdated". That's flat insulting. I've used it and acquitted myself quite well.
The scenarios they want you to believe happen simply do not happen outside of the military.
3. I know how I will respond for sure up to two targets.
I believe that yes, you should get basic training in handguns and rifles.
By this I mean, AQT. Quick'n'Dirty will suffice. Appleseed, folks. You engage multiple targets quickly.
I would like to see something similar with handguns. I tried to get them to let me shoot my 1911 at Appleseed, but Bill of Rights wouldn't let me!
If you can't do it with an old surplus bolt action rifle, it probably can't be done or doesn't need doing. If I am sure someone is in the house, I'll let the dogs chew on 'em for a bit while sitting back in my room and having a nice conversation with the dispatcher. If I have to go investigate a noise, I will take Nikki and a 1911 so I have one hand free to fend off an attack or to use a flashlight.
I practice drawing every night. It's a discipline. I have found that when I need my pistol, it's in my hand. I have also found, through unpleasant experience, that I do count my rounds.
I do not feel right if I have a partial magazine. Time permitting, I will always reload.
Reloads are usually not necessary.
When you are trained, you learn someone else's way of doing things. Everyone is different and you have to find your own methods.
A black belt means that you can start learning, not that you are a master. Same with a basic pistol course. If you can get out of the course to focus on the front sight and not panic, you're ahead of the curve.
How are you holding the pistol? Is your stance perfect? Is the pad of your finger on the trigger instead of your first knuckle?
Who cares, if you're hitting your target? I do half my shooting one-handed and indexing the sights. It's fast and natural if the gun fits your hand. If you cannot draw, shoot a rabbit for supper, an reholster without thinking about it, then you need practice, not training.
Now, the other thing is this: I have been fortunate to live in the country since age 10. I shoot on almost a daily basis, and I can set up targets for rapid fire, lateral movement, etc. Practice the basics I learned in class, in other words.
Do you have a place to practice these techniques, or are they something you'll learn but never be able to master due to range restrictions? Will it be practical, or academic?
Take a buddy to the range. Set up one steel swinger target 15 yards out for yourself, then another for your buddy. See who can score the most hits in the least amount of time.
It's practical and the added stress of competition will force you to concentrate on the basics and not waste shots.
If your range doesn't allow steel, just use a couple IDPA targets.
Move to two targets apiece (if your range allows this) and repeat.
Dryfire or dot nightly. When dryfiring, put a coin on the barrel or slide and don't let it fall.
Practice, practice, practice the basics and then apply them in a Jeet Kun Do format. Adapt. Rigidity will kill you fast.
Good trainers recognize this.
Josh
1. I have been trained in the past. Handgun and long gun, hand-to-hand, blades, and force-on-force.
2. So-called "trainers" have told me that what I learned in '98 to '2000 (handguns and FoF) is "outdated". That's flat insulting. I've used it and acquitted myself quite well.
The scenarios they want you to believe happen simply do not happen outside of the military.
3. I know how I will respond for sure up to two targets.
I believe that yes, you should get basic training in handguns and rifles.
By this I mean, AQT. Quick'n'Dirty will suffice. Appleseed, folks. You engage multiple targets quickly.
I would like to see something similar with handguns. I tried to get them to let me shoot my 1911 at Appleseed, but Bill of Rights wouldn't let me!
If you can't do it with an old surplus bolt action rifle, it probably can't be done or doesn't need doing. If I am sure someone is in the house, I'll let the dogs chew on 'em for a bit while sitting back in my room and having a nice conversation with the dispatcher. If I have to go investigate a noise, I will take Nikki and a 1911 so I have one hand free to fend off an attack or to use a flashlight.
I practice drawing every night. It's a discipline. I have found that when I need my pistol, it's in my hand. I have also found, through unpleasant experience, that I do count my rounds.
I do not feel right if I have a partial magazine. Time permitting, I will always reload.
Reloads are usually not necessary.
When you are trained, you learn someone else's way of doing things. Everyone is different and you have to find your own methods.
A black belt means that you can start learning, not that you are a master. Same with a basic pistol course. If you can get out of the course to focus on the front sight and not panic, you're ahead of the curve.
How are you holding the pistol? Is your stance perfect? Is the pad of your finger on the trigger instead of your first knuckle?
Who cares, if you're hitting your target? I do half my shooting one-handed and indexing the sights. It's fast and natural if the gun fits your hand. If you cannot draw, shoot a rabbit for supper, an reholster without thinking about it, then you need practice, not training.
Now, the other thing is this: I have been fortunate to live in the country since age 10. I shoot on almost a daily basis, and I can set up targets for rapid fire, lateral movement, etc. Practice the basics I learned in class, in other words.
Do you have a place to practice these techniques, or are they something you'll learn but never be able to master due to range restrictions? Will it be practical, or academic?
Take a buddy to the range. Set up one steel swinger target 15 yards out for yourself, then another for your buddy. See who can score the most hits in the least amount of time.
It's practical and the added stress of competition will force you to concentrate on the basics and not waste shots.
If your range doesn't allow steel, just use a couple IDPA targets.
Move to two targets apiece (if your range allows this) and repeat.
Dryfire or dot nightly. When dryfiring, put a coin on the barrel or slide and don't let it fall.
Practice, practice, practice the basics and then apply them in a Jeet Kun Do format. Adapt. Rigidity will kill you fast.
Good trainers recognize this.
Josh