A Student’s Perspective: When It All Comes Together
Recently, I was once again participating as a role-player in the Shoot Logic Simmunition shoot house. Another church security team decided to take the plunge, and take some time to learn about high-stress decision-making. I cannot express how grateful I am to be able to participate in this endeavor, and how moving it is to see volunteers take action to better prepare themselves in their protective role for their congregations. However, during the course, something happened to me, and I think it’s worth sharing with other students in the hope that they find themselves in a similar moment of growth in the pusuit of being a better gun owner. Due to the nature of the Simmunition class, I can’t divulge to many details, but I’ll set the scene up with relevant facts. 1) I was in a position of having to possibly shoot an armed opponent. 2) I had a small opportunity to get ready, and from experience, it might be anywhere from 5 to 10 seconds. 3) I had several options for cover and concealment. Now, ultimately, I was able to get behind cover, and when faced with the assailant, I shot them with a Simmunitions round when they exposed themselves to me. They retreated for a moment, and when they tried to re-engage, they were shot once again. This isn’t a story about how I shot someone. This isn’t a brag, or some chest thumping about how great I am. This really is about all the time, and thought, and mentorship I’ve received came together, and allowed me to prevail in a force on force encounter. This is how it happened… During the Simmunition training scenario, I knew there was a high likely hood that I was going to be shot at, so, I quickly sought cover. This was an instinct, not a choice or decision, as I’ve been shot with enough Simmunition rounds that I just know that being hit should be avoided. I know it sounds obvious, but the amount of times I’ve not gone for cover when I had the opportunity would refute that fact. I still see it regularly at Simms classes, and students often don’t take an opportunity for cover, as the heightened intensity of a force on force drill often makes us…well…kinda’ dumb. With the impending aggressor not far away, I quickly darted behind cover, an old chair. Now, a chair isn’t really great cover, but it at least offered concealment, and I dropped to one knee and presented my handgun in the direction that the opponent would have to come from. As soon, as I kneeled down, I instinctively scooted back about a foot. Why? Because after so many great days at IDPA, I’ve been corrected by enough of the scorekeepers to know that I tend to not use cover correctly, so without even thinking, I adjusted to better position, simply because I have been guided to do so repeatedly. I now found myself well covered, and I extended my arms toward where the threat would be coming from. I was in a textbook covered kneeling position, and my arms were extended as they should be, regardless of standing on the line or tucked behind the blue barrels so common in the shooting world. The fundamentals I’ve been so well trained in by the Shoot Logic staff and the myriad of world class instructors who’ve frequented the range had actually gotten through my thick skull, and I wasn’t trying to bench-rest my arms over the top of the chair, or cocking the hammer on the revolver, or any of the improper techniques that can weirdly pop up while stressed out. My upper body was doing the same thing it always does when I shoot, the only difference was that my lower half was balled up and crunched behind the chair. Within moments, my training adversary came around the corner; gun in hand. I focused on my front sight, pulled the trigger like I do when dry firing at home with any of my revolvers, and he quickly retreated. I didn’t move. I didn’t try and get fancy. In earlier Simmunition experiences, I’ve allowed myself to needlessly reposition, attempt to throw my opponent of balance with different tactics, or just grown impatient and gave up a great position. This time, I simply kept my position and waited. I kept my gun at the ready, and tried to keep aware of everything diffusely in my field of view. The student’s head slid into view, and as an exposed target, I once again focused on my front sight, and sent a Simmunition round into his helmet. The instructor called out “END SCENARIO”, and I sighed with relief. Again, I’m not trying to brag, or give the impression that I’m sort of ultimate gunfighter. I am none of those things. I am a student at Shoot Logic, and I’ve spent time in the Simmunitions house. I’ve listened to the thoughtful instruction of the staff and guest instructors. I have spent time dry firing at home. I have learned from my experiences at IDPA. And for about 10 seconds one Saturday afternoon, all of that came together, and I did the best job I could, and the results came out in my favor. I’m just a 40-something guy, raised in an anti-gun family, who needs to get in better shape and could still stand to practice a bunch more. However, I caught myself in a moment of competence, and honestly, it feels pretty good. It’s a feeling that I would wish upon anyone reading this, and the secret? It’s all just been for fun. That’s it, just doing something fun with people who I think are great. A few years ago, I decided to let go of worrying about defense. Guns and shooting were “just a hobby”, and I have embraced the fun and let go of worrying if I was ever going to be good enough should trouble land on my doorstep. Then, somehow, in-between Frank Proctor talking about visual awareness, Brian McGriff repeating “front sight, press” about a hundred times, and thoughtful talks with Tim Elmer over coffee, I managed to learn a few things that might keep me alive if things go wrong. So, to that end, I just want to say Thanks. Thanks to Tommy for building a place for us to learn while we laugh. Thanks to the staff for treating me like a friend, and never a client. Thanks to the folks that make Saturday IDPA a wonderful time, and thanks for any other students who’ve stood beside me at the line, and caught my goofs, while letting me share something useful with them. A Students’ Perspective: It’s the Little Things
So, one of my best friends is always trying to get me into playing Golf. Most of my friends play, some more seriously than others, but I often decline these group outings because frankly, I’m just not really enticed by golf. I like my projectile sports to move a little faster but that’s just me. Anyway, his latest attempt to bait me into Golf was to appeal to my compulsion to acquire peripheral gear, which is honestly one of the most fun parts of any hobby. Like so many shooting enthusiasts, I have a bag of stuff to help me enjoy…wait, I need to be honest. It’s not a bag of gear, it’s a closet, and a dresser, and a cabinet, and some drawers in the other room, and some stuff under the bed, and most of the trunk of my car. But to this end, I’ve been thinking about something recently, and thought it might be nice to share. As I peruse the Internet gun culture, I keep seeing a topic that has greatly intrigued me. EDC threads are a where online users basically dump out their pockets and share with each other the equipment that has become their Every Day Carry (hence, EDC). This is a neat little metric, and I am constantly fascinated by what people choose to carry, and not just their gun/holster, but also the other odds and ends that go with them daily. It has occurred to me, as I unload my pockets when I get home at night, that I too have a certain regularity to what I have stuffed, clipped, and attached to me when I leave my house. In full disclosure, many of the choices I’ve made have been inspired from the folks that I’ve spent time with at Shoot Logic. While many in the staff there have Law Enforcement and Military backgrounds, it really stems more from their belief in self reliance, and thoughtful discussions about what small things can make a big difference when life throws you an unexpected and generally unwelcome emergency. So, to that end, I took a an inventory of all the knick knacks that I keep with me, and there are so many, I’m only going to talk about what’s on my keychain. Yeah, a post about my keychain…I really need to get back on the range. I never leave the house without my keys. Bluntly, I’m pretty proud of my key chain, and adding a few small trinkets, and a choice selection of actual keys will allow me to manage a wide assortment of inconveniences, and should I ever really be in a bad situation, I have a few tools at hand that might make life easier. Flashlight – there is no excuse not to have a small LED flashlight on your keychain. I like the Streamlight Nano ($10), and I have given them as Christmas gifts regularly over the years. It’s tiny, tough, bright and cheap. It is far and away the most used item, and if you don’t have a light on your keychain, fix that right now. Knife – A Spyderco Ladybug has been on my keychain for about 15 years. I used to have a nice leather trimmed SOG Attaché , but it sadly wore out. Don’t worry; I still have it, as it was a gift from my Dad, who has carried a pocketknife for the 41 years I’ve known him. I don’t think I need to convince people reading a newsletter from a gun school the virtues of a small quality knife, but from opening mail to scraping inside an AR bolt, that little Spyderco has always had my back. It has never needed to cut me out of a seatbelt post car wreck, but it could. It’s mans oldest tool, and for good reason. Whistle – Ok, go ahead, make your rape whistle jokes now. I’ll wait. Done? Ok, I keep a Fox 40 bright yellow plastic whistle on my keychain. It is dirt cheap, tough, and loud as hell. Anyway, a few years back, a friend had taken a bunch of us out on his boat. Everything was going smoothly, but the Department of Natural Resources boat showed up and spot checked us for safety (there were a lot of people on the boat). The inspection was going well, right up until they asked where the emergency sound device was. My buddy feverishly searched for anything, and was about to get a ticket, when all of a sudden, one of the girls on the boat piped up and said “Does this count?”. She produced her keychain whistle, gave it a blow, and the DNR folks went back about their day. So, Whistles:1, Boating Violation:0. If nothing else, I think it’s worth mentioning that your voice is weaker than you think, and shouting for help will blow out your throat out quicker than you realize. Need another example? I think we’ve probably all seen Titanic, and while I hate to point to fiction, the fact that a whistle saved the day makes my point. Jump Drive – There is no doubt we live in a computerized world. There is also no doubt that jump drives vanish faster than pens and cheap sunglasses, so when I saw a tiny one in the checkout lane from Staples for a key ring, I jumped on it. Now, while it mostly serves for moving files around the office, it also can serve as insurance. At the end of the week, I back up my most important work files to it. If, God forbid, the office burn down, I have what I really need to get up and running in my pocket. I could keep all sorts of things on that drive. Honestly, one of these days, I’m going to scan my will, titles, deeds, etc and keep them handy, just in case I come home to a smoking pile of rubble where my home once was. Now, we have to be careful with this kind of personal info, but easy to use encryption software will cost you about $30, and turn that keychain jump drive into a vault. I’m no data expert, but I know having a jump drive on my keys is effortless, handy, and has gotten me out of some jams. Your mileage will vary. Handcuff Key – Ok, this has not been terribly useful, I admit. It was a gift from a coworker who spent his 20’s as an EMT, and keeps a handcuff key on his keys to this day. It had something to do with giving aid to suspects in custody, but he had a stash of them, and since it takes up such little real estate on my ring, I figured it couldn’t hurt. One day someone might get stuck in some handcuffs, and on that day, I will be the greatest person they ever met…maybe. A Bluetooth Tracker – So, they make the gadgets that connects to a Bluetooth network made up of people’s telephones, and in theory, you can use your smart phone to track the location of the device. These devices are great in theory, but sadly, not very reliable in real life. Mine is about a year old, and I’ve had to switch the battery out. I still think the idea has merit, and maybe it will help out should I ever lose my keys. I suppose there are arguments about willfully allowing your location to be found by some tech corporation, but I more worried about lost keys than my presence on “the grid”. While not very reliable, they are cheap, and I think it’s an idea that will grow in time. Pill Stash – Now, I don’t actually use one of these gizmos, but I have put them on my wife and nephew’s key chains. There are many varieties, but the general idea is a little waterproof capsule that I roll up a large cash bill and insert inside. I keep cash on me all the time, but my wife and nephew don’t. So, to alleviate this problem, they now have an emergency $50 handy. I wouldn’t be surprised if the teenage nephew has already spent it, but I like the idea that if the card reader ever breaks or the wallet goes missing, there is a tank of gas and a meal for a loved one quietly dangling on the key ring. On a final note, as I finished writing this post, Christmas was nearing, and a nephew in my life was about to be gifted his first car. I’m a big fan of this kid, and I remember the freedom having a car created. I loved the ability to get across the Cooper River, race around the John’s Island tomato fields with my pals, or maybe actually pick up a young lady and go on a date. With this era of his life about to start, the best gift I could think to give him was a keychain with the same assortment of tools I carry, so that he wasn’t totally unprepared as he explored the world around him. That freedom comes with responsibility, and as he ventures away from his parents, he will be on his own to deal with the curveballs of life. I’m not sure if it’s as fun as a video game, but I sleep a little better because of it. A Student’s Perspective: Sim City Part 2*
It has been about 6 months since I participated in a test run for the Shoot Logic Simmunitions class. After that write up, I have actually attended every single Simms class, but as a “roleplayer”, and not as a customer. In short, Paul Nocida, (another Shoot Logic regular) and I have been playing as burglars, innocent bystanders, hoboes, witnesses, cashiers, cops, lunatics, and the occasional regular Joe trying to sell some junk on Craig’s List. It has been enlightening, and as usual, I would hope to share what I’ve learned, and maybe entice a few people to sign up and shoot Paul as much as possible. My belief that the Simmunitions class is the best training tool I’ve ever seen in my time on the range has waned 0%. In fact, after watching about 30 people take this class, I am even more convinced in the usefulness of this class. Again, I’m not going to give away any details, as it is extremely important that students go through the class without any preconceived ideas about what is coming their way, but I will share the revelations that I’ve witnessed, and the overwhelming growth I’ve seen in the Simmunition Class. So, I’ve listed out just a few things that have stood out in the last 6 months, and I hope they will provide some food for though. The Sheepdogs – A large amount of the participants in the “1st Season” of the Simms class are from local Church Security teams. I personally think this is fantastic, because personal defense is challenging enough, so crowd security is an overwhelmingly complicated challenge. I have nothing but admiration for any of these volunteers who have gone out of their way to increase their abilities, be it firearm handling, communication, or general understanding of how difficult a task they have undertaken. I would also like to point out that Seacoast Church actually reimbursed their security team members, and the fact that the church stands behind their volunteers, and actively supports their team enhancing their options and skills is, for lack of better words, inspiring. In full disclosure, the head of Seacoast security is my father in law, but honestly, this isn’t me angling for a better Christmas gift, it’s an objective opinion. These “Sheepdogs” have had to learn some very hard lessons, not only facing what they have asked of themselves, but also of their friends and families. The flat out bravest thing I’ve seen this year was a gentleman considered resigning from his security team. After the class, it was clear to him that having a CWP did not bestow the proper skills to properly manage a potentially violent crisis. Perhaps he has done some reading, or worked on some of the skills he felt were lacking, or maybe, he is content sitting in the congregation, knowing that he won’t make things worse by adding an inexperienced gun to a volatile situation. Either way, the gun world can be macho, and Hollywood has filled most of our heads with a completely false idea what shootouts and violence looks like. To know ones limits, and admit you may not actually be James Bond takes more strength than spouting clichés about carrying a 45 because they don’t make a 46. Getting Murdered – Both Paul and I have been murdered. Simply put, in the reality based scenarios that the class presents, there have been a few times where I have been shot, and while the choice was almost understandable, it doesn’t change the fact that “in the real world”, the shooter might be facing charges, or at the very least, have some very trying self reflection. Honestly, I don’t like getting “manslaughtered”, murdered, or executed. It not only hurts my feelings, but as the saying goes “there go I but for the Grace of God”. I never met any jerks, bad guys, or villains in the class, but I did run into a few folks who in the heat of the moment, with the adrenaline and anxiety coursing through their system, opted to shoot when they probably shouldn’t have. I wish everyone could experience this, because even under the safe conditions of the Simmunitions Class, we still fall victim to our own human fallibilities. This class is a less than gentle reminder that stress changes everything. Your senses, your reaction time, and your judgement will all be strained under the pressure applied in this class. It is a great lesson to learn, and I don’t think you can truly understand the concept through written word or video, but only through experience. Heck, I’m talking about a safe class that only “simulates” defensive scenarios, not actual danger, but since Law Enforcement and Special Forces take Simms classes, I can only guess that it is the best option we have. The Pen is Mighter than the Sword – Turns out this is true. It has consistently amazed me how much trouble can be avoided with proper communication. I hate to use generalities, but when I say communication, I mean any way to convey information to another party. It can be your phone, wild yelling, direct pointed screaming, or even just asking the right questions. As Tim Elmer points out, when you pull your gun, you have pulled a hammer out of your toolbox. Since you’ve chosen the hammer, now you treat every issue like it’s a nail. Essentially, there is a time you may need to pull a gun out, but once you do, you have almost destroyed other safer and more peaceful options. We are accustomed to the idea of a gun school teaching the mastery of firearms, but it is sadly rare to see one teaching when you shouldn’t reach for a weapon. This is critical, but often overlooked information, and I’m personally glad to be a part of it. Gunslinging – Look, you aren’t good enough to guarantee a win. Don’t feel bad, neither am I. The fact is, if I were to run into an armed enemy in a dark alley, I might be able to out draw him. I might get more shots on him in 3 seconds. I might have centered upper torso hits in a nice 3-inch group. This, of course, assumes EVERYTHING goes right, and I don’t hesitate out of fear and shock, and I don’t make a critical error when presenting and discharging the gun. It also assumes I’m in some sort of face-to-face showdown, and after a few Simms classes, I quickly see how unlikely that is. In spite of all of that, the bad guy might simply point and shoot as fast as possible, and I catch a life changing (or ending) bullet. That’s it. In truth, during the last 6 months I’ve seen the students struggle with drawing their guns, miss at point blank range, and become totally flabbergasted if the gun “malfunctions” (which includes leaving safeties on, running out of ammo, faulty reloads, etc). To be clear, Shoot Logic’s Progressive pistol class covers these topics, and is a great class for learning proper shooting and firearm manipulations. The Simmunition class is not there to teach these elements, but to utilize these abilities in a context outside of the traditional firing range. If you question your gun handling skills, look into the Progressive class. The Law – Are you a lawyer? Can you recite SC gun law with authority? Are you 100% sure? Interestingly enough, I was surprised at the amount of CWP holders who get quite foggy on the legal details of self-defense. I would just point out I’ve met a few folks, who carry in the name of protecting themselves, their family, and their friends who aren’t clear about what is actually allowed. If you carry a gun, and have made the self-determination that you will take a life if you have to, then maybe you should brush up on what will get you arrested. I promise, you don’t want to start internally debating the legalities of drawing a gun on a seemingly shady character when you think things are about to get unpredictable. Know what you are doing, or don’t do it. ‘Nuff said. Forget Hollywood – I know that no one takes Hollywood seriously, but we have all absorbed more bad info than realized. We are so used to the hero turning a corner, spotting a guard, and dropping him with two clean hits, and then the bad guy drops dead, turned off like a light switch. We’ve grown accustomed to Cop#1, searching the house while Cop#2 goes around back to make sure the villain doesn’t escape. In fact, think about this while watching any action based TV. Ever notice that when the bad guy, whose had a great fight with the hero, pulls a knife, he might get the ceremonial light swipe across the Hero’s shirt before getting knocked out, like the knife made him less dangerous somehow? Everyone who has been through the Simms Class can tell you how utterly nonsensical and absurd all of that is, in a vastly more detailed and comprehensive way. I’m just a guy in an office. I’ve lead a pretty charmed life, so I can’t talk to stress inoculation or what real combat is like, but I can tell you this, under stress, I’ve seen more Hollywood style gun handling techniques come out than I thought possible. Hell, I caught myself cocking a revolver once, something I NEVER do, and I shoot revolvers regularly. A little stress, a little fear of being hit, and all of a sudden, I’m making mistakes that I can’t even fathom. I’m glad for these errors, because I sure do learn a lot from them. Well, I could prattle on, but I just wanted to share a little of what I’ve seen in the last 6 months. I love the Simms class, and we all have a great deal of fun, but it can be tough at times. This class will, without a doubt, turn some ideas you’ve always had on their head. It will purge most of the Hollywood fantasy out of your brain. It will force you to let go of your ego. It will make you realize that maybe you haven’t practiced as often as you should. It will make you look at your mortality. It will make you realize that bravery takes different shapes. And finally, when the day is done, and you are counting welts and bruises, it will make you grateful. A Student’s Perspective: Sim City Part 1
When I write my thoughts as a student at Shoot Logic, I want to share moments that I’ve had, when I’ve had palpable experiences that have uncovered misconceptions and mistakes in my shooting adventures. I am constantly seeking “a-ha” moments, and so often, they can only be uncovered through trial, error, and of course, mentorship. My agenda is honestly to get anyone that might be nervous or intimidated to take a risk, and discover that taking a gun class or trying out a competitive sport is always worth it. You will get better. You will have fun. You will meet new friends. I’ve been putzing around the Shoot Logic range for a few years now, and not only can I use myself as an example, but I know so many folks who are on the same path and I’m sure they feel the exact same way. Well, I have something new to share. A new event, or dare I say, an opportunity for anyone interested in changing EVERYTHING you think you know about using your firearm defensively. Late in 2015, a few Shoot Logic regular customers participated in a “beta test”, or “dress rehearsal” as it were, for Shoot Logics’ latest training tool – The Simmunitions Shoot House. Tommy and his team were working out the kinks for their latest addition to the facility, and wanted to have a dry run to double check their lesson plan, safety protocols, and the timing of the new class. I was asked to take the class and give some feedback from; you guessed it, “The Student’s Perspective”. I will tell you honestly, when I heard that Shoot Logic was building an arena for “Force on Force” firearms training, I wasn’t sure what to think. In spite of my growth as a shooter, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was just too high speed/low drag, and meant more for “Tier-1 operators” than a 40-year-old pudgy office worker. In spite of all the classes and competitions, I still get antsy when I feel like I have to put my skills to the test, and this test actually has people shooting back at you. Let me be 100% clear. I was wrong. My concerns were completely unfounded. I spent a day at Shoot Logic with several other students taking a run at the possible curriculum planned for the shoot house. I can say, without the slightest hesitation, that the Simmunitions class might have been the greatest single day of firearms training I have ever experienced. Due to the nature of the class, I cannot go into detail. It is a reactive class that places you, the student, in very realistic situations that you’ve probably thought about or read about in the “It Happened To Me” sections of your favorite gun magazines. You will find yourself facing a palpable fear, as you wonder if you should even draw a weapon, let alone discharge it. You will question your skill level, you will question your grasp of the law, and you will definitely question your willingness to run headlong into a possible gunfight. If you are carrying a gun for personal defense, or perhaps carrying a gun in the name of protecting others, you have to take this class. Once again, I’ve walked into a class feeling that I know the score, and quickly found out that there is so much more to learn. While I can’t share class details, I will share a few “big picture” thoughts that might answer any questions. Is it safe? – Yes. The Simmunitions projectiles are sort of a hybrid of a bullet and a paintball. They have enough speed that they need to be taken seriously. Shoot Logic has helmets/facemasks for the students, and those that enroll will be sent a list of protective gear that will be required (nothing to fancy or expensive). Additionally, Tommy and the staff have a set of safety protocols to ensure that no weapons can get anywhere near the “Arena”. The staff heavily monitors the scenarios, and as always, the students are also on guard for each other’s safety. Does it hurt? – Frankly, I can’t say that a wax projectile hitting you at 300 feet per second tickles. However, everyone involved with the class walked away with a few scrapes and bruises, but no one was complaining. It is important to remember that this is a class in “gun fighting”. There is no such thing as a martial art that doesn’t ask you take a take a lump or two. However, at 40 years old, I was the youngest participant, and none of us were ex-military, LEO, or particularly rough and tumble people. If we could do it, than anyone can do it. If you are worried about the infliction of pain, please stop and don’t let that hold you back. It is hardly worth considering in my estimation. Is it fun? – Yes. Yes it is. What’s so revolutionary? – I will never again daydream about clearing my home like Jack Bauer. I’ve learned that even if I’m a decent shooter, my speed or accuracy has no relationship to being bulletproof. I learned that pulling my gun is easy, but defusing a tense situation is impossible when you have a gun in your hand. So much of what I take for granted was challenged, and I’m wiser for it. What did I learn? I learned that Shoot Logic has taught me to be a more accurate shooter and competent gun handler over the last few years. They have taught me how to use the gun in my hand. Now, they are teaching me when the gun should be in my hand, and to ask myself why I’ve chosen to put the gun in my hand. Over the years, Shoot Logic has added a myriad of tools into my abilities. I’ve been asked to push my concept of accuracy. I’ve been held hostage to the cruel mistress that is a shot timer. I’ve been exposed to a wealth of instructors, from local SWAT officers, to some of the biggest names in Competition and Military circles. Now, I’ve been given the chance to take that knowledge and use it in a stressful, but still safe environment. I will be back in the shoot house soon, that is for sure. Now, if I can only convince them to name it “Hogan’s Alley”… A Student’s Perspective: I won a trophySo, I decided to participate in the Shoot Logic’s Second Chance Charity Shoot. I’m a big believer in owning pets, and in spite of the endless carnage they commit on your home, I can’t help but believe that a rescued cat or dog will often make life that much better. Personally, I subscribe to the theory that shelter animals are the way to go. They will love you just as much (maybe more), cost substantially less, and unlike Breeder/Petshop animals, you are saving them from being euthanized. Now that I think about it, this is not that far removed from the feeling I get when I save a classic Smith and Wesson revolver from a pawnshop. Anyway, I also like guns, competitive shooting, and I jump at the chance to bump into a few friendly faces from the gun community. Essentially, the Shoot Logic Second Chance Charity Shoot was a no-brainer, as this was going to be a great day at the range, and I’d also help some folks that work pretty hard in the name of caring for our local animal refugees. Well, it didn’t take long for me to get what I wanted. There were familiar faces everywhere. There was a veritable East Coast Gun Shop reunion, a bunch of Shoot Logic alumni, and of course, the Shoot Logic staff. There was also raffle, and I’m a sucker for raffles, so I had that going for me too. In short, the day was really looking like a winner. The participants were divided up into four groups, and we all started at one of the four stages that were set up by Tommy and the Shoot Logic instructors. The competitors were classified into four distinct classes that might represent their particular experience with a handgun. This set up was unbelievably clever and it really showed that the Shoot Logic staff understands that we are all in a different place in our study of shooting, and their classification system really reflected the steps that I’ve gone through personally. New shooter – I can remember being a new gun owner, so proud of my Smith and Wesson Sigma that I bought with a high interest credit card I so easily acquired in my first days of college. I was long on enthusiasm, but unbeknownst to me, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. In those days, I measured my skills by a simple metric - if the silhouette target was a person, would I have stopped “the attack”? Since I managed that almost all of the time, I figured that I was simply a natural gunslinger. Looking back, it was a great time. If I had to choose a motto for this era in my gun owning days, it would have to be “Ignorance is bliss”. CWP – Obviously, this was for folks who have been through a CWP class, and have hopefully seen that there is much more to learn. They have taken the steps to educate themselves, and perhaps they are starting to recognize there is much more to being a firearms enthusiast than the occasional fun trip to the indoor range. For me, this epoch was the beginning of being a true expert (or truly self deluded, whatever). Beyond my immeasurable knowledge that I gleaned from the pages of American Handgunner and Shooting Times, I was now well versed in the intricate legal applications of personal defense. This is also the time in my life where I unapologetically questioned anyone that didn’t own a gun. I’m sure I wasn’t unbearable at all… Competitor – This class was for anyone that had any competitive experience. Honestly, there is a huge shift the first time anyone competes with a gun. The shooter is introduced into very definitive elements of accuracy, speed, and the effects of pressure while shooting. They also get to discover an entirely new dimension of fun with their guns, and I cannot recommend enough that everyone try a local shooting match. Fortunately, this period of my shooting is much less cringe worthy. In between my CWP and the first time I signed up for an IDPA match (which was only 7 months ago), I have had the good luck to meet and learn from so many shooters, I can barely believe it. I count the staff at Shoot Logic among my friends, and I’ve managed to find a great community in the Low Country to share ideas with, practice with, and of course, trade barbs with when we inevitably miss the broad side of the barn. Law Enforcement – This division was for those that carry a gun as part of their job description. Well, this hasn’t anything to do with me, but segregating the professionals from the hobbyists seemed like a fair and wise category, frankly. At any rate, their courses of fire were impressive. They built four stages that were challenging to anyone as a shooter, but still accessible as a beginner. Personally, I thought the courses were tough. There were never more than 6 rounds required, and there was no movement or manipulations required. Basically, it was all about being as accurate as you can, and the timer was constantly whispering in my ear “Hey, hurry up”. It was really an elegant set of stages, and everyone who participated was pushed more than they expected. The stages borrowed from multiple shooting sports and training techniques, and they left me further convinced that solid fundamental skills will always be more valuable than caliber, capacity, or whatever “high speed/low drag” tactical shenanigans are in fashion this year. It really was a great morning. The weather played nicely, the folks handling food did a bang up job, and good times were had by all. The shooting wrapped up around 1:30, and then the staff was off to tabulate the scores. A few minutes later, Tommy was addressing the crowd and reminding folks about all the animals that were helped by this, and we got to hear from some of the Summerville SPCA folks who are working hard to take care of Summerville’s hobo pets. At long last, Tommy started announcing the top 3 spots for each division. This might have been my favorite part, and no, not because of the obvious reasons. Yes, I won 2nd place in the competitor class, and I’m not going to pretend that it wasn’t awesome. However, it wasn’t as amazing as watching all the other winners get called up. Everyone cheered, and I like to think everyone learned a little something about what they would like to improve upon. Hopefully the proceeds will do some good for the furry friends this event was centered around, and I know I’m grateful for all the sponsors that helped make this possible. To be clear, I’m not associated with the SPCA or any of the sponsors, but the fact is, they cut into their bottom line to help a charity, and made it possible for a bunch of nice people to have a lot of fun. Sadly, I did not win the raffle, so the day was ultimately ruined. Post Script – Two weeks later, I found myself facing an IDPA qualifier match, which is used to classify a shooter into an appropriate division as based on their abilities. Without going into details, lets just say that for every charity trophy you may win, there will be an absolutely humbling day at the range close behind. Well, we win some, we lose some, but at least at the Charity shoot, I think everyone got win a little more. As of now, I have a whole THREE matches under my belt. I’m certainly not a heavily experienced competitor, but I know this much; there will be more matches, and I will be there. Putting it frankly, there is no better way to take what I have learned at the Shoot Logic facility and put it into application than spending a morning at the monthly local IDPA match in Summerville.
Now, you’ve probably heard the IDPA pitch before, and all the reasons why it is useful, and maybe the reasons it could even be detrimental. In short, all of the reasons, for and against, are totally irrelevant. The simple fact is that IDPA is unbelievably fun, inexpensive, and utilizes skills that I have acquired and practiced with the crew at Shoot Logic. As far as I can see, the main benefits of IDPA competition are as follow: Guns & Gear: IDPA literally requires the same stuff I bring to pistol classes. I use the same belt, holster, guns, ammo carriers, and safety equipment. Well, I already own it all, so I’ve got that going for me. So, since equipment cost is essentially zero, all I’m really doing is spending some quality time with it. I have tried to figure out what the downside is, but I can’t think of any downside to playing with my toys. I’m actually getting use out of the $85 kydex holster and four extra magazines that I just had to have. Additionally, I have always thought the best part of firearm classes was the experience of testing your equipment. It is somehow different running drills with an instructor than when you’re at the range by yourself. The external pressure shifts everything, and all of a sudden we discover that our holster isn’t working the way we thought, or maybe there is such a thing as too many aftermarket parts on our guns. Accuracy and reliability are certainly important metrics for me when using a firearm, but there is another “x” factor that I can generally only find when I run more complicated drills. The fact is, whatever notions I conjure up in the comfort of my home don’t always translate at the range. Like a pistol class, I am really starting to see IDPA as a great testing ground for the guns and equipment I’ve acquired. As I noted before, many of the skills learned at a Shoot Logic class translate directly to playing in IDPA, so in the course of a match, I get to draw, shoot multiple targets, reload, re-holster, and yes, manage the occasional malfunction. An IDPA stage is akin to a cumulative exam of “gunmanship”, and knowing I am being scored and observed puts me in a different headspace than when I’m alone at the range practicing (let alone dry firing in the living room). So, to that end, I really can’t think of a better testing ground for how I interact with my gun and gear. For instance, I ran my 2nd match with my 1911, and while I have experience target shooting with it, I’ve never shot it under any pressure (or dare I say, “simulated duress”). However, after the match, I now have a higher degree of confidence with my 1911 skills, as I performed competently throughout the stages. When the pressure was on, everything ran as it should have, and all I had to do was concentrate on the target. When reliability, manipulations, and safe gun handling all fall into place and don’t impede my shooting; I can’t think of a better compliment I can give my equipment and training. Skills development: I won’t bore anyone with how IDPA is scored, but the basics are this – shoot targets under time, missed shots add seconds to that time, shortest time wins. So, to make the point, the less you miss, the better off you are. Now, I don’t want this to sound condescending, but I question if we (shooters in general) value accuracy enough? If you’ve ever looked at a target and said, “Well, I may have missed the heart, but that shot would still mess ‘em up”, you may be undervaluing accuracy. For the record, I said those exact words this weekend, as I was looking at theoretical headshots that ended up in the neck of the target. Sure, it was “defensively viable”, but at the end of the day, I missed what I was aiming at. To that end, I have noticed there is a saying that keeps getting bandied about at the matches, and that saying is: Speed is fine, but accuracy is final. Essentially, most bad shots are attributed to “going to fast”, and the need for speed has resulted in disappointing stage scores. In my limited experience, I can attest to that theory. I blew some “easy” shots this weekend, because I was racing the clock a little more than making sure I had a perfect sight picture. Currently, I’m trying to let go of “combat accurate” or “meh, it’s good enough, I guess”. It’s my gun, my bullets, and damn it if they aren’t going to put holes where I want them. At the end of the day, as we sling lead down range, isn’t that what we all want? Annie Oakley isn’t remembered for anything save this: she put the bullets where she wanted them to go. With time and practice, so can we. I watched Tim Elmer of Shoot Logic crush a stage last month, placing 1st place out of 60+ shooters. Tim isn’t ex-military Special Forces. He wasn’t born into a championship shooting family. He is a normal guy with a day job who one day decided he wanted to improve his shooting skills. A few years later, he was the fastest shooter on the field and an instructor at a firearms school. He endlessly focuses on his accuracy, and the results are on the scoreboard for anyone to see. If he can do it, so can I. So can you. Like many other aspects of life, our errors can be our best teachers. My very limited experience in IDPA has already shown me a few problems in my shooting abilities, and I now have a new focus when at the range on my own. I rushed a few 25 yard shots at my first match and scored lower than I am capable of. So, my next range visit was mostly 20+ yard shooting, and I spent some quality time finding where my speed and accuracy thresholds intersect for good aimed hits. I have a long way to go, but I am a better shooter after the match and subsequent range session. I am grateful for that experience, and it was truly rewarding when the longer shots at my second match were markedly better. As my experience grows, so do my “learning mistakes”. I’ve discovered so many new things, it’s hard to encapsulate them all, but this last match showed me that using a shirt for a cover garment is a different animal than using a jacket, tactical reloads always need practicing, and getting cocky about how good you are with a revolver will quickly be followed with a healthy dose of humility. Good ole’ Fashioned Family Fun: It is hard to encapsulate all of the elements that have made shooting IDPA such a fun time. Sure, I like guns and shooting, so the deck was already stacked to be an enjoyable experience, but there is so much beyond that. In my three matches, I’ve seen some truly wonderful examples of human spirit and how amazing the gun community truly is. First of all, everybody cheers. It doesn’t matter if you’re the best shooter on the field, or a nervous first timer who is doing terribly. Everyone wants you to win, and everyone is rooting for you. You don’t often see the mix of competition and cheerleading, but that’s been the norm as far as I can tell. The field is rife with husbands and wives, parents and children, in-laws, and co-workers (I’m looking at you Dorchester county deputies). It is a positive environment, and everyone is happy to chat, joke, and even offer any advice or direction. An ill-fitting coat plagued my first match, and TWO other competitors offered an extra vest or windbreaker to me. While I have found the crowd in general to be great, I have also really enjoyed running into familiar faces at the matches. My last match gave me the opportunity to catch up with fellow Shoot Logic alumni and instructors as well as folks I’ve met around the Palmetto Gun Club. As I’ve mentioned in the past, most of my early years shooting were done alone. My family and friends, while otherwise great people, couldn’t care less about guns. Conversely, I just spent a cool Saturday morning shooting with a handful of friends and plenty of familiar faces. I know it’s clichéd, but I’m particularly grateful for that. Finally, there is one tiny little detail about IDPA that brings a smile to my face…I’m actually pretty good. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not amazing or one of the top shooters, but after a few years of learning and training at Shoot Logic, I say with total confidence that I know what I’m doing. My skills have grown, and the scores from IDPA let me see where I stack up against others who share this hobby. What I find particularly interesting is the fact that I’m getting to a place where I can diagnose what I’m doing wrong and take action to fix it. Sure, I can always go consult one of the Shoot Logic instructors, but it’s nice to see that I’ve developed as a shooter. There is little in life as rewarding than seeing your efforts bear fruit, and simultaneously, I am motivated to further my skills and see how far I can take this adventure. All right, that’s my experience with IDPA so far. I feel like I’ve really received a bounty of education and fun from participating, and I think others could benefit as well. As much as I enjoy taking classes, the local matches allow me to practice my skills, diagnose my weaknesses, play with my gear, and it only costs a fraction of the time and money. Honestly, I think taking a few classes a year, then punctuating them with local matches might be the greatest opportunity I’ve ever had as a shooter, and I consider myself very fortunate to be able to participate with the firearms community in my area. If you are curious at all, I encourage you to try it out. I had tons of questions, and the gang at Shoot Logic was more than happy to fill in the blanks. If you have any questions, you might think about checking in with them. Let’s face it, Shoot Logic exists to guide us as students, and it just makes sense to take advantage of their insight. In August of 2014, I was fortunate enough to attend the Frank Proctor Two Day Performance Pistol class hosted at Shootlogic. Honestly, it was a wonderful class, and I would certainly recommend it to anyone tempted to try it. Outside his vast knowledge of shooting techniques, Frank Proctor, like any good Alabama boy, is a something of a huge football fan, and loves tossing around a ball while making idle chit chat. So, for the two-day class, it was totally normal to see the pigskin going back and forth between classmates during breaks.
I conversely, do not like footballs. Now, to be clear, I like football, and think the best part of high school was participating in that sport. Some of the guys from the team are pals I have retained into my late 30’s. It is the actual ball I don’t like. I’m not sure how, but somehow in my developmental years, I never really mastered the art of throwing and catching (my Mother would blame the comic books). While this has been a topic of great amusement among my friends, the simple fact is, I don’t like having to catch things thrown at me. So, while I was training with one of the best instructors in America, and having a blast at the best school in South Carolina, I was quietly dreading the possibility that someone would wing that ball at me, and my “fear of the ball” would be made clear to everyone present. After hundreds of rounds of fire, and learning a new way to process our sight picture, my nightmare became a reality. Early Sunday morning, we were running a multi target course of fire, and were introducing shooting on the move to our curriculum. The final step of the drill was to catch a football that would be lobbed at us after re-holstering. The goal of the drill was to learn to work with our bodies, and not fight our natural abilities to compensate for movement while firing a pistol. I’m not sure if the football was really part of it, or if everyone was just looking forward to the upcoming season of college football. Either way, I had to deal with it… So, I was called to the starting position, and the buzzer went off. I drew and engaged the two steel silhouettes 10 yards in front of me, and when I emptied my magazines, I turned 60 degrees to my right and started walking toward the final target, reloading and blasting away as I went. Now, on a side note, I love shooting and moving. I’m not sure why, but it has come pretty easily for me. However, I was off my “A-game”, and was whiffing rounds into the berm more than I expected. I started getting consternated, and redoubled my efforts. Finally, I got my groove back as I closed in on the steel target and was relieved to hear that satisfying “ting” as my rounds landed. I reached the stopping point and took a moment to consider why my initial rounds weren’t hitting my target. I turned back to the group, looking for suggestions and input, when I noticed Tim Elmer’s arm outstretched and swinging toward me…what the heck was he…OH MY GOD THE FOOTBALL! With seemingly milliseconds to react, I re-holstered my pistol, got my hands up and searched for the ball. A brown blur was screaming at my head and then…pain. I had gotten my hands in front of the ball, and it whacked my left hand with what seemed like the power of Thor. It bounced away, and I was immediately concerned how stupid I looked as a fully-grown Southerner who couldn’t catch a ball that I knew was coming. That embarrassment quickly subsided to the sharp static emanating from my hand. While I awaited ribbing for such a bad catch, my left hand darted into my right armpit, seeking protection. The rest of the class quickly realized something had gone wrong, and the Shootlogic instructors present checked in to see what had happened. I assume I had just banged it, and with a little ice, all would be fine in a few minutes. The rest of the day was…challenging. I basically pushed past the stinging, and still had a fantastic time. A little off subject, but as great as Shootlogic classes are, the 2-day guest instructor classes are really great to attend. You should try one. Seriously. A month passed and my finger still hurt. A high school football buddy (who happens to be a cardiologist now), suggested that it could be broken, and maybe I should look at getting it x-rayed. Then he laughed at my circumstances, as any old friend should. I took his advice to heart when I passed on a Shoot Logic class I wanted to take. My off-hand hurt, and weapon manipulations were pretty hard to do. It had been five weeks, and I was getting really annoyed. Well, it turns out it was broken, and I had bent my finger too far back. The tendons pulled off the finger bones, and a piece of bone cracked off with them. I ended up talking to another high school football buddy (who happens to be a real life military badass), and he laughed hysterically. I told him that I hadn’t been shooting since, as I was letting my finger heal. The Marine stopped laughing. He was shocked that I wasn’t using this injury as a great time to hit the range and work on my “firing while wounded” drills. He asked if I was familiar with one hand/off hand shooting and reloading and I told him that I was. He asked again, why wasn’t I taking advantage of this OPPORTUNITY to train up that skill set. I really need new friends… So what’s the point of all this besides a funny story? What does this do for anyone else thinking about heading off to get a little time on the range? Well, there are tons of lessons in this for me, so maybe someone might learn something too. Lessons learned Keep your focus - This accident happened because I was thinking about my performance on the drill…before the drill was concluded. I lost my focus, and literally took my eye off the ball. This isn’t shooting exclusive advice, but the stakes are higher at the range. I think we’ve all had a bad shot and were still thinking about it while taking the next. When you have lemons… - My friend was right. I have practiced one-hand and off-hand skills when I’m perfectly healthy, so I missed a good opportunity to put those skills to use, or at least test them under “real life conditions”. Masaad Ayoob endorsed owning an opposite side holster for all defensive carriers, in case your dominant hand ever gets hurt. Let’s face facts not all shooting will be done on balmy spring days under the perfect situations, so I think we should all take a little time to make sure we aren’t completely useless when the conditions aren’t ideal. These things can be done with copious amounts of dry-fire to save ammo if need be. Don’t ignore obvious problems – Now, this falls out of the prevue of range adventures, but my trip to Nason medical to get an x-ray cost me $35, and took about an hour one Saturday morning. I waited almost 6 weeks to start taking care of this issue. It is now November and I am seeing a physical therapist. This injury happened on August 18th. So, if I saw problematic behavior in my neighborhood, or office park, would I wait six weeks to call the police? If I felt something felt off in my car’s brakes, would I wait 6 weeks to get it looked at? The point being, no problem was ever resolved by ignoring it. It only makes it worse. Caring about what other people think – I’m willing to bet that no one from that pistol class cares if I can catch a ball. But, in that moment, I made an effort to catch the ball instead of side stepping because I didn’t want to get embarrassed. So, if some delinquent started calling my wife names while I was armed, what actions would I take to look like a tough guy? Sounds silly, but is it? Would I get in a shouting match? Would it escalate? Would I ultimately wish I just walked away? I think we can all see the point. Deep down, we all react to public perception, and it is probably the dumbest thing we do. In this case, some long winded dude broke his finger, so it’s not a huge deal, but I think it’s worth a moment of introspection. Well, I’d keep rambling on, but I have to go do my finger exercises so I can make a fist again. After that, I’m going to wrap my finger to help with the swelling (yeah, it’s still swollen). I currently do not have a full range of motion in my left hand, and it is unbelievably annoying. This is, ironically, the first injury I’ve ever seen on the range. It wasn’t even gun related. By not concentrating on the task at hand, and worrying more about what I looked like, then tuning up my gun craft, I alone caused it. Considering how “dangerous” guns are, I actually find it pretty funny that a football took me down. It’s safe to say that I’ve always been more nervous around footballs than guns, now at least I have reason. I really like shotguns. I mean, what isn’t there to like? They are inexpensive, effective, and reliable. Frankly, I don’t care if we are talking about pump-action, double-barrels or semi-automatics; shotguns have a mystique that just draws me in. If nothing else, no subset of guns has such an awesome array of cool nicknames. I’m partial to “12-bangers”, “scattergats”, and “boom-sticks”, but your mileage may vary on that front. Anyway, as great as shotguns are, they seem to carry this reputation that they’re idiot-proof, and can serve the least educated shooter as a powerful defensive tool. Well, although I wish it were true, I don’t think shotguns are idiot-proof, and sadly, I’m the idiot that proves this. Anyway, I checked out an internet thread where a shooter asked this question: Is there a way to unload a pump shotgun without racking shells through the chamber? Well, I counted 16 replies to this question, and the break down looked like this: 10 shooters said “no”. A few explained their “safe” technique for unloading while racking the slide. Two of them theorized that you could unscrew the magazine end cap and pour them out. 6 shooters answered “yes”, and explained or linked YouTube videos on the proper method to unload a shotgun magazine without involving the action/chamber. Wow, only 38% of gun enthusiasts could answer the question correctly. I realize that this isn’t the most scientific study ever, but it seemed appropriate to share this revelation. I would normally take this moment to assure you that I, of course, knew the answer, but only because Tommy Judy educated me a few weeks ago. Before I took the Progressive Shotgun class, I would have fallen in with the “rack the slide” respondents (I told you I was an idiot). I have always had a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 in my gun collection, and only now do I know the safest way to unload those guns. I’m willing to bet I’m not the only one who could use a little help. Sure, with a little common sense, anyone can administratively load and shoot a shotgun in a safe manner, but I believe that all firearms demand a little more from their users. If you own a shotgun, then you owe it to yourself to understand its strengths, weaknesses, and all the nuances in between. For instance, do you know EXACTLY when your shotgun pattern starts getting larger than your target? Does your shotgun have a sling, and will it help or hinder your shooting efforts? Can you safely remove a live shell from your chamber, without the next shell in the magazine popping into the action? If learning the answers sounds interesting to you, and you also like to have an unbelievably good time, I think you should look into this class. As usual, I strolled into this class with the assumption that I had my shotgun wired tight and good to go. Also, as usual, I walked out of this class with a laundry list of things to change about my shotgun to make it more useful and effective. When will I ever learn that “less is more” and over-accessorizing is always a bad idea? Since completing the class, I’ve removed the extra shell carrier that was attached to my stock, as it was simply bulky and awkward. I had to re-rig my side mounted two-point sling, as I was running it too tight and it kept restricting my movements. The maladjusted sling also made sweeping anyone to my left side ever so easy when I let the shotgun hang idle. I moved my flashlight to the right side of my fore-end, as slamming my thumb into it when shooting buckshot and slugs grew pretty old, pretty quick. I discovered that my shotgun, when loaded with Remington #00 buckshot, only keeps all 9 pellets on a man-sized target at 15 yards. The range discovery was a tough one to swallow. I have a hall in my home that is just about 25 yards long from cover point (where I could be) to entry point (where bad guy could be). Finding out that my trusty 870 with Remington ammo could end up launching an errant round in a neighbor’s house was definitely depressing. Fortunately, I learned that I could make 25-yard shots, but only after using Shoot Logic’s suggested rounds. This is why I love training and wish more people who love guns would engage in it. I’m an experienced and not totally moronic shooter, and only at Shoot Logic could I truly discover 4 massive weaknesses in my home defense shotgun. My ammo carrier, sling, flashlight placement, and ammo all were detrimental to my perceived abilities with the gun. When feeling things out at home or the gun club, these flaws are not as obvious. However, when Tommy, Carlin or Tim is watching you shoot, they will point out these simple errors and guide you into the correct decisions. Ironically, spending a little more on the gun and ammo, and throwing the expensive after-market goodies in your junk box can resolve most issues. However, it is important to remember that the staff at Shoot Logic can teach. Sure, they can shoot, but being a great shooter and a great teacher are not the same things. As shooters, they can teach me proper gun handling, and demonstrate the advantages of various techniques. As teachers, they can help me diagnose what I’m doing wrong, and help me craft a solution that works for me. I have been to classes where the instructor might be a great shooter, but isn’t a great teacher, and there is no comparison. As a final bonus, the Progressive Shotgun Class is one of the best values I’ve ever had in attending firearms training. Ammo for the class is predominantly bird-shot, and I estimate I needed less than 150 rounds. We spent a little time exploring our gun’s effective ranges, and that only requires 5-6 buckshot loads and I think I fired 1 or 2 slugs total. All in all, my ammo costs were under $55, and where was the last time you shot for hours on end for that little cash? Frankly, it amazes me that you could buy a pump shotgun, a ton of ammo, plus acquire practical and useful training and end up spending less than the cost of a common pistol. So to that end, I jumped on the first shotgun class that Shoot Logic has done, and I cannot express what a fantastic experience it was. Now, if you are reading this, you are at the Shoot Logic website, and are probably already a fan of theirs on Facebook. You don’t need me to promote how good they are. However, if you own a shotgun, you owe it to yourself to take this class. While Shoot Logic does lean toward a defensive application of the shotgun, these skills will easily translate into the duck blind or deer stand. I’ve taken a handful of excellent training classes over the last few years, and Progressive Shotgun might very well be my favorite. Now, let me start of with a reminder that I’m not certified in anything. Like most people reading this, I’m just a recreational shooter who thinks gun classes are incredibly fun and extremely educational. However, most of my shooting is done on my own, and I’ve made an effort to make my shooting experiences a bit more productive. I’m sure that some folks reading this can shoot circles around me, but I keep in my mind that as shooters, we are always growing and learning. There might be something in my experiences that can help another student, as I have certainly learned so much from others traveling this same road.
Decide on a range plan As a youth, I loved “shooting parties”. My friends and I would all bring piles of guns to the range and treat the event like some sort of Italian style dinner, just much louder. While I still see the fun in them, I can’t help but feel that it’s not the most conducive environment for honing your skills. Granted, you may help someone see firearms in a whole new light (and there is a virtue in that), but as far as advancing your skills, it’s pretty much a bust. Nowadays, I do the exact opposite of a “shooting party”. I go to the range alone and I bring no more than two guns (often just one). I plan ahead and decide exactly what my goals are for the range session. Sometimes I want to focus on accuracy and fundamentals. Other times, I want to work on more complicated elements, like shooting on the move or weak hand shooting. All of my focus and attention is on the task at hand, and when I leave the range, I feel like I’ve accomplished something. My last range visit was based around an AR-15. I wanted to ensure that I had one of my AR’s was totally reliable for a gun class, range visit, or home defense. I made sure that the red dot and iron sights were accurate, checked the durability of a weapon-mounted light, and verified my sling was properly fitted. After those aspects were squared away, I cleaned and properly lubricated the rifle. So, sometimes the range visit is designed around skill building, and sometimes it’s merely a “gear check”. I can only speak for myself, but I’ve really enjoyed this way of spending time at the range, and I have no doubt that I’ve improved as a shooter. Outlining my goals for the range only takes me few minutes, and I immediately feel the results. Gun schools have a curriculum to help me learn, why should it be any different when I’m shooting on my own? Always shoot from your “rig” I think it is pretty common for folks to set their gear on a table and pick and choose what gun they want to shoot in that moment. When they empty the gun, they return it to the table and reload it or try another gun. Instead of such a casual system, I have decided to always shoot from my holster or sling. Essentially, the equipment that is required for a firearms class becomes required for a trip to the gun range. Regardless of my planned goals for that day, when I practice with a pistol, I always have the same load out. The gun is holstered, and I have one extra magazine in a belt pouch, and another magazine in my left pocket (or speed strips in my right pocket). That way, no matter what I’m doing with the handgun, I’m also practicing drawing, re-holstering, reloading from the belt, and reloading from the pocket. These are pretty fundamental skills that are useful in self-defense or competition, and I’ve become very comfortable with those manipulations. As far as tactical long guns (carbines/shotguns), I am a believer in always equipping them with a sling. The teachers at Shoot Logic have explained the advantages, and I trust their instruction. If a long-arm is to be used in the field, range, or in a serious fight, I will always be comfortable with my sling. Honestly, it’s like a seatbelt, it just feels weird if it’s not on. Also, and I’m just speaking my mind here, if you aren’t using a piece of gear that you attached to a gun, then why is it there? If the gun has a sling, it should be used. Again, I’m simply taking the requirements for a training class, and applying them to my personal shooting time. Invest in quality targets A guy on the Internet was posting his “day at the range” and took a picture of the assorted guns that he brought. I won’t bore you with details, but he easily had $10,000 in military style carbines, optics, and handguns. Ironically, he was shooting at some sort of disfigured fencepost/sawhorse and I couldn’t help but wonder how he was able to rationalize this disparity of bullet launcher to bullet receiver. Conversely, I have invested in a simple steel frame that holds 1”x 2” wooden slats, and can I attach standard IDPA cardboard targets to the slats with a stapler. For less than $50, I have targets that are large enough for me to gage where errant shots go, and I’m using the targets that I shoot in training classes. By tossing a few shoot-n-see targets in my truck, and maybe a roll of masking tape, I can shoot on clean targets that allow me to track my progress throughout the session. I think we all know what it’s like to have a massacred target with dozens of bullet holes riddling it, and when that happens, we are just wasting our time and ammo. A little investment into my targets has been one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself, and I hardily recommend it for anyone. So, again, I’m using standard gun school/competition targets and have brought them into my own shooting sessions. If Gun schools and shooting sports use them, then maybe there is an awfully good reason. Challenge Yourself What can I say; I am terrible at off hand shooting. I’m also pretty bad at shooting unsupported rifles as well. If you want to see something embarrassing, watch me mount an AR on my left shoulder. In fact, I could write a book on all the ways I’m terrible with a gun. So, as much as I hate it, every shooting session deserves a little time at something I don’t like. One day, I might have to shoot a gun with my left hand, and on that day, I will be less incompetent and disadvantaged because I just dedicate a few minutes at the range to something I hate. I once shot 100 rounds from a Beretta 92 by drawing, deactivating the safety, and firing the first round from double action. I reset the gun and did it again…and again. What was the end result of that shooting drill? I gave away the gun. Seriously though, double action shooting is hard for me, but it is my first shot. I decided that I needed to be competent if I was going to own a DA/SA pistol. I might not be a master of the long heavy trigger, but I’m better than I was, and that counts for something. So, take a moment, think about something you are bad at, and spend a little time practicing it. The only thing that can happen is that you get better. Also, as I like to beat dead horses, you might not know, but there is no gun school anywhere in the USA that would let you draw and shoot a double action handgun with the hammer cocked. They insist that you shoot the gun as it is designed to be shot. So, I simply apply their standards, because they are going to make me shoot weak hand or one handed, or any of the innumerable ways that I’m not good at. Hell, I might as well just do it myself and get it over with… Learn when to call it a day I’m a believer in the idea of “diminishing returns”. A few months ago, I was just trying to be as accurate as possible with one of my favorite handguns, and boy, it was not going well. I was making mistakes and by overcorrecting one issue, I would cause another. I got caught up in trying to fix myself, and as I grew increasingly frustrated and tired, my groups spread out even more. Fortunately, I was able to take a breath, and decided to call it a day. I realized that I couldn’t figure it out, and all I was doing was wasting ammo, and probably reinforcing a flawed technique. I decided that I would visit Tim Elmer the next day, and get some help diagnosing the issue. We are all going to have bad days, and some of those days are going to be at the range. Frankly, I think it is better to walk away and try and get a clear resolution to the problem, than just continuing to blast away. Shooting while frustrated only serves to reinforce bad habits and can suck the joy out of a favorite activity. Additionally, I think there are ramifications to our safety, as anger sure is distracting. When did being frustrated or upset with yourself ever make anything better? Teach Every once in a while, folks will ask me to bring them shooting for the first time. I take that request super seriously. This could be the moment where another gun nut is born, or where that little fear of guns can become all consuming for someone. I model those range visits after what I have seen at Shoot Logic. I email them with wardrobe requirements and what to expect. Then we have class room time (in my home) where we discuss safety and how guns work. Finally, when they are comfortable with the material, we head to the range (it’s only 5 minutes from my house). I just use .22’s and keep it easy as possible. Honestly, I have yet to find a better way to drill the proper fundamentals into my head than explain them to someone else and take responsibility for their foundational comprehension of firearms. The Shoot Logic staff do this every. Single. Weekend. In closing, I want to reiterate that I’m not an expert in the world of shooting; I’m just another regular Joe who likes to sling a little lead on the weekends. However, through time and shared wisdom, I’ve found a few nuggets that I think make me a safer and more skilled gun owner. If there’s a chance that I can help fellow enthusiasts, then I have to take the help so many have shared with me and “pay it forward”. Ultimately, most of the things I incorporate into my private shooting time are built around recreating the conditions I’ve experienced at the Shoot Logic facility. It has worked well for me, and maybe it can work well for you too. If you are perusing this website, I’m guessing that you are planning on, or at least thinking about getting a little higher education in regards to your firearm skills. Well, as a fan of training classes, I am pretty excited for you, and I’d love to share a few quick tips that I’ve picked up over the years. All of these tidbits are easy and cheap, and I have had to learn the lessons the hard way.
EAR PROTECTION BELT CLIPS: Like any education, there will be times you are circled around your teacher listening to their lecture. For years, I’ve just pushed my ear protection a little higher on my head, or dropped it around my neck, or dropped them at my feet, or left them on my range bag while reloading. Frankly, on a hot South Carolina day, those things are just the worst annoyance out there. Well, a few classes back, I noticed the more experienced shooters all utilized a little plastic clip that attached to their belt, and when not in use, their earmuffs rested there. These little gadgets are easy to get, and generally run $8 or less. It may not sound like a big deal, but I learned to love them. They keep your essential gear at the ready, but out of your way when you don’t need them. DON’T FORGET TO BRING A TOWEL: Gun classes are like weddings. Rain or shine, the money is spent and the date is set. It may be a drizzly cold morning followed by a sweltering muggy afternoon, and I’ve found myself feeling drenched or grimy more than once. To that end, my range bag is never without a full roll of shop towels (the blue paper towels at auto part stores). I’ve had to wipe away sweat, mud, gun oil, and a little blood, and those towels are just a handy touch of comfort. In fact, having those paper towels at the ready has made me a pretty popular guy on more than one occasion. An old towel is a good idea too, but the paper towel roll has become my favorite. AMPLIFIED EAR PROTECTION: Now, you can spend hundreds on ear protection. There is such a variety out there it’s actually a little overwhelming. I mean, earplugs alone have endless choices from foam plugs available at CVS, to fancy custom fit plugs so popular amongst the cowboy shooters (so they can wear their 10-gallon hats). My favorite hearing protection, by far, are the “Howard Leight Impact Sport Electronic Earmuffs”. These muffs cost about $40.00 on Amazon, and I see serious shooters wear them everywhere. Microphoned earmuffs allow you enhanced hearing while wearing them, but when the noise gets dangerously loud, they shut off. Basically, they are inexpensive and effective. I’ve tried other inexpensive microphoned earmuffs, and none come close to the value, comfort, and reliability of the Howard Leights. At $40, they are the most expensive suggestion on the list, but you basically are getting great ear protection, plus the added bonus of super hearing. AMMO MANAGEMENT: OK, I’m stuffing a few things in this category to keep this concise. Basically, a gun class is an ammo devouring monster. You will be cutting through rounds by the hundreds, and managing your ammo, keeping your guns fed, and keeping your thumbs intact can be more challenging than you might realize. To those ends, I have 3 simple suggestions. Use an Ammo box. Having 200-800 rounds of ammo in 50 round boxes is a nightmare. It is unwieldy, creates a ton of trash, and slows you down in-between drills. The simple answer is to condense your ammo into one big box. Ammo boxes are cheap and plentiful. They are strong enough to manage the weight of your bullets, and they latch close to prevent messes when not in use. I’ve managed to collect a myriad of sizes over the years, and there is just nothing easier than scooping out a handful of rounds on demand. Extra Magazines. Yes, the class may only require 3 magazines, but having a few extra doesn’t hurt. You will be ready for drills earlier, and you won’t be running to the loading table all the time. Personally, I have really enjoyed buying low capacity 10 round magazines for training and practice. They are often cheaper (because no one wants them but Californians), and you feel less bad about beating them up. I also like to number them, as it helps you make sure you leave with all of the gear you brought, and “problem children” are easy to identify. Magazine Loading Devices. Personally, I don’t use them. However, I am way in the minority. Near the end of the Bob Vogel 2-day pistol class, I thought my thumb was going to explode every time I dragged it across the razor sharp (or how they felt) feeding lips of my magazines. I have watched classes grind to a halt as students have waited to borrow someone’s magazine loader because their thumbs are just too sore. They are cheap, and many guns even come with one, so get one, then toss it in your new ammo can. Yes, this is good advice. No, I don’t follow it myself. TOOLS: I don’t suggest anything fancy, but I keep a multi-tool (Lowe’s brand) and a basic gun smithing screwdriver set in my range bag. The screwdrivers are the inexpensive Winchester set that I think I bought from Wal-Mart for $10. Essentially, if I get a little wobble somewhere that I shouldn’t, I can manage it quickly without slowing down class or buggering up a screw trying to jerry rig the issue. I also picked a up a cheap ($0.99) spray bottle and poured a little gun oil in there and keep it in a sandwich bag. I’m not looking for any custom work to get done, but those three items have saved more days at the range then I care to count. Frankly, a functional tool kit for minor annoyances costs less than $20. OUTFIT ACCESSORIES: I think we can all figure out the appropriate ensemble for a day at gun school, but there are two items that I think are worth having at arms reach. First, a good old- fashioned baseball hat. I think a hat is a necessary addition, as it offers so many benefits. It helps keep the sun out of your eyes, keeps you warm, and even helps out with a sweaty brow. However, in conjunction with your eye protection, it acts as a very important piece of safety equipment. Odds are, there will be a shooter to your left, and their brass may be raining down on you all day. Your glasses and hat will protect your head and eyes, and I think we can all agree how important that is. The other piece of clothing I like to keep at the ready are a pair of sports gloves. There are all sorts of “tactical” gloves out there, but I’ve only seen them online. Frankly, they are overkill for our needs. Instead, I shopped around a local sporting goods store and have picked up a pair of baseball gloves and a pair of golf gloves. As they are available locally, I was able to try them on and really get the right fit. These gloves are designed to breathe in hot weather, yet really give you an enhanced grip on your gun. They are slim enough to not hamper your dexterity during weapon manipulations and reloading magazines, but they really take the sting out of recoil if you find yourself shooting on a frigid morning. In all candor, they aren’t great for hand warmth, but that isn’t their primary purpose for me. All in all, nothing I’ve listed here is going to be required to make your class enjoyable and enlightening. If you like shooting, you are going to enjoy your experience at Shootlogic. However, these cheap little hints have served me well, not just at class, but going to the range to practice as well. When I am heading to the range, all I grab is my handy range bag and the correct ammo can, and I’m out the door! |
Mike HoganMike Hogan is a forever student of shooting and is an avid shooter and collector. A self avowed mall-ninja...he does that to hide the fact that he can write. Archives
June 2017
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