Just like holsters, there’s always a new shooting drill on the market that will test your skills and either make you feel invincible or humble you in depressing new ways. Here are a few of my favorites. They make the list for a variety of reasons including simplicity, a variety of skills tested, and challenge. […]
I Hope I Never Have to Draw…
In the comments section of a concealed carry article I wrote a while back for another publication, I read the following: “I HOPE I NEVER HAVE TO DRAW BECAUSE I CAN’T…” Needless to say, the opening words of that particular response got my attention, and I had to read on. This particular individual had chosen […]
Slide Release vs. Racking: Pros and Cons
Semi-automatic pistols have a neat little lever on the side that both locks the slide open and allows it to close. This feature has both administrative and “tactical” (for lack of a better word) purposes. Administratively, it’s handy for showing an empty gun and field stripping for cleaning and maintenance. Tactically, the lever is one […]
How to Connect: Front Sight Wobble Is Your Friend
I was training with a friend last week. I hadn’t shot with him before, so I didn’t have any idea of his level of skill with a pistol. After placing some targets at about 10 yards and starting to plink, he proceeded to drill the center box out of one of those miniature silhouette targets […]
Why Slow is Fast
All the tactical ninjas say, “slow is smooth; smooth is fast.” Is that just one of those “blah, blah, blah…” pithy comments that gets passed along with no real thought and analysis? I’m going to say no. Here’s why practicing in slow motion works and how it can help you develop important gun-handling skills like […]
Should You Use Your Pistol’s Slide Lock Lever or Rack the Slide?
When loading a fresh magazine or changing to a new one, there are two ways to “recharge” a semi-automatic pistol. You can push down on the slide lock lever using your firing or support hand thumb, or you can go through a partial slide racking motion. Some on the internet will insist that choosing the […]
How to Make the Most From One Box of Ammo
There’s nothing wrong with going to the range to plink away at targets while having some fun. However, if you want to improve your shooting skills, it’s important to add some structure to the routine. With one box of ammo and a little discipline, you can exercise a variety of key skills and track your […]
Can You Shoot to Police Standards?
Without pictures, it didn’t happen. Unless you bring back a t-shirt, you didn’t go. And without skill and progress measurement, you can’t improve. One way to exercise your skills and measure your progress is to practice with a structured course of fire. A good routine will “walk you through” a variety of skills like strong […]
Training with Your Smartphone For Free
Not long ago I tasted a delicious bite of humble pie. I got a bug up my butt to try out the Federal Air Marshall Qualification test. It looked easy. It wasn’t. In fact, it did a masterful job of exposing some problem-areas in my skill repertoire. After a short bout of self-pity, I decided […]
When it Comes to Handguns, is Bigger REALLY Better?
Is bigger really better? Or does it boil down to “how you use it?” When challenged by groovy son Austin about his decision to drive a Mini Cooper as his “spy car,” Nigel Powers blithely responded, “It’s not the size, mate. It’s how you use it.” Was he right? Like psychic hotline results, the answer […]