Don't Let Bad Habits Catch You Off Guard
Oct 30th 2020
Consistent firearms training helps us prepare for violence out in the real world, but, if done incorrectly, it can also develop into bad habits that could wind up getting us hurt. When tactical training, it’s important to examine how we’re doing it, always questioning if what we’re taking for granted would be actually beneficial or detrimental out in the field. While the list of bad habits to be aware of is never-ending, here are some of the ones you should watch out for and make an active effort to break.
The best way to stop the formation of these bad habits is by having an experienced instructor who can provide you with real-time feedback. Contact us today to enroll in one of our tactical weapon courses.
Be Realistic About Cover
While pistol competitions may allow participants to expose 50 percent of their bodies outside of cover, a real-world shootout won’t be as forgiving. Being aware of how much of your body is showing is crucial to stay safe and can significantly impact the way you fire your weapon. Training with different cover types and from different positions can keep you from getting shot when it counts the most.
Get On The Move
Most firearm training is done while standing still, but you most likely will need to fire while running or while seeking cover if you’re in a real conflict. If a shootout takes you by surprise, you need to be able to react quickly while still being able to handle your firearm. It’s also important to stay alert during a security threat by surveying your surroundings and using what’s available to you from one moment to the next.
Holstering Without Confirming Hits
This isn’t unusual for police officers who may train to quick-fire a certain number of times and then reholster. While this can prep you for a quick response to dangers, the action of reholstering can become so ingrained in you that you put your gun away before confirming that your target has even been hit. Unfortunately, doing so can make for a dangerous situation when your target is an armed threat.
Empty Gun Procedures
If you’re in a shootout, your gun will eventually empty, and you’ll be forced to pull your backup weapon or withdraw to cover to give yourself time to reload or grab a secondary weapon. When training, it’s not unusual for students to holster their weapons and reload their magazines. Doing so just isn’t acceptable for real-world scenarios, and your training should reflect that. Instead, finish out the course with a backup gun.
Dealing With Malfunctions
While you hope it never happens, gun malfunctions are something that you should be prepared to handle in the field. Of course, because clearing malfunctions can be hazardous, the range officer may have rules about how this should be handled. However, work with them to make it as realistic training as possible.
Being prepared for the unexpected is as much about your physical response as it is your mental response. Keep your mind sharp with our tactical mindset courses, and get in touch with us today to schedule your gun training course.
