Going to a dedicated handgun training camp isn’t possible for the average survivalist.
Let’s face it, most of us are hard up for cash and what “extra” we do get hold of, usually goes toward procuring needed survival gear.
Most of you reading this, I am sure; have a good working knowledge of firearms safety and proper shooting fundamentals.
If not, I recommend you to take the time needed in leaning the basics by taking a safety class in your area.
The hunter safety classes offered by most states are free to anyone and are a good start, as well as the handgun permit class if available.
Once you have the basics mastered and can shoot well enough to place all your shots into a six-inch circle or less at 25 yards, then it is time to broaden your skills.
Instructional DVDs and books are good learning tools for those of us with neither the time nor money to take dedicated instruction from a training facility such as Front Sight or Thunder Ranch.
The first DVD I would recommend is, Combative Pistol: Jim Grover’s Guide to Extreme Close-Quarters Shooting, is for shooters who might find themselves up close and personal with an attacker.
This is close up in your face personal combat shooting, gun fighting literally in body contact with your attacker, where most real life self-defense happens.
My only complaint is the poor camera work, a lot of rocking and shaking, but otherwise a good quality production. The image quality is good, clear, and professional, it you can get past the drunken camera work.
The first book I recommend is, Tactical Pistol Shooting: by Lawrence Erik, this is a great book, and could be the only one you need in this area.
You get instruction on defense mindsets, pistol terms, shooting fundamentals and shooting positions, with emphasis on important safety precautions and lawful personal defense.
The book then instructs on more advanced techniques, training drills and complicated shooting environments. More than 250 detailed, step-by-step photos clearly illustrate the techniques shooters will master to become more adept with a tactical pistol.
With the cost of ammo as well as everything else going through the freaking roof, it can be a wallet flattening ordeal to practice with live ammo.
Sure we must use live rounds to an extent, but a lot of realistic and constructive practice can be done with the CO2 powered pistols sold in the sporting goods section at your local Wal-Mart.
Another advantage to this type of training is that it can be done in your backyard, even in town, if you have a good fence to keep your activities from prying eyes that is.
Your practice can even be undertaken in a basement or extra room if convenient. Just remember to make it as realistic as possible and always reinforce what you learn with live fire.
What do you think – can you learn anything from books / videos and “self-practice”? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below…
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You can learn lots of things from books but having knowledge and having experience are 2 different things. Knowing what you are suppose to do and actually being able to control your body to make it perform that action are way different.
I can watch Tiger Woods golf and listen to him explain it but that won’t make me the worlds next great golfer. Although my head knows what to do my muscles are still dumb and need some training.
This applies to guns, gardening, golf and any other exercise you can think of. Experience is almost always needed in order to actually succeed. This is why many survivalist/preppers have told folks to get off the couch and out in the woods or garden so much. Unless you backpack, you won’t know what you truly need in a bug out bag. Unless you garden you won’t know all the intricacies associated with each vegetable you want.
Practice, Practice & more Practice. It can’t be ignored and it can’t be cheated by just reading books or watching dvds.
I cut my teeth on Jeff Cooper, and I recommend “To ride, shoot straight, and speak the truth”. His Gunsite School was one of the first, and no, I didn’t have the money to attend, but I soaked up every book and article he wrote. And if you really want to get educated, grab any of the writings of Elmer Keith, and sit down for a hell of a ride.
These two men gave me the mindset I needed for proactive self-defense, and are well worth the read. Elmer wrote many artlcles for magazines, and Jeff was a prolific writer as well, and had a column in Guns and Ammo for several years. I really miss these two icons, and they were the types of people who made the American frontier great.
Biggest piece of advice on pistol training on a budget, buy a .22 pistol.
I wholeheartedly agree with using a .22 for target practice/training. 500 rounds of 115 grain 9mm Luger, about $125. 550 rounds of .22 LR at Wal-Mart, about $18.
Good post. I was a firearms instructor for the AF for several years and I even recommend using video games for practice. Some of these modern arcade games even give you the recoil, giving you the chance to practice getting back on target for a lot less in costs. Practice is practice whether its real firearms, video games, or airsoft, the time spent is almost always time well spent
Great post and good information i’ve been training in my basement for years you can learn from books and videos maybe not as well as hands on instruction but a defendant plus.
p.s. I subscribed to your email updates and posted a link to this article on several forums i visit.
Thank you K2 for spreading the word about The Survivalist Blog it is appriceated – now if I could get other readers to do the same… hint, hint, HINT!
One thing about practice: It’s all sweat equity. No one else can do it for you.
Using a B-B gun similar in size and weight to your carry piece is excellent winter time practice, takes very little room- like 15 feet.
Also, constant draw-aim-dry fire practice can be done indoors. Be sure to unload, inspect twice and keep ALL ammo out of the practice room. If you worry about ruining your firing pin, get some plastic/aluminum Snap Caps for your caliber.
Speaking of Snap Caps (they come five to a pack unless revolver caliber, then it’s six)… load two magazines, three rounds each, and practice reloading, Failure-to-Fire and malfunction/jamming/stove pipe drills. All easy to do and learn. Here, slow is smooth and smooth is fast and you’ll learn that right away.
Another great way to get some “free” instruction is to attend local gun club week end shoots, or week day/evening shoots. Cost is usually just a couple boxes of ammo to learn to shoot reactive steel or IDP type shoots, and there is always someone there who is willing to impart their knowledge. (Just be watchful and listen to the ones you can see really know what they’re doing.) This is also an excellent way to meet new people, like minded and friendly to the utmost.
But after all is said and done, it’s the individual blood, sweat and tears we put into any and all practice that makes us good. No one ever learned a thing by not practicing, regardless if someone was showing them or not.
Shy III
“Going to a dedicated handgun training camp isn’t possible for the average survivalist.”
Going to one in this day and age is likely to get you accused of treason or sedition. Really interesting article though – I learned a lot. Thanks.
LakeLili, Your contention isn’t true, at least now. Tactical handgun and rifle training is huge. I have been watching this happen since I first went to Gunsite in 1978.
One real easy thing since you are already here, go over to Youtube and pull up anything you want on handgun or rifle training. Mini classes to get you started in the right direction. Clint Smith, Frontsight, Gabe Suarez, etc. are all there with much, much more. Oh, and it’s FREE.
Some common semi-atuo pistols have .22 conversion kits.
Like Glock and 1911A-1s.
These cost aobut the same or less than quality .22 pistols like the Ruger Mk-3.
They shoot cheap rimfire ammo and the mimic your fighting pistol.
Do your own research as to which work and which don’t, they are not all the same.
Hey, MD: David Codrea, http://www.waronguns.blogspot.com linked to this column… congrats!
Shy III
Practice as if it were real, when things get exciting you’ll do it just like you practiced.
Put a bad habit in the practice session (for safety or because it’s “training” or whatever) and that WILL show up in the for real session.
If you are looking to learn on a budget, you should check out smartflix:
http://smartflix.com
They have dozens of marksmanship and fighting pistol courses that you can rent for $10 a pop. Awesome deal!
- LC
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