Defensive Scenarios

[gerhard1]

We know that we should practice defensive shooting. What are scenarios that we should watch for? What are some common situations that we should practice for?

We know (hopefully) that almost anything is possible, but training for every possible event is not. Therefore, the focus of our training time should be on what is likely.

Suggestions?

 

[J.P. Harrah]

I think it depends on your daily activities. I spend a lot of time in a vehicle, therefore I've moved a lot of my training to be in and around vehicles. Besides the obvious grocery store runs and menial tasks, I think one should consider what they are most likely to be doing on a daily basis. Come up with a list of a few things and train on those scenarios.

 

[tomthebaker]

I train for accuracy, and at distance. I train for draw and fire from 7 to 25 yards. I also train for an armed opponent by busting off the X and drawing and firing on the run.

 

[J.P. Harrah]

I train for accuracy, and at distance. I train for draw and fire from 7 to 25 yards. I also train for an armed opponent by busting off the X and drawing and firing on the run.

Shooting on the move is something that I think people forget about. I too do accuracy at distance. As of now, I'm good to 40-50yds. On my good days I get good hits at 85yds. Most of my moving drills are done at 25yds and in.

 

[druryj]

All of this is great, but at most indoor ranges, which is all a lot of folks have to shoot at, you can't shoot and move. Real training is difficult at best. Stuff like the 1-second between shots rule, the inability to train in low light, having only a static target, no reactive targets...all of those types limitations make meaningful "training" difficult. So - one does the best one can with the facilities one has to work with. At an indoor range, about the best I can usually do is practice the fundamentals of marksmanship. I often get to the point I'm just burning ammo...that's when it's time to go home. If you're one of these folks who are limited to this type of training , you might consider taking the a class here and there. It never hurts to get another good shooter's perspective.

 

[Timmy59]

All of this is great, but at most indoor ranges, which is all a lot of folks have to shoot at, you can't shoot and move. Real training is difficult at best. Stuff like the 1-second between shots rule, the inability to train in low light, having only a static target, no reactive targets...all of those types limitations make meaningful "training" difficult. So - one does the best one can with the facilities one has to work with. At an indoor range, about the best I can usually do is practice the fundamentals of marksmanship. I often get to the point I'm just burning ammo...that's when it's time to go home. If you're one of these folks who are limited to this type of training , you might consider taking the a class here and there. It never hurts to get another good shooter's perspective.

Correct and sad to say, the majority of firearm owners have very few options on a good outdoor range.. Training is even less than those options for the majority.. Training is important, knowledge is also a key factor, muscle memory of the tool.. You can train and train hard, but will the training fit the needed scenario ? Knowledge comes into play, where's that round going if it doesn't hit target ? Myself, I live in the country and the most likely defense scenario would be in the home.. So knowing where my tools are at, my own floor plan, walls to shoot thru etc puts me up on any unwelcomed visitors.. But then since there's no outdoor lighting and 3 big dogs a visitor is hard pressed to make it to the house.. On the way home today the radio says some dumbass fires a warning shot at his neighbor and hits HER in the leg, I'd say this guy needs more than firearms training and if the story was correct it was over $90.00.. Wasn't there a thread asking why people are so stupid..

 

[TerryP]

I think that we need to train to fight assailants that have closed the distance.
About seven yards down to physical contact, with an emphasis on 5' to 0'.
Whatever you are using needs to be drawn quickly, cleanly and from a variety of physical positions.
You dont need to be lightning fast, you need to be smooth and without error on the draw.
Gun handling and trigger control can be worked using dry training methods.
Shooting drills
the wizard drill Ken Hackathorn
the bill drill
the El Presidente -not really a close range drill but tests multiple skills-
google shooting drills, you tube has lots of video on this subject
Use IDPA or USPSA targets to practice shooting strong hand only at close range getting accurate shots including head shots quick and clean. Be sure to practice multiple close retention methods.
Having the skill to get good hits out to 100 yards with a handgun is a good thing but if you wind up in a fight its probably gonna be at close
range and may involve multiple assailants.

 

[dennishoddy]

Use IDPA or USPSA targets to practice shooting strong hand only at close range getting accurate shots including head shots quick and clean.

One needs to practice weak hand as well as the strong hand may be incapacitated by a shot, or in the grasp of the attacker at CQ.

 

[okierider]

The WTH looks I get from the wife and the neighbors when I practice in the back yard is half the fun!!

 

[Ignored Member]

USPSA, IDPA, 3 gun, Steel challenge.

Some think of these as "games" but they can help tremendously on draw and shoot, target transition, shooting on the move, reloading under pressure and an all around safe controlling of firearms.