Training & Practice!

More important than your pistol choice...

Guy training with a 40 cal Sig P229. Photo by Ultimate Reloader.

So you’ve picked up the latest, greatest 9mm incredible double-stack auto with 21 round magazines, a red-dot sight and a flashlight. You’ve got a high-speed kydex IWBA holster and are stocked up on the most advanced high-tech defensive ammo… You’re ready right?

Of course not!

Far more important than your choice of firearm, holster and ammunition is getting some good training and following it up with regular practice.

Find a good shooting school or instructor. There are well known national and regional shooting schools, there are also many local shooting instructors. Some are outstanding, some not so great.

Safe gun handling should be the first priority. We must be safe with our handguns! Marksmanship is vital too. Every shooter must be able to hit their target. Grip, trigger control, sight alignment/sight picture, stance, follow-through… Then there’s general gun-handling skills. Loading, unloading, reloading, chambering a round, clearing a malfunction, holstering, drawing from the holster. Baby steps. Learn and master the basics.

Revolver practice. Check out that muzzle flash! Photo by Ultimate Reloader.

Beyond that there’s more defensive related skills. After all most of the handguns purchased are for self-defense. Crazy times we live in and danger could be anywhere. Make like a Boy Scout and be prepared.

Learn to detect and avoid a threat. Learn to conceal your handgun. Learn to move. Learn to deal with a threat if necessary. Learn when to shoot and when not to shoot. They’re equally important. What’s the difference between cover and concealment? Can you clear a house or a room? Can you work with another shooter? All of this is best learned with a good coach/instructor who can impart these skills.

After training there’s practice. Lots of practice. While you’re skill building, shoot a lot. Yes, shooting is expensive! Economize on that with bulk ammunition, perhaps get a 22 rimfire pistol. I can buy about 400 rounds of 22 ammo for about the same cost as 50 rounds of 45 ACP… That’s a lot more trigger time for the same expense. Dry fire! No ammunition involved, just inert snap caps.

Owning and carrying a gun for self-defense is a big commitment. There’s a lot to it, a lot more than just buying some great gear. It’s a commitment in time and money. If you’re going to do this, it’s worth doing well.

Regards, Guy

*I’m a law enforcement and NRA handgun and rifle instructor, a USMC veteran and a retired police officer with 12 years of SWAT experience. Catch my firearms and ammunition videos on Ultimate Reloader on Rumble and YouTube.