Ellifritz--Observations of Common Student Problems

Greg Ellifritz of Active Response Training makes some observations of problems he saw at a recent handgun class he taught. A few issues caught my attention: he saw issues of students overestimating their skills, problems with firearms and equipment because the students hadn't tested it before hand, and apparently at least one student attempting to use a 6 o'clock, middle-of-the-back position that was difficult to draw from.

Most of these issues can be resolved if you use the same equipment and set up in a competition type setting, or even practicing draws, reloads, etc., as part of your dry-fire practice. Anything that makes you have to draw, fire (dry-fire), and reload in a time limit or as fast as you can, multiple times in a row can generally show you basic flaws with a set-up or piece of equipment. A good instructor (or knowledgeable shooting buddy) can help you identify more subtle problems. Just don't let your ego get in the way.