Jon Low has posted a new Defensive Pistolcraft post with a roundup of articles and videos related to firearms and self-defense (and a little bit of radio related topics this time as well) and his commentary on each. This week, Jon has some advice to those using or thinking of using IDPA or IPSC matches to augment their training.
The general idea behind using such matches, as expressed by Ayoob and others, is that they provide a chance to shoot while under pressure which can give you an idea of how you might perform in an actual gunfight. Obviously the stress you might have at a match is not to the level of an actual fight, but it is more than you will get on a square target range. And that brings up a second advantage to attending such matches for many people is that it might be the only time that you can actually move and shoot around barriers, whether because you only get to practice at a square range and/or can't afford all the barriers and other accouterments that will be at an IDPA match.
But back to Jon's comments:
When we shoot the match, we will go very slowly to ensure we positively identify every shoot-target and every no-shoot-target. We will not be racing to win the game. It is common for the Safety Officer to inform the shooter that he failed to engage several targets, because he just ran past them without seeing them. Moving faster than you can see. Moving faster than you can think.
We will stay back away from corners, windows, and doors, because we understand that there is someone hiding behind the corner who will grab our pistol.
We will shoot at the first part of the enemy that comes into view, because we can do so without exposing our bodies. We can always get the A-zone hit later as we come around the corner. We understand that whoever gets the first hit will usually win the gunfight.
We will not muzzle no-shoot-targets. We will not sweep across no-shoot-targets when transitioning from one shoot-target to another shoot-target. Because unlike the other competitors, we are not playing a game. We are training for combat. Shooting the no-shoot target is shooting faster than you can think.
Do not do "walk throughs". Do not choreograph the scenario. Shoot the targets as they come into view. Do not count rounds. Do not plan your reloads. Shoot until empty, then reload. Planning a scenario is a training scar. Combat is surprising.
Remember, we are training for civilian concealed carry for self-defense. We are not playing the game.
Does this mean that you will not win the match? Probably. Most likely you will fall into the middle range if you are an experienced shooter because treating barriers and movement around barriers seriously takes time. If you are treating the scenario seriously you can't, for instance, simply race around a corner and stand in the middle of the faux hallway and blaze away at the target as you would if speed was your primary concern.
I'm of two minds on Jon's advice to avoid the detailed walk-through and planning how you will shoot the stage. First of all, you need to at least view the stage and objectives so you can safely complete the stage. Second, I'm not sure that the planning process is a bad thing; it may even be a good thing. Why do I think that way? Well, for one, I'm not going to be clearing random buildings. The only building I see myself clearing is my home for which I can plan in detail and even modify the environment to make it easier for me. So planning how to shoot a stage isn't going to cheat me out of valuable experience on clearing random buildings. Secondly, most of us haven't had any training or experience in clearing buildings so we don't have that background in thinking how to approach or react to a situation where we might have to move and shoot in a less familiar space. Having to think how you will solve an IDPA stage may, in fact, be the only chance you have to practice on evaluating a structure and coming up with a plan. Anyway, my two cents.
Back to Jon's comments. He relates this recent experience:
A couple of hours ago, I finished a Low Light Outlaw match at the Glock Store in Nashville, TN. I used my EDC (every day carry) gear (including a hand held flashlight).
Strobe lights are distracting. Use your hand or hat brim to block the strobe lights.
The guys using night vision goggles could not distinguish colors. They couldn't tell the difference between the brown shoot-targets and the white no-shoot-targets. That's a real problem.
My marksmanship ability in low light is degraded. Because I don't practice low light shooting enough. An operator must know how low light affects their ability to hit at given distances and adjust accordingly. If you can group in a 12 inch circle at 25 yards that's fine. If you know that you can group within a 30 inch circle at 25 yards in low light conditions. That's fine. You can charge in to get the group size needed. But if you don't know what your group size is at 25 yards in low light, that's a real problem.
There was a house clearing scenario in which the mission was to rescue the baby. There was a recording playing of a baby screaming and crying. I knew it wasn't real, but it was still very disturbing. The "baby" wasn't a life size doll as I had expected. It was a 3D cardboard "baby" that weighed what you would expect a baby of that size to weigh, and clearly labeled "BABY". I went slowly and carefully, and accomplished the mission. Others shot the baby. Others could not find the baby, complaining that it was buried under the blanket or the pillows. I was thinking, "That's stupid." You just keep searching until you find the baby. Never give up. But, they were pissed that they were taking so long that they would get a bad score on the stage.
A couple more points:
- Jon has written a book on defensive shooting called "Defensive Pistolcraft." He writes: "If you would like a copy of the latest version, send me an email."
- "For AR-15 dry practice, wedge a penny in the magazine to hold the follower down."
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