Category: Self Defense Training

Budget DYI Marksmanship Training

Buying a pistol, for home defense, is not enough, as you will need to know how to use your gun in a life or death situation properly.  However, marksmanship and self defense training can be very expensive.   As an example, classes at Gunsite Academy cost $1,000 or more.  $1,000 or more for firearm classes is too much for many people.  So, DYI marksmanship training is the next best alternative. Please note, it is highly advisable that you attend formal firearm training classes. But, you should do the below drills until you can save up enough money to take formal shooting classes. Below are highlights of Shooting Illustrated' s DYI firearm training program.

Self Evaluation

These drills/training are not for the novice shooter. So, a self evaluation of your shooting experience and skills is essential. Shooting Illustrated recommends that you at least have the following experience:

If you’ve never fired a handgun, this system is not for you. If you’ve received basic firearm training, understand how to operate your handgun and are fluent with the tenets of firearms safety, then you can use this system to improve your skills. Shooting Illustrated | Firearm Practice on a Budget

A Few Shooting Drills

Here, are a few, far encompassing, shooting drills that this article recommends.

It can be surprisingly tricky learning how to withdraw your pistol from your holster correctly. That is why you should train how to both quickly and safely withdraw your pistol from your holster.

The drill evaluates your ability to engage a target from the holster multiple times and to conduct a reload. Run the drill five times to establish an average. Here’s how it works. Place a threat target with a 5-inch circle positioned center mass at 5 yards. On signal, draw from concealment and engage the target/circle with five shots, conduct a reload and engage the same target/circle with five more shots. Shooting Illustrated | Firearm Practice on a Budget

Dry Firing Training

This may seem like a waste of time. However, learning to properly pull your trigger is essential. By consistently performing the below drill you will be able to help fix problems you may have, such as poor accuracy, slow holster pistol withdraw, and even reloading.  As this drill doesn't require the use of ammo, it is an excellent drill to do when you are low on funds.

During any dry-fire training, you need to seclude yourself in a location where you can safely point your unloaded handgun and press the trigger, and where there’s no live ammunition present. You only need 10 minutes of seclusion, four days a week, so turn your cell phone off, lock the door and concentrate. Shooting Illustrated | Firearm Practice on a Budget

Live Fire Training

There is no substitute for actually shooting your pistol. But, ammo is expensive. These recommendations, for live fire handgun shooting, help minimize your costs.

To conduct live-fire practice, you’ll need 100 rounds of ammo per month. That totals 1,200 rounds or about $360 a year. After a month of four-nights-a-week dry-fire training, head to the range. While there, practice the same skills you’ve been practicing during dry-fire training. Use no more than 70 rounds for this. Once that’s complete, conduct the evaluation drill three times to establish an average. Then, compare the results—specifically the results associated with the particular facet of defensive-handgun application you’ve been working on—with your initial evaluation. Shooting Illustrated | Firearm Practice on a Budget

To find out the rest of the drills read more at shootingillustrated.com.

Conclusion

Of course, attending professional shooting classes is preferable.  But, as they are cost prohibitive, for many people, self-training is your best option.  What is good about these drills, shown in the article, is that they are practical and helpful in training you for real life self-defense situations.  So, this article is worth a look.