Want to Shoot More Accurately?

This is a guest post by Scott Sylvester

Want to Shoot More Accurately? Train When It’s Hard.

In the first three months of 2014 we have seen some pretty extreme weather across the United States. Just on the Left Coast we have had summer, spring and freezing downpours all within a matter of weeks. My friend’s back East complain of freezes and deep snow uncharacteristic for the time of year. As a result of all the strange weather and extremes of hot and cold it got me thinking (as usual) about training.

When was the last time you went outside when it was miserable and practiced shooting? When the proverbial excrement hits the oscillating device, I can almost guarantee you that it will occur:

1: When you least expect it.

2: When conditions are at the worst possible.

Having spent a fair amount of my life on a range I can attest that extreme weather during training is not always pleasant, nor does it motivate you to excel. I’ve shot in 110+ degree heat and literally laid in puddles in the prone position behind a rifle slowly starting to freeze from chilling sideways rain. I will admit I was not exactly thrilled at the time… but looking back I’m glad I was able to endure it, fight through it, and (deep down inside) I want to do it again.

Again? Yes… I want to do it again. Fighting in extremes is a test of my will to win, a test of my character to endure diversity, and a test of my natural self-preservation to survive! A desire to push yourself in the extremes will give you the self-assurance during any day to day fight you may encounter. When you practice making magazine changes with fingers so cold the steel box you are holding feels like holding an ice cube, and when you can barely get a sight picture because sweat is pouring down and stinging your eyes, how easy is it going to be when you confront a real threat on a warm spring afternoon?

Adversity can come in many forms beside the severe climate. How much training have you done in awkward positions? Can you lay on your back and still draw you gun and get a sight picture? Can you shoot when your head and gun are 90 degrees from normal and make accurate (and fast) hits? When all you have to shoot through is a 6” circle at knee level, can you get down, get behind the gun and get rounds on target?

What about something we spend half our lives living and working in and around… Darkness? Since the witching hours and dark areas tend to embolden criminals, can you get to and manipulate your weapon completely by feel? If you gun malfunctions and you can’t see it, can you clear it and get back into the fight? After the fight, can you safely unload and verify it is clear. Infantrymen practice loading, unloading, tearing down and reassembling their weapons until they can do it blindfolded and in under a minute. This repetitive practice turns neural pathways into superhighways making it nearly impossible to fail under normal conditions and guaranteeing success IN adversity.

Have you trained with a simulated injury that would prevent you from using all four of your limbs? Do you train to shoot with your off hand? Have you ever attempted a reload with one hand? (Do not do this for the first time with a loaded gun!! Dry practice and get some training!!) During a gun fight there is a high likelihood you will end up shot of injured, but that doesn’t mean the fight is over. You still have to win, and you will have to win with the body parts you can make work.

I highly suggest you seek advance training with a qualified instructor before you start live fire practice while “injured.” These are advanced pistol and rifle handling skills and should not be undertaking without proper technique and after a lot of gun handling practice.

Lastly, if you are a father or a mother defending your nest, have you practiced walking barefoot over a carpet covered in Legos? Talk about fighting through pain and adversity… but I digress.

Next time you pick a day to go shooting and mother nature drops some slush or cranks up the heat, get up and go practice anyway.

Embrace the Suck!

Until next time, train hard, stay safe and Godspeed.

Scott Sylvester

Founder – One Weapon, Any Tool

Find us on Facebook, Twitter (@1weaponanytool) or on the web: www.oneweaponanytool.com

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