No need to shoot to train and also no need to take a class both will only get you so far. While learning new techniques is great, most of them are available online, practicing your draw and aim at home is very effective.

Its like anything else, practice makes perfect. Admittedly I don't practice my draw as much as I should, but I do make the effort! Youtube some techniques, get knowledge for free and spend the money you save on hi-cap magazines and ammunition.

Im like you, I cant be shooting ammo much since bullets are expensive,

Dry practice is good, I do a lot of it. This is a student and instructor course. So I have to shoot, which I do not mind. Its the fact that everyone has made a run on guns and ammo. Making it hard to find the rounds needed for the class. Its not a really high round count, but enough to hurt if you know what I mean. As far as training is concerned IMO you still need to shoot your gun. Dry fire and sims can only go so far..

Originally Posted by Harryball

Dry fire and sims can only go so far..

Oh for sure, shooting for practice is always ideal, i was just recommending some alternatives that are almost just as good

I am all for training but I come from a military background where we train until it becomes 2nd nature. I am a true believer in muscle memory and although dry firing does help, actually firing the weapon you will be using a must. I know its hard to get your hands on ammo right now (almsot impossible in the communist state of Illinois!) but if you plan to be proficient, you need to fire in my opinion.

I agree. Dry fire is very useful but you need to shoot a lot. I reload for this reason. If you reload and cast your own bullets, you can crank out ammo for less than 10c per round. The equipment is a significant investment but if you shoot a lot, it pays for itself very quickly. Also you are less affected by these surges of panic buying.

1st day went well. It was cold (-0 wind chill) but doable. We spent 2 1/2 hours shooting yesterday. It was so cold that when the mags hit the ground they froze to the ground. The drill kept us kind of warm, but hands a feet were an issue. For those that live in a cold climate I would recommend training in the cold. You can really see how it effects everything pertaining to the draw, shooting and moving...I will update as it goes on...Today is -3 actual....

I'm about to take an advanced pistol course. Class requires 300 rnds. Lucky for me my father-in-law gifted me a bunch of boxes of old but good 9mm ammo. But I am worried about acquiring more after this class.
I feel things should pick up in few months.

Originally Posted by Demonio

I'm about to take an advanced pistol course. Class requires 300 rnds. Lucky for me my father-in-law gifted me a bunch of boxes of old but good 9mm ammo. But I am worried about acquiring more after this class.
I feel things should pick up in few months.

Enjoy the class, 300 Rnds will go fast, if you can, I would recommend an additional 100 Rnds. Some instructors will have you run the gun more than others....

I just finished up my class today. It was a long 3 days, but was well worth it. The cold made it really hard, but we pushed thru. Total round count was about 500 for the three days. Not a lot, but enough to get the drills done. It was -15 wind chill the second day of class, and we were out in it for a little over 2 hours. My bottom lip split and my fingers we numb for hours. Not fun at all, but a good learning experience on the effects of really cold weather....

Sounds like great training. You never know what harsh conditions will present themselves when it comes to self defense.
Yeah I plan on taking additional ammo just in case. I always do.

Originally Posted by Demonio

Sounds like great training. You never know what harsh conditions will present themselves when it comes to self defense.
Yeah I plan on taking additional ammo just in case. I always do.

Nice...Dont forget to post your AAR (After action report) when you are done.

[QUOTE=jakeleinen1;280730]No need to shoot to train and also no need to take a class both will only get you so far. While learning new techniques is great, most of them are available online, practicing your draw and aim at home is very effective.

I disagree...

While dry fire is a good training technique, nothing beats a good outdoor tactical class to teach & develop skills. Most indoor ranges I know of wont let you draw from the holster (too much liability)... let alone have you shoot from non-traditional stances. Classes allow you to move and shoot, shoot at moving targets & shoot moving targets while you are moving. Don't assume your going to be stationary and in a propper stance when your faced with a deadly encounter... tactical classes definitly are superior to static dry fire while watching YouTube videos.

Another benefit is some (at least ours do) add stress into the mix... we cause confusion, stress and get students heart rates up, which causes increased respiratory rate. You get a workout... and get dirty, and students love it. This simulates a real life encounter... something you cannot accomplish in your living room while dry firing.

It seems expensive, buy most classes are $150 a day plus approx 500 rds of ammo... and the confidence you gain while learning your limitations are priceless... especially if it will save your life one day.

Haven't had a student yet that didn't say the info & skills learned were not worth twice what was charged. Many students are regulars and do continual training every year... as shooting is a perishable skill.

This is my opinion and I understand if others do not feel the same... but I think I at least gave you another viewpoint.

[QUOTE=TAPnRACK;283945]

Originally Posted by jakeleinen1

No need to shoot to train and also no need to take a class both will only get you so far. While learning new techniques is great, most of them are available online, practicing your draw and aim at home is very effective.

I disagree...

While dry fire is a good training technique, nothing beats a good outdoor tactical class to teach & develop skills. Most indoor ranges I know of wont let you draw from the holster (too much liability)... let alone have you shoot from non-traditional stances. Classes allow you to move and shoot, shoot at moving targets & shoot moving targets while you are moving. Don't assume your going to be stationary and in a propper stance when your faced with a deadly encounter... tactical classes definitly are superior to static dry fire while watching YouTube videos.

Another benefit is some (at least ours do) add stress into the mix... we cause confusion, stress and get students heart rates up, which causes increased respiratory rate. You get a workout... and get dirty, and students love it. This simulates a real life encounter... something you cannot accomplish in your living room while dry firing.

It seems expensive, buy most classes are $150 a day plus approx 500 rds of ammo... and the confidence you gain while learning your limitations are priceless... especially if it will save your life one day.

Haven't had a student yet that didn't say the info & skills learned were not worth twice what was charged. Many students are regulars and do continual training every year... as shooting is a perishable skill.

This is my opinion and I understand if others do not feel the same... but I think I at least gave you another viewpoint.

IMO you are right. Dry fire is useful, but does not replace real training. Well put....

Originally Posted by jakeleinen1

No need to shoot to train and also no need to take a class both will only get you so far. While learning new techniques is great, most of them are available online, practicing your draw and aim at home is very effective.

I've just started taking a class locally. It's a beginner class aimed at preparing people for basic defensive carry and obtaining a CCW permit. I've been practising seriously on my own for a year and already have the permit but figured this would be good as a sanity check to make sure that I was doing things right. After the first lesson I realized I had learned a great deal on my own and much of it was plain wrong. In a few hours of class time, I made more progress than I would have with months of self training.

Practising on your own can be very valuable but it should be coupled with some expert instruction.

Originally Posted by jakeleinen1

No need to shoot to train and also no need to take a class both will only get you so far. While learning new techniques is great, most of them are available online, practicing your draw and aim at home is very effective.

Its like anything else, practice makes perfect. Admittedly I don't practice my draw as much as I should, but I do make the effort! Youtube some techniques, get knowledge for free and spend the money you save on hi-cap magazines and ammunition.

Im like you, I cant be shooting ammo much since bullets are expensive,

Remind me to never to refer anyone to whatever class you took to get your carry permit, they obviuously did a lousy job.