You Don't Know Jack

I realized today that it has been 3 weeks since my last blog post, and figured it was way overdue. First let me wish everyone a Merry Christmas/Happy Kwanzaa/Joyous Hanukkah/ A wonderful what-ever-other-holiday-you might-celebrate.  I hope your holidays were filled with lots of fun firearm related items. I know for us, my dad bought himself a Keltec PF9, I got my sister a gift card so she could take her CCW training class, and my wife got me lower receiver to start my first AR15 build (more on that here). For me, however, this time of year also means a time for personal improvement.

For the last 2 years I have been making this thing called an "Apocalypse List." Its like a New Year's resolution mixed with a bucket list with a twist. If you recall, back in 2012, supposedly the Mayans had predicted the world was going to end on December 21st (I think it's safe to assume they were wrong). Starting that year I decided to start making a list of things I wanted to do that year before 12/21 in the event the world ended. The Apocalypse list is very specific though. It has to be done within that year. So no crazy ideas that I couldn't physically or financially pull off in the course of the year. It also must be something that is worthy of a story.  No ever says "I wish I worked more" Or " I should have gotten that PHD" while dying. Don't get me wrong I have my own work and education related goals, but that's not what this is for. This is for life experiences. So on my 2014 Apocalypse list, one of the thing I have put on there is professional defensive pistol training.

My wife shooting my Beretta 92A1

 

This year I will take Defensive Handgun I with Range Time Tactical (RTT). So why take handgun training? Its certainly not because its cheap. This particular class is $300, plus 1000rd of ammo, travel and food expenses. After it's all said and done, that's the price of a new Glock. But I have a CCW already.  I have watched videos on trigger control, reset, recoil management, etc. I go to the range once a month. I can drill holes in paper like no ones business. But that's just it, its a very controlled environment with a stationary target and no stress. These types of classes will teach you not only the basic fundamentals, but also proper draw technique, one handed maneuvers, drawing while on your back, shooting from cover, shooting while moving and the like, all while trying to induce a modicum of stress. To give you and idea here is a video from Range Time Tactical on their Defensive Handgun I class.

Training like this is extremely important. Too many times do I see someone who goes out and buys a gun, completes their CCW requirement and they think they are good to go. This couldn't be farther form the truth! Be honest with yourself. watching YouTube videos or being a member of an online forum does not make you prepared for any real world situation. These people don't know jack, and neither do I, which is why I am taking this class. Shooting at paper and putting a lot of ammo down range does not replace proper training. Can you effectively clear a type 2 malfunction while moving? How about rapid magazine changes? What if your primary hand become injured and you can't hold your weapon, can you draw, rack the slide and reload with your opposite hand solely? Unless you have had real training with your carry weapon, you probably can't.

Good friend and CCW holder shooting S&W SD9VE

So I encourage you to look into furthering your firearm education and taking these types of classes. Especially if you carry. A gun and a card do not make a good gunfighter. Training, practice and knowledge do. Train for the worst case scenario but hope for the best. There are a ton of these companies that do training this and I bet there is one near you. As with anything, there are better training companies than others, so do your research. I settled on RTT after watching several of their YouTube videos as well as reading reviews from industry professionals and regular people alike.

So what does 2014 have in store for you?