How to practice tactical shooting at a range where you can't

[Robin]

There are probably a fair number of forum members who frequent ranges where slow fire (more than one sec between shots) and no holster draws are enforced. Here are some suggestions that while not perfect, can help you reduce that limitation:

• 1. Start with the pistol at low ready. If simulating holster draw, you can start from where both hands grip the pistol. From that position bring the pistol up as quickly as possible and shoot one round at the target. This helps with first shot practice.
• 2. Aim a yard to the left or right of your target. Pretend you just fired a shot and quickly traverse to and shoot your target. This helps with second shot practice.
• 2a. A variant of this has you aim at a point a yard off the target after shooting. This simulates shooting a target in the middle of a string. You can repeat this sequence (pretend to shoot off target, shoot on target, pretend to shoot off target) as many times as you like.
• 3. Keep running the gun until dry to add mag change practice. After you change mags continue where you left off. You can also do this for tactical reloads.
• 4. Lean over to one side or the other as if there was an imaginary wall in front of you.
• 5. Don't face off square to your target. Keeping the pistol pointed downrange, square off at your adjacent neighbor's target before starting any drill. Combined with #2 or #2a this simulates traversing a wide series of targets as you shoot.

As I said this isn't the best way to train, but it's the best I've come up with to get around a range's "no rapid fire" limitation. Sound off if you have others.

[Big Frank]

My local range has a "no rapid fire" rule too so I do most of my shooting in the woods instead. I find a suitable backstop and shoot what I want as fast as I want.

[m25operator]

Robin, for a newbie, on the forum, your post was excellent, we don't all have ranges that let us do what we need to do. Public ranges are what they are, and you gave some great tips. You can also do these things at home and in the backyard, just dryfiring, just remembering, NO LIVE ammo within reach, and an empty pistol. Thanks for a well thought out post.

[alfsauve]

I try to avoid those ranges that won't let me at least rapid fire.  There's a drill I use that you can do on any range, since (unless you're one of the pros) will keep you within 1shot/sec.

Load your magazines with one round each, then fire and change magazines. 

[fullautovalmet76]

Thanks for the suggestions, Robin. I'll print this out and use it at one of the ranges I go to that has similar rules as you described.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

Thanks for the suggestions, Robin. I'll print this out and use it at one of the ranges I go to that has similar rules as you described.

Pass it around to others as well, even the Range personnel may want a copy to deflect complaints.

[fullautovalmet76]

Pass it around to others as well, even the Range personnel may want a copy to deflect complaints.

Good idea...... 

[Pepper]

Thank you Robin! That's some great input. Allready printed it out and stuffed a copy of it into my rangebag. We have horrible gunlaws here in Germany. You are not allowed to use cover, movement etc. on the range, but that will really improve my training.

[TAB]

Another great way idea is have some one else load some mags for you with a snap cap or 2.   its going to happen in comp sooner or later that you have a malfuntion. 

[twyacht]

There is one range that has a "No Rapid Fire" policy, however for stance and consistency, I use a blind figure eight.

With a target at a SD distance, (around 15 to 25 ft.) I pick up the weapon from the bench get into my shooting stance, close my eyes and fire one round. Than with eyes still closed, make a small figure 8 motion (keyword: small), recenter and fire one round.

With practice on stance and posture, arm position etc,..., the shot after the first shot are close. With practice they get closer,...

In a low/no light home SD scenario, numerous factors apply, but having the ability to place my pistol on target using form, instead of visual references counts for consistency, and of course practice, practice, practice,..

The other advice works very well, including weak hand shooting, and having the ball and dummy drill works great. Nothing like a "click" when one expects a "bang".

just my .02 cents. Welcome Robin thank you for a good post.

Tom W.