Dry land training

I once had a martial arts instructor who said "...train when it's wet, train when it's dry, train when you want to and train when you don't. Just train...".

You want to be good at something, it takes time and committment. But one easy way to achieve your success is to chip away at it. Sometimes it's hard to make the big committment and go to the range for a full day. Maybe you can't even get away from the house but you still want to train.

Here's something you can do to get better right in your own home.

Dry land training (no, not working out!)

Dry land training involves training at home, doing things that don't need to be done just at the range. Working with your equipment, developing some good habits (hopefully) and working on your motor muscle memory.

Here are three things you can do to train right at home:

1.Drawing from the holster

You can get "faster" with your firearm by learning how to get on target quicker. That means getting the gun out of the holster quicker, so practice drawing. A fast draw always beats a slow one. If your gun's out fast you can get on target alot faster than the guy still fighting with his holster.

2. Magazine changes

How many times have you seen, or done, that sloppy and slow magazine change that cost you those vital few seconds? We have all been there and the only way to beat the clock, and the guy beside you, is to get better by changing mags alot. All you need is the equipment you aready have. Put in the time and you'll see the results right before your eyes.

3. Maintain your firearm

How's this training? Well for starters it is your firearm and you should be very familiar with it. How to field strip and service your firearm is crucial to its functioning when you need it most. Being able to field strip ands service quickly and efficiently becomes more important the more training you do. Also, becoming familiar with your firearm makes you more knowledgeable and able to deal with any issues that might arise when you're at the range. Regular servicing will also help you to pick out any parts that may need replacing or you may identify some issues with your firearm that only a close inspection will provide. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

So don't get frustrated when you can't get to the range, you can still train. Put in the time and you'll reap the rewards.

One more thing, remember Safety first! Adheare to the Four universal firearms rules at all times:

1. Treat every firearm as if it's loaded

2. Keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times

3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you've made a conscious decision to shoot

4 Know your target and its surroundings

...and if you are training at home be respectful of your neighbours and do your training privately. That means draw the curtains or head to the basement. Having your neighbours or passers-by see a guy in his living room drawing his handgun will end up in a unnecessary call to 911. Don't waste the time of the police, or your own.

Remember, if you want to learn the fundamentals and get it right from the beginning, you can always book Handgun Level 1 with us. Check it out under the courses tab.

Good luck and good shooting!