Tips, tricks and training RSS

A draw stroke should be consistent and efficient. Speed will follow.

Eliminate excess movement: head bobbing, ducking, turtling, crouching, wild limb flailing, and any other extraneous body movement that doesn't contribute to actually producing the weapon.

Check the draws from this training session: the only thing moving is the hands and arms. #SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

Staying target-focused when shooting handguns can be a real challenge. Especially when the target lacks a clear aiming reference.

A simple piece of masking tape in the middle of your target can make a great visual training tool for learning to stay target-focused.

Stare just at the tape and let your dot sit below it if you are having trouble with your eyes changing focus to the dot.

#SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

If your support hand is not preoccupied with something else then it should be in a spot active ready to do something. For example, if you are drawing your gun, then put it to your chest/body in a position ready to be placed on the gun. It should not just be dangling around doing nothing. Put it to work. This will make your draw quicker and more repeatable and also prevent you from flagging yourself. #SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

Grip has been an emphasis in training lately. One element we've been incorporating is removing the slide to get a better visual of where hands are placed on the frame.

We've seen some success with this in basic handgun classes for new students. It simplifies what's going on for the student, removes visual obstructions, and gives them a clearer picture of hand placement.

Give it a try next time you're focusing on grip or training someone new and let us know how it works.

#SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

We can't say this enough: practice your draw from every carry condition and situation and always consider what you need to overcome to draw your weapon - clothing, seatbelt, bag etc.

#SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

Carrying a gun with an empty chamber can be a polarising topic.

The IDF has long followed this tradition while most of the world has chosen to carry with a round ready to go, "one-up".

The way we look at it is simple - practice whatever carry condition you choose. The IDF have proven that they can be fast, efficient and effective in their designated carry position through training. If you are not comfortable carrying "one-up" then don't but don't be complacent with your training. Make sure that you can draw and manipulate the firearm in YOUR chose carry condition regardless of what that is.

#SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

Often, the new gun buyer will start their journey by purchasing a gun they think looks cool or they heard performs well only to scour the internet for attachments or holsters to go with it.

Given the timeline to licence a gun in South Africa we always suggest the old motto "buy once cry once". Sometimes it's cheaper to spend more upfront than to have to purchase again in the future. The other important thing to remember is cost (and availability) of critical spares and components: magazines, holsters, sights etc.

#SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

When choosing a weapon light it's not always about the biggest and brightest light you are willing to carry.

Remember that for most people they are only needing to identify an immediate threat INSIDE their property. Always consider your application, need and use case before making a purchase. Think about the "throw" of the light - how far will your potential threat be? Consider the "spill" of the light - how large / broad a light do you need to cast to illuminate your surroundings? And ALWAYS consider reflection - light walls and shiny surfaces will reflect the light right back at you, so as with anything - practice dry! Do dry fire drills in your house to identify obstacles and objects to make yourself aware and keep yourself sharp.

#SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

Weapon Mounted Lights (WML) have their place and we support them, but a handheld light is an EDC essential in our opinion. Even the best WML doesn't replace a handheld. You don't want to have to point a gun at something to identify it... a good torch is a non negotiable in any EDC setup.

#SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

If a carry gun modification is not well tested, a failure could be catastrophic.

Modifying or replacing your trigger with subpar components can lead to a failure to fire or your pistol going full-auto.

A trigger upgrade is a reasonable mod to make but it needs to be done correctly and with ample testing before using it in your carry gun. #SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

There are lots of options when it comes to how you carry a handgun and they all have their pros and cons.

What works for one does not work for all. Be prepared to make mistakes along the way as you figure out what holster, position and carry method works for you.

SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

Stippling your carry gun can help give you a more secure grip in recoil.

Done wrong, it could also make your gun almost unshootable in high round counts.

There are a few places on your grip you actually want to smooth out such as the back and sides of the tang and under your trigger well.

For the newer shooter, we recommend putting a few thousand rounds through your gun before making this modification.
#SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

You can't hit what you can't see.

Weapon mounted lights are critical for ALL self defence weapons. Remember that you will need to have a holster that is compatible with your specific weapon mounted light, so take this into consideration when purchasing. Another thing to think about is the ability to replace a battery rather than recharge one. You never know what the situation may bring, and its always easier to replace a battery in a limited time than to wait for a battery to recharge...

#SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

If you're running iron sights on your carry gun they need to be simple and strong.

No distracting pictures, excessive dots, or weird pictures.

If you do have a dot, we suggest a tritium vial or fiber optic rod on the front sight only.

Both sights should be made of metal for one-handed racking if needed.

#SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

Flared Magwells are great on duty or competition guns.

Unfortunately, they're terrible for concealment.

They add length & width to the very place that is often the most difficult to conceal.

#SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

Occluding the dot doesn’t force you to target focus, it just shows you whether you are or not.

Chasing the dot is an incredibly difficult habit to break. There's this big, glowing red orb bouncing around your field of vision and your eyes want to chase it down. Occluding the dot is a great diagnostic tool and one we return to frequently.

A common issue in training almost any skill is simply not being aware of what you're doing. We all like to think we're doing the correct thing, that we're above average, and of course we wouldn't make *that* dumb mistake.

But progression in any skill requires the humility to check yourself. It's a mindset. You don't need to be crippled with insecurity or constant self doubt, but you should be willing to routinely check and verify that you're doing what you think you're doing.

Don't trust your gut blindly. Don't assume you are correct. Check, verify, diagnose. #SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

Red dots on a carry gun: when concealment is the priority, the smaller the red dot, the better.

A red dot that is approximately the width of the slide is optimal.

On a duty gun or open carry, a larger dot and larger window is better. #SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

Zeroing a red dot isn't as hard as we often make it.

Shoot 4-5 round groups. It's not a rifle so a few extra rounds will give you a better idea of where your dot is aimed. Draw a dot where the approximate center of the group is.

Do the math on paper (or the target) not in your head. Much frustration can be avoided by getting the adjustments right the first time.

Make exact adjustments from where you're hitting (the dot you drew on the target) to exactly where you're aiming. A drawn dot or contrasting paster can give a precise aiming point and reference point for measuring how far off you are.

We have limited time and ammo to spend on getting a pistol sighted in, so make it count. #SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

When installing optics on pistols, rifles, etc. you want to know that your screws aren't loosening on you.

A paint pen of some kind has been used for a long time to give you a visual reference to see if the screws are still where you put them.

Torque your screws according to the manufacturers specifications then use a paint pen on the edge of the screw to mark alignment. #SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

One should generally not draw a gun into an entanglement until proper position and control is established.

The right answer almost always is to get the person off the gun and not draw it from the holster while the attacker has his hands on it.

However, if you have to draw your gun, don't get stuck thinking the only way out is to pull up harder than your opponent is pushing down.

If needed, dropping your hips to draw, is a thing.
#SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence

Colder weather usually means bulky layers.

These are not ideal for drawing in tight spaces.

To make your gun more accessible, make it a habit to prep your clothing as you sit in the car. You might unzip some layers or ensure the seat belt is not pinning some of your clothing down. #SelfDefence #Firearm #FirearmTraining #GunLicence #FirearmLicence