Have we been training incorrectly? Incorporating certain illogical concepts into the finite reality of the “square range” and if we have, should we change it? This question comes up, from time to time, and it did after I wrote The Carry Reload in early 2017. There was a lot of research that needed to be done, so I sought out people who I knew had the experience I was looking to reference, to contrast against my own, and I wanted to get other information from various sources because I wanted this to be as unbiased as possible, I wanted the facts to lead me. The problem which we are constantly plagued with in the training industry is that we try to reinvent the wheel, we try to stick to the known, friendly and acceptable methods of instruction. The issue which comes out of this type of dogmatic training paradigm is that we find ourselves repeating drills based on nothing more than perceived need of doing so, or attempting to achieve some sort of status. Reloading is one those aspects of various drills which a lot of instructors incorporate in their coursework, and it should be, but should it be regarded to at such a high level as to completely detach itself from the requirements of reality?
Great article. I remember when you sent out the email asking for civilian reload research. Several instructors I’ve worked with have stressed similar points. Most of them have hammered home the need to top off after every engagement or event so you should virtually never be caught in a slide lock situation.
Nicely written article. To me it puts a lot of things into perspective based on real world data.
Though I am not a BTDT guy, I have seen the videos such as that of TRex arms and really wonder what the real world need for training like that is. I think you nailed it, seems more like marekting and entertainment than real value.
Even when I shoot IDPA, I ask myself how valid this type of gaming/training is, but it does instill a few thing; draw from concealment, vital area shot placement and use of cover and concealment. Sure there is a reload in there and that helpws with the fine motor skills of a reload in the case it would ever actually be needed. What I despise is that i have to download my mags to 10 rounds. If IDPA is trying to simulate potential real world situations, then let me load my mag to capacity. If it is to support “rules” for states that are limited, then on a state level they should allow what is allowed.
Topping off, and/or having the ability to sustain a deadly force confrontation past your in-gun capacity is an important concept to develop. It is really needs to be something people accept as a fact of carrying.
Thanks for reading.
I do not want to turn this into a discussion about competition issues, or the like, I will just say the following on the matter and you can figure out your own personal take on the subject.
Gaming/competition is not training, it never was, it is not, and it should never be considered training. It is a game, with no consequences. Training for reality requires there be “skin in the game” because of the nature of the deadly force confrontations which we know exist and occur. If you like to play games, then do your thing, but do not for a split second be of the mind that gaming is in any way training for reality.
Training for reality is training for reality. Discrimination of targets, no mag limits, unknown circumstances, force on force, etc. Those are all things training for reality should cover. Actual accurate and precise shooting skills can be obtained outside of gaming, it takes time and dedication.
Speaking as an instructor, that picture shows a guy with no muzzle discipline. Makes his T shirt into a punchline, he’s lacking the single most important safety skill.
There is a very specific reason to reload like that, in that particular arm setup. IF you think that’s improper in any way, I HIGHLY recommend you do some professional development.
The way I see it, “warrior games” have been around for millennia. Im not really a big student of history, but we all know the Greeks and Romans used games to build warrior skills, as did most tribes throughout the world. Competition has always been the “safe” way to judge/gauge skills, be they endurance, strength, hand to hand combat, agility, weapon craft, problem solving, etc. The Romans used the Gladiator games. Greeks created the Olympics.
I’m not insinuating the current firearms competitions are reality scenario based, nor am I judging training quality in relation to real world situations. But there is definately skill building going on, good or bad. Assuming you are properly and correctly applying good techniques, dry fire is better than not dry firing…live fire square range is better than dry fire…moving/shooting is better than square range…force on force simunitions is better than moving/shooting…surviving a gunfight is best experience…
We’ve all heard the saying “practice makes perfect” and then the closer to reality version “practice makes permanent”. All firearms training is simply preparing for a chaotic event none of us really want to happen and all wish to survive from…
Just my perspective from a guy whose never BTDT…but read lots of accounts about those that have…
Another option would be for him to learn basic skills, including reloading while keeping his muzzle pointed in a direction such that in the event of a negligent discharge the bullet won’t clear the berm.
You can rationalize it all you want; an unsafe act remains unsafe.
There’s no question about whether it’s improper. The picture provides all the data needed to DQ him on the spot.
I liked hearing that people came back from Iraq and Afghanistan and said the NTC was harder. That’s the way to train.
You’ll follow your training. (Which is yet another point against the picture.)
Are you serious? At no time ever have I ever been instructed to reload in relation to a berm, in competition or otherwise. You sir are making Vmans point for him. Seriously take sometime and see bill rapier, Jared reston, kd4, buck doyle or numerous other well vetted instructors.
I was just watching this for entertainment, but now I have to chime in.
There nothing unsafe about the reload in that picture. Trigger finger clearly off the trigger. While it may be ideal to keep muzzle below the top of the backstop it’s pretty impractical.
Not sure what game your playing where you can DQ someone for that. Maybe a particular range or club rule but that’s not a USPSA DQ. I haven’t shot IDPA in a few years so I won’t speak to that. Now if a shooter sends one over the berm and they’re going home for sure.
There needs to be a perspective of the situation and event. I used to do A LOT of gaming and have shot matches at clubs that you would get DQed for a reload as pictured, no arguement. With that said I’m no expert and mean no disrespect but let me ask you this… what direction would you prefer the muzzle be, say you’re out in public caught up in an active shooter event and have people running all around you? Muzzle up would be the only safe option. Home invasion and your down stairs with the intruder and your kids are upstairs, muzzle up then becomes a no go. Working problems in a 360 degree environment differs from working problems in a shooting bay.
I think the article is a good reality check overall.
It makes one consider their purpose - are you training for ccw or competition?
The 1-reload-1 drill is an isolation drill to measure your performance. It may not be very applicable to ccw, but is huge in competition.
Your article seems to suggest Lucas speeds up his videos. I see this claimed a lot but have not seen evidence of it. On the contrary, the guy has competed and performed at a level consistent with what he displays on his IG page fwiw.
I know other personalities have been caught doing it, though.
Please, seek out competent instructors to help you figure out what works, doesn’t work and why.
Square range tactics and concepts have no place in reality.
“Isolation drill to measure your performance” - in a vacuum? Real world performance cannot, and should never be, measured in a vacuum. That’s how you develop false training paradigms.
I mentioned the holster and posted his video because he’s the progenitor of that holster type concept. I don’t care for anyone who carries with that holster as they are lacking real world experience and understanding of how real life violence occurs. I don’t care what he does or does not do, nor what anyone who supports him or does anything like him or the like, I don’t care about it beyond to point out its logical fallacies.
I mean…there’s a Marine who used to be on this board who many of us know personally who is in a wheelchair for the rest of his life at least partially because of a slow reload.
Is there more to fighting than shooting? Obviously. But…when it comes to the actual mechanics of shooting this disregard for competition is foolhardy and often strikes me as based in less reality than any stage ever was.
Compete. It’s okay to get humbled by people that are “gaming”. Chances are they’re just better with a gun and we might learn something from them. And maybe they’d learn something from you on how to defend themselves with a gun.
I agree with this statement. I have been pretty much saying the same thing since the late 1970’s. Keep your ego out of the equation and work toward your own goals.
Regarding the bold: this is where we disagree/misunderstand. I agree the 1-r-1 should not be training, its a method of measurement. You need to measure stuff isolated to get real, scientific data.
Edit: I guess taking your article as only referring to ccw and leo (in a vaccum away from competition), yes, practicing reloads at all is pretty pointless. However, other metrics such as speed and accuracy are also measured in various drills, some of which are isolated- like an untimed b-8 at 25yds, or practicing sight tracking/recoil management while shooting at a berm.
How do you propose one measures his performance to track improvement?
