Firearms training at the range generally focuses on basic skills and drills that emphasize speed out the holster and accurate first shots. If that training is not followed up with realistic scenario training that incorporates shooting within the dynamics of a real world scenario, then most people will not perform in reality like they did on the range. There are many videos of actual shootings where shooters miss multiple shots at close distances even though they are masters of speed and marksmanship at the range or competitive sports.

Bottom Line: If you fail to practice shooting under the stress of realistic scenarios, your marksmanship will fail you.

Just because they go down doesn’t mean they are dead.

 Reality check: An FBI study explains, “Barring central nervous system hits, there is no physiological reason for an individual to be incapacitated by even a fatal wound, until blood loss is sufficient to drop blood pressure and/or the brain is deprived of oxygen.” If they go down, assume they are still alive. Take cover and don’t approach until you have a sufficient number of people and a plan to do so safely. When you do approach, be prepared for another fight.

Conversely, if you get shot, you are still in the fight. Don’t mentally check out and give your opponent the opportunity to finish you.

Killing a person is much harder than it looks

Reality: Internal controls are a stronger barrier to killing someone than almost any other. Those controls include your personal belief system, your experiences, your conscience, and your psychological state. A lot of people talk a good game on this one, but every person I know that has killed someone has been affected at least somewhat by it. The resource to learn more about this is Dave Grossman’s book, On Killing.

Handguns are not as effective as shoulder weapons

Reality: Your handguns are primarily defensive weapons for unexpected attacks. Shooting a person with one is much more complex and difficult than with a shoulder weapon. Therefore, anyone who can anticipate a probable lethal attack should be armed with a shoulder weapon or two!

Equipment fails

Reality: Equipment can always fail. But regular training of transition to another weapon or clearing the malfunction and staying in the fight you might just prevail.

Fight Dirty

Reality: Most of the time we are unable to pick our battlefield but the experienced warrior knows he can often buy time with deception until he has better odds of winning. When you do have time, make sure you are prepared with enough manpower and resources to overwhelm you opponent.

Violence is brutal

Reality: It doesn’t matter if the violence is utilized on behalf of justice or not, it is still brutal. That fact is not apparent in many popular movies but it is in this one. Grossman captures this truth in his Sheepdog story, which should be required reading for all warriors.

Luck

Reality: Shootings are so dynamic and complex, luck always plays a part.

Training: you will find numerous facilities that offer world class training, I have trained with many well known names in the industry, some were good some were great! It pays to ask around, most of the Hot Dog's will be exposed quickly.  Please feel free to reach out to use for additional information.

"Train to Prevail"