Sir:
For the past 12 years I have served in the US Army as an Infantryman. Two deployments to Iraq and one in Afghanistan have taught me valuable lessons that I will never forget. The biggest one being the importance of marksmanship. There is not a firearm in the word that will make up for lack of practice or being a lousy shot. Some considerations…
- While at the range do you only fire from the standing position? In a gunfight the name of the game is finding cover and concealment and returning accurate fire. Standing is almost never the best option. Practice shooting from the kneeling, prone supported, and prone unsupported positions. Reflexive firing is another useful skill if you need to make a quick shot. Reflexive firing is not looking through your sights, but down your sights. Try firing two rapid shots at a paper plate 25 meters away. This will develop muscle memory with a lot of practice and time. Use only for close range.
- Magazine change drills. This could be the difference between life and death! The more time you spend reloading your firearm is the less time you are returning fire. In a gunfight with your adrenaline pumping your hands will most likely be shaking. Practice magazine change drills often to minimize the fumbling around to get your weapon back in action.
- Immediate action drills. Try this: load a rifle or pistol magazine with a spent shell case mixed somewhere in it. Hand the firearm to someone else and have them fire. When the weapon fails to fire and just goes click, what do they do? The surprise will make most people just stare at the weapon and wonder what went wrong, instead of charging the weapon and resuming fire.
- Remedial action. When immediate action does not work you are now at the point of remedial action. Know you firearm well enough to break it down to fix any problems that may occur. It may be as simple as a double feed or as difficult as a bolt over ride.
- Know your target and what is beyond it. Let’s face it you will miss a target from time to time. To minimize collateral damage you may need to wait for a shot. Don’t shoot at something unless you absolutely must if there is something behind your target you don’t want to hit.
I hope this helps. – Bryan C.
Dear Mr. Rawles,
Thank you for your blog. I homeschool and read your blog every day for “Current Events.” I have studied both of your books, “Patriots” and ““How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It”, and I’ve learned a lot from them.
I would have to agree that you shouldn’t under estimate a pre-teen with proper firearms training. I am thirteen years old now, but started my training at nine years old when I went to my first Appleseed Shoot with my Dad. I got a “Rifleman” qualification when I was ten years old at the next Appleseed match. When I was eleven, I got my own Bushmaster AR,which I shot the full distance AQT with. I have now attended four shoots and a seven day Appleseed Boot Camp. Boot camp was very hard but I made it! We got sun burns, wind chapped, it poured rain, and it sleeted. Our guns were so muddy, we had to wash them with a hose. I was cold, wet, and tired but I loved every part of it. I would highly recommend that more kids be involved in the Appleseed Project, not only for the hands on training, but also for the fun history I’ve learned and good friends I’ve made.
Other ideas for education in this area would be to participate in a local 4H shooting sports program or Hunter’s Education. My Mom and I took Hunter’s Educatoion class together this last Spring and for my 13th birthday I got a Tikka T3 .308. It really kicks hard, so I don’t enjoy shooting it very much. I’m planning on selling it and saving for a FNAR. It would be great to have more kids being educated, because most of the time at the range, I’m the only kid there.
Here are a few things, from a kids perspective, to consider:
Safety and Respect for firearms – Safety is the most important factor – I think that the maturity level in other areas of life will let you know if a kid is ready to learn to handle a gun. There were a couple of kids in my Hunter’s Ed class that should not have any access to weapons for quite a while. Boston T. Party that parents should not let kids play with toy guns and I can understand why, but I always played with cap guns and the sort. I think that every kid will make a gun out of something; LEGO, sticks. or their fingers. So teach them young to have a healthy fear and respect for firearms.
Eye dominance – Figuring out eye dominance correctly from the start is important. I’m left handed but had trouble shooting Rifle Left handed. I shoot Rifle right handed right eyed and Pistol Left handed Left eyed.
Proper gear sizing – Having your gear sized properly is also really important. A shortened stock is very helpful as well as a good fitting sling. Cabela’s has a good selection of junior- sized ear and eye protection. If you’re not struggling with poorly-fitted equipment, it’s easier to focus on hitting the target.
Indoor practice – I dry fire when we can’t get to the range. As for pistol, I shoot a Glock Model 23 and have had a few tactical pistol lessons. I don’t dry fire as much as I should, but I think that it helps to make the motions an automatic reaction. Airsoft is also an awesome invention. The guns are correctly sized and most are fairly accurate.
Family involvement – Shooting is also a great thing to do as a family. We all shoot in my family except my three year old Brother, but he still goes to the range with us and has his own “ears and eyes.” My Grandpa and I love to re-load together. We’re both learning. I think it’s important to know how every part of the bullet works and how different loads change your results on the target. We read a lot in our family and some of my favorites are Boston’s Gun Bible, Army field manuals, the “Enemies Trilogy” by Matthew Bracken that my folks read aloud and edit out the bad stuff, and many other survival and self sufficient books.
I may not be an adult, but I know that I’m an important part of our group. My Dad and Mom know that I’ve got their back and they can trust me to be safe, calm, and accurate. Because of my training and many hours of practice, I may be an unexpected force to be reckoned with. Thanks – “Teacher’s Pet” in Montana
Mr Rawles,
I have read your blog off and on for a while. I am just getting settled in to living as a civilian and living in the U.S. I spent 13 years overseas. I thought I would pass this link on, about a five year old who defended his life against an alligator just north of Houston. It is never too early to teach gun safety and proper shooting techniques to your kids. Respectfully – E.F.