Training on Reactive Steel, Pt.3

Now the debate: It is my personal feeling that the combat distances we are actively engaged in are closer than seven yards (21 feet). Based on experience and statistics, we do not have time to use sights. If you understand unsighted shooting then your grip is what is most important, for your grip is what truly controls the pistol and keeps you on target. Knowing this then we can say trigger control is not the priority, but a good grip is. We still want to have good trigger control, but the stress level may drive us to slap the trigger, which will work if we have a very good grip and locked wrist on the pistol. To make a precision shot, I believe trigger control is the number one priority along with a good grip.

Please keep the following in mind:

What we bring to a fight often dictates how the fight will turn out.

Deadly force encounters need a deadly force response

Everything we have been talking about up to this point in developing the proper mind set for winning the battle on the street is critical. However, many of our fellow brothers and sisters loose the battle within. Training to survive the street and developing the winning mindset is an important part of our survival, but to really win in life and be able to develop the subconscious for survival, we must pay attention to all aspects of survival.

The risks we all face on the street are not always physical. We are confronted with moral and spiritual dangers and emotional and relational concerns. The survival mindset we develop in our professional lives needs to be in our personal lives as well.

Some of the most severe risks we face are not professional. Personal problems can overlap into our professional life and cause corruption, destroy credibility, cause legal liability, incur cost, do damage, and even cause death.

Statistics show we are more likely to kill ourselves than to be killed in the line of duty. We are more likely to experience higher divorce rate, abuse alcohol or drugs, and endure stress related disorders more than the general population.

While our work is dangerous, we have a high risk of being a victim off the street rather than on the street and at times the biggest threat we face is the one in the mirror.

We need a survival plan and a winning mindset in both our private and professional lives in order to develop the subconscious to react in a life-threatening situation.

If you examine statistics on actual shooting engagements you will see that our biggest threats are closer than seven yards. Therefore to develop survival skills and be closer than seven yards on steel targets, we need to know about the ammunition we are using.

Note: if we are using standard duty type ammo or leaded jacked on steel, we should never go closer than ten yards!

If you truly understand and test frangible ammunition to be sure it is a pulverizing powder, then I feel comfortable that you can train on steel at three yards, but it is critical you understand and test your ammo before use and check with the manufacture to be sure it is truly a bullet that will turn to a fine dust or powder when impacting on steel.

The term frangible can be misleading for all bullets can be considered frangible -meaning they will break up on a hard surface. It is how they break up that is critical. Nothing should come back at the shooter or others training on the firing line.

All ammunition being shot on steel should be tested before beginning training, especially if shooters bring their own ammo. All personnel should read and sign off on the range safety rules and steel safety rules and liability waiver (see attached). How to properly set up space and secure your steel targets is explained in the safety rules and guide.

At this point, have all personnel on the firing line put on safety equipment and have the coach/instructor check twice. Next, have each shooter load one magazine into the pistol and return to ready gun. Each shooter should be about three (3) yards from the closest steel target providing they are using what they think is frangible ammo.

The coach should position himself on the dominant side slightly back of the shooter and observe carefully for anything coming back. On command from the lead instructor, three rounds should be fired on the closest steel target. While doing this, the coach and shooters should observe carefully anything that may be coming back. If we see or feel anything, cease-fire should be called. The ammunition that caused the cease-fire should be removed from the firing line and replaced if possible. This technique should be followed on all steel targets and all ammunition that will be used.

At this point if we are satisfied we have a good frangible cartridge (nothing coming back), training can begin. Most drills we run on paper and cardboard can be conducted on steel, not an all in all, but most. The lead instructor should test all these drills and all should benefit from the drill in developing the subconscious. A timer should be used to push a stage of firing and developed the subconscious to react.

A little more on frangible ammo…you can use a frangible round with dirty primers. This ammo usually cost a little less than lead free primers. If you are shooting outdoors, dirty primers should not be a problem and may save you money, but remember you still need a bullet that pulverizes on the steel target. If you have a non-toxic environment that is totally lead-free, then lead free primers should be a must.

To assist you in your course development, go to the web and bring up ActionTarget.com Once in, go to "Law Enforcement" then "Portable Targets." Click on any portable target. Scroll down until you get to the PT course book near the bottom of that page. Once there, you will be able to download 15 combat courses that may be helpful in your program. How to conduct the course and set up the steel is explained.

Summary:

By now you should have a good feel and understanding of the benefit of steel targets in developing the subconscious.

Hopefully we know the importance of understanding fear and developing the winning mind-set in our professional and private lives.

The ammunition we need to use for up close work on steel is a pulverizing frangible bullet. (Re-read steel safety rules)

Keep in mind the biggest threat we can face is often the one in the mirror.

Train, retrain, visualize, rehearse/role play.

Remember what we bring to the fight may often dictate how the fight may turn out good luck, train hard, be safe.