When it comes to training with our firearms a lot of you have got it all wrong. We are not talking about the gear you own (that is a discussion for a different day). We are talking about how you spend your time at the range, and what skills you are practicing. We are going to walk you through the Top 5 things you might be doing wrong, and how you can change that to make yourself a better shooter. Let’s dive in!

The error many people are doing is shooting stationary, statically; with no movement at all. You are not a tree or a glacier, get on the move! Most all forms of application when it comes to shooting are dynamic. Do you find yourself in a self-defense situation? You will be shooting on the move or from cover. Are you competing? You will be shooting on the move or from behind barricades. Are you hunting wild game? You will be shooting at moving targets. So, all the static, boring, stationary shooting you’re doing needs to change. Get on the move, raise your heart rate, and challenge yourself.

Next, you need to actually do some dry fire. People constantly talk about it, but no one does it. Dry fire can make you pull the trigger faster, more cleanly, and consistently. It is making a mind-body connection between the proprioceptive portion of your finger (the pad of your finger physically touching the trigger), and your mind. Dry fire is also free. You aren’t burning through live ammo and precious dollars.

Thirdly, you need to stop mag dumping at the range. Ammunition is only getting more expensive, and increasingly difficult to find, order, and/or buy. You don’t need any more Instagram clout (you’re already cool, bro). So, stop it with the mag dumps and try to practice a skill while you’re on the range.

Also, you need to try and train through malfunctions. Bring some dummy rounds to the range and get intimately familiar with clearing a malfunction. Racking your slide, doing press checks, getting bad ammo out, and good ammo in so you can stay in the fight or continue to compete. Whatever the scenario might dictate.

Finally, go do a competition with zero expectations. Treat it simply as more training. Most of us don’t pay our rent or mortgage with our shooting ability, so enjoy yourself. Even if you show up at a USPSA, IDPA, or some kind of shooting event and you are totally chill, the moment a timer goes off it is going to spike your heart rate, adrenaline, and get you excited. This energy dump is similar to what happens when you have to defend yourself. It is hard to replicate, but competition can do that. And the more inoculated to stress you are, the better you will become as a shooter when under duress.

In the end, make sure to get out there training, honing your craft, getting reps with your firearms, and likely Tyrant can help you along the way with some rad accessories. Until next time, continually check out our blog, join our newsletter, and watch the website for new and exciting updates! As always, let us know all your thoughts in the comments below. We love it when you participate in our articles and keep the conversation going!