Without a doubt, the most important type of training a shooter can engage in is dry fire practice. I have had students who started training with relatively little experience. However, they diligently practiced with dry fire sessions in between lessons. The students became exponentially better in a short period of time.<\/p>\n
Consider today\u2019s high cost of ammunition<\/a> and gas. Dry fire practice can cut down on spending while increasing skills \u2014 there is no downside. In this column, I will only address handguns<\/a>, but long-gun shooters can also benefit from similar exercises. It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway: Dry fire training involves working with unloaded firearms in a location where there is no live ammunition. As with all things related to firearms, safety should be paramount.<\/p>\n Start by ensuring your firearm<\/a> and magazines<\/a> (if using a pistol) are unloaded and safe. It is best when all ammunition secured in a different room. Even though we are \u201cdry firing\u201d continue to apply the \u201cTreat all guns as if they were loaded\u201d principal. In doing so, ensure you have a safe backstop. Remember, bullets go through walls, floors, and ceilings, so chose your location accordingly and always, point your firearm in a safe direction.<\/p>\n Dry fire training for the new shooter is the perfect way to develop and maintain your comfort level, skills handling, and using your firearms. It also provides an inexpensive way to focus and work on your weakest skills without the distractions of live fire at the range. With that said, here are some of the areas to focus on with your dry fire practice.<\/p>\n It is also advisable that you use dummy rounds or snap caps<\/a>. They are a great accessory and can save wear and tear on your firearms. Likewise, they may provide a visual indication that the firearm is unloaded.<\/p>\n The number one excuse I hear as to why people don\u2019t get the training\/practice they need is, \u201cI don\u2019t have time.<\/em>\u201d Well that one don\u2019t hold water when it comes to dry fire at home. You can do it almost anywhere and at any time. I personally like to practice in front of a mirror, so I can self-diagnose what I am doing. All it requires to show improvement are focused sessions of 3\u20135 minutes, 3\u20134 times a week, and you too can be Todd Jarrett\u2026 Yeah, right!<\/em><\/p>\n There are plenty of tools you can buy to help you improve your dry fire training. To be honest though, you don\u2019t need much. All you need is time, a space, your firearm, holster, dummy rounds, and magazines.<\/p>\n One of the most important things to work on during your dry fire practice session is trigger control. Remember the trigger should be gently squeezed or pressed \u2014 not jerked or pulled. Gentle pressure is applied only when the correct sight picture is achieved. Breathing must be regulated, and the breath held as pressure is applied to the trigger.<\/p>\n When the sights drift off target, pressure pauses until the correct alignment is once again established. Then, pressure is once again applied. When an additional breath is needed, the application of force to the trigger is suspended until the breath is held once again. The \u201cbreak\u201d of the trigger should come as a surprise.<\/p>\n Follow through is also important. Follow through is the act of maintaining the sight picture<\/a> and concentration during and immediately after the gun fires. Remember, only perfect practice makes perfect.<\/p>\n You should spend as much time as possible getting to know all the delicacies of your firearm\u2019s trigger. Your focus is to build the mental imagery, which is important to obtaining a good sight picture. Reenforce this with self-talk, a verbal ongoing review of the fundamentals as you execute them. Repeat the mantra, \u201cSight alignment, sight picture, trigger control, breath, follow through.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Remember to stay relaxed and calm, while maintaining maximum focus. Self-perception determines what you become. I was taught by my mentor to put a coin on the barrel of the handgun when dry firing and to press the trigger without allowing the coin to slip off the barrel. I used a dime, but any small coin should do. The exercise also helps maintain follow through.<\/p>\n Proper breathing during the trigger squeeze is very important, so start becoming aware of proper breathing. You have been breathing your entire life and no one had to tell you how to do it, so you think you know how. When shooting however, proper breathing is a little different.<\/p>\n New shooters put the pistol up to the target and notice the sights are moving as they breathe<\/a>. Common sense then tells the new shooter to hold their breath to stop the movement. That becomes the extent of his or her knowledge, so they try to hold their breath for the full string of fire. After turning blue, the shooter finds that doesn\u2019t work either. So, they hold their breath for two or three shots and then takes a quick breath between shots \u2014 not a good way to learn.<\/p>\n When you breathe, you take in oxygen and let out carbon dioxide. This process clears your mind and your vision. When you are ready to make a shot, take in a full breath and let it out, then take in another full breath and let it out to your normal respiratory pause, holding your breath as you squeeze off the shot. You are trying to get the same lung pressure every time. You must be consistent. The amount of time you hold your breath should be no more than 5 seconds. (See illustration).<\/p>\n When you put the firearm on the target and take aim, from the point you hold your breath your unsteadiness will be about 3\u20134 seconds (provided you have a good position and preform all the other techniques correctly). The firearm will settle for a period of about 4\u20135 seconds. With the proper sight alignment and trigger control, that is the period during which the shot should break.<\/p>\n Any time after that, the unsteadiness will return, and it will not settle again. You must have the courage to start the process over. Failure to do so will result in blurred vision, loss of mental concentration, and a tendency to slap the trigger.<\/p>\n During a sustained fire string, breathe between each shot. Take in a full breath and let it out, then take in a full breath and let it out just to your respiratory pause, before holding or cutting off the breath, maintaining the same lung pressure each time. Breathing is done as you are recovering from the last shot and picking up your sight alignment. Do not try to hold your breath for the entire string or for more than one shot. The result of improper breathing, particularly failing to have consistent lung pressure, is shown in the illustration.<\/p>\n Using your body\u2019s natural point of aim means you do not tense up for a shot. Relax and let your position take over. You will get far greater accuracy if this is done correctly so let me try explaining what I mean. Correct position and the natural point of aim is a subject that is often only briefly mentioned \u2014 if at all \u2014 outside of precision rifle<\/a> shooting.<\/p>\n Of course, you are told how important it is to establish your natural point of aim, but you are not told:<\/p>\n Natural point of aim is so important, it must be taught twice: once in a position class and again in an aiming class. After that, it must be reinforced. To help get a picture of the natural point of aim, imagine a spring. If you compress it, stretch it (a little), bend it to the right or left, up or down, you use a small amount of force. When you release the force, the spring will return to its natural state or position of rest.<\/p>\n![\"Ron](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Dry-Fire-Dry-Firing.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1\")
Getting Started<\/h2>\n
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Focused Training<\/h2>\n
![\"One](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.cheaperthandirt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/pennydrill.jpg?resize=600%2C400&ssl=1\")
Breathing<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nPoint of Aim<\/h2>\n
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