Most people I encounter whether in classes or competition tend to have a mindset towards either defensive/tactical shooting or a Performance/competition type shooting. It’s unfortunate that some have such closed minded views in the shooting community. There is a vast amount of knowledge that comes from all sides. I understand the separation because one is a game and the other is the defense of life. So, why can’t we train both ways? Why is there a separation, aren’t they both shooting?
Part 1: Which is better?
Personally I put the two in the blender (that is in my head) and turn that bad boy on. I grew up shooting with my grandfather just target shooting which technically doesn’t even fall into either of these categories. Then, I joined the military and learned the defensive/offensive or tactical side of shooting and quickly noticed it wasn’t enough. So, I searched for a place where I could learn more and make me a better shooter.
Oddly enough it was in the competition shooting world. So, I began with International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) competitions because they appealed to my “Self-defense” practice. Which is how I justified it. With no prior knowledge of competitive shooting, I quickly noticed that the defensive style of shooting I was taught was too slow and antiquated. Then I came across Frank Proctor from Way of the Gun. He opened up my eyes to the benefits of performance shooting and how it could make me a better defensive shooter. That’s when I started to look at it as a sort of gym session.
For example, when you go to the gym you work different muscle groups for your overall fitness and well-being. The same mindset can be put into competition. Each stage has a different set up. Some force you to go slower working on fundamentals such as one handed shooting and a myriad of different smaller skills to complete a stage which is similar to doing a set in a good circuit workout. Then on to your next stage or set.
I then started shooting United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) and really honed my speed and efficiency to the point where I was teaching to my fellow Rangers my blended ways and using those skills in a more realistic environment. In the past year, I have been going to Aaron Cowan from Sage Dynamics to train on the defensive side of shooting and mindset.
I quickly saw that he and I shared many of the same thoughts on incapacitating threats and was very happy to learn more from a very knowledgeable person. I have found that blending my Combat, Competitive, and Defensive shooting experience has served me well in many ways including raised my level of training and knowledge over the years.
by TheArmsGuide.com
