I mean really. How do you get better? Sure you can take classes and such and hope a professional instructor knows what they are doing and can take you to the next level, but that may not work. There are a plethora of DVDs out there. Some might even be good, and useful. These things cost money, of various volumes. If money was no object I'd take a tour of all the shooting schools I could find, asking for the One on One instruction.
Practice practice practice is another way. It's essentially the method I am pursuing. Of course, I'd prefer to do it 3 times a week, but that is expensive too. Even if I did go that often, how do I know I'm not just reinforcing bad habits?
You could luck out and have a buddy that is an expert firearms instructor and is eager to coach you for free. That'd be nice. It'd be nice if it rained jelly-beans over my house, too.
There is free tips on the internet, but I worry I may be getting what I pay for in a lot of situations.
I need instruction material recommendations. Books, DVDs, Classes, websites. Of the 4 people that regularly read this blawg, does anyone have any recommendations?
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I guess the first question is are you looking for marksmanship training or practical training?
By your post, I'm thinking that you were primarily talking about marksmanship training.
You can get practical training from places like Front Sight
But they'll cost you.
For marksmanship training, here is a web site with some excellent information: Fred's Rifleman's Pages.
Also, the Civilian Marksmanship Program web site has a lot of good information to pore through.
For a clinic, the Revolutionary War Veteran's Association hosts what they call the Appleseed Project (Fred of Fred's Rifleman's Pages is somehow affiliated with them). They hold clinics at various times of the year throughout the country. I've never done it but I intend to do so someday. I've heard VERY good things about it.
But the best way (IMHO) to get quality instruction on the cheap is to participate in competitions.
Most High Powered Rifle competitors are more than happy to share their expertise and experience with new shooters. You'll naturally be teamed up with other shooters at a firing position and you can learn from them in a real life setting (some of these people are SCARY good...they simply do.not.miss). The CMP hosts several matches every year across the country and many local ranges and clubs host open matches from time to time. Entry fees are generally very reasonable and many matches conduct a clinic for new shooters before the event.
The best way to become a good rifleman is to shoot. A lot. Correctly. And Accurately. The best way to learn how to do that is from the people who know how and do it on a regular basis.
For what it's worth.
Practice.
Study. (books, internet)
Practice.
Take a class.
Practice.
Practice indoors.
Practice outdoors.
...in the rain.
...in the dark.
...with your off hand.
...standing, sitting,laying.
Repeat.
Yeah. Practice. I intend to do that. Even if it beggars me. But.
Places to practive are limiting. Clark Bros range only lets you shoot while sitting at their bench. This is fine, but no off hand practice to be had,
Indoor ranges (Gilbert, NRA, Blue Ridge) are limiting too, as it is standing at a bench in a booth, no movement. No draw. It's pretty much the same at each, and they are great for what they are.
At all these places I can practice with a firearm until its operation can be done in my sleep, then if I ever NEEDED to use my shooting skills I'd have to sit at a picnic table for my rifle or stand at a counter, full on to my assailant, and fire standing up with a pistol.
No realism.
And no one there to give me a clue that I am adopting a bad habit. I hope to catch the bad habits with introspection, but that's no guarantee.
A wise man once told me "Practice doesn't make perfect, PERFECT practice makes perfect."
You're absolutely right about bad habits. If you don't know any better and make them habitual, you'll have a very hard time breaking yourself of them.
Thanks for the good gouge, Chief.
Ensign Bolt, USN (ret)
Just to let you know, NRA does permit draw and dynamic position changes in the booth. The only rule is the draw must come from a hip holster and be "up and out". No crossdraw or anything that would cause the muzzle to sweep outside the firing line.
You are allowed to draw from a standing position at rest, shoot, drop to one knee, reload and continue shooting. Or drop to a knee in response to a simulated threat and draw from that position.
Never had a problem at NRA with that. Only issue they ever cited was making sure the muzzle wasn't sweeping the neighbors.
If you are looking for practical instruction (e.g. drawing from a prone position), you'll need either private land of your own to practice on or seek out practical instruction.
Marksmanship under controlled circumstances are easier. All depends on your level of range access.
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