The following article is a follow-up to Maintaining firearms proficiency during COVID-19, which was written during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when many public ranges were closed.
The current Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, 18 USC §926(c), requires officers to qualify annually. If the LEOSA Reform Act is passed, that requirement might extend to every three years in some states. However, even with an annual qualification requirement, some of you may only practice with your firearms a few times a year. Still, others may only go to the range once a year to qualify.
Most LEOSA qualifications are fairly simple affairs, usually aligned with your state’s off-duty carry qualification course of fire. Depending upon your state’s requirements, you may only shoot 20 rounds at distances from 3 to 15 yards. At the minimum distance of 3 yards, hitting a full-size silhouette in the 10-ring is almost effortless. However, as you move further back, maintaining this consistency becomes progressively more challenging. Even some expert shooters may find their accuracy starts to wane. Keeping it all in the black, especially back toward the 15-yard line, requires focus, concentration and a clear sight picture. This is the point where shooters may throw a round or two outside the center, or even into the white — or worse, completely off the paper. If you don’t regularly practice, you may qualify, but your scores and shot grouping may not be optimal.
Alternative practice options for cost-effective training
It’s said that practice makes perfect. However, to maintain or improve accuracy, practice must be regular. Ammunition, even if you reload your own, can be expensive. Add to that the time, scheduling and cost to go to the range, and it becomes even more challenging. There are other options, some expensive and others affordable, that you can use at home, in your backyard, or in your garage, which don’t require live ammo.
Full-size airsoft pistols like the Umarex Glock 19 provide the weight and feel of the actual firearm. There are also Airsoft models with the same weight and feel as the M&P, H&K, Beretta 92 and others that can cost $125 or more. Cheaper plastic models mimic the look but lack the realistic heft and feel of the more expensive models. While you don’t get the haptic feedback of the recoil, slide action, or sound from an airsoft, shooting 6mm plastic pellets at paper targets can still improve proficiency.
Dry firing your own weapon is another excellent way to practice weapons draw and trigger pull. Before using the dry fire method, ensure your weapon is completely clear and safe, with no live rounds or loaded magazines on your person, in the room, or immediately accessible. The old-school method of dry fire involved using a ferrule of the same diameter as your chamber with a length of 550 cord hanging out the side of the ejection port. This doesn’t protect the firing pin from repeated dry firing but allows for firing pin reset when racking. Dry firing can put wear and tear on your firing pin, so you should always use some sort of Snapcap. Several options are available on the market, with brands like A-Zoom, Tipton and B’s Dryfire being popular choices.
There are also more sophisticated options, such as the LaserLyte pistol, which includes models that simulate a firearm with a resetting trigger. An integrated laser projects a red laser dot onto the target with each trigger pull. You can purchase just the pistol to use with any target or opt for the Target Training system.
The DryFireMag, coupled with a laser cartridge, can enhance your dry firing experience. The DryFireMag “tricks” your pistol into a trigger reset, eliminating the need to rack your slide after every trigger pull.
Additionally, laser cartridges are available in various calibers, such as SureStrike, which project a red dot when struck by the firing pin and can be paired with an interactive electronic target.
The MantisX system is a small module that attaches to your pistol on an underframe Picatinny rail or with a provided mount. This device measures weapon movement prior to, during, and immediately following trigger pull and sends data to an app on your phone. The app generates a graphical report of your accuracy and offers corrective suggestions, such as reducing grip tension. These devices offer direct and measurable feedback, with many laser training systems on the market ranging in price from $89 to over $400 to help you hone your shooting skills.
I have the MantisX system mounted on a LaserLyte large frame pistol that I use indoors with a half-size silhouette target. A half-size target, like a B19, is the same size at 22 feet as a full-size B27E at 45 feet or 15 yards. This allows you to use it in a small space, like a basement game room or your garage. While this setup works for me, you should find the best system that suits your needs.
Building proficiency and muscle memory beyond qualification
Few of us can afford to shoot hundreds of rounds per week like when we worked for an agency or in the military. However, whenever possible, you should incorporate firearms practice into your weekly routine. This will help build muscle memory, quicken reflexes, and improve shooting skills. Qualifying is more than just putting rounds down range to get that card; it’s about building and maintaining proficiency. Although the odds as a “civilian” of needing to use a firearm for self-defense are lower now, we still want to be accurate. Your life or the life of someone you know or love might depend on it.
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