Well it finally came, submitted on Sept 30, sent back late October for not signing back of photos and only sending in one copy of fingerprints, site showed approved on Dec 11, license arrived on Dec 16. To celebrate, I purchased a Taurus 24/7 OSS .40 that I have had my eye on for some time. There are many things I like about the 24/7 series (I have a 24/7 Pro 9 that I qualified with a 96 on the range portion of the exam.) After researching holsters on this and many other sites, I have purchased a Super Tuck that will probably not arrive until after the holidays. All that is left is to prepare for the first outing. Can you say bundle of nerves?
I plan to carry on a regular basis unless restricted by the law, as a husband and Father I feel it is my responsibility to be able to protect and serve THEM above all. I am sure this is no news to anyone but the world is not getting any safer and you know the old syaing"when seconds count, help is only minutes away."
So here is my question, I go to the range at least once a month, sometimes more, I feel confident in my ability to stand at a firing line and shoot a target. So how do I transition mentally to be prepared for the worst situation? I know the use of force is the last resort, but when the time comes how do I strengthen myself mentally to perform then, when it matters most? I would do anything to protect my family from any danger, that is why I feel it is better to be prepared for anything.
Any feedback from the longtime CHLers would be appreciated.
Nobody knows how they will react ahead of time. The ony way to prepare is to train, train and then train some more. In a crisis, you will react as you have trained.
I would suggest getting some additional training such as PPIH/PHOH [Personal Protection Inside/Outside Home]. In addition to book learning about various self defense scenarios, these courses have some hands-on training where you shoot can practice. They also address emergency planning with your family and multiple BGs.
Some people dislike the "What-If" or "What Would You Do" posts on this forum, but they can be valuable, because they get you thinking about what you would/should do.
As someone else said you can never be sure what you will do if the moment arrives. But you can do a bunch of things to prepare.
First, make sure that you are willing to shoot someone who is attacking you or yours. You need to be mentally prepared to do that.
Second, use silhouette targets for practice. It may sound odd but it is supposed to desensitize you to some extent against shooting humans. It also trains you where to shoot.
Three, read. Read the scenario posts on this site and others. If you have thought about what to do in particular situations, you are more likely going to respond in that way if the situation ever occurs. Read Massad Ayoob and Chris Bird's books. They will prepare you for the aftermath of a shooting. Read Jeff Cooper's books to learn the color code. There are a number of videos in the market that can also be very helpful.
Fourth, get additional hands on training. Learn how to use cover, move and shoot, etc. If you can do force on force training you might want to try that.
Fifth, take in Charles' use of deadly force presentation if at all possible. It is excellent.
Sixth, try IDPA.
Seventh, practice, practice, practice. And do it in different forms. Dry fire regularly including drawing and moving in your dry fire practice. Get an airsoft gun and practice point shooting, shooting while moving, etc. Get a .22 so that your cost of actually firing isn't that hig.
Finally, pray that you never have to use your gun.
stroo wrote:As someone else said you can never be sure what you will do if the moment arrives. But you can do a bunch of things to prepare.
First, make sure that you are willing to shoot someone who is attacking you or yours. You need to be mentally prepared to do that.
Second, use silhouette targets for practice. It may sound odd but it is supposed to desensitize you to some extent against shooting humans. It also trains you where to shoot.
Three, read. Read the scenario posts on this site and others. If you have thought about what to do in particular situations, you are more likely going to respond in that way if the situation ever occurs. Read Massad Ayoob and Chris Bird's books. They will prepare you for the aftermath of a shooting. Read Jeff Cooper's books to learn the color code. There are a number of videos in the market that can also be very helpful.
Fourth, get additional hands on training. Learn how to use cover, move and shoot, etc. If you can do force on force training you might want to try that.
Fifth, take in Charles' use of deadly force presentation if at all possible. It is excellent.
Sixth, try IDPA.
Seventh, practice, practice, practice. And do it in different forms. Dry fire regularly including drawing and moving in your dry fire practice. Get an airsoft gun and practice point shooting, shooting while moving, etc. Get a .22 so that your cost of actually firing isn't that hig.
Finally, pray that you never have to use your gun.
Good advice.
I would add Lewis Awerbuck's "Tactical Reality" and Col. Dave Grossman's "On Combat" to the required reading list.
Last edited by Excaliber on Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
Excaliber
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." - Jeff Cooper
I am not a lawyer. Nothing in any of my posts should be construed as legal or professional advice.
Decide ahead of time what you will do in as many possible scenarios as you can think of. For example, I have already decided that if I walk in on someone leaving my house, having robbed it, I won't shoot. My life is not in danger and I can replace the proberty. If he comes back in for more, he's in big trouble.
In addition to the good advice above, I recommend that you take a look at a list of Massad Ayoob's books and select a few related to combat situations and preparedness.
I don't think the area of mental preparation gets enough emphasis...seems like most of the attention is directed to the techniques of shooting and putting holes in paper. I don't think this can be minimized at all, but there is another important element too...it's right between our ears, and most of us don't know how that thing we call our brain will react in a bad situation. I go to the range regularly, and would like to think I'm a decent shot. The question is, would I also be ready in an adrenaline-pumping situation?
I couple of years ago I pulled up behind a Geo Tracker that was on fire...all of the flames were shooting out from under the hood, and it wasn't going to be long before the whole thing went up. Anyway, I quickly got out to retrieve my fire extinguisher from of my truck's toolbox (it uses the same key as the ignition). It was almost like a dream, as the adrenaline pumped away. My hands were shaking as I fumbled with the key, forcing it into the lock. I eventually got it open, and with the help of another passer-by, put out the fire. I ended up bending the key badly and almost messed up the lock. Know what that taught me? I was mentally unprepared for the adrenaline. If I would have calmed down, thought methodically, and maintained a clear head, I would have gotten the fire extinguisher out quicker AND not messed up my key. I learned a lot that day about the effect of the brain on the body. And in this case, I wasn't even in danger (well, some, but you get the idea)! Now, translate this to a situation where I draw my weapon and I'm so rattled I can't find the safety! It wouldn't matter if I'm the best shooter in the world, I would lose!
To sum it all up, you need the 360 approach. Go to the range, become a good shot, work on your techniques, but also get the mind prepared for anything. This way, if anything unfortunate happens, you'll be prepared inside and out, and you won't "bend your key in the lock". Ayoob has written many books that will address both sides of the preparedness equation.
brewster wrote:In addition to the good advice above, I recommend that you take a look at a list of Massad Ayoob's books and select a few related to combat situations and preparedness.
I don't think the area of mental preparation gets enough emphasis...seems like most of the attention is directed to the techniques of shooting and putting holes in paper. I don't think this can be minimized at all, but there is another important element too...it's right between our ears, and most of us don't know how that thing we call our brain will react in a bad situation. I go to the range regularly, and would like to think I'm a decent shot. The question is, would I also be ready in an adrenaline-pumping situation?
I couple of years ago I pulled up behind a Geo Tracker that was on fire...all of the flames were shooting out from under the hood, and it wasn't going to be long before the whole thing went up. Anyway, I quickly got out to retrieve my fire extinguisher from of my truck's toolbox (it uses the same key as the ignition). It was almost like a dream, as the adrenaline pumped away. My hands were shaking as I fumbled with the key, forcing it into the lock. I eventually got it open, and with the help of another passer-by, put out the fire. I ended up bending the key badly and almost messed up the lock. Know what that taught me? I was mentally unprepared for the adrenaline. If I would have calmed down, thought methodically, and maintained a clear head, I would have gotten the fire extinguisher out quicker AND not messed up my key. I learned a lot that day about the effect of the brain on the body. And in this case, I wasn't even in danger (well, some, but you get the idea)! Now, translate this to a situation where I draw my weapon and I'm so rattled I can't find the safety! It wouldn't matter if I'm the best shooter in the world, I would lose!
To sum it all up, you need the 360 approach. Go to the range, become a good shot, work on your techniques, but also get the mind prepared for anything. This way, if anything unfortunate happens, you'll be prepared inside and out, and you won't "bend your key in the lock". Ayoob has written many books that will address both sides of the preparedness equation.
This post is an excellent illustration of the lower end effects of extreme stress.
Col Dave Grossman's book "On Combat" goes into these effects in detail, and explains the secret of how to control the effects by keeping your heart rate within the optimal performance range with breathing techniques. It's critical info, and it works.
Excaliber
"An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it." - Jeff Cooper
I am not a lawyer. Nothing in any of my posts should be construed as legal or professional advice.
Stress training and many unknown senarios .... We just never know how we will act !
I spent a year in the Airborne Infantry RVN 1966-1967 .. !/12 Airborne Inf. 1st BDE. 1st Cav. as a radio man .....
Even to this day ... with all that training ....?!? I still wonder how I will react to an unforseen situation !
Mac
.45mac.40 wrote:I still wonder how I will react to an unforseen situation !
Mac
Great point, I wonder the same thing about myself. I can only hope that if a bad situation ever occurs, I will be capable of handling the situation. Don't get me wrong, I don't doubt myself, but I don't have a crystal ball either...
Hopefully this isn't considered a thread hijack, but it is related to the topic. Two questions for everyone:
1. Do you think that "practice" is emphasized to the point where it's not in balanced with mental preperation?
2. If you had to choose, would you rather be a great shot at the range but cursed with great jitters, or someone who is cool as a cucumber with limited practice with their weapon (but competent with it) ?
I don't claim to know the answer to either question; I'd care to know the input of others. I tend to think we should strive for both, so we don't have to settle for one or the other.
