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Where do you fall on the hierarchy of tactical shooters?

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:35 pm
by Paladin
A thought provoking article:

http://www.handgunsmag.com/tactics_trai ... index.html

"Everyone with a concealed carry permit would like to believe they're ready should they ever have to use their gun in self-defense. ... Can we set up a system to estimate, all else being equal, just how prepared we might be to defend ourselves should we ever wind up in a gunfight? I think so, and I call the resulting system the Hierarchy of Tactical Shooters. It breaks down into five levels, and from lowest to highest they are as follows."

"Level 1: Shooters Who Don't Shoot" ...

"Level 2: Shooters Who Practice On Standard Ranges" ...

"Level 3: Shooters Who Attend Training Classes" ...

"Level 4: Match Shooters" ...

"Level 5: Shooters Who've Been In Gunfights" ...

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:16 pm
by Glockamolie
I'm a 2.5 - mostly shoot on standard ranges, but had quite a bit of training. Unfortunately, most of it was a dozen years ago.

Re: Where do you fall on the hierarchy of tactical shooters?

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 5:25 pm
by txinvestigator
Paladin wrote:A thought provoking article:

http://www.handgunsmag.com/tactics_trai ... index.html

"Everyone with a concealed carry permit would like to believe they're ready should they ever have to use their gun in self-defense. ... Can we set up a system to estimate, all else being equal, just how prepared we might be to defend ourselves should we ever wind up in a gunfight? I think so, and I call the resulting system the Hierarchy of Tactical Shooters. It breaks down into five levels, and from lowest to highest they are as follows."

"Level 1: Shooters Who Don't Shoot" ...

"Level 2: Shooters Who Practice On Standard Ranges" ...

"Level 3: Shooters Who Attend Training Classes" ...

"Level 4: Match Shooters" ...

"Level 5: Shooters Who've Been In Gunfights" ...
I've seen a few match shooters fall apart in tactical classes. I have been told of guys who attend lots of classes not doing so well at matches.

That said, call me a 3a. I have had to draw my weapon and been in deadly force situations where tactics and plain luck kept me from having to shoot.

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:34 pm
by Kalrog
Somewhere between 2 and 4. I do both of those, but not a whole lot of matches (gotta fix that). Never been to a formal training class though.

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:49 pm
by MoJo
I guess I'm a 5 if you count some firefights in 'Nam back in the '60s.

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 9:00 pm
by jbirds1210
Mojo, I would doubt anyone would call you anything else but a 5, maybe a six because there was an entire country gunning for you!....I would definitely count that!!! Thanks for what you did over there, having studed the war a great deal I really want to say that you guys are under appreciated heroes!
Jason

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 9:45 pm
by TxFire
Unfortunately a Level 2, but I realize I NEED to upgrade.

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:26 pm
by longtooth
If we are honest w/ ourselves, we can all remember when we were at level 1. Nothing to be ashamed of Tx. Keep training.

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:35 pm
by propellerhead
Level 2 here.

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:42 pm
by Texasdoc
I guess I am a 5 as I am Medically retired LEO, the shooting got me retired at the age of 29 with me taking 2 rounds in the chest.


so I guess I am a 5



Doc

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:51 pm
by jbirds1210
I am somewhere trapped between a 2 and 3! I am hungry to learn new skills and am in the process of doing what I must to learn from people who know a bit more about "real world" shooting than I do.

I have stood in front of a target at a regular shooting range since I was about five and still find a greal deal of relaxation in it....but it is time for me to learn new skills. I do have some formal training, but realize that I have a LONG way to go before turning that training into real world skill.

I am grateful to everyone here for conditioning me to ask myself questions about how I would handle myself in certain situations. A great deal of the training occurs in our heads and not at the range.

Jason

Posted: Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:03 pm
by txinvestigator
300shooter wrote:I guess I am a 5 as I am Medically retired LEO, the shooting got me retired at the age of 29 with me taking 2 rounds in the chest.


so I guess I am a 5



Doc
God Bless you for your service.

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:40 am
by carlson1
I believe at one time I was probably up close to the 5. I am a lot like TX, I have drawn my weapon many of times as a LEO and God had another plan. I have been shot at, never hit, and never had to pull the trigger. I have only had to draw my weapon one time as a CHL and once again never had to pull the trigger. I would say now, because of health and I have not been to any type of class in 2 years. Sure do not want to think of myself more highly than I ought, but I would say about a 2.5.

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 4:12 am
by waffenmacht
I can comfortably say I am a level 3. Hope I am never a level 5....
-Bruce

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 5:41 am
by flintknapper
jbirds1210 wrote:I am grateful to everyone here for conditioning me to ask myself questions about how I would handle myself in certain situations. A great deal of the training occurs in our heads and not at the range.
Jason

Well worth posting twice.