Middle Age Russ wrote:The OP poses several really good questions we should ask ourselves (and be honest with ourselves about the answers) when training. I have neither the eyesight nor the reflexes I did when I was younger, but that simply means that my training time should be planned and focused on specific skills. In addition to the questions posed above, here are a few more to consider.
Do you carry at least one extra magazine?
Do you practice returning the gun to operation after a failure of some kind?
Do you practice drawing from concealment?
Do you practice moving and shooting? Shooting moving targets?
Do you practice using cover and/or concealment?
Do you practice decision-making (shoot / don't shoot) in some courses of fire?
Do you practice night / low-light shooting?
Do you practice drawing/engaging/failure drills using ONLY your off-hand?
Do you practice hand-to-hand skills to allow you time/distance to get to your gun if you are suddenly face-to-face with a threat? Do you have other tools / skillsets that can assist (edged tools, kubotan, pen, nail file, flashlight,...)?
There are more questions like these that can be asked, of course. The point of the questions is to start integrating specific training opportunities into a training plan to build skills that may help you prevail in a deadly force encounter.
I know that as I get older, my reflexes, physical capabilities, eyesight etc. will be in decline. I also know how quickly, any learned skill deteriorates without consistent practice. What ever time we can give to practice, is precious, and should be very focused. Also, I believe it helps greatly if you have a coach, or shooting partner who is at least as proficient, as you, preferably, more so. That way they can critique your training/practice and possibly point out things you need to improve upon.
My practices, always start out very slow and deliberate, focusing on presentation, grip, aim, consistent trigger discipline etc. I want my last drill to be my best and fastest, but, I will settle for accuracy over speed every time. I know that like anything else, I can always get better, and I'm sure that like most of us, firearms training is not something that can be done everywhere. And often takes a backseat, to other commitments in life.