While I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions, I do like to set goals, and what a better time to set new goals than in the first month of a new year. Setting goals helps keep you productive, and when those goals revolve around concealed carry training, you’re focusing on something that really matters for your safety and the safety of the people you love.
I’ve broken it down into five things to focus on this year to keep you shooting straight.
1. MORE DRY-FIRE TRAINING
What better time of the year to commit to more dry-fire training than winter when most of the country is frozen (unless you’re fortunate enough to live where your face doesn’t freeze in the winter)? There’s a lot to be said for the benefits of year-round dry firing, but in the winter, when we don’t get to the range as often, it’s especially important.
It’s terrific for correcting bad habits that you might have developed over the past year (shooting low and left, anyone?). It’s also been proven to speed up target acquisition and improve your muscle memory on your draw. Plus, it also saves you a TON of money on ammunition because you’re not actually shooting.
And the best part? It can be done anytime, anywhere, day or night. Make sure you’re working on drawing from the holster with the clothing you wear every day, like winter coats, hoodies, etc. You’ll have to clear your cover garment before you draw your gun, and practicing that at home during dry-fire practice will make you faster and safer when seconds count.
2. IMPROVE YOUR FITNESS
Let’s face it, we’re not getting any younger. Getting into better shape isn’t just good for our shooting, it’s good for our all-around well-being. Have you ever really thought about how your fitness affects your shooting though? Arm strength, core strength, and cardio are all big parts of shooting (especially if you need to move and shoot under stress).
There are quite a few exercises that are perfect for shooters. Arm and grip strength are the obvious ones, but core work like planking and cardio exercises will have positive impacts on your shooting. Don’t discount other forms of exercise either, like yoga and Pilates. Both are excellent for arm and core strength, and both are excellent ways to learn to control your breathing, which, as you know, is an important part of shooting.
3. REORGANIZE YOUR RANGE BAG
Nothing wastes more time at the range than rummaging around your bag trying to find something you need before you can get started. Maybe it’s your stapler, a push rod, or something much more important like first aid supplies. Do yourself a favor and just dump your bag out. All of it.
Take it all out, re-evaluate what you really need, and organize it! It’s also a great time to check expiration dates on any first aid supplies, food, medicine, or other perishables you may keep on hand for range trips. You’ll be more efficient at the range if everything has its own place and you know where to find it. More time at the range means more shooting, right? And what better time to do it than a gloomy, snowy cold day in winter.
4. CREATE A SHOOTING JOURNAL FOR 2022
If your only plan is to send lead downrange, you’re missing out. I like to keep a shooting journal and plan out my time at the range. While I keep things flexible, I also like to keep track of which gun, which ammunition, what distance, and which targets I’m aiming at.
Writing down how large (or small) your groupings are and the details that went into them will help you improve. It will also help you learn where you need to focus more time and effort. It doesn’t have to be fancy or take up a lot of your time, but having shooting notes will help you in the long run. You can just tuck it in the side of that newly organized range bag so it’s always ready to go when you are.
5. GET TO THE RANGE MORE OFTEN
We’re all busy. I get it. And dry firing is a great way to stay in shooting shape when you can’t get to the range, but it’s not a substitute for actually shooting. You’ve got to commit to hitting the range more than you did in 2021.
The ammo prices are coming down and reloading supplies are coming back in stock, so this should be the year we can get back to it. If you shoot indoors, you can get on that right now. If your range is outdoors, you may want to wait until the weather warms up a little before getting out there, but don’t. You have to train in all types of weather and situations.
If something happens and you need to draw to defend yourself, you won’t be able to plan for a nice, warm sunny day. Bad stuff happens on cold, snowy, rainy days just as often as it does when it’s nice out. Commit to training in the rain, you’ll be surprised how your grip changes because your hands are wet. You just may need to know what that feels like someday, so learn it on your own terms, not someone else’s.
Wishing you all the best in 2022. Now get out there and get shooting.
