We all want to shoot better, but how do we get there? Here is the gear to help you on your journey.
You can’t buy performance, but you can buy gear to improve your performance. I don’t mean match grade barrels or compensators, but gear that can push your training forward. I have five pieces of gear that can make you shoot better. When I say shoot better, I mean fully encompass what it takes to shoot. This includes reloading, weapon’s manipulations, dry fire, drawing, and so much more. Let’s stop jawin’ and start going over the gear that can push your training forward.
Shoot Better with a Shot Timer
A shot timer is my number one suggestion when it comes to gear to help you shoot better. A shot timer allows you to measure your performance with drills, basic manipulations, speed, and so much more. A Shot Timer and a notebook is the perfect way to measure performance and progress. They can help you find weak points and evaluate yourself under pressure. If you buy one item off this list, make it a shot timer. I invested in one a couple of years ago, and my shooting has only improved.
Practice Reloads With A TRT Training Device
The TRT training device is one of the most affordable devices that teach you to shoot better and to manipulate your weapon better all around. These devices pin down the follower of your magazine and prevent the follower from locking your slide open. This device allows you to practice reloads without having to unload Snap Caps or deal with locked slides as you practice reloads. At the price point, they are a must-have and will push your training forward.
Work Malfunctions with Snap Caps
Snap Caps are the brand name now synonymous with dummy rounds. Snap Caps allow you to practice every basic manipulation with your handgun, from loading the magazine to ejecting and clearing the gun. They can do lots of things, and one of them is to help you perfect your ability to clear a malfunction. You can set up a malfunction with a Snap Cap and learn how to rapidly clear the weapon and get it back in action. If you want to shoot better, you have to be ready for anything.
Dry Fire With the MantisX
It’s hard to describe what the MantisX does in a single sentence. At its core, it’s a device designed to examine your performance and aid in diagnosing your flaws as you pull the trigger, reload your weapon, or even draw your weapon. The MantisX connects to the rail of your pistol and examines how you manipulate your weapon in various ways. It can aid you in becoming better at nearly every skill that comes with firearms handling. The MantisX is not a cheap piece of gear, but it will surely help you shoot better.
Draw With a Well-Made Concealed Carry Rig
There are lots and lots of holsters out there. Some good, some bad, and there are tons of different things that separate the good from the bad. From a training perspective, a good conceal carry holster will stand up to the abuse thrown at it in training. Drawing over and over and over again will wear on a weak holster. A good rig like you know, oh, a CrossBreed, will withstand the pressure put on it by the need to train become proficient in your ability to draw and engage a threat.
Gear, Gear, Gear
These are my five suggestions, which leads me to ask you what your suggestions are? Have you found gear that elevates your inherent skill, your ability to train, and your ability to improve? If so, share it below and let us know why.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine gunner who served with 2nd Bn 2nd Marines for 5 years. He deployed in 2009 to Afghanistan and again in 2011 with the 22nd MEU(SOC) during a record-setting 11 months at sea. Travis has trained with the Romanian Army, the Spanish Marines, the Emirate Marines, and the Afghan National Army.
He serves as an NRA certified pistol instructor and pursues a variety of firearms based hobbies.
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Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Travis Pike and the CrossBreed Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Very nice Post