range training today

[myakka]

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took my 16 yr old son to the scout camp to run some drills today. I am posting what we did so those who know better can coach me for next time, and so those who want to can see what we did.

We have access to a boy scout camp's 25 yard range. Not much use for long range rifle shooting, but for pistol training is great. The only problem today was we had to orient everything carefully towards them berm because there were workers in the field around it. Sometimes we have it to ourselves and can be more "creative" because it is such a remote area.

First I set up 4 paper targets against the berm (about 25 yards from the platform). I also hung 5 water bottles on a wire they use for targets that runs about 15 yards from the shooting platform. The way it looked from the platform was every other "target" was a close water bottle, and in between them in your field of view was the paper targets farther away.
If you just shot from left to right you would aim at a 15yrd water bottle hung on a string, then a 25 yrd paper target, 15yd water, 25yd paper..... every other one for a total of 9 targets.

I had my son start with a 22 pistol with 1 round in the magazine. He had a second magazine in his back pocket.

So from the beginning of each series my son had to "chamber a round", aquire a target (which I pointed out), which he shot, then when the gun locked out because it was empty, he ejected the magazine, loaded the next one and re-aquired the same target for two more rounds.

We did this for three sets. I wanted him confortable finding himself having to reload and continue on a target.

Next I had him do the same with my larger pistol. for three series.

When we finished that we started playing a follow the leader game. I would shoot one of the water bottles (in random order) and when he saw it jump he would shoot it with his pistol. Worked well as long as I hit what I was aiming at LOL. I loved his reactions as he would swing from side to side to aquire the different bottle. We did this standing, and one thing I kept watching was if he shifted his stance to keep good strong posture and balance.

After that we worked with my rifles that he hadn't fired before. Just basic uses of the firearms.

Among the basics that I coached him on was how he gripped the pistols when he chambered the first round.
I had noticed he wants to hold the pistol at arms length, off hand cocks it while it is pointed down. I prefer to hold it at my chest because I find it stronger and better controlled. We experimented with his way, and I pointed out how if he wasn't careful the point dipped and it pointed close to his feet.

Also we practiced moving out from behind the shooter's platform and walking downrange while we shot.
I called out targets and my son would aquire them and shoot them.

In the future I want to go back and run these same drills, and any others you guys suggest.

[longhunter]

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Sounds like you had a great time. Reload drills are great, not enough people work on that. Would also suggest randomly loading some snap caps (dummy rounds) in there, rifle and pistol, for some malfunction practice.
I agree on not charging the pistol pointed down, I start chest level also coming over the top and pulling with the non-firing hand while pushing the pistol away with the firing hand. Much quicker, better control and already on target.
For working on speed, my kids and I love the dueling tree and to tighten up the shot groups, we'll put out small targets like charcoal briquets at various distances.

[Chefsimms]

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We shoot at golf balls the really bounce well. Sounds like you had a real good father and son day…I am jealous. May-be next time you could do a few weak hand drills. Iis always fun to bring a camera as well.

[Buggyout]

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took my 16 yr old son to the scout camp to run some drills today. I am posting what we did so those who know better can coach me for next time, and so those who want to can see what we did.

We have access to a boy scout camp's 25 yard range. Not much use for long range rifle shooting, but for pistol training is great. The only problem today was we had to orient everything carefully towards them berm because there were workers in the field around it. Sometimes we have it to ourselves and can be more "creative" because it is such a remote area.

First I set up 4 paper targets against the berm (about 25 yards from the platform). I also hung 5 water bottles on a wire they use for targets that runs about 15 yards from the shooting platform. The way it looked from the platform was every other "target" was a close water bottle, and in between them in your field of view was the paper targets farther away.
If you just shot from left to right you would aim at a 15yrd water bottle hung on a string, then a 25 yrd paper target, 15yd water, 25yd paper..... every other one for a total of 9 targets.

I had my son start with a 22 pistol with 1 round in the magazine. He had a second magazine in his back pocket.

So from the beginning of each series my son had to "chamber a round", aquire a target (which I pointed out), which he shot, then when the gun locked out because it was empty, he ejected the magazine, loaded the next one and re-aquired the same target for two more rounds.

We did this for three sets. I wanted him confortable finding himself having to reload and continue on a target.

Next I had him do the same with my larger pistol. for three series.

When we finished that we started playing a follow the leader game. I would shoot one of the water bottles (in random order) and when he saw it jump he would shoot it with his pistol. Worked well as long as I hit what I was aiming at LOL. I loved his reactions as he would swing from side to side to aquire the different bottle. We did this standing, and one thing I kept watching was if he shifted his stance to keep good strong posture and balance.

After that we worked with my rifles that he hadn't fired before. Just basic uses of the firearms.

Among the basics that I coached him on was how he gripped the pistols when he chambered the first round.
I had noticed he wants to hold the pistol at arms length, off hand cocks it while it is pointed down. I prefer to hold it at my chest because I find it stronger and better controlled. We experimented with his way, and I pointed out how if he wasn't careful the point dipped and it pointed close to his feet.

Also we practiced moving out from behind the shooter's platform and walking downrange while we shot.
I called out targets and my son would aquire them and shoot them.

In the future I want to go back and run these same drills, and any others you guys suggest.

If you aren't shooting or reloading, you should be moving in the open. Back and forth. The first thing you should train the boy in is seeking cover. A trash can will work for this. Also, Bro, it's a bad idea to train chambering rounds. These are seconds you don't have in combat. Have him train with a live firearm. It's an added bonus that he will treat all firearms as being loaded. it will become muscle memory.

Back in the early 60's a California Sheriff's Department trained as soon as they were done shooting their revolvers, they would collect the brass. They did this over and over. When the crap hit the fan for two of them involved in a shooting, they emptied their revolvers and started picking up brass, injured and dying in the process. Muscle memory is an important thing, you as a martial arts practitioner knows this more than anyone.

[myakka]

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yep,

The story is told, I don't have the time and date, so it could be a wives tale, but anyway....

Paul Vunak, Modern Jeet Kun Do (true master of making you not happy by physical means.... famous for being the martial arts trainer of seal team 6 and others) talks about an issue with LEO training where they practice disarms, then hand the weapon back to the other guy to set up and train again. And apparently it happened where a deputy took the firearm from the perp, then turned it around and handed it back, handle first, to the bad guy. This is something that famous people in martial arts swear happened.

I will take your advice on board. I wanted to have him moving, but this has to be done when we have the entire camp to ourselves. We can put targets on trees all around and walk through an area scanning. But today there were workers in the area, so we had to work in a smaller range to make sure we had good berm around us.

[Bue]

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Sounds like a great day! Ya'll shoot any skeet? It's a great skill builder and a shotgun is a useful tool. I'd stick with this proto call until he starts to catch up with your level then move to something more challenging "just to keep him humble" One day soon he'll pass you as you decline and he comes into his prime.

[Globalwarmer]

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Practice reloading the gun with one hand, or in different positions(lying down, sitting) Practice shooting a long gun from the opposite shoulder you are used to( a necessity in urban combat) Practice shooting with one eye impaired, just cover it with a bandana or patch

[wac220]

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One of the targets i enjoyed was a reverse pendulum. Fasten a weight to one end of a 1X2 and staple a paper plate to the top end. Drill an over sized hole and fasten to a fence rail or saw horse. Release the weight with a string from behind the shooter and have him try to put all six rounds in the plate before it stops. This is a cheap moving target. somewhere on this forum I saw another suggestion about helium balloons. Haven't tried it, but random movement would be good. Golf balls against the levy are always fun.

Be safe and have fun

[Morgan101]

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Sounds like a great day. You are fortunate to have a facility where you can do that. I too would suggest shooting off handed and one handed if you did not practice that. You never know when you might be incapacitated or injured, and have to rely on your off hand.