USCCA Firearms & Self-Defense Blog
Firearms Training
Discover firearms tactics and techniques, training tips, and shooting drills for at home and on the range to help you hone your practical skills and self-defense mindset.
Recent Firearms Training Articles
Firearm Malfunctions: What They Are and How to Clear Them
In a high-stakes situation, your firearm’s reliability is essential. However, even the best-maintained firearms can experience malfunctions. Knowing how to identify and correct these issues could make[…]
Continue Reading →Game On: Reassessing Guns and Video Games
How many people who grew up watching Davy Crockett, The Rifleman and other ’50s and ’60s Westerns, cop shows and World War II flicks attribute their interest in history and firearms to the[…]
Continue Reading →Snap Caps vs. Dummy Rounds
By now, you’ve likely heard of a variety of different training tools that can be useful for safe dry-fire and/or live-fire practice. One popular item is the snap cap or dummy round. These typically co[…]
Continue Reading →Target-Focused Shooting: The Power of Occluded Optics in Training
During your initial pistol training, the emphasis was likely on accuracy. You were taught to bring the front sight or dot into the sharpest focus possible, allowing your target to blur. This method is[…]
Continue Reading →Pistol-Caliber Carbines for Home Defense
It is imperative that firearms instructors engaging in personal-defense training are familiar with the various types of long guns, as well as handguns, to serve their clients’ needs. Every situation h[…]
Continue Reading →Cover vs. Concealment for Self-Defense
Understanding the distinctions between cover and concealment is crucial for self-defense and effective defensive firearms use. Here we’ll explain what these terms mean, how to identify each and the im[…]
Continue Reading →How to Choose a Shooting Target for Firearms Training
Choosing the right target for firearms training is a critical aspect of effective and realistic preparation. The target should not only help in improving accuracy but also in decision-making under str[…]
Continue Reading →Basics of Sight Picture and Sight Alignment
Sight picture and sight alignment are crucial aspects of marksmanship and defensive firearms training. These fundamentals, often overshadowed by trigger control and grip, are essential for achieving p[…]
Continue Reading →Is It Safe to Dry-Fire?
Originally published in Concealed Carry Magazine, 2008. “Is it Safe to Dry-Fire My Handgun?” When people ask this question, they are almost invariably asking about the mechanical function of their fir[…]
Continue Reading →How to Train Cross-Eye Dominance
For those interested in how to concealed carry, mastering the art of shooting is crucial. One often overlooked aspect that can significantly impact accuracy is cross-eye dominance. Eye dominance is th[…]
Continue Reading →The Four Rules of Firearm Safety
In the world of firearms, safety is paramount. When there is an “accident,” it is typically because someone failed to follow one of the gun safety rules. That, of course, means the shooting was not ac[…]
Continue Reading →Shooting Stance 101: Build a Solid Platform
When it comes to handgun proficiency, simplicity and consistency are your greatest allies. I’ve honed a steadfast approach to shooting through my years of diverse training in the police academy,[…]
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