Practicing in the Resource-Constrained Environment

[Paladin]

Great article on how you can practice with limited resources: link

Short summary:

Visualization
Dry fire
Effective range use
Inert guns
Lasers and laser training devices
Role play
Shooting events

[A-R]

good summary of training possibilities

[Greybeard]

Good stuff. Thanks for the link.

[Paladin]

One thing I would add to the list is airsoft replicas.

You can often use them like rubber guns. You can also do very realistic target practice with then at home (retention, draw from the holster, on-the-move). Ammo is really cheap.

[Ameer]

One thing I would add to the list is airsoft replicas.

You can often use them like rubber guns. You can also do very realistic target practice with then at home (retention, draw from the holster, on-the-move). Ammo is really cheap.

I remember reading about a professional shooter, maybe steel challenge, who did most of his practice with airsoft because he lived in Japan or something.

[AubreyCTurnerJr]

Take a look at BAM Airsoft. The guys behind that company use Airsoft for USPSA training (there are links to videos of their setups and their targets on that site). Lots of good ideas for setting up a range in your garage or back yard.

[Texas Dan Mosby]

I remember reading about a professional shooter, maybe steel challenge, who did most of his practice with airsoft because he lived in Japan or something.

In order to shoot fast, you have to see fast, and in order to see fast, you have to shoot fast. Airsoft is an excellent resource to develop your ability to see fast.

Think about what happens to your visual perception after a long bout of highway driving. Initially, the 70 MPH you are doing looks and seems "fast", however, over time, you adjust visually, and that speed no longer seems "fast", and given enough time, it can actually seem slow. Airsoft is an excellent tool that can be used to achieve this effect, as they can be used cheaper, more frequently, and in more places than live rounds.

Airsoft is an excellent way to develop your ability to see faster, and when you can see faster, it makes it much easier to shoot faster.

[yogihat]

Thanks for the link. There's some real good practice techniques in there. I believe you must practice to keep yourself alert and comfortable with the firearm you choose to carry.

[Paladin]

I believe you must practice to keep yourself alert and comfortable with the firearm you choose to carry.

The experienced combat vets that I talk to say exactly that. Practice leads to victory.

[Paladin]

Travis Haley on Airsoft Training:

Video

[apostate]

What are some good airsoft pistols to augment live fire and dry fire practice? Several years ago, the KWA G19 was highly thought of, but it appears they're no longer imported. I'd like to keep my entry cost close to $100 if possible, but I'm too broke to be cheap.

Thanks in advance.

[discoqueen]

What are some good airsoft pistols to augment live fire and dry fire practice? Several years ago, the KWA G19 was highly thought of, but it appears they're no longer imported. I'd like to keep my entry cost close to $100 if possible, but I'm too broke to be cheap.

Thanks in advance.

I'd be interested in this info as well.

[Paladin]

I've got a KWA H&K USP45 replica of my carry gun. It uses green gas. Has approximately the same weight as the real gun and the slide cycles.

Here's a link

It's about $200 to get started with a good gas gun/accessories, but I'd say I've easily gotten thousands of dollars worth of training out of it. Some of the best money I ever spent.

The CO2 powered guns are pretty good to, and cheaper... but I haven't seen any C02 guns that cycle the slides.

You might find what you're looking for here

[apostate]

Thanks Paladin. My preference is a GBB airsoft that emulates the XD or Glock pistols. It appears the KWA G19 used to run in the same ballpark as your KWA USP45. Based on what I've heard, I'd pony up the $150 (plus gas & pellets) if that was still imported. Alas, tis not.

Does anyone have experience with the KJW G23, KWA ATP, or (dare I ask) the Umarex?

[AubreyCTurnerJr]

Thanks Paladin. My preference is a GBB airsoft that emulates the XD or Glock pistols. It appears the KWA G19 used to run in the same ballpark as your KWA USP45. Based on what I've heard, I'd pony up the $150 (plus gas & pellets) if that was still imported. Alas, tis not.

Does anyone have experience with the KJW G23, KWA ATP, or (dare I ask) the Umarex?

As an owner of an XD pistol who has researched this quite a bit I can tell you that you will NOT find an airsoft replica of the XD. From what I have found, HS (the actual makers of the XD) will not allow the design to be licensed to the airsoft makers. Or at least that was the answer last summer when I researched the topic.