I need to train beyond the occasional range trip. The problem is training classes are expensive, and I don't have the available funds at the moment. I haven't been shooting at all lately, but I have just about enough fun money to go to the indoor range near my office 2-3 times per month. I have all of the equipment neccessary for reloading .38/.357, so once I get that rolling ammo will be cheaper, and I can shoot more.

But target practice isn't necessarily training anyway, especially when your range doesn't allow rapid fire, alternate positions, or drawing of any kind, from concealment or otherwise.

So what can I do? I do practice my draw from time to time in my basement, unloaded of course. I know I can get snap caps and practice combat revolver reloads. Any other suggestions?

Do you have any USPSA/IDPA shooting groups in the area?
This would give you access to ranges that allow you to draw, move, engage multiple targets, etc.

While many do take it as serious competition, just as many attend just for fun and a chance to practice 'Self Defense Shooting' scenarios.
And... While many do sink Hundreds of bucks on Competition shooting rigs, many simply use their Carry Pistol and simple Holster.

My 'Competition' holster is an inexpensive Fobus Paddle holster ($18-$30 depending on who you order through).

I can relate. The cost of formal training is more than I can afford. Local ranges don't provide for the kind of practice relevant to CCW. Fortunately, there are plenty of wooded areas where I live. With some PVC and a little imagination, I have multiple target frames that are easy to transport and set up for a variety of realistic move and shoot drills that are not possible at most ranges. Improvise, adapt and overcome.

Some of the guy's have given you good information in the above posts.

Sorry to hear your situation, yes it's difficult trying to train at an indoor public range.
On the brighter side you have recognized the need and want to do something about it and that's a great step ahead.

Practicing reloads is a good way to past the time and certainly a worthy thing to do. But do you think you will be reloading in a face to face dynamic situation with two guns in play ( yours and his/there's )
I doubt it, if you have to reload it will most likely be from behind some type of cover or while your moving, and while your very dexterous fingers have become flippers at the end of your wrist from the adrenaline rush.

By all means practice the reload, your revolver can turn on a bad round and when you think you have one you may none and be forced to move and Re-load.

Remember, most gun fights are over in 3 to 4 seconds and if it takes you 2 second to deliver a combat accurate shot you have used up about 50% of the time needed to significantly effect the targets ability to present a lethal threat.



Shooting 10 times a week like you describe will add little to your actual self defense training in relation to an actual on the street critical dynamic situation.

Many, many, folks are faced with the same problem,
I reload and shoot ( and I kid you not ) 350 to 400 rounds of 45 ACP
every week. This routine goes on from May through the beginning of Oct.
and the last thing I do is shoot at paper bulls eye targets.

When I run out of cardboard silhouettes I make my own from an old template. This is done on an outdoor range with very little restrictions.

Some folks have a hard time understanding that an on the street situation rarely ( if ever ) starts with a weapon at the high ready.
Most will agree that it begins and ends at the holster.

My vote is to do your best to get some place for some real training,
Try to have some one with you if you do it alone.
Practice a few drills, the net is full of information if you can weed through the yahoos.
Remember thing not practice under stress cannot be replicated under stress.
We do not rise to the occasion, rather we revert back to the level of training we have mastered.
It's very important to be able to shoot and move, or I should say move and shoot, learn the correct way to scan your surroundings,
how to blade out from cover as to expose as little of yourself as possible,
Shoot from different positions, left side, right side, kneeling,
multiple targets.
Yes I know your not going to war,
But you will sell yourself short if you think these skills and many more may not needed. Will it be someone else that may need the skills ?
Maybe---then again maybe you.

You have a lifetime to learn them, how fast you acquire them may be how long your lifetime is.

I again commend you for realizing that an indoor range as you describe is not the place to get street ready, not even close.

Get with a good trainer/coach/instructor-- a good friend that is skilled,
and try not to pick up any bad habits. Get the most you can out of your range, understanding that will be very little, shooting from the same position in a little designated booth, no rapid fire, no draw from the holster.

It is possible to get some good training without breaking the bank if you go to NRA courses ( Basic Pistol, Personal Protection in the Home, Personal Protection Outside the Home) and get good at the fundamentals before going to one of the expensive "shooting star" courses. Here is a link to search for courses in your area.
NRAInstructors.org - Portal for NRA Certified Instructors, NRA Education and Training

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Science plus Art

keep in mind also that any training you acquire needs to be practiced,
not until you get it right but until you don't do it wrong.
Any training that requires physical movement needs to be practiced.
It will not be at your beckon call to Re-appear when you need it.

Guns are not Genies, we don't rub them and skills just appear.

I found a range near me that hosts IDPA matches twice per month. It looks like I won't need to buy anything extra to get started.

There are a few NRA classes I found via the portal too. A bit further away, but doable.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I buy into the defense handgun mechanics of Defensive Revolver Fundamentals by Grant Cunningham. The basics will work for the auto as well. It's not going to play well for the range games but I think it's probably more realistic in the event of an attack

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K & N S&W revolvers

Since the majority of civilian self-defense occurs at extreme close quarters, it makes good sense that the majority of your training be ECQ focused. Live fire is only a part of the total equation. There is much that can be done dry firing, using dummy guns as well as airsoft pistols such as CQ drills incorporating efficient defensive movement to draw and create space/gain time(properly getting off the X, lateral movement, tactical L's), integrating unarmed skills against sudden ambush styles assaults which are often initially needed to even access the concealed weapon. Dry firing, Weapon retention skills, Failure drills and reloads(although not often applicable to civilian encounters), FoF/Force on Force scenario training using demo guns and airsoft utilizing integrated H2H/gun skill sets vs gun, knives, disparity of force(multiple opponents, sucker punch to ground and pound etc..). Lots of options and vital areas beyond live fire training many fail to address and unfortunately later find out that they are unprepared.

One example of the diverse skill sets one could need even when both sides are armed with firearms. https://www.facebook.com/ActiveSelfP...type=2&theater

Check with any community colleges or universities near you. With the surge in people getting CCW permits, many are beginning to offer classes taught by local PD.

Also, check with your local PD. They often have knowledge of trainers in the area that others don't know about.

Good luck! and "Stay protected my friend!"

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Stay protected my friends.

A Laserlyte laser snap cap against a a silhouette target, or just a spot on the wall, is a good way to practice presentations and that critical first shot with some useful feedback. You can see the laser blink against the target. One of their targets makes slow fire dry fire more interesting too.

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Jim - M&P Pro 40L/Shield 40

The above post may seem like a lot to absorb, but I agree totally with the concepts and needed requirements.

I keep saying it, we do not react like we train, we react to the level of training we have mastered.

Where do you live?

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Freedom isn't free.

One thing you can do at a limited use range, is practice off hand, and one handed shooting. The possibility of having to use your weapon with out both hands/strong hand is out there....

Get to that IDPA range. And get your reloading equipment cranked up so you can afford live fire. (I actually understand what you said about reloading )

Hope you never need to use what you learn.

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Halfway and one more step