Inclement weather and Low light practice

[Faulkner]

I spent some time working with two new deputies in our department and two young officers from the city department at the range this week. All four have been out of the academy only a few months and I told them we would do some enhanced firearms practice this week.

Earlier in the week it was cold and windy and raining so we spent the morning drilling on the range in inclement weather. I explained that bad guys don't always do bad things in good weather. We practiced in the wind in rain with jackets and gloves and headgear to see how this affected their shooting ability. They learned how wearing a jacket and gloves can certainly slow down there response time. Then we took off our gear and stood out in the cold weather for about 30 minutes to let our hands fingers get good and stiff then drilled some more. At one point during a hard downpouring of rain and 41 degrees I tasked them with a tactical course of fire that had them moving from concealment and cover and addressing multiple targets while sloshing through the rain soaked ground.

We wrapped up the day with some indoor low light shooting with only night sights . . . no flashlights or lasers. Throughout the day we would do a debrief after each drill to discuss the challenges of each situation.

I came away with two key observations that I shared with our sheriff. 1) As much as we hear that the kids today are a far cry from what they were in our day, there are still some young folks who have what it takes to succeed, and 2) even with hundreds of rounds fired in the pouring rain we didn't have a single one of our Glock .40's fail even one time.

 

[geeollie]

That is encouraging to hear. There are lots of wonderful young people. They just never make the news for being dependable, decent and nice to be round.!! Thank you for posting.

But back when I was a kid.....well never mind.

 

[petepeterson]

Excellent training on your part.
My girl thinks I'm nuts because I go to my homemade range when the weather is ******. You learn a lot about shooting with cold fingers and wet hands. And wearing the actual clothing and gear you typically use.

As much as I prefer Smiths, Brownings, and Colts- I've never had a Glock (or SIG, for that matter) fail on me. I know it happens, but I've not seen it. If it was the end of the world, and we weren't going to be showing off our Gold Cups as conversation pieces, it would be a Glock 17 or 19 for me.

 

[cracker57]

One range I shoot at is in the basement and run by LEO's. Its funny what the LEO's have to say if you bring up the poor lighting.
At the outdoor range I shoot at they have heaters aimed at the shooters and they are effective. I never turn them on when shooting.

 

[The Big D]

That’s terrific training.

Makes me happy to read this, Faulkner. Good on ya!

Be safe.

 

[Smoke]

My first duty station was Germany. I don't think I ever went to the field when it wasn't snowing. My second duty station was Fort Lewis I don't think I ever went to formation when it wasn't raining there. I worked as a security guard for the last 15 years of my work life, I was out in the rain or the cold or the dark unless I had specific instructions otherwise.

I believe all of that gave me a different attitude than the norm towards inclement weather. If I'm going to the range and it's raining I go to the range. If it's cold out I'm going and I'm not bundling up any differently than I normally would when I go.

The only thing I don't do is if the roads are funky I don't leave the house.

 

[dave1918a2]

Up here We have blistering wind up to 60+ MPH, snow up to Our armpits, rain sometimes, softball sized hail, -20 temps, +110 temps and sometimes perfect shooting weather. Doesn't matter. Training is training and We shoot as scheduled regardless. Those that complain are invited to find another profession. As stated above: the need for a weapon doesn't wait for nice weather.

 

[Shibadog]

I spent some time working with two new deputies in our department and two young officers from the city department at the range this week. All four have been out of the academy only a few months and I told them we would do some enhanced firearms practice this week.

Earlier in the week it was cold and windy and raining so we spent the morning drilling on the range in inclement weather. I explained that bad guys don't always do bad things in good weather. We practiced in the wind in rain with jackets and gloves and headgear to see how this affected their shooting ability. They learned how wearing a jacket and gloves can certainly slow down there response time. Then we took off our gear and stood out in the cold weather for about 30 minutes to let our hands fingers get good and stiff then drilled some more. At one point during a hard downpouring of rain and 41 degrees I tasked them with a tactical course of fire that had them moving from concealment and cover and addressing multiple targets while sloshing through the rain soaked ground.

We wrapped up the day with some indoor low light shooting with only night sights . . . no flashlights or lasers. Throughout the day we would do a debrief after each drill to discuss the challenges of each situation.

I came away with two key observations that I shared with our sheriff. 1) As much as we hear that the kids today are a far cry from what they were in our day, there are still some young folks who have what it takes to succeed, and 2) even with hundreds of rounds fired in the pouring rain we didn't have a single one of our Glock .40's fail even one time.

Good on you and your department on giving these young guys the tools and training that may help keep them alive

 

[Birdhunter6]

I'm always disappointed when people brag "I carry every day", then only show up to shoot in fair weather, and NEVER practice holster work, reloads or malf clearing with gloves on.

Glove season is 4-5 months here.

 

[Shibadog]

I'm always disappointed when people brag "I carry every day", then only show up to shoot in fair weather, and NEVER practice holster work, reloads or malf clearing with gloves on.

Glove season is 4-5 months here.

Kinda like the folks who carry a “big gun” in the winter, burying it under multiple layers of heavy clothing. Yea,it’s concealed, but it’s also unavailable in a hurry.

 

[chief38]

I spent some time working with two new deputies in our department and two young officers from the city department at the range this week. All four have been out of the academy only a few months and I told them we would do some enhanced firearms practice this week.

Earlier in the week it was cold and windy and raining so we spent the morning drilling on the range in inclement weather. I explained that bad guys don't always do bad things in good weather. We practiced in the wind in rain with jackets and gloves and headgear to see how this affected their shooting ability. They learned how wearing a jacket and gloves can certainly slow down there response time. Then we took off our gear and stood out in the cold weather for about 30 minutes to let our hands fingers get good and stiff then drilled some more. At one point during a hard downpouring of rain and 41 degrees I tasked them with a tactical course of fire that had them moving from concealment and cover and addressing multiple targets while sloshing through the rain soaked ground.

We wrapped up the day with some indoor low light shooting with only night sights . . . no flashlights or lasers. Throughout the day we would do a debrief after each drill to discuss the challenges of each situation.

I came away with two key observations that I shared with our sheriff. 1) As much as we hear that the kids today are a far cry from what they were in our day, there are still some young folks who have what it takes to succeed, and 2) even with hundreds of rounds fired in the pouring rain we didn't have a single one of our Glock .40's fail even one time.

I think your inclement weather practice session was an excellent idea! Not many LE Departments do that and I'd venture to say almost zero CCW civilians do it either.

I was Pheasant Hunting about 12 years ago up North and it was a cold, damp, gray day. We walked about 2 miles away form the hunting cabin and all of a sudden a cold mix of freezing rain, snow and sleet started coming down with a vengeance. Well, since we were already soaked and our guns were also, we decided to finish the hunt on the way back to the cabin. We shot at a few Pheasants the dogs kicked up but none were actually downed. Not bragging, but the Guys I hunted with back then (including myself) almost never failed to bring down a bird. OK, maybe a second shot was required once in a while, but the birds always went down. Because of the inclement weather we "stunk up" the field big time - lol. The weather made it hard to isolate the bird in a sight picture, because we were wet, cold and shivering it made it hard to hit anything and we all just wanted to get back, put on dry clothes and sit around the fireplace. It was an eye opener!