Training alone vs with partner.

[thechef1]

Interested to see how other people feel about training at the range by themselves vs with a shooting buddy or two. Im fortunate to live in an area where I can train by myself if I want to or can have a bay to share with a couple of partners. I used to shoot alone pretty often but have been shooting with a friend lately, problem is I feel sometimes having someone else can be distracting and less disciplined. We either start to shoot the **** or just start wasting ammo and tie on nonsense shooting vs actual drills. At the same time it can be beneficial to have someone else to compete against especially since we are of similar skill. So how do you guys like to train. Oh and by training I'm talking about for competitive shooting I recently started shooting 3 gun and USPSA.

 

[apollo99]

I train by my self and I train with friends, different drills, different types of practice with each situation. The important part is to find a partner with the same goals in mind. There are many people I've shot with that I wouldn't shoot with again. They either like to talk too much, waste ammo, or aren't on the same page as me and my training. Ammo is expensive, my time is valuable, the ride to the range is distant. I try to get the most out of each range session.

 

[Big Cholla]

Given your admitted results, you two are not concentrating on business. Find an Instructor to guide you two. Tactical operations with a partner need to be practiced as though it was choreographed. The watchful eye of an Instructor would be best in starting and to get it right from the git-go. .....

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Wager on the results. Seriously.

 

[CustomChevyGuy]

I kind of have 2 mind sets for my range time. If I'm going with friends, I usually don't try to practice anything specifically. Other then hitting the targets more often than them.
Usually everyone enjoys a game of follow the leader. On person shoots at a target of his choice, then the other person must hit the same target. (This is usually done at the outdoor range with multiple targets down range) You can also modify this by taking turns shooting at the same target. Person who misses most looses. As Model520Fan said, wagering on the results is always a great inCENTive as well

If it's just me, then I go with a goal in mind, and leave once I've accomplished it repeatedly.

 

[drmweaver2]

Interested to see how other people feel about training at the range by themselves vs with a shooting buddy or two. Im fortunate to live in an area where I can train by myself if I want to or can have a bay to share with a couple of partners. I used to shoot alone pretty often but have been shooting with a friend lately, problem is I feel sometimes having someone else can be distracting and less disciplined. We either start to shoot the **** or just start wasting ammo and tie on nonsense shooting vs actual drills. At the same time it can be beneficial to have someone else to compete against especially since we are of similar skill. So how do you guys like to train. Oh and by training I'm talking about for competitive shooting I recently started shooting 3 gun and USPSA.

Multiple different ascpects are being addressed here, IMHO. Palling around is one thing.. and more than acceptable. Training is another and equally valid.

When I shoot with someone else, we decide ahead of time what our purpose and goals for that session are beforehand. Usually we stick to them. Occasionally we don't. Life happens and I don't let shifts in purpose affect my enjoyment. But I will "reschedule" or make-up a training session by myself if my training goals weren't accomplished.

Best of all worlds, we both have fun and get the training in. It takes discipline and occasionally a gentle (or not so gentle) reminder of what our goals were when we first came out that day.

 

[JamesArthur60]

Discipline and focus is the key to competition shooting. Ever notice how some shooters clam up/screw up when others are watching during a timed match. I shoot with a buddy who shoots IDPA with me. We watch one another's stance, reloads and movements. Sometimes we use a shot timer. We've also used a camera and watched the play-back in slow motion. THAT will really reveal the good, bad and ugly of your shooting techniques. So, I prefer to shoot with another…another set of eyes can only be good. Having said that, if you discover you and your shooting buddy begin to start screwing around just throwing lead down range, then try going alone. Just my opinion.

 

[tomcatt51]

I shoot competitively. NSSF Rimfire Challenge, Steel Challenge, Bowling Pins. I don't limp fast enough for run and gun like USPSA anymore but still occasionally shoot.

Practice I do alone. I go with goals in mind and specific things I want to do. A timer lives in my gear bag. Having someone else along is almost always detrimental. When I practice I want to focus on practice. There are other times / places to hang with buddies.

 

[fredj338]

It's a give & take. If I just want to burn some drill in say an hour, then I would rather go by myself. If it's a more leisurely thing, then having a shooting partner is just more enjoyable. As noted, having an equal watch you shoot can offer correction for a problem you can't really see.

 

[guidedfishing]

Are you really training or just blowing through ammo. I would suggest that if you don't have a specific regiment defined that is leading you to a specific goal you are not training. When I am training I like to do it by myself, I want to be focused, whether that is drawing from holster, one shot to target, split/par times, specific stages, or drills. Also know that you will learn more in 6 months inserting yourself in matches with skilled shooters then you will learn in years by yourself.

If its fun time then yes, but this is more than likely that one of us has a new toy and we all want to see how it runs and have a go at it.

 

[BE Mike]

I second the thoughts about trying IDPA. You'll get a lot out of shooting and reloading under pressure. Shooting with buddies can be fun, but may be a waste if training is the goal. Another thing to consider is that sometimes well-meaning buddies can give you bad info about shooting, because they don't understand it themselves. Getting competent instruction is worth many times over the time and ammo expended when shooting with a buddy. There are a lot of people out there giving instruction that really aren't that good, so choose wisely.

 

[tomcatt51]

I second the thoughts about trying IDPA. You'll get a lot out of shooting and reloading under pressure.

IDPA is actually pretty short on shooting and the pressure comes from trying to remember the illogical, idiotic rules.

 

[jyork08854]

About every 2nd or 3rd trip to the range, my wife goes with me. We stick to business and reload magazines while the other is shooting. But I know people that I would never go with if I really want to practice.

 

[Bkreutz]

Another advantage to going with a friend is that you can use the HOV lane going to the range. (you would have to live out here to understand why that's important )