In September, I wrote “Carrying Concealed While Holiday Shopping,” offering safety tips for when you are out and about and as you arrive home. It’s essential to think through different scenarios so that you are prepared if they happen – because you’ve already watched it play out in your head. You should also take things a step further and add them to your training and practice regime. Following is what I consider a well-rounded approach to self-defense training.
In the last post, I offered different suggestions and considerations for how to carry your firearm while shopping. I also explained the importance of remaining vigilant as you go to and from your vehicle, both in a parking lot and once you return home. After all, your mind’s eye already has watched a possibly deadly scenario play out in your head. Now, the next step could be practicing for these scenarios using both live and dry-fire challenges. But how?
If this is new to you, begin with dry-fire scenarios that are very basic. A great place to practice may be in your garage with the door closed. (You won’t want your neighbors panicking.) Use a SIRT, blue gun or even your UNLOADED handgun (that you confirmed is empty and has NO AMMUNITION in the same room) and put it in your holster or the purse you carry while out shopping. It would help if you also had a few shopping bags or other types of packages as props.
While in the garage, practice walking toward your vehicle and putting packages in your trunk. Every once in a while, say to yourself, “What would I do if the bad guy showed up right now?”
Can you get to your firearm? If not, what could you change? Should you carry it differently?
Also, consider what you may do if you have packages in your hands, keys or even your phone. A great time to practice dropping items to get to your gun is in your home (or garage) through dry fire.
You could also run through getting into your car and imagine someone grabbing the door. When you have a chance, look at my post, “All Things Vehicle Defense Course.” In it you will find the strategies I learned about surviving attacks back in 2022 during a class I took by the same name.
Now, let’s take it a step further. Imagine you pull into your garage only to find someone followed you inside. What would you do?
A great way to practice this is by imagining you are the bad guy. Where would you stand? Set up a target or two inside in those areas. While seated in your car, can you see the target?
How about once you open the door? Where do you have to be before you see the bad guy? And, once you see him, can you get to your gun? Once you engage the target, what will you do next? Practice this again and again, moving the target to different locations. Then consider if you should carry a different way or what changes you may need to make yourself safer.
When you are ready, take your training to the range for live fire. Try shooting at distances you had the targets set up in your garage. If it’s allowed, practice dropping things you are holding in your hand before you draw your firearm. Whether it’s distance, speed or covertness, try putting something into live fire practice you covered during dry fire.
Inviting others to work through scenarios with you always makes for better training. You could take turns setting up scenarios, moving targets and being the bad guy, even if it is just yelling, “Now!” when the bad guy shows up. You could also bounce ideas off each other when questions arise, such as, “What might be a better carry position in this instance?”
Springfield Armory offers numerous articles in The Armory Life that you may find helpful for your training. There is also a forum with various topics including skills, survival and EDC. Be sure to check those out.
If you need a concealed carry pistol, check out the line of Springfield Armory firearms.
Michelle Cerino, aka Princess Gunslinger, first entered the firearms industry in 2011 as co-owner, president and trainer at a national training company. She immediately began competing in both 3-Gun and NRA Action Pistol, becoming a sponsored shooter. Michelle is currently a columnist and Managing Editor of Women’s Outdoor News, as well as owner of Pervenio LLC. She also manages social media for Vera Koo and FASTER Saves Lives. Michelle encourages others to step out of the comforts of home and explore. View all posts by Michelle Cerino
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