Gun Training Report #18 is Right On
August 22nd, 2008
Dr. Piazza,
Again your FrontSight newsletter (#18) is right-on. While the .45 ACP has proven to be the most practical, man-stopping, handgun cartridge available, it pales in effectiveness to the 12 GA. shotgun and most rifle cartridges. I carried a .45 cal 1911 for most of my 20 yr. law enforcement career, but my mind set was to use it only when I couldn’t get to my shotgun. One of the serious flaws, in many departments, is the lack of emphasis on shotgun and rifle training. Typically handgun to long gun training is 10 to 1 in frequency and few departments actually have qualification standards for long guns. So it’s not too surprising that many officers forget about the long guns in high risk situations. (We fight the way we train).
In my experience as a department firearms instructor, many officers cringed or tried to skip out, when shotgun training was presented due to the noise, recoil and lack of familiarity. I frequently used a clay bird thrower, with trap loads to introduce a level of fun, competition.and encourage familiarity.
The more proficient one is with their firearms, the less likely they will be used. If you are confident with your speed accuracy and abilities, you have additional precious few seconds to react with alternatives. This is most evident in SWAT team tactics and responses.
Keep up the great work…
Tom B.
Sheriff Dept. Ret. SGT.
SWAT Team Leader
Entry Filed under: From the Mail Bag,Front Sight.
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