Comments for Badlands Tactical Training Facility

Comment on A diet? Or a lifestyle? What is your training to you? by Chuck Hunt

Chuck Hunt — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:40:49 +0000

We cannot make shooting a discipline that others pursue. Shooting IS a discipline, and discipline only comes from within. Once a person decides to embrace it, they have to wholeheartedly make it integral to their life.
This goes back to the “Does this make me look fat?” article that Rich aptly wrote. Are you going to carry the tool that will do the job, and become a disciple of it (hence the term ‘discipline’) or will you simply get the most convenient gun to compliment your lifestyle? I don’t know how many times I’ve heard other officers and friends tell me they carry some little squeaker of a pistol because they wanted it to be “comfortable” in their shorts. Actually shoot it until past proficient? Nah, that’s uncomfortable. So….does it work, reliably, each and EVERY time you pull the trigger? Dunno….only put three rounds through it. Discipline? I think not. If you carry a gun, you must accept the premise that YOU WILL USE IT. If you use it, it must be used effectively, and it WILL be under less than optimal conditions. Effective use requires practice, and that requires discipline.
Discipline comes from within, coercion from without. Hit the wrong person in a gunfight, in today’s environment, you will soon learn the difference.
I’m a rifle guy. Like Quigley, I know how to use a handgun, I just prefer rifles. There is no place around, locally, to practice over a hundred yards. So….I make the six-hour trip to Badlands on a regular basis to practice my chosen craft. Is it an inconvenience? Not really. It would be, if I had not, long ago, decided that I was going to discipline myself to the art of the rifle. I dress for the gun I carry, because I owe it to myself and my loved ones to carry enough pistol to stop a bad situation. That means I don’t normally get to wear shorts and flip flops. (For which, the entire population of Texas is grateful!) oh, well. I also have to drive three hours to practice with that pistol. Do I have to? No. I am no longer required to by department policy, but now I have a much tougher mandate, the one to my family and myself.
Lifestyle. If that lifestyle involves carrying a weapon, then that lifestyle MUST involve practice and discipleship to the skill. A new laser sight won’t make you better. The latest gizmo you saw in MasterBlaster Magazine isn’t gonna tighten your groups. Some sacrifice, untold amounts of practice and dedication to an ideal will.
I LIKE dark beer.

Comment on Sell out?? by Chuck Hunt

Chuck Hunt — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:43:07 +0000

Spot on. I have a laser range finder, I pull it out, once or twice a year, to see if it still works. I have a Kestrel clone, not sure where it is. Yet, I generally hit what I aim at. Batteries fail. Electronics cannot tell you anything they haven’t been programmed for. Lasers? Kinda like tracers….they point both ways (if there’s ANY dust in the air). PDA’s and ballistic calculators, ok until you plant your elbow smack in the middle of it as you’re dropping prone.
Getting the point? Memorize your come-ups and wind tables. Know your scope and rifle. Mirage doesn’t need batteries, learn how to read it.
Pistols……if you carry one in harm’s way, PRACTICE. It makes me shudder to think of the people I’ve known that only pulled their weapons out at qualification. That thing should feel as natural in your hand as your….coffee cup. Every day. Countless times…..draw it until your hand KNOWS where it is and it’s no longer a conscious act.
Make your weapon an extension. The weapon, not all the toys. As a friend of mine once said, “Stop worrying about all that useless s&#t and pull the trigger!”

Comment on Sell out?? by Sell out?? | Badlands Tactical Training Facility | Critical Survival

Sell out?? | Badlands Tactical Training Facility | Critical Survival — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 03:33:24 +0000

[...] Excerpt from: Sell out?? | Badlands Tactical Training Facility [...]

Comment on Sell out?? by BTTFadmin

BTTFadmin — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 23:34:11 +0000

Thank you sir for your kind words. I applaud you for the commitment you are putting into your lifestyle! Please, if we can do anything to help just let us know!!!
Come Shoot–Rich

Comment on Sell out?? by Jedbo

Jedbo — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:47:58 +0000

Rich,

New to your site and blog. I went back and read your earlier articles/writings Excellent. I am not a professional, not LEO,not military…just a straight up patriotic American guy.

When reading your post about making your firearms training/outlook a part of your lifestyle (the Diet article March 4th)you are dead on. When I made a commitment to integrate firearms into my Self Defense training, I tried to approach it from a mindset point of view first. Then, I made an actual training schedule for the year; I interviewed people with far more knowledge than I regarding firearms so I could hopefully make the best use of my money when investing; I began to study the layout of my home and vehicles; I studied (and continue to)the state laws regarding firearms; I reviewed case studies; I visited with LEO when I would see them at Starbucks or Tony Romas for lunch; I asked myself the hard questions about taking a life and the life ramifications of surviving.I have renewed my estate plan and I have retained legal counsel.

I then began to hire professionals to train with. (This is how I found your site initially as I am going to be developing long range shooting skills next). I take extensive notes when with the Pros/ Then, when I have had them assess my Dry Fire Practice and Drills…I practice. And Practice some more. It is not rocket science. I did recognize that the habits I create early on in learning will be devils in the future if they are not correct, so I have invested money in instruction.

In regards to the most recent post, Being pretty new to the game, I have been overwhelmed by “stuff” available out there in the market place…and have got sucked in a little as well. Once again I have to hand it to the trainers I have been fortunate to work with; they all seem to have a KISS way of approaching the business of gun-fighting. When I am tempted to buy the new thing, etc. I have devised a strategy whereby I go drill and practice a basic concealed draw, or emergency reloads and I throw in a real life factor such as having my dominant hand be injured or otherwise out of commission, or something of that type.

I have found that once you practice (or I should say flail around) with trying to add levels of difficulty to the basics…your desire for the newest gizmo flies right out the window due to the humility factor…works for me anyway.

My next step in training is to do exactly what you are describing above. I plan to do work this summer when it is really hot, I am going to add fatigue to my long range practice through hiking and making myself stay in uncomfortable positions for good lengths of time, go out when it is windy as hell and anything else I can think of that will create stress in simply executing the basics.

I can see how people can develop a sport mentality about their firearms work. It is fun to go out on a beautiful spring morning with a friend or two and shoot…many people approach their martial art training the same way, as a sport.

For me, I need to remember WHY I am developing this skill. I think that is the most important question we can all ask ourselves continuously; WHY am I doing this or that?

The chances that I will ever have to use my firearms for Self Defense is low, based on my lifestyle, etc. But I do my best to not allow that kind of thinking to invade my mindset because I also know that IF it should occur,the chances are the situation is going be anything BUT a beautiful Spring morning and I am only going to get one chance to get it right.

I truly hope I get a chance to come train with you sometime. Keep up the excellent work and Thanks!