Originally posted by muntus:By that rational, you should have someone really try to kill you while you're trying to kill them, otherwise you won't "know what to exspect(sic) in the real world when you pull the trigger."
Now you're being simplistic. It's a simulation exercise.
Originally posted by muntus:Deep knee bends and calesthenics while you're buddies yell at you doesn't simulate the kind of stress you experience when you're life is on the line. All it does is measure your focus while distracted. There are better focus excercises that don't require running around a gun range and not using ear protection.
Not just a focus. All the running about also adds a physical element to the exercise.
Frankly, I don't know what value such an exercise would have, & don't care. I'm just questioning why you would completely discount the suggestion and offer no real reason why. You even suggested that there are better exercises for developing focus, but fail to offer any examples.
That simulation exercise simulates shooting a gun with an elevated heart rate, minor muscle fatigue, and people yelling at you, that's it. If this is the situation you are going to find yourself in, at the gym after a few sets and some cardio while people are yeling at you while you have to fend off an armed attacker, then yes its a good simulation. Although shooting while your muscles are fatigued might have its merit if you're trying to simulate the effects of adrenaline, not everyone's response to adrenaline mimics muscle fatigue. The suggestion for no hearing protection, especially coming from a firearms instructor, is just plain dumb. If you want to improve your chance at self-defense, here are my suggestions:
Get better at squeazing the trigger. When learning to shoot, almost everybody jerks the trigger as they shoot. This can make you miss 2 foot wide target at 15 feet. I try this excercise everytime I shoot with a revolver. Have a buddy randomly load 4 rounds into a six round revolver. Now shoot as you normaly would at your target and note how you jerk the gun when there is no round in the chamber.
Some outdoor ranges will have a "Hogan's Alley," an area of obstacles and sometimes buildings in which you shoot targets from a variety of positions. Call around and these ranges will tell you when they have meetings(usually clubs) so that you can go through the Hogan's Alley.
Get some "dummy rounds"(blanks) and practice reaching for your gun, drawing it, and pulling the trigger. You'll be able to hear the "click" and determine, if using a buddy with dummy rounds, if you did draw fast enough. You can practice in the car, at home, or in the office; anywhere you anticipate having to defend yourself or others. Only do this with dummy rounds(double and triple check for safety) and in places where people won't see you and have to call the cops.
Get some gas-powered airsoft guns, the good ones are decent replicas that weigh the same as the real ones, some eye protection(no ear protection needed on airsoft), and go at it with a buddy. Practice as you would with the dummy rounds. It hurts when you're hit, and this adds an interesting element, as you're trying to shoot something that is trying to shoot you. Airsoft can break the skin, so long sleeves and no bystanders are recommended.
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