Testing Yourself

[Ronin.45]

Various threads on GT got me thinking. I love testing myself. Most of my shooting is in competition so I'm usually testing myself against other shooters. This is a great way to judge overall ability, but can be limiting based on the skill level of the competitors. Testing against known standards is another option. There are countless drills and variations of drills with set parameters and goals. Whether it's an elaborate one like a full IDPA classifier or a simple, fast one like a Bill Drill, they can give you feedback to judge your progress or goals to strive for. You can easily test yourself in your backyard alone. Using a timer to see your speed or a bullseye to check accuracy. Friendly bets against a buddy are perfect too. Anything to challenge yourself and see results.
One of my favorite competitions nowadays is Steel Challenge. At it's core, it's super basic and relatively easy. Once you try to go fast, it gets very difficult. It's a great opportunity for me to push myself since our monthly match is always the same. I can compare every match, stage, and individual string if I want to. It shows me exactly what I'm struggling with and where I'm excelling.
My point of this thread is to ask, what do you do to test yourself? If you don't, I encourage you to get out and try something. Download a free shot timer app on your phone. See how fast you can hit the steel plates hanging in your yard. Try a BMF drill or 5x5 to see how you rank on their scales. Just see how good of a group you can shoot at 21'. It's all going to make you better and be fun at the same time.

[David]

One of the tools I've enjoyed is the G-Sight Laser Trainer that I purchased a while back. As easy as training in your living room. Mine is in 9mm and I downloaded the app to my phone that I can use to video the target and get feed back on my shots. It doesn't give the same feed back as real ammo in terms of recoil but it does aid in shot placement. So it isn't the 'complete' aid but it is useful in that you don't have to expend ammo and it can be set up anywhere.

As an example, it is really good for HD training in your actual home which can't be done with live ammo. Well, I guess it could if you like patching walls But you can set the camera up on a particular doorway, take a defensive position that you would probably take in an actual HD situation and see how accurate you are across the room. So I think it's a good tool to test yourself in situations where live ammo might not be the best option.

[Ronin.45]

One of the tools I've enjoyed is the G-Sight Laser Trainer that I purchased a while back. As easy as training in your living room. Mine is in 9mm and I downloaded the app to my phone that I can use to video the target and get feed back on my shots. It doesn't give the same feed back as real ammo in terms of recoil but it does aid in shot placement. So it isn't the 'complete' aid but it is useful in that you don't have to expend ammo and it can be set up anywhere.

As an example, it is really good for HD training in your actual home which can't be done with live ammo. Well, I guess it could if you like patching walls But you can set the camera up on a particular doorway, take a defensive position that you would probably take in an actual HD situation and see how accurate you are across the room. So I think it's a good tool to test yourself in situations where live ammo might not be the best option.

Does it have the ability to track progress? Like reaction time or maybe hits on multiple targets.
My idea was more testing against a set standard or a past performance to see improvement.

[David]

I 'think' there is a paid app that allows for more options than the free one. The free one will show you were the last 10 shots hit on a play back and also gives an audible 'ding' like you're shooting steel. I'm sure there are apps that allow a whole range of options.

As far as testing against a set standard, I like to use that outlaw match for that. Even though it's against other competitors, I don't shoot against them really. I see this as an individualized combat course that requires movement, drawing, shooting while moving or behind cover as well as accuracy and quickness. So I test myself by getting as many A zone hits as I can and beating what I did the time before. I don't 'win' these competitions because it seems time is more important than accuracy in the scoring but I do 'win' by testing myself and staying proficient in skills I've learned through the years.

[Ronin.45]

Competition is the single best way to hone your skills.
Locally the competition can vary greatly. Sometimes I have a guy or two pushing or beating me. Sometimes I am so far ahead it's almost a waste of ammo. That's where set standards are nice.

[David]

Competition is the single best way to hone your skills.

I've really been impressed with these outlaw matches. First, they are very friendly. Haven't seen a jerk yet (and don't want to see one). Secondly, it's been three different courses of fire every time I've gone there. I like that. Distance can go from arms length to maybe 35 yards. Shooting steel, or moving targets or from behind a variety of cover on on the move. I really like all of that. For $15 it's a great way to train! And it's a lot of fun and I get to see my buddies that I use to work with.

[Ronin.45]

You won't usually run into too many assholes at a local match. Especially and outlaw one. They tend to congregate at sanctioned events where they can sandbag classifiers and see who is more pedantic about obscure rule infractions.

[David]

My son and I went to the Outlaw match this last Wednesday. Didn't want to part with the ammo but he was on Spring break and I felt it was a good expenditure for both of use since neither of us have gone since December. And it gave me a chance to try out the new Glock 45 I had literally just purchased an hour and a half earlier.

The match continues to provide a good challenge. They announce they are going to have a concealed weapon competition at the end of may. No race guns, actual concealed carry guns. Probably only about 60 rounds fired. That would be a good one for us to attend, particularly for my son. I know I enjoyed the off-duty pistol combat course my agency put on a few years back. Very educational. So for $15 and 60 rounds it sounds like it would be worth the trip.

[Ronin.45]

I try to run a BUG match every few months. I am doing one tomorrow as a matter of fact. It will be the first match with my 365. Since I got it during the pandemic it's been tough to do specialty matches when ammo is such a cluster.
Most shooters will still probably run rimfire, but a group of us will pony up the 9mm to play with our carry guns.

[Ronin.45]

Fun BUG match. I was 1st in the little gun division, but 3rd overall. Two of our better shooters opted to run full-size so it was a given that they'd probably win.
My shooting was good, but my reloads weren't great. Big hands on a little gun hinder insertion a bit. Not a problem for carry since I don't have a reload anyway.
My deep IWB holster is not super fast, but pretty good overall. Although the clip is a little iffy. After handling for a few stages it must have come unhooked from the bottom of the belt. It came out with the gun on a draw. I quickly shucked it and still did well on the stage, but have to pay more attention when doing multiple draws and manipulations.