If you carry regularly for your job or as a licensed citizen there are several things to consider when you practice at the range. It is far too easy to get caught up in the trap of just blazing away. When you go to the range think about shooting that makes sense. You need to practice with purpose. Just hosing rounds down range won’t make you better. You need perfect practice.
- Practice with the rig you will wear. A level 3 holster demands much more than your off duty holster. Your concealment garment should be worn to familiarize the draw stroke.
- Practice reloads. Load a mag with one or two rounds shoot then reload.
- Practice drawing and shooting. Start with a full mag. Draw and shoot one round. Reholster. Continue this for a full mag. Then draw and shoot twice. Spend time where it counts.
- If you are crazy enough or unfortuante enough to have gun with a decocker, practice the above mentioned drill decocking each time.
- Slow down more than you think is necessary and make sure your form is good.
You don’t have to practice by shooting thousands of rounds. You have to practice in a way that makes sense. If you want to get really crazy, take a class or shoot IDPA.
By the way, if you are an L/E you owe it to yourself to get out and shoot. Please don’t let yourself say things like, “I have a badge. I’m an expert.” Or worse, “I qaulified in the 90’s. I don’t need to shoot again for another 6 months.” Go to and IDPA match and see where most of the cops place. It isn’t at the top. You owe it to yourself and your family to get out to the range this week.
Quick question from a newbie…
I purchased a 9mmx19 H&K USP Compact, variant one, which is DA/SA with a safety/decocker (DA feels like a 15.5 lb trigger pull… no joke). I see the disadvantages as far a shooting while riding the safety. Single action can quickly go back into double action if you’re not careful. Familiar 1911 shooters know where I’m coming from when referring to riding the safety. (Thanks MCC for this knowledge…)
I guess the question is, why are we crazy enough/unfortunate to have a gun with a decocker? (assuming the answer isn’t already mentioned above)
Thanks, MCC.
It is seen as advantage for liability. There is no safety, but like a revolver you don’t need one b/c the trigger pull is so heavy. Many departments did not want to go to the glock b/c it was seen to be too radical. It’s interesting to me that people feel like cocked and locked single actions are actually more of a liability than the glock. It is all about perception.
Not all guns have decockers like the HK USP. I’ve got a full size USP and it is easy to ride the safety and decock it.
I also have a couple of Sigs. The way they are made it would be hard to accidentally decock.
I think it comes down to the design of the gun. I’d be comfortable carrying some guns with a decocker but some I wouldn’t. I’d also be comfortable carrying a 1911 or a Glock.
Good point Bubba. One thing to remember about those sigs with decockers is that you want to practice slide lock reloads. The two levers are very close and you could easily hit the wrong one.
That is a very good point Jeff. I’m a firm believer in that you should practice with whatever you might use for SD either in the home or when carrying. If I am ever in a situation where I need to use a firearm I want to react, not think!
I don’t practice reloads with my S&W 41…
You mean you don’t carry that? I guess if you did, you might possibly have the most accurate carry gun around.