Our Defensive Shooter training exercises help you learn the basics of defensive handgun shooting.
When you’re target shooting, the idea is to slowly and carefully hit a bulls-eye. In defensive shooting, the idea is to quickly stop a threat by hitting the center of mass, while shooting under stress. Among the skills you need to learn include shooting on the move, shooting from behind cover, using a flashlight to shoot in low light, and quickly clearing malfunctions. We’ve identified twenty-one distinct skills that when mastered, move you from being a beginner to an intermediate level shooter.
DS-1: Learn to hit your target with the first shotIn this video we’ll help you learn how to hit your target reliably on the first shot. This is your most important shot in any deadly confrontation. Hitting your first shot is your best chance to stop a threat immediately. |
DS-2: Learn to hold the muzzle steadyIn this video we’ll help you learn how to hold your gun’s muzzle steady while shooting. If the muzzle of the gun moves, you’ll miss the target. Practicing this skill will greatly improve your shooting accuracy by preventing any movement. |
DS-3: Learn to set your gun’s action for dry-fire practiceIn this video we’ll help you learn how to set your gun’s action for dry-fire practice. This lets you perform many shooting exercises at home. Dry-firing is one of the fastest ways to improve your shooting at the range. It provides a way to get in a lot more practice time. |
DS-4: Learn the difference between concealment and coverIn this video we’ll help you learn the difference between concealment and cover. One of them will stop bullets. The other won’t. If you’re ever in a shooting situation, knowing the difference may save your life. |
DS-5: Learn to assess for additional threatsIn this video we’ll help you learn how to assess for additional threats in the 360-degree environment around you. Even though you’ve stopped an immediate threat, there may be other threats behind you. |
DS-6: Learn to shoot on the move without trippingIn this video we’ll help you learn how to shoot on the move without tripping. In many defensive shooting situations you’ll be moving from one position to another, and often shooting while you’re doing it. You don’t want to trip and fall down. That’s a position you don’t want to be in. |
DS-7: Learn to perform tactical reloadsIn this video we’ll help you learn the steps involved in performing a tactical reload. If you find yourself in a defensive shooting situation, it’s important not to run out of ammunition. Performing a tactical reload lets you continue the shooting activity with a fully loaded gun. |
DS-8: Learn to perform emergency reloadsIn this video we’ll help you learn the steps involved in performing an emergency reload. Suppose you’re in a defensive shooting situation, and you suddenly run completely out of ammunition, with your slide locked back. Performing an emergency reload gets you back into the shooting activity, as quickly as possible, with a fully loaded gun. |
DS-10: Learn to draw from your holsterIn this video we’ll help you learn the steps involved in drawing your gun from a holster, including drawing from concealment. When you are armed and away from home, it is likely you’ll be carrying your gun in a holster. By mastering this skill you’ll be able to draw your gun safely and get on-target quickly. |
DS-12: Learn to clear failure-to-fire malfunctionsIn this video we’ll help you learn the steps involved in clearing a failure-to-fire malfunction. If you are in a defensive shooting situation and your gun malfunctions, you need to fix the problem quickly. Knowing what steps to take will get you back into the shooting activity quickly with a fully functional gun. |
DS-13: Learn to clear failure-to-eject malfunctionsIn this video we’ll help you learn the steps involved in clearing a failure-to-eject malfunction. If you are in a defensive shooting situation and your gun malfunctions, you need to fix the problem quickly. Knowing what steps to take will get you back into the shooting activity quickly with a fully functional gun. |
DS-14: Learn to clear failure-to-extract malfunctionsIn this video we’ll help you learn the steps involved in clearing a failure-to-extract malfunction. If you are in a defensive shooting situation and your gun malfunctions, you need to fix the problem quickly. Knowing what steps to take will get you back into the shooting activity quickly with a fully functional gun. |
DS-15: Learn to switch your gun between handsIn this video we’ll help you learn how to switch your gun between hands, using a two-handed grip. The ability to shoot both left- and right-handed is a valuable skill when shooting from behind cover. Practicing this skill will help you minimize your exposure to fire in almost any shooting situation. |
DS-17: Learn to shoot in low light with a flashlightIn this video we’ll help you learn how to shoot in low light with a flashlight. Darkness provides good cover for criminal activity. The result is that many self-defense situations may occur in low light. Practicing this skill will let you blind the threat while illuminating them as a clear target. |
DS-18: Learn to get off the "X" and reach coverIn this video we’ll help you learn how to get off the "X" and reach cover. If someone points a gun at you, it’s important to get out of the line of fire quickly. Making this an automatic reaction will increase your chances of survival in a shooting situation. |
DS-19: Learn to shoot from behind coverIn this video we’ll help you learn how to shoot from behind cover. If you hear shots close by, the safest thing to do is move immediately to cover. Then if a threat appears, you can return fire from behind cover. |
DS-20: Learn to move from cover to coverIn this video we’ll help you learn how to move from cover to cover, while shooting as you go. This skill is useful if you’re ever in a shooting situation and have to change cover positions. Shooting while moving will make the bad guys more likely to stay behind their cover. |
In production – Coming soon:DS-9. Learn to shoot controlled pairs |