Dry Fire: The Practice for Pros, Not Just Beginners

by Paul Markel
Created:

Many trainers who accept the concept of dry-fire (firearms practice without ammunition) fall into the trap of thinking that dry-fire is simply a technique for beginners. To that end, many shooters feel that once they’ve demonstrated themselves to be...


If you have a partner or friend, try practicing dry-fire as a team.  With your handgun outstretched in a firing positions, have you partner balance a spend casing or a dime on the front sight of you pistol. Try to press the trigger and release the sear without dropping the case or coin.  If you can do that ten times in a row without dropping the object you are on your way to an excellent trigger press.

When it comes time to practice presentation from the holster, again you should first do so under the watchful eye of an instructor.  During your skill maintenance practice, take your time and go about half speed.   The worst thing you can do is try to ‘outdraw’ yourself.  Stop worrying about speed and start worrying about technique.  Each and every draw stroke or trigger press trains the neuromuscular impulses in your body.  Just like a professional golfer or baseball player, you are teaching your body how to perform the action in question.  Strive for a perfect draw stroke or perfect trigger press each time.     

Safety Note

You know that I can’t close this piece without a safety note.   Dry-fire is most often carried out with live, genuine firearms.  When you’ve decided to dry practice take the time to remove all live ammunition from your reach.  It’s not enough to simply clear the gun.   All spare magazines, etc. must be moved away so that you don’t inadvertently grab one should you get distracted.  Also, the 4 Universal Safety Rules still apply to dry-fire.  Your gun should never be pointed an anything that will bleed but instead index it on something that would actually stop or absorb a bullet should the worst happen.

Dry-fire isn’t just for beginners. It’s for all dedicated students of the gun.  Get more training and take your dry practice seriously.  If you have the mental discipline and diligence you’ll see the results on your next Qual Day.