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Skill Set: Blue Gun Training
by Tiger McKee
To fight with firearms requires training -instruction on fighting techniques and combative theory - and practice, the repetitions necessary to learn, and improve, your skills. The very best way to develop and hone fighting skills is with dry-practice; the best way to dry practice is with "dummy" or "blue" guns. These plastic replicas of actual guns, called "blue" guns because that was the first color they came out in, are one of the most underappreciated training tools out there. You can practice the majority of your combative skills with them, almost anywhere, and the danger of having a negligent discharge, which can happen when working with actual weapons, doesn't exist.
To perform the multitude of tasks required in a fight the majority of these actions must be achieved using the subconscious mind. The conscious mind can only focus on one thing at a time. The subconscious process millions of bits of information at once, and is actually responsible for the majority of your daily activities, from simple to complex tasks. To reach this level of ability requires thousands of repetitions.
With a dummy weapon you can practice presenting your pistol, or mounting your long-gun - in your home - moving behind a chair - using cover - obtaining a sight picture on the threat - the light switch - and smoothly pressing the trigger. And, although these plastic guns don't have any moving parts, with a little imagination you can go through the actions required to reload your weapon or clear a malfunction.
When practicing with dummy weapons I treat them just like a live weapon. Don't do anything with your fake weapon that you wouldn't do with a live one. For example don't point the muzzle at your feet and legs, and keep your finger off the trigger unless your sights are on the target, and your eyes are on the sights. You don't want to develop any bad habits during practice that will get you in trouble when you do have to fight.
When practicing with a dummy weapon there's no bang, recoil, or compliments from buddies about your hard-core fightin' skills. It ain't exciting. But nobody I know has the time or ammo to get in the repetitions necessary to learn these fundamental and critical skills.
Developing your combative skills is a never-ending journey. By being motivated and creative, you can take a few steps on this journey by making practice a part of your daily life. When you have to use your weapon you are in a life-or-death situation, and in a fight there is no excuse for not being all you can be. Buy, or make, a dummy weapon, take a few minutes out of your daily activities to practice, and make sure that when your time comes, you are ready.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama, author of The Book of Two Guns, a staff member of several firearms/tactical publications, and an adjunct instructor for the F.B.I. (256) 582-4777 www.shootrite.org