As a firearm instructor, our goal is to outfit our trainees with everything they need to begin their wear and carry journey safely and smartly. To supplement our Maryland CCW course, we’ve decided to create this guide for students to look back on for helpful information they can benefit from as they make every day carrying part of their routine. Whether you’re just getting started as a daily carrier or have plenty of experience, this series includes key lessons anyone can benefit from.
Be sure to check out the previous posts in the series to catch up!
Dryfiring
Going to the range to practice shooting is a sure way to improve your skill set, but you won’t always have the free time available to do so. Luckily, 10-15 minutes of dryfire practice per day can really start to add up. You won’t be able to cover every skill with dryfire practice at home, but there really is a lot you can do to keep your skills sharp:
- Practice dryfiring and involving motion
- Practice grip and trigger press
- Practice drawing from your holster
Printing
Printing is a common source of anxiety for individuals new to concealed carrying. If you aren’t familiar with the term, printing takes place when either a holster configuration, clothing choice, or a combination of each allows the shape of a firearm to be displayed through an article of clothing. Our best advice is to make your best attempt at avoiding printing with a pistol and holster choice that suit your body type. Beyond that, you shouldn’t worry too much. Naturally, if you can blatantly see the entire outline of a pistol through your clothing, that could spell problems. However, the odds of your pistol being noticed as you move around are lower than you may expect.
Support Hand Contact
Having complete control of your pistol is critical when there is a chance you will be pressing the trigger in the real world. Most concealed carriers consciously spend time at the range making sure their dominant hand grip and trigger discipline are dialed in, which is highly advisable. Often times, the support hand isn’t factored in as much is it should be. Next time you go to the range, have a friend watch your shooting to see if you are making any subtle adjustments with your supporting hands between shots. These adjustments increase recoil and reduce accuracy, and there’s a chance you are making them without even realizing it. If or a friend detect support hand movement, consider trying some hand strengthening exercises to correct it.
Start Your Concealed Carry Journey with Soteria Training Academy
Soteria Training Academy provides expert pistol training with an emphasis on safety. Whether you’re a beginner in the world of firearms, or already have a wealth of experience, we look forward to helping your shooting skill set. Contact us today by visiting our website, or call us at (410) 216-3176 to learn more.