Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Police News
    • Military News
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Special Weapons
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
    • Training
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Police News
    • Military News
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Special Weapons
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Pop Culture
    • Training
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
No Result
View All Result

Train Like You Fight: 9 Real-Life Range Tips From Pat McNamara

Pat McNamara by Pat McNamara
January 17, 2018
in Lifestyle, Training
0
pat mac train like you fight range tips
2
SHARES
228
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
train like you fight pat mac training
The author knows a thing or two about training. He spent 22 years in the U.S. Army in a variety of special operations units before retiring as a sergeant major and becoming a trainer.
train like you fight pat mac shooting
“‘Train like you fight’ means training beyond the drill. If the drill requires one shot, that doesn’t mean we don’t train for two, for five, for 10.”
train like you fight pat mac running

train like you fight pat mac aiming
train like you fight pat mac teaching
train like you fight pat mac running angle

train like you fight pat mac holding gun
train like you fight pat mac range tips
train like you fight pat mac one hand draw

train like you fight pat mac shooting stance

“Train like you fight” is an overused and misunderstood axiom. I hear its misuse frequently. Does it mean that we must train in full combat gear all of the time? Does it mean that we have to train until we drop? The answer is no. It has nothing to do with how much black Velcro you strap on your person. The term comes from athletics of yore: “Practice like you play.” Instead of practicing on a half-court, practice on a full court, for example.

Let’s put it into terms outside of the range. When you work out to ensure your combat chassis is more effective and capable, do you do it in full kit? Every time? If the answer is no, then I guess you are not training like you fight. How about on the range? If your objective to marksmanship training is to dissuade a home invasion, should you be training in boxer shorts? Think about it.

Pat McNamara Metal Gym Playlist lead
RELATED STORY

Metal Up, Buttercup: Pat Mac’s 5 Must-Have Songs for Your Gym Playlist

Too many of the folks I train are subservient to square-range mindset nonsense from institutional inbreeding. Snatching the pistol back into their workspace so that they may scan and assess for more threats is an example of the square-range mindset. Following the target down is another one. If we were going to scan and assess, wouldn’t the pistol go with us? What about following the target down? What if he is down a flight of stairs or what if he is in a vehicle? Is a person really going to fall down in slow motion in a straight line? I think not.

Beyond Drills

“Train like you fight” means training beyond the drill. If the drill requires one shot, that doesn’t mean we don’t train for two, for five, for 10. Do not let the drill dictate when you should stop thinking. Check your work through your weapon’s sights. Reset your trigger and get ready for the next shot. Scan what is available to scan—with your gun. Check for targets to the left and right, for example. Here are some more useful tips:

• Perform a focal shift. Try to see things full spectrum. Once again, work beyond the drill. If the targets are directly in front of you, look beyond them, in front of them, and understand what is flanking these targets.

• When taking a step or two to the rear, make sure that you are taking a snapshot of what’s behind you. Many of us do not do this on a flat range because we know that it’s clear. After all, it’s a flat range. Try that in a Wal-Mart parking lot at zero dark thirty. You’ll be ass over tea kettle, my friend.

• Train during periods of limited visibility. Understand your flashlight’s potential capabilities and its flaws. Use your light when you need it. Ensure that it is off when you don’t.

• How do you run with a gun? My answer, “The same way you run without one!” Stop all of the gimmicky bullshit and train like you fight. After all, the objective when moving from Point A to Point B is to get there. Mobility equals survivability. It’s hard to shoot a moving target.

Pat McNamara Pistol Marksmanship 100-Pound Dummy
RELATED STORY

Pat McNamara Practices Pistol Marksmanship Carrying a 100-Pound Dummy

• Train in adverse weather conditions. It sucks to train in the rain. Cold rain especially. Your hands get slippery, you sight fogs up. We lose dexterity. Do we fight in the rain? You’re damn right we do! So get out there in a storm, put some rounds downrange, do your med training and perform vehicle ops when the weather is crappy.

• Train to stay in the fight. It’s OK to suck in training. It is a biological requirement that we humans fail. When we do, however, we must learn from the past, prepare for the future and perform in the present. Get into contingency planning mode. Fail quickly and do not let your failure become a recurring theme.

• Get out of the square-range mindset. Implement movement drills. Simple short movements to the front, laterally, rear oblique, etc., are essential. Footwork is a necessary component to gunfighting. After all, fighting is fighting. Learn to move like a ballerina instead of a duck.

• If you do not live in the “tactical” world, strip off that K-vest, MultiCam, drop-down holster, mag pouches and work from concealment. Do those mag changes out of your pocket.

• Run a sprint or two prior to a course of fire. Mobility is a natural defense mechanism built into our hard drives. Will we have to run in a gunfight or simply stand in front of a static target and get our blaze on? After the run, assess how your gear is fitted to your person. Did it move? Does it make a bunch of racket? Do you have to hold it in place during your jaunt? Did you leave a yard sale behind you?

Keep a few of these things in mind next time you hear “train like you fight” and add them to your list.

This article is from the January/February 2018 issue of  “Combat Handguns” magazine. To order a copy and subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

RELATED POSTS

March-April 2023 Issue of Tactical Life.

March-April 2023 Issue of Tactical Life: Clint Smith Collaborations

Experience the vehicles of Mad Max: Fury Road.

Mad Max Vehicles: Witness the Once in a Lifetime Car Auction

Tactical Reload Semi-Auto Pistol Step 8

5 Strategies For Effectively Completing a Tactical Reload

The upgraded Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical is built for long-range shooting.

FIRST LOOK: Rounds Downrange With the new Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical

Load More

TACTICAL-LIFE NIGHT SHOOTER SEASON 2

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

March-April 2023 Issue of Tactical Life.

March-April 2023 Issue of Tactical Life: Clint Smith Collaborations

It feels like 2023 just started, and we’re already bringing you the second issue of the new year. Proof that...

Read more

TRENDING

U.S. Secret Service adopts Glock G47

FIRST LOOK: Glock Just Very Quietly Unveiled the New Glock 47 Pistol

...

5 new pistols launched at NASGW.

5 New Pistols Launching for 2023

...

Police Sidearms, police duty pistols, Handguns, America's Largest Police Departments 2018

Police Sidearms: The Handguns of America’s 10 Largest Departments

...

The new Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 pistol packs 22+1.

Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 Packs 22+1 Rounds of Firepower!

...

PICK A CATEGORY

TACTICS & TRAINING SPOTLIGHT

Tactical Reload Semi-Auto Pistol Step 8

5 Strategies For Effectively Completing a Tactical Reload

If you’re reading this publication, you’re most likely familiar with the “speed reload,” sometimes called the “combat reload” or “emergency...

TACTICS & TRAINING SHOWCASE

Fact vs. Fiction 5 Myths Gunfight Survival lead

5 Common Myths on How to Survive a Gunfight

Standing Your Ground Castle Doctrine lead

Understanding Stand Your Ground Laws and Castle Doctrine

long distance shooting tips

Long-Distance Shooting: 5 Must-Know Tips For Spotters & Shooters

IMPACT Experience Events.

IMPACT Experience Events Redefine Your Long-Range Shooting Limits

Enhance your shooting precision skills in a course with Modern Day Sniper.

Sniper Skills: Taking Your Shooting Precision to the Next Level

Once you find a carry gun that works for you, get another for a spare. These “hammerless” S&W J-frame lightweights are M340 M&P with Hogue Bantam grips, top, and a M442 Airweight with Crimson Trace Lasergrips, below.

10 Commandments of Concealed Carry

self-defense myths can be dangerous

Self-Defense Myths that Could Get you Killed

Mossberg 590 Shockwave review for home defense myths

4 Home Defense Myths You Need to Stop Repeating

The Dicken Drill is named for Eli Dicken who saved many lives in the Greenwood Mall

The Elisjsha Dicken Drill

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

Remington Ammunition Issues Recall Notice on 12-Gauge Premier Accutip Ammo.

Remington Ammunition Issues a 12-Gauge Premier AccuTip Ammo Recall

Remington Ammunition has recently discovered an issue related to its 12-Gauge Premier Accutip ammo and issued a recall notice. This...

site logo
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun news, gun reviews and gun magazines for gun enthusiasts, military and law enforcement

Tactical

  • tactical-life.com

Magazines

  • Tactical Life
  • The Complete Book of Reloading
  • Guns of the Old West

Facebook

  • Tactical-Life Facebook
  • Guns of the Old West Facebook

Twitter

  • Tactical-Life Twitter

Self Defense

  • PersonalDefenseWorld.com

Magazines

  • Personal Defense World
  • Combat Handguns

Facebook

  • Personal Defense World Facebook
  • Combat Handguns

Twitter

  • Personal Defense World Twitter

Shooting Lifestyle

  • BallisticMag.com

Magazines

  • BallisticMag.com

Facebook

  • Ballistic Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Ballistic Magazine Twitter

Alpha Lifestyle

  • SkillsetMag.com

Magazines

  • Skillset

Facebook

  • Skillset Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Skillset Magazine Twitter

Instagram

  • Skillset Magazine Instagram
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
  • Knives
  • Gear
    • Holsters
    • Optics & Sights
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Suppressors
  • News
    • New Products & Industry News
    • Police News
    • Military News
  • Videos
  • Contact Us

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.