Your New Year’s Resolution…Get to the Shooting Range More

By Ready to Fire News Last updated Jan 6, 2020

As a licensed gun owner, it’s important you keep your shooting skills sharp. Many people who own firearms routinely make trips to their local shooting range to bone up on their technique and skills.

Of course, it isn’t everyone who owns gun taking the initiative to build on their comfort level with shooting. If you haven’t been in a while, it’s time to make a New Year’s resolution: get to the shooting range more. Here are four reasons why this is so important.

Reason #1: Practice Makes Perfect

People in law enforcement and military routinely practice their shooting skills more than the average civilian. Why should you be any less practiced than they are? Carrying a gun requires a certain amount of skill and responsibility. If you don’t practice your accuracy with target shots at the range often, your skills can start to lag. As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. It’s definitely true with shooting.

Reason #2: Go at Least Twice a Month

Experts don’t exactly agree on how much a regular person with a concealed carry license should get to the firing range, but most instructors recommend twice a month at the minimum. Of course, you can go to the range as much as you want to. Keep in mind that, ideally, you want to shoot at least 50 rounds per session. Practicing your draw from your holster is important as well. You want it to feel as much like you would end up using your firearm in a real scenario, not just handling it at a shooting range, in your hand and ready to go.

Reason #3: Shooting Drills Will Improve Your Skills

The more you do shooting drills, the better your skills will be. Obviously. Practice with target or bullseye shooting, but also some long range rifle shooting if you want to amp up your hunting skills in the process. Don’t forget the defensive shooting drills, like “draw and fire” and point shooting, which is threat focused shooting. This will help you be prepared for real life scenarios that are dangerous where you may need to defend yourself or your home.

Reason #4: Getting Adjusted to New Guns

Another reason to go to the shooting range often is to use different guns in your collection. You want to make sure you are comfortable on every gun you carry. It’s as simple as that. If you get something new, practice with it often. That’s the only way you are going to become skilled at using a new firearm.

So, did you receive any new firearms for a holiday gift? Time to take those to the shooting range to get acquainted with them. It should definitely be a part of your New Year’s Resolution to become a regular at your local firing range. Ring in 2020 with better shooting skills that will make your life safer all year long.