One of the most overlooked component in firearms training is holster work! As shooters and gun enthusiasts, we LOVE our range time. Nothing beats the smell of burnt gun powder behind the audible harmony of rounds going down range. I get that too!
Keep in mind what you are training for! You might be a competitve shooter getting ready for the next IDPA or IPSC match, you might be a Conceal Carry holder that wants a good skill set to be able to protect your life, or you might be a Law Enforcement officer that understands that even the next traffic stop might be the start of a very violent encounter.
Statistics show that the greatest risk of a negligent discharge is when a person is interacting with your holster. That means when you are drawing your firearm from the holster, or you are placing your firearm back in your holster. Either of those proposes different threats to your own safety. The interaction with the firearm, the speed of which we conduct the action, the potential of obstructions, the failures of trigger finger discipline, the perils of clothing getting entangled with the firearm… all of those are hazards that we have to train to mitigate.
On the other hand, the aspect of holster training that is not realized by all too many is the simple fact that IF you are in a life threatening incident and need your firearm, the very first part of our gear that we interact with is our holster. If we do not build the proficiency of drawing our firearm, then we simply will not be able to access it effectively for the situation.
If you want to improve your holster skills and speed, place your firearm in a dryfire configuration and work that holster. Do it with speed, do it slow, do it from unconventional positions such as seated, laying down, support hand etc. Make a habit of working 25 holster draws every day before you leave the house. Not only do those reps add up, but you will also get a chance to mitigate issues caused by your clothing as well. Better to find out early, than too late.
Know your purpose, and realize that if you don’t get out of the holster, on target, and into the fight…it won’t matter how great of shot you are. Now get out there and work that holster!
Nik
