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DRY PRACTICE
SAFETY
by Ronnie Dodd |
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Dry Practice: Practicing basic
marksman techniques and gun manipulation
skills with an unloaded (empty) gun in
such a way that it does not fire.
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Marksmanship is a skill based on manual
dexterity and as such, it depends upon
programmed reflexes. The more deeply the
reflexes are programmed, the less
continuous practice is necessary to
maintain a satisfactory level of
proficiency. "Dry practice" is
essential to programming those deep
reflexes and maintaining the proficiency
level. However, it must be conducted
with safety foremost in mind. It is
essential that you be able to apply
total concentration, without outside
distractions. Short sessions (10 to 20
minutes) are better than longer ones
that are mentally and physically taxing.
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| DRY PRACTICE CHECKLIST: Acquire a
"Dry Practice Container". The container type is
irrelevant, a coffee can or Mason jar, but what is critical is
that it is never used for any
other purpose.
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Unload
the weapon and all magazines. Place ALL
live ammunition into your dry
practice container. Then put the
container in a room or place totally
separate from where you intend to
conduct your dry practice.
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Go to
your designated dry practice area,
i.e. bedroom, garage, etc. It should
be a quiet area where you can
practice undisturbed. Dry practice
should be done only in that area and
the practice target should only be
visible during the practice session.
The backstop you practice against MUST
meet the "Safe Direction"
requirement, and MUST
be able to contain a bullet if a
negligent discharge (ND) did occur.
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Check
your weapon one last time to be sure
it is unloaded.
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Mentally
enter the "Dry Practice
Mode". Concentrate on the dry
practice drills and avoid all
distractions. If at any point you
are interrupted, i.e. a phone call,
immediately cease dry practice. If
you decide to continue after the
interruption, go back to Step 1 and
start over.
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"Point
in" at something that will
sustain minimal damage and contain a
bullet if a ND occurred, i.e.,
fireplace, block wall, etc. This is
where you should place your dry
practice target if you intend to use
one. "Click off" as many
times as it takes to cycle the
weapon to its capacity (one for
autos, six for revolvers). Do not
use a mirror as a dry practice
target, as you will have a tendency
to look at your reflection rather
than the front sight. Dry practice
on the desired techniques for 10 to
20 minutes. Be sure to practice the
techniques properly; it does not
help to reinforce bad habits.
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Once
you have made the decision to end
your dry practice, STOP! DO
NOT CONTINUE! You must leave
"Dry Practice Mode" at
once. Put the weapon in whatever
condition you wish (loaded or
unloaded) and leave it alone. The
session is finished - NO
"ONE MORE TIME"!
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NOTE: There are two points during
which the risk of a negligent discharge
is highest:
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Failing
at the beginning to ensure that the
weapon is unloaded.
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Ending
the session, reloading, and taking
"just one more dry shot".
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Ronnie Dodd
Dodd and Associates Training
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CLICK
HERE TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THIS HANDOUT
TO PRINT AND POST IN YOUR
PRACTICE AREA AS A REMINDER, AND NEVER
HAVE AN ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE WHILE
DRY PRACTICING.
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Firearms Safety Training LLC's practice cds are an excellent
training aid and I highly recommend them!
Available
at www.dryfire-practice.com by clicking here!
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| Ronnie Dodd of Dodd and Associates
Training is a 24-year veteran of law enforcement with an
extensive background in civilian, law enforcement and military
tactical training. Mr. Dodd conducts a variety of private
training seminars in self defense at his private training
facility in Southeastern Tennessee. For more information and
class schedules, visit his website at www.doddtraining.com
or email him at redodd@doddtraining.com.
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