SHOOTRITE Newsletter, July 2007

It's been a busy year, and I'm just now starting to catch up. Here is the latest and greatest news.

In Jan this year Clint Smith came to Shootrite for pistol and carbine classes. In '08 we are repeating our success with another series of classes in Feb. They are almost full, so if you want to get in now is the time to register. We are doing pistol, carbine, and shotgun classes. Registration is through Thunder Ranch, so call or email them on details. This is a rare opportunity to train with Clint is this part of the country, so don't miss out.

On The Road - We are heading to Augusta, GA, Oct. 20-21, for another Defensive Carbine class. We taught there in May and had a great class. The facilities are excellent and the students are squared away over there, so we're looking forward to another trip. If you are interested get with us since the class is expected to fill up quickly. Last time we had to turn people away, so don't wait too late to book this class. The first of next year the plan is to offer a Level II carbine class for students who have attended the Defensive Carbine courses.

If you are interested in hosting a class at your facility give us a shout.

Schedule - We are putting together the schedule for '08 now, so if you want to book private instruction for next year now is the time to do it. Our private tutorials have been booking a good ways in advance, so make plans now for '08 to ensure you get the dates you want.

The range is shaping up nice, but we still have a couple of projects to go. Next on the list is a shoothouse, which we hope to start construction on this winter. Plans also include a "jungle walk" with targets set up in the woods. Both of these additions will add another element to the training at Shootrite.

For the past couple of years I've been reading and studying a lot of books on mindset and the mental aspects of training and fighting. Two outstanding books I've discovered, and highly recommend to everyone are "With Winning In Mind, by Lanny Bassham, and Sharpening The Warrior's Edge by Bruce Siddle. Bassham was an Olympic shooter, and now teaches others how to mentally prepare for victory. Siddle's book will be of particular interest to instructors.

What most of us forget is that fighting is a mental process, and if you haven't trained your mind your performance will suffer. In a lethal encounter this is deadly. The other issue we need to consider is that the same mindset will help us with every aspect of our lives. I like to tell students that if they limit what they are learning to just fighting then they are cheating their selves. The proper mindset, and managing your emotions, is essential in all aspects of life. One of my greatest joys is to hear reports from students on how their firearms training has helped them with their job, family relationships, and just everyday life. How well we perform in all these areas is determined by what we are thinking. Being a warrior, like being a Christian, should show in everything you do.

In case you haven't noticed ammunition is drastically increasing in price, and supplies are becoming limited. No one has been able to offer an explanation for this, but if I were you I would start investing in ammo. From what I hear it is expected to continue to climb in price, and apparently the military isn't selling off their dated ammo any longer. If you plan on training in the future you should buy now to avoid the increases, and remember it's always a good idea to have some extra on hand for every weapon you own.

The recent shootings around the country have once again shocked the sheeple. Most people either are ignorant to the fact that there are predators out there, or they think they live in a "safe" place where that type thing doesn't happen. I've got news for you, trouble can happen at any time in any place. Personal security is an individual responsibility, and nobody is going to show up to save you or your family.
If you have firearms for self protection then you better train and practice on how to use that weapon to defend yourself. And trust me when I say that just because you've "been shootin' all your life" doesn't mean you are prepared to fight. There is a world of difference between shooting and fighting, and while shooting may be a part of fighting it is a small portion of the whole pie. If you use a weapon in your occupation, and all you do is qualify once or twice a year, keep in mind that doesn't prepare you to fight either. Like Clint Smith says, "It's hard to acquire new skills in the middle of a fight."

The time to learn is now, before you find yourself fighting a vicious attacker. And remember there's a lot of difference between training and practice. You train by attending instruction, but then you have to practice that instruction to actually learn it. And you don't have to go to the range to practice. Dry practice will go a long way towards improving your skills.

Until next time,
Tiger