Podcast Summary
Discovering the Passion for Competitive Shooting with Mike Seaclander: Mike Seaclander, a firearms expert, shares his journey from childhood to competitive shooting, explaining the difference between practical and competition shooting, and highlighting three-gun competitions.
Mike Seaclander, a world-class firearms instructor and competitive shooter, shared his passion for the sport during this podcast episode. He discussed his diverse background in shooting, from childhood to the Marine Corps and law enforcement, and how he became a competitive shooter and instructor. Seaclander explained the difference between practical shooting and competition shooting, with competition shooting being the focus of this conversation. He highlighted three-gun competition, which involves shooting handguns, shotguns, and rifles in various stages. If you're interested in firearms and looking for a new hobby or sport, this podcast episode offers valuable insights into the world of competitive shooting. Additionally, Seaclander's expertise extends beyond competition, as he also instructs law enforcement agencies and civilians on self-defense tactics with weapons.
Testing gun handling and marksmanship skills under pressure: Practical shooting improves gun handling, marksmanship, and athleticism, but may not teach effective self-defense tactics.
Practical shooting, also known as competitive shooting sports like USPSA and IDPA, is about testing gun handling and marksmanship skills under pressure while on the move. It involves shooting from various positions, including while moving, and can include multiple firearms such as handguns, rifles, and shotguns. These sports are athletic and fast-paced, providing a fun challenge for shooters. However, it's important to note that while practical shooting can improve gun handling and marksmanship abilities, it may not teach effective self-defense tactics. Therefore, individuals seeking to improve their self-defense skills should consider training in both practical shooting and tactical instruction. Practical shooting has gained popularity and recognition, even appearing on television shows like Top Shot. Despite being kicked off early, the experience was a memorable one for those involved.
Reality TV show 'Top Shot' brought gun culture to a wider audience: Overcome fear, seek proper instruction at a reputable range, and learn from experts like Mike to start your firearms journey.
The reality TV show "Top Shot" provided a unique experience for participants, despite its challenges and imperfections. The show brought together shooters from various backgrounds and showcased gun culture to a wider audience. For those interested in getting started with firearms, it's essential to overcome fear and seek out proper instruction at a reputable range. Mike, a local expert, makes firearms approachable and can be a valuable resource for those beginning their firearms journey. Despite personal setbacks, the experience of being on "Top Shot" was a source of pride and an opportunity to learn and grow.
Starting Firearms Training: Build Skills and Knowledge Gradually: Begin at local gun ranges, rent equipment, read articles, take courses, and prioritize skilled, effective instructors for a successful firearms training journey.
Getting started with firearms training involves gradually building up your skills and knowledge. Begin by visiting local gun ranges, renting equipment, and reading articles to gain a solid foundation. Once you're comfortable, consider taking additional courses or buying instructional materials. When selecting an instructor, prioritize those with a deep understanding of firearms and a good teaching style, even if they lack formal certifications. Remember, a good instructor should be able to make the learning process enjoyable and effective. Additionally, always ensure your instructor is willing to demonstrate their skills in front of you.
Try before you buy: Rent guns for a better purchase decision: Rent guns to find the best fit, receive instruction, and maintain value, while building skills through drills for self-defense.
If you're a new gun buyer, it's important to rent guns before making a purchase and to receive proper instruction. Renting guns allows you to get a feel for different firearms and find one that suits you best. Additionally, receiving instruction from experienced shooters can help ensure that you're making an informed decision. It's also important to note that guns retain their value but not the same value once bought, so it's worth taking the time to try before you buy. For those looking to be serious and adept gun owners for self-defense, building skills through drills is essential. Dry firing and handling firearms at home are key components of this training, but always follow safety rules. Remember, proper preparation and education can make all the difference in ensuring you're making the right decision and becoming a responsible gun owner.
Dry Fire Practice: Essential Component of Firearm Training: Regularly practice gun handling, sight alignment, trigger control, and malfunction clearance at home with dry fire drills. Visit the range weekly for live fire training. Competition can be beneficial for beginners, and continuous evaluation and improvement are crucial for all levels of firearm practitioners.
Dry fire practice is an essential component of firearm training that can be done at home and should be done regularly to develop and maintain skills. Dry fire drills can teach gun handling, sight alignment, trigger control, and malfunction clearance without the need for live ammunition. It's recommended to do dry fire practice almost every day, like a fitness routine, and visit the range once a week for live fire training. Competition can be a valuable experience for beginners, and it's encouraged to participate as soon as possible after acquiring a basic level of skill. For seasoned firearm practitioners, common mistakes include relying too much on muscle memory, neglecting regular practice, and overlooking the importance of situational awareness and scenario training in self-defense situations. It's essential to continuously evaluate and improve one's skills and adapt to new situations.
A well-rounded self-defense strategy includes hand-to-hand combat skills and proper shooting techniques.: Effective self-defense goes beyond gun use; learn hand-to-hand combat and proper shooting techniques for optimal safety.
Effective self-defense involves more than just relying on a firearm. While guns can be an essential tool, they may not always be accessible during an attack. Therefore, it's crucial to have a well-rounded self-defense strategy that includes hand-to-hand combat skills and an understanding of proper shooting techniques. Many people have incorrectly learned shooting methods, leading to inaccuracy and slow shooting. Proper gun handling, such as managing the trigger and grouping, can significantly improve shooting speed and accuracy in both self-defense and competitive settings. Furthermore, tactics like striking, kicking, and movement should also be part of a comprehensive self-defense plan. Ultimately, a self-defense continuum that encompasses various techniques and distances is essential for ensuring the best possible outcome in a dangerous situation.
Practice situational awareness to stay safe: Improve awareness of surroundings and people to avoid threats, identify potential danger early, and stay safe. Play a situational awareness game to practice engaging senses and staying alert.
Situational awareness is crucial in self-defense. This means being fully engaged with your surroundings and observing your environment carefully. The speaker shares a game he uses to help develop this skill, which involves identifying and recalling details about people and situations in a given location. By playing this game, individuals can improve their awareness and increase their ability to avoid potential threats. The speaker emphasizes that awareness is the first step in self-defense, as it allows us to identify and respond to dangerous situations before they escalate. He also notes that it's important to remember that bringing out a gun should be a last resort, and that avoiding fights is always the best option when possible. The speaker's personal experience of being attacked despite being armed underscores the importance of being aware of your surroundings and the people around you. By playing the situational awareness game, individuals can practice turning their senses back on and staying engaged with their environment, which can help them stay safe in a variety of situations.
Staying fit to avoid conflicts: Maintaining fitness is crucial for self-defense, deterring potential attackers and promoting overall health and well-being.
Preventing a self-defense situation is preferable to being in one. Situational awareness and humility are essential in avoiding conflicts. Physical fitness plays a crucial role in self-defense, acting as a force multiplier for skill sets and a deterrent to potential attackers. The emphasis should be on staying fit and avoiding fights whenever possible. A self-defense situation is likely to begin as a physical altercation, and the higher one's fitness level, the better equipped they are to defend themselves. Moreover, focusing on fitness leads to better overall health and well-being.
Functional fitness and self-defense training: Integrating functional fitness and self-defense training into workouts can boost confidence and preparedness for real-life situations, including physical altercations and gun use.
Prioritizing functional fitness and integrating self-defense training into workouts can increase confidence and preparedness in various situations, including potential physical altercations. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being able to functionally use fitness techniques in real-life scenarios, such as during a fight or on a shooting circuit. He also incorporates gun training into his workouts, using a laser pistol for trigger control drills during rest periods. Additionally, the speaker's personal experience with overcoming physical challenges, such as hip replacements, highlights the importance of adapting fitness routines to individual needs and abilities. Overall, the focus on functional fitness and self-defense training can lead to increased strength, confidence, and preparedness.
Mike's Gunfighter Training Aid: Versatile Shooting Performance Tool: Mike Secci's Shooting Performance tool is a versatile training aid used for improving shooting skills through various methods like striking bags and breaking switches. Accessible through his website, it offers online courses for beginners and video downloads for advanced learners.
The Shooting Performance training tool, also known as the "Mike's Gunfighter Training Aid," is a versatile and effective training tool for improving shooting skills. Mike Secci, its founder, uses it for various purposes, including striking his bag with a pistol and even breaking light switches. Interested individuals can find more information about Mike's training programs and purchase the tool on his website, shooting-performance.com. He offers both online courses on Udemy and Vimeo, with the latter being just video downloads and the former being more interactive. For beginners, he recommends the online courses as they can be done at one's own pace and from the comfort of their home. Overall, the Shooting Performance tool is a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their shooting abilities.
