The Gunsite Academy Bear Drill

The 'Crush the Clock' drill at Gun For Hire Range is a challenging 12-standard course designed to test shooter proficiency under pressure. Participants must pass 10 out of 12 standards, which include timed drills, reloads, one-handed shooting, and shots at various distances. This advanced training emphasizes dynamic movement, positional changes, and effective shot placement, aiming to prepare individuals for real-world defensive scenarios.

Mike Wallace, Chief Instructor at Bravo Tactical, details the 'Big Red' dynamic movement shooting course at Sierra One facility. This intermediate-level drill emphasizes engaging targets at varying distances (125-300 yards) over 330 yards of movement, with a 30-second penalty for missed shots. The course simulates real-world scenarios by incorporating physical exertion at over 6,000 ft elevation, requiring shooters to manage breathing and heart rate for accurate shots.

This video highlights the top three mistakes made in force-on-force training at MTAC, a reality-based training facility. Instructor Eric McBride emphasizes the importance of fully immersing oneself in scenarios, avoiding 'gaming' the situation by acting unnaturally. He also stresses the need to progress through training sequentially, mastering fundamentals before attempting advanced techniques, and integrating flat range practice with scenario-based training to address identified weaknesses. The discussion underscores that effective training requires realistic engagement and a structured approach to skill development.

This video from Gunsite Academy, featuring instructors Bob Whaley and Dave Miles, delves into the 'training your personality' philosophy, emphasizing subconscious mastery of critical firearm skills. It highlights the importance of training shooting mechanics to a subconscious level to manage cognitive load during high-stress events. The guide focuses on practical drills for malfunction clearance and speed reloads, stressing repetition and situational awareness.

This guide details the 5-step threat discrimination system taught by Bob Whaley, a Gunsite Academy Range Master and former SWAT officer. The system, influenced by Paul Howe, emphasizes a systematic approach to identifying threats in defensive situations, moving beyond the traditional 'watch the hands' method. It's designed to enhance situational awareness and prevent friendly fire incidents.

This video from Geauga Firearms Academy debunks the myth of shooting specific body parts like the hand or leg to stop a threat. Instructor Kim explains that the primary goal of using deadly force is to stop the threat, not to kill. He emphasizes that under extreme stress, aiming for small targets like hands or legs is ineffective due to reduced accuracy and the presence of vital arteries in those areas. The instruction highlights that center mass is the recommended target area because it's the largest and most accessible under duress, a principle used by law enforcement and military. The video also stresses the importance of de-escalation and using alternative, less-lethal methods if available before resorting to deadly force.

This guide, informed by Roy Huntington, Editor of American Handgunner Magazine, details the critical differences between buckshot and birdshot for home defense. It covers their physical characteristics, penetration capabilities through walls, and effectiveness at close range. The advice emphasizes choosing a load based on concerns about over-penetration while stressing the universal importance of training, target identification, and using a light for any home defense scenario.

This guide details the field stripping process for a 1911 pistol, presented by Roy Huntington, Publisher of American Handgunner. It covers essential safety checks, step-by-step disassembly, and reassembly, emphasizing techniques to prevent damage. An alternative 'cheat' method for faster disassembly is also demonstrated, along with advice on using specialized tools for tight components.

This video showcases an exceptionally rare find: a first-generation 1873 Colt Single Action Peacemaker, discovered via metal detecting in Arizona. The expert speaker details its museum-quality condition, dating it to 1875, and analyzes the authentic patina and wear, including specific gutta-percha grip details and muzzle wear from holster friction. The firearm's discovery context among homestead ruins adds to its historical narrative.

This guide, presented by Roy Huntington, Editor of American Handgunner Magazine, outlines an efficient '5-minute clean' for modern semi-automatic pistols like the Glock 26/27. It emphasizes that over-cleaning is unnecessary and can cause premature wear. The process focuses on targeted cleaning of critical areas like the barrel and slide rails, with minimal lubrication applied only to high-friction points. Proper function checks after reassembly are also highlighted.