Well, apparently only 15 of us on this forum do anything to increase or maintain our skills.
Reading the answers (and thanks to those people who provided answers!) has been interesting for a number of reasons.
It really would not have occurred to me to state "training classes" as an answer to my question, because I know very few people who actually have enough time and money to take training classes on a
regular basis, which is what the question was about. Even people who get sent to training by their departments generally don't get to do so on what I would consider a "regular basis."
However, I'm glad to see that plenty of people get additional training. Based on what I see at the range, I wish a lot more would do so.
I'm going to reply to a bunch of people here, as reading answers got me curious about things. Please don't take any of these as criticisms, they are more understanding fails on MY part.
I use live fire practice, such as altering my grip or finger placement to learn how the firearm reacts, or slow fire weak hand unsupported for handgun. For rifle, I do much the same, with the addition of cleared manipulation of the firearm. Mag changes, sight acquisition, charging the rifle, and transitioning between irons/optics.
So, lots of gun-handling skills and technique changes in live fire?
Questions:
1) How often do you live fire?
2) Do you work both pistol and rifle in the same live fire practice? (How long do you practice?)
3) Do you find that changing your grip and finger placement often is helpful for consistency under stress (because you have to think about doing it properly in a more focused fashion), or that while it gives you a better idea of what is optimal, it is detrimental to fast responses under stress?
In order, most to least in a year; Dry fire, live fire, training courses.
Any approximates on relative ratios of practice? How often each gets done?
All of the above with the exception of nothing and the addition of training.
You do all of that on a regular basis? How do you find the time?
Or do you just switch from one thing to the next, so that you are doing at least something each week? Do you do something at least once a week? How often?
For example: I shoot a lot of competitions--pretty much two locals a month, plus 6-8 major matches per year. Yet--I wouldn't say I really do those
on a regular basis like some other people who do a competition match every week. For them, that "regular basis" of matches helps keep their skills maintained. For me, I don't compete enough.
So are you saying you do all of those, each enough on a regular basis to maintain your skills?
I try to dry fire at least ten times a day, three mag changes, ten holster and re-holster drills and I do all of this in front of a mirror. I also work on my footwork throughout the day. Footwork to me is one of the things people often forget about especially when their training is focused on a one way range or a "static shoot". Have to be able to move. All of this minus the footwork drills takes about ten minutes.
When you say "footwork throughout the day" what do you mean? Any good drills you'd like to share? How do you practice? How do you relate your footwork and movement to the skills you'd like to practice in terms of firearms? I assume you mean that footwork is important for self-defense practice, considering your use of the terms "one-way range" and "static shoot"--has your research found that for your lifestyle, movement should be an important priority?
....I'll get some questions for the other respondents in a bit.
