How are you developing as a shooter? How are you developing as a defender?

Take a look at E-Learning and Video instruction. What it is not is training. It is providing knowledge. An interesting thing is that it is often called training. Today you can find provided knowledge everywhere on the internet. E-Learning and video learning is readily available and often free. The video learning can be a good way to acquire knowledge and watch someone handle and shoot a firearm in whatever platform or context out there. You can see it demonstrated and how it is supposed to be done by watching others with skill perform tasks. It can be difficult for the new shooter or novice and in many cases the experience to determine what is educational and what is beneficial. Yes, there is a lot of bad instructional videos and there is a ton of entertainment video that is not providing good knowledge and can cause more problems than help.

What about the written word? Another way to find knowledge. The book in hand on paper. I have a pile of them. I have learned a lot from them. I do from time to time go back to them for reference and I am still acquiring them and knowledge from them today. Over the decades there have been many great shooters, competitors, Military, Law Enforcement, trainers and educators in the firearm industry producing a collection of valuable texts. These writers put in vast amounts of time, study and dedication to build skills and knowledge through trial and error, and personal experience. A great way to gain knowledge from those greats who are here today and those great educators that have gone before us. Too many to name.

Consider context
What are you seeking knowledge about? Is it general recreational? Is it Defensive in Everyday Concealed Carry? Is it in Home Defense? Is it competitive in nature (gaming)? Is it as an armed professional? It is true that the fundamental shooting skills and basics will cross over many contexts of firearms use. There are however skills, tactics, and strategies that are specific to the context or reason for having and using the firearm. Context for knowledge and skill development.

How does training come to play then?
Training is going out and putting hands on the tool. In this case the firearm and gear. Spending the time to learn, practice, and form to muscle memory the physical parts to build response. With training you get something you do not get from E-learning and video or books. With training under an instructor, you develop under the watchful eye that can help you correct problems and excel in the physical completion of the tasks with efficiency and effectiveness. You can also get the explanation of the “Why?” At any rate this means getting away from the screen and on the range with the gear in hand and putting rounds down range. Your level of training will depend on you getting to the range and shooting and developing physically.

Summary.
You have to put the work in! A 4-hour CCW, no range, video class is not going to make you ready for Everyday Concealed Carry or real-life defensive use of a firearm. A video will not make you a better shooter without getting to the range with the firearm doing and replicating what you saw. It means going and feeling the recoil impulse and learning to manage it, seeing the sights and relationship to the target and how they move during the firing sequence, and a multitude of other factors that must be felt and observed to understand and learn to manage. It means training with the gear you intend to use. E-Learning has to be combined with range training and physical development. You will find it difficult to identify errors because you are behind the gun and performing tasks. You can’t see what you are doing wrong. A watchful and sharp eye can help you achieve what may take a very long time on your own. Be aware that you must get out and shoot to get good at it and you must get out and shoot to maintain the current shooting skill level.
I have personally worked in and lived in a world where video learning was provided but the person didn’t take the time to build the physical skills and learn to perform the technique and routinely practice it. I have seen the failure of video learning alone and many times it resulted in a serious injury. It is sad to say I have seen the failures of those who didn’t put in the work because they believed it wouldn’t happen to them.
Be safe. Shoot regularly. Be prepared and skilled. Train often.