How muscle memory affects firearms training
Your mind is the weapon, Guns are just tools
Firearms training is not something you typically would think involves a lot of movement. Many people have this idea that firearms training is just pointing a gun and pulling the trigger, and when SHTF, that is all they will have to do. However, it is much more than that and people need to realize that firearms training involves a lot of movement, mindset, and muscle memory. But how exactly does muscle memory affect your firearms training?
Well, when we talk about tactical training as a whole, mindset is everything. Whether it is firearms training, edged weapons training or even empty hand training. People think that it is the tools you have that are what are truly dangerous, but your mindset is the true weapon, everything else is just a tool to use to your disposal. This is especially true when you are talking about firearms training.
Let’s dive in.
muscle memory and firearms training
If you have been around firearms training for a while you have likely heard the saying “muscle memory”, this is also a popular term in fitness, but that’s not what we are talking about today. What that refers to is repeating some type of movement, such as an emergency reload or transition drill enough times to where it becomes second nature, meaning you do not even have to think about it when you do it.
The overall goal is to achieve the point in which you complete the movement without hesitation. In a way you are shortening your OODA (observe, orient, decide, act) loop cycle. This can be life or death if you are in a situation like that, muscle memory with a firearm can truly save your life.
But what are we actually training when we are repeating these steps over and over? Is it actually your muscles that are being trained and remembering these movements? It is called muscle memory after all.
However, any movement in the body starts with the mind, so unfortunately you will not automatically look like John Wick the second you pick up a gun unless you train your mind to do so. Your brain has to send all muscles involved in the movement signals telling them when and how to respond. That being said, when you train your mind, your body becomes fluent as well.
How to train your mind with firearms
So, with that in mind every time you set out to train you should prepare your mind before you even step foot on the range. That does not mean you need to sit there and meditate, or play a bunch of brain games to remember rules for the range.
Instead, you can develop a mental and notional checklist of what you want to accomplish at the range, and really drill it in your head. Here are some things that you can train your mind to want to train for:
-Train for every contingency
-Conduct purpose driven training
-Force yourself to be uncomfortable
-Identify mistakes and decencies and work on fixing them
firearms training doesn’t end at the range
Another thing to take into consideration is that you should look to train beyond the range. Training doesn’t end when you leave the range, it just takes on a new form. Now this does not mean that you should be taking your firearm into public places and running drills, as that might freak people out and get you in some trouble, but you should be training your mind for different scenarios and how you would go about surviving them. For example, as you drive to and from work, while you’re at work, or when you’re out with your family, you need to continue your training by using the ‘what if’ method.
This is done by playing out scenarios in your head and forming an appropriate response. For example, what if you’re at the grocery store with your family and someone comes in with a gun to rob the cashier. Do you have your gun handy and readily available? If you do have your gun, will you draw down on the suspect? Have you discovered where the potential points of cover are? What will you instruct your family to do?
By preparing a response in your head to every scenario possible, you are creating a blueprint in your memory and when the time comes you will respond quickly and without hesitation. That is truly having a good mindset when it comes to firearms training, and how you can help to instill muscle memory. Your mind is the weapon, your gun is only a tool.
Where to train
When it comes to finding a good place for firearms training, check out Defender Series Training Group. We have some awesome training courses that are led by a group of guys who have truly experienced many different scenarios, and know how to help you be prepared for whatever life throws your way. Find a course near you.
Wrap up
Overall, the key thing to remember is that your gun is not the weapon, it is just a tool. Your mind is the true weapon, if you train it to be. You can be an efficient individual if you have the proper mindset and train yourself mentally to be person who will map out every possible scenario and how to handle it.
Also follow Defender Series Training Group on Instagram!