Conn. Trooper
New member
Just because someone can stand on a static range and blow one big hole in a target with their Nighthawk Custom 3000 dollar 1911 does not mean they are a great shooter. I taught firearms for police officers and civilians for a while. I used to take a line of shooters and put them at the 3 yard line. Target is big as life, how could you miss? Then have the line start shooting 2 body one head. Do that a few times with no time restraints. After a few rounds of that tell them that now they have 3 seconds to do the exact drill they have been doing. Watch the shots go all over the target. Just a simple time restraint, no real stress, nobody shooting back, no shooting after a foot chase or fight or pursuit.
Are there some cops more dedicated to their shooting skills than others? Yes. Are there some cops that do the bare minimum to qualify every year? Yes. In a perfect world there would be unlimited ammo and range access for every cop that wanted it, the world is not perfect and that does not exist.
I have seen some excellent shots outside of police officers. Obviously people that have trained or practiced a lot to get to that point. I have also seen some guys that were "gun guys" and owned lots of guns and shoot a lot. One in particular was shooting a big hole in the middle of the target at 25 yards. Until the gun failed to feed. Then the "gun guy" stood there for the count of 10 and just looked at the gun. Had no clue what to do about the gun failing. Just looked at it and hoped it would clear itself.
Are there some cops more dedicated to their shooting skills than others? Yes. Are there some cops that do the bare minimum to qualify every year? Yes. In a perfect world there would be unlimited ammo and range access for every cop that wanted it, the world is not perfect and that does not exist.
I have seen some excellent shots outside of police officers. Obviously people that have trained or practiced a lot to get to that point. I have also seen some guys that were "gun guys" and owned lots of guns and shoot a lot. One in particular was shooting a big hole in the middle of the target at 25 yards. Until the gun failed to feed. Then the "gun guy" stood there for the count of 10 and just looked at the gun. Had no clue what to do about the gun failing. Just looked at it and hoped it would clear itself.