blazeops

+1. You can develop bad habits while dry firing. For example racking the slide immediately after a trigger pull and then holstering your weapon. As a LEO, losing a round is definitely a bad thing. To break up my dry training and the continuous racking of the slide, I use the cardboard method to get the Glock slightly out of battery to allow for multiple trigger pulls. Of course the feel of the trigger is different but it allows me to practice transitions, follow-up shots, and break up my training. I also try to train as if I wasn't just shooting paper. I tell myself to assess the threat, continue covering the threat, and check my peripheral. When I think to myself that it is safe, I reholster. I only do this half of my training session or else my session would take forever. Of course, you can't do this in competition. I feel if you are consciously aware of what you are doing while practicing, when the time comes, whether for self-defense or a race against the timer, your mind and body will know what to properly execute.

Ouch, 6'5 290 is a mountain of a man. I understand "do as I say not as I do." I cook in bulk and bring food to work. I eat fairly healthy and give advice at work to those who ask. Everyone sees me eat healthy but when I get home from a long day...I see my wife eating ice cream or fried foods...healthy goes out the door. I usually pay for it the next day. I iced my hand last night. I didn't have time for a warm soak this morning to lube up the joints. I am not in pain or discomfort but I know if I attempt to close my fist my finger will lock. Yeah I need to stay away from my captain of crush and imug grippers. I haven't dry/live fired since July 10. I will be doing weak hand work this weekend. Which vidoes from Sonnon do you suggest?

I reluctantly made an appointment with my hand surgeon for a cortisone shot. I honestly prefer not too but I caved in. He is a great doctor and did a wonderful job on my left middle finger which I broke while playing football. I deadlifted yesterday and wasn't in any pain. I use the normal Olympic bar with rubber kg plates. I grip the bar a little loose (keeps the range of motion a tad shorter and I activate my glutes and hip flexors sooner). My hand felt a little uncomfortable but no pain. I can probably make a fist but I am scared of getting stuck. There is still soreness at the base of my middle finger. KungFuNerd, I use to take trumpet lessons until my neighbors complained. I actually made a homemade Renuzit mute so I can practice quietly but haven't had the time to because of overtime, dry firing, lifting and making time for the wife. I have to add stick fighting to that list eventually as well. I have been neglecting that part of my training. I also forgot about ice. I actually picked up some bands from Ironmind and did some extensor work...very light band 3 sets of 12. I am going to ice my hand once I am done with this post. Surge, I have thought about surgery. I am a LEO and a bit worried about the surgery, even though I have a great surgeon. I am going to keep my options open. I was transferred to headquarters six months ago and would have to get the surgery done on my vacation. My normal reaction to an injury is "can I schedule surgery today?" I tore my labrum 3 years ago playing rugby. Once I received the results from the MRI, I scheduled surgery the week after. I recovered quickly. I trained efficiently, safely and heavy. I am definitely stronger now then I was before (of course I attribute that to training smarter). I am reluctant now because I am working at HQ now and can't let down the person that got me there. I probably won't do my planned live fire session this weekend. I am a bit disappointed because my case of 147g Atlanta Arms reloads came in and I really wanted to test it out.

I am not really sure where to post this so if this is the wrong area, I apologize. Unfortunately my "trigger finger" in my right middle finger is coming back (I am right handed). I actually received a cortisol shot August 2010 for it. For those that don't know what trigger finger is here is the Webmd definition: "Trigger finger and thumb are painful conditions that cause the fingers or thumb to catch or lock in a bent position. The problems often stem from inflammation of tendons that are located within a protective covering called the tendon sheath." I have been dry fire training consistently (about 4-6 days a week for 6 months) which includes draws, press outs etc. Only until last month did I start feeling like the tendon was getting inflamed. Now this week the base of my right middle finger is sore and I can't make a fist. I can grip my service Glock 19 pain free but it is uncomfortable gripping my Glock 34 (I assume because the Glock 19 handle is minimally wider?). I also powerlift 3-4 days a week for about 4 years consistently. For those that don't know, competitive powerlifting consists of the Big 3: Squat, Deadlift, Bench. I have not competed yet but enjoy the challenge of increasesing my lifts and finding new ways to achieve it. So I whether it is lifting or shooting, I am always gripping something. Has anyone else here had "trigger finger"? If so, how did you get over it (cortisol shots, rest, grip rehab, etc)? Any exercise suggestions like captain of crush or other grip tools? I am about to buy some bands to help with finger extensors (which I do neglect) from ironmind. I would prefer not to have surgery but if it gets worse I may have to. Edit: On the bright side of things, I get to train weak hand unsupported more.

I use both Howard Leight SmartFit Plugs and Howard Leight Impact Sport electronic muffs, indoors and outdoors. I prefer to be extra cautious about my ears. I do need a real timer though. I use the surefire timer app on my iphone but I can't hear it indoors.

My first gun was a Sig Sauer 226 9mm DAO with a 12 pound trigger pull. I choose the Sig because it felt great in my hand when we were asked what weapon we wanted at the police academy. Funny thing is we weren't allowed to shoot the weapon before we choose our duty weapon. Fast forward, I started to dry fire and shoot more often. Dry firing the Sig DAO was great because it would reset itself and I could do multiple trigger pulls without racking the slide. The bad thing about a DAO 12 pound trigger pull is after 100 or so dry fires or even live fire...my trigger finger would get tired and weak. I did all that I could to get my hand strength up... Tennis Balls squeezes, Captain of Crush, Timed Dumbbell Holds, Heavy Rack Pulls (480 lb) of a Power Rack (I also enjoy powerlifting). I borrowed a fellow cop's Glock 19, shot it and was instantly a fan. Picking up the slack on the trigger and the squeeze just felt smoother. Also the trigger reset made acquiring the sights and follow-up shots much quicker and easier. I sold my Sig 226 (a fine weapon but just not my cup of tea as a DAO 12 lb trigger pull) and bought a Glock 19 (of course with the mandatory NY 2 trigger spring). I love the Glock 19 even with the 12 lb pull. I am hopefully picking up a Glock 34 by the end of June. Of course not for duty because we are only allowed the Glock 19, Sig 226 and S&W unsure of model for duty use.

I have been a LEO for 9+ years in NYC. Currently working full-duty with an inside gig(by choice) with steady days off. I miss the streets but 30+ hours of overtime a month is just too good to pass up.

I love those "I got it" moments. I have been discovering them every dry fire and range session. Those small incremental changes (or more correctly executing the fundamentals) makes shooting fun and rewarding.

Wow, that is a great, informative video. I was calling my shots before but I am more aware of it now and understand how I was doing it. When the shot broke, I knew the general direction it went. Today's range session, I am not flinching but noticed myself definitely blinking on a few shots because I didn't see my sights when the shot broke. I still knew where the shot went but I do have to work on the blinking.

Thanks for the welcome Thanks for the invite. I will try to head up depending what time the matches start. I was actually looking into Old Bridge Rifle and Pistol Club. That looks like the best option for me when I start competing. It isn't too far and matches are on Sunday (I have steady Sat/Sun off..well when I don't have OT). I was actually thinking of joining Freeport. It is about 35 mintues away from me (I live close to the LIE and the GCP). Traffic is a pain around me though heading to the island but from what I understand, Freeport is 24/7. I read about their IDPA matches and I think that is a great place for me to start. I currently have a membership to Woodhaven Range in Jamaica, Queens but it is expiring at the end of the month. It is in indoor range only and you can't draw from the holster. I have to weigh my options but the goal is to have range membership again by the end of June and to start competing in June. As always great info from the members of this site. Thanks again

I have been in LE for 9 years. I have always enjoyed shooting. However other than the normal twice a year re-qualification I just didn't get enough range time. I always qualified and hit the grey but wanted tighter and consistent groups. I changed my grip and stances through out the years. I wasn't consistent with my shooting nor my technique. I searched the internet for advice and techniques to improve my shooting. I finally picked up some videos from Matt Burkett which is where I saw an interview with Brian Enos and found these forums. This forum is the most informative that I have found. It reminds of Iron Addicts forums (powerlifting/weightlifting forum with great info). I continue to read, dry fire, live fire at the range and log my progress. I am shooting much better but always improving. I am eventually going to compete an IDPA once I decide on which state to drive to (no IDPA competitions in NYC).