Reid's Method of Dry Practice and Fire

[@622PSS]

The significance of dry practice is like that of shadowboxing.

[@MrWest3]

Great analogy... Repetition breeds perfection...

[@jakedouthitt2600]

+John West Repetition makes permanent

[@ZyPhReX]

+JAMES WU Salient words.

[@danielwysocki6014]

+JAMES WU right on....

[@playstation3demon13]

+JAMES WU excellent comparison

[@animalmother556x45]

When folks comment on my shooting ability, and how it must cost a lot of money to practice that much, I ALWAYS make sure to tell them that the thousands of rounds I have fired live-fire are backed up by probably hundreds of thousands of rounds of dry-fire.

[@leadpersuasion]

Best piece of firearms related advice I've heard in a while...always teaching, brother!

[@MrApotheosis15]

Be prepared for the "stop with the fucking clicking" from the wife or the girlfriend.

[@ThelastWales]

Dude you have no idea lol

[@SOLDOZER]

Sounds like you need a new old lady.

[@hubblejj]

I started doing this a few years ago and I can not believe how much it helps. I try and tell everyone I can that this really works. It is unreal the difference it has made when I go to the range and do it live.

[@MarineVet]

Hours upon hours in the "snap in" circle. While home on leave almost two decades ago, I painted a barrel up just like we used in boot camp. That barrel is still in my shop and gets used quite frequently. I even trained my kids on it, and my grandson will be training on it soon.

[@OMGWUNSIU]

Good advice, I've always done this... It has always been intuitive for me to say out loud "loaded" about ten times after a pause when I'm finished with my dry fire drills so I have a mental awareness that the pistol is loaded once again. It's too easy to get complacent and make a mistake without this routine. We must have a high level of awareness when we handle firearms for our own safety and the safety of others. We also need to know practice is finished and we are back in ready mode. Good video Reid.

[@shawki122]

Where I live there are very limited numbers of ranges and ammo is very expensive. Which makes your advice and recommendation extremely valuable. Thanks Reid for the excellent videos.

[@expandfreedom2283]

Just watched this again for the first time in years. I really need to get back out to train at Valor Ridge

[@srmj71]

I think it's been used in a movie or two... but I was taught a long time ago, when I was a kid. My uncle taught me this simple fact: "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast". I've practiced it for decades and it's dead on. Anyone else taught this?

[@animalmother556x45]

My dedicated room has a few of those orange target dots on the wall for sight alignment/sight picture repetition...yeah, I get some questions :) "what are those things on the wall?" "Not sure...they were here when we bought the house..."

[@theophilhist6455]

I'm not doing it 10 times more per range,,,maybe 3 times...so I need to up my game. I do find doing my dry fire in front of a full length mirror helpful. I use dummy rounds and even practice chambering as if I had a malfunction. I also have installed my laser bore sight in my AR rifle and have done some crazy drop and roll over aim scenarios. My wife thinks I'm nuts and acting like commando weirdo... but hey at 65 years old ...(I'm a Vietnam era Navy vet) ya gotta keep the blood flowing. Really enjoy your videos Reid.

[@davewolf8869]

Training at Front Sight, the last thing they talked about was "dry" firing practice and quick draw competitions done between friends where the gun wasn't actually unloaded, friends killing friends on accident, and drilling into us the importance of verifying an empty weapon BEFORE dry firing practice.

[@chriscorriero9516]

can't believe I've never done this. will be starting.

[@loganv0410]

Excellent vid. Good'n heavy on the thinking behind the process

[@bradslone8511]

I make sure to do it a lot because I can't afford to shoot much so I do as much as possible dry that way I can be productive when I am out shooting on the range.

[@ronstrzelczyk789]

Good video ! I own a U.S.Navy "Blue Jackets" manual 1940.The manual gives many of the same good tips for mastering the .45 1911 pistol !

[@PC-uh6hk]

Every time I buy a new pistol, I dry practice with it, watch TV with it, have it right next to me and pick it up and hold it in my hands. It goes everywhere in my house with me and I set it down next to me and pick it up until it feels comfortable and natural in my hands. Then I load the magazines and put a round in the chamber and take it to the range to practice with it. In your holster and on your hip or whichever way you choose carry, it should be loaded and ready to fire when you are ready to carry it. Carry it with a round in the chamber and always control the muzzle.

[@Lowspeedoperator]

Reid, just started dry fire practice more than range time last couple weeks. Really has made a difference at the range today. See ya at pistol craft 1 mar 4thand 5th.

[@Andrew-ml9kw]

GOOD STUFF REID!! See you April 4!! Can't wait!

[@astrogirl1usa]

Great advice! Especially, for people who live in tight quarters.

[@cjmoore7240]

IMO this is one of the best video's I have seen in a while. My father was a drill sergeant and taught me how to shoot. He also taught me quite a bit of other things. Your video touched every single one of them. Thank you for this video! I use the plastic snap caps with springs in them for dry-practice. On occasion, I will dry fire my weapon. IMO most modern day quality made firearms can be dry fired with never an issue. However, that being said the snap caps are even better! Again, thank you for this video.

[@bozboz133]

i do this few times a week wife thinks I'm nuts haha good video keep it up!

[@joe77h32]

Ha! I get the same thing from my wife! She's pretty good at not interrupting me though.

[@bobby398]

+Boz Boz Mine too!

[@edp-theeverydayprepper5686]

My wife spent over 3 hours holding an unloaded pistol with her finger off the trigger and pointed in a safe direction before I ever took her to the range. She simply watched her favorite shows while holding her pistol. Her groupings are now better then mine. I'm going to start dry practice tomorrow, I had no idea it was so beneficial.

[@chrish5224]

she won't think your nuts if it ever comes down to the unfortunate event of you having to protect her life or yours by drawing your gun & shooting someone before they inflict severe bodily injury or try to use deadly force. she will hopefully be nagging you to practice more. my wife thought I was. just trying to look and feel cool when I started carrying around the house and especially when I would do random draw and dry fire practice at any given time (with dummy rounds of course). Once I explained the reasons why, that I would do whatever it takes to ensure her safety above anything else and now with her being more vulnerable since she's pregnant, she thanked me and now she does the same thing with her carry gun. not a bash on your wife or you, just empathizing. been there done that.

[@bozboz133]

Chris H all true bud . No bash taken and she does understand that.

[@christopherjones1832]

Could not agree more with this concept. I'm still very much a novice, and dry fire has helped me tremendously with trigger technique and sight picture acquisition. He didn't mention it, but I also like the "dime test". Good video.

[@mickerdoodle51]

I found drawing and dry firing to a full length mirror was very educational. As I drew and shot my self, little by little, I found my self on center of mass...

[@growinandmowin]

Thank you for this info, I truly had no idea. Great advice !

[@gammadrums]

Excellent excellent excellent video...!!! Love you method and teaching style. I hope I can go this year to train with you guys. Cheers from Puerto Rico.

[@point177]

Glad you emphasized safety on that, and all ammo out of the room. Last thing you want is lobbing a round into your neighbors house or God forbid someone in their house or yours. Snap caps are your friend too. Great for practicing reloads, FTF, double feeds, etc.

[@joe77h32]

Doing this exercise also caused me to adjust my grip! Awesome

[@Ron5topable]

Thanks for the tips Reid!

[@jerepotts2674]

Good things...and I need to do this more...

[@gordonhoward606]

Thankyou, im recovering from stroke need to go at it with nondominant hand

[@RJM1011]

Thank you for the video I like your way of thinking no live rounds in the room very safe.

[@randytomasso4139]

Seriously loving your videos, man. Thanks so much, and keep up the awesome work.

[@tomrickman6131]

Thank for the idea! I dry practice sometime but I shoot live rounds more. I'll just reverse that. Thanks again!

[@rippy4freedom499]

Thank you for this video, I have been having trouble with nerve damage to my wrists and arms. I have been off range for awhile now. Why did I not think of this way of practicing other than practice drawing... Thanks Reid :) J and the Pups

[@karenmxx7256]

Thanks again, Reid! Very informative as always.

[@bae313]

I have an IDPA qualifier dry fire course of fire on my site. This way you can practice the pivots, reloads and multiple target shooting of the qualifier course of fire.

[@danielwysocki6014]

This video reinforces that like any martial art,those skills are perishable unless you practice and build on them.I see guys at my dojo that get to a point where their winning tourneys,or achieve a high rank and then they just stop.In 6 months or a year they come back and realize they are back at square one.Its so much better to train a little each day than not at all..muscle memory requires alot of reminders,atleast for me.At Rifleman1,Reid talked about Bill Hickok shooting his gun daily,maybe only one shot,but every day.The man was never beat in a gunfight!

[@tompawlowski2511]

Excellent Reid! Thanks!

[@GPgundude]

You are the BEST !! Thanks for sharing !!!!

[@ZASurvivalist]

Yet another great video. Can't wait to train with you one of these days.

[@signal-0productions183]

Big fan of dry fire practice.

[@daltoncerella9681]

Thanks Reid!

[@oliver6able]

Thank you!

[@davidfuhr5455]

Keep going with the history lessons and these education videos when i get into gun debates. (weather they be youtube or real life) I aways recomend to them that they watch your videos and learn.

[@dalemyers9265]

being i'm physically disabled and still could offer support to team. i think my best contribution would be as a sniper..where i would conceal and cover as best that i can. for how ever as long it would take to make my way out of an area. and i already have trained to live on minimalist provisions. as i can't move fast enough to be a designated marksman. or a "leg" to someone who was airborne.

[@laladoodieincarnate]

if not a sniper then be a spotter.

[@sandozman6085]

Dry practice is great. It generally gets you used to not flinching at the hammer fall. So when you drop the real thing your mind expects nothing and doesn't flinch. As well there is no better way to get your draw up to speed.

[@WillysOverland]

awesome video! I am posting the link to my meetup groups page.

[@BigJohnsonGG]

Thanks Reed your the man! Great info!

[@Aleks9x19]

great info

[@denlog1177]

+Reid Henrichs You forgot to mention that it is not safe to dry fire all guns without a round in the chamber. Certain guns should only be dry fired with snap caps or something similar. Most rimfire guns should not be dry fired since the firing pin hits the edge/side of the chamber in the same spot over and over again. After awhile either the firing pin gets damaged or the chamber gets a slight bulge in it which causes feeding/cycling issues.

[@sjohnson1776]

I would add that dry fire (I do it a LOT) will also ingrain bad habits so we have to be sure that we're doing everything correctly.

[@internalwarrior6677]

Thanks for the tip Reid! It's just me or you look like Mike Wahlberg with long hair?? Thanks for the advice bro!!

[@knyghtkrawlr]

so are we not to pull the trigger after a certain amount of draw and sight alignment repetitions?

[@JosephMullin]

I dry fire with a laser bullet and my Glock (EDC) The problem I have is I have to reset the trigger each time. But I only have to move the slide 1.2 to 3/4 of an inch.

[@karenfuller465]

Great video Reid!! Keep em coming :)

[@xwut1]

I constantly have a dry fire drill from 5 o'clock iwb concealment. I always have no round in chamber, and have a thumb safety on my M&P 9C so I have to practice to draw ( from my t-shirt), load, and fire.

[@CommandoLAX]

Mr. Henrichs, awesome video here! I really appreciate the focus on training you can do in the home, especially if ammo rationing is a concern. Would you ever recommend practicing with something like a CO2 pistol? The pellets are like $5 for 1500 and the C02 is decently cheap at about $20 for 40 canisters. At 40 rounds per canister that's 1600 rounds. So for $30 plus the CO2 gun you could get 1600 shots of in home training. What are your thoughts?

[@CommandoLAX]

Oh that's pretty neat you found it helpful. I may start trying this myself. I have an Umarex modeled after the Glock 17 and it even has a blowback slide. I'll be carrying a G19 so it's a close as I can get for now. But nobody makes CO2 guns modeled after the G19 or CZ P-01 to my dismay.

[@Miguel.Rosado7224]

Hey Reid, thanks for your channel and videos. Really enjoy them and educate myself. I have a question. I do dry firing every day. In the morning to be precise. I insert a dummy round and there I go. Now, dry fire my everyday carry, G19, I have to eject the ammo. I heard you said in a previous video not to re chamber the ejected round. Does that means that I have to throw away that live round every morning because of pressure reliability later on? I don't know if you have a video about this topic. Txs sir.

[@galamonkey]

If you're dry firing and don't have a solid backstop like a basement wall, or a steel plate or other piece of armor, just line up a few gallon water jugs or a big tub full of sand. Go to the grocery store and buy 5 gallon water jugs and line then up.

[@5jjt]

If you are dry firing, why do you want a bullet catch backdrop? Safety?

[@juliusdro]

I just bought your book "Pistolcraft" and a state on page 151 under the Ammunition title you say "If a round of your defensive ammo is ejected, do not use it for self-defense" you go to say the round "sets back in the case". When I dry fire I ALWAYS eject my EDC ammo and after practice reload it. I don't understand what you're talking about with it "setting back in the case" can you explain that in an updated video on dry fire practice or explain it better now..... I do this all the time and thankfully have never had to use my self-defense load out......

[@usarmyfl1]

Are there any spare parts like springs we should have on hand in general? If they break after thousands of rounds than a person might very well wear one out doing LOTS of dry fire practice. Correct?

[@tomperez9841]

Reid I trained with you once in bastrop....are you ever going to do a mobile class? now that you have your new company.

[@Jeffy2n]

Reid, what is your thoughts about having two identical pistols and dedicating one for dry fire only?

[@jenniferhattaway9531]

Hey Reid! Do you think using snap caps makes much of a difference in the longevity of the firing pin? Just for context the gun in question is Ruger LCR. Thanks for your videos!

[@dwileycozart]

Hi Reid, I have a quick question. Would it be beneficial to have a dummy laser round in the firearm you dry practice with to possibly give better training with target acquisition? Just wondering what your thoughts would be on this. Thanks for your time. Be Blessed. David

[@working2bselfsufficient724]

I know question is for Reid but yes they help alot.I put together a nice but not too expensive target system and have wife move the targets without me knowing and same reversed.

[@IKEEPMYFREEDOM]

one day im going to tennessee!!

[@estebanm.9550]

question, can practicing a mag reload be part of the dry-fire practice???? if so, is it then a good idea to have a couple of verified empty mags to work with instead of just the empty gun. I also ask because I carry a Shield and removing the mag entirely affects the grip pretty bad, removing it might not help the practice at all.

[@JokahFACE]

What's the purpose of dedicating a room to dry fire? I mean, I've been known to fill a magazine up with snap caps (of course checking and double checking there are no live rounds anywhere near the magazine or the firearm) and rack the slide/practice aiming and trigger pulling at the corner where the walls and floor meet while I'm watching Netflix/TV... I don't CCW, so I've never practiced a draw from a concealed holster. If I'm perfectly assured that there's no possible way there's a live round in the firearm, is this a recommended practice?

[@DaHeetFiveOh]

I like to end dry fire practice by balancing a penny on that big ole square Glock, just behind the sights. Try presenting and squeezing the trigger, using natural speed and motion, without losing the penny.

[@cjmoore7240]

IMO stripping and putting the weapon back several times is also important. I was always taught to know your weapon as you will be able to "clear" a stovepipe or a double feed, etc. Would this also be considered "Dry Practice"?

[@mikejohnson3351]

Reid, are you still recommending the XS Big Dots ?

[@xdnaranjox]

I like to fill the gun with dummy rounds to simulate the weight of the weapon

[@ctprepper69]

Is there a reason you don't do anything with magazines? I understand that if you are going to do practice that requires racking the slide you don't want to have a mag in to lock the slide but if you have a handgun with a mag disconnect you will need the mag in to pull the trigger. Also no mag change drills?

[@richwinder9122]

+Reid Henrichs are those trijicon hd night sights? What happened to the xs big dots?

[@mountaintraining9203]

Wouldn't you need to replace the recoil spring after 5,000 rounds including how many times you rack the slide for dry fire? And the other springs after 15k including dry fire??

[@ianhall4434]

Good video, it's been a long time! What sights are you using now adays? Those aren't big dots are they?

[@dwileycozart]

Thanks for the info. working2Bselfsufficient. What system did you end up getting, also if you don't mind me asking how much did it cost?

[@nikolovh1]

What's a good concealed carry holster? I own a single stack 9mm and am not sure what to get! Thanks.

[@fivex4756]

+Hristo Nikolov I currently like StealthGear.

[@remedialone6987]

just don't practice with an m&p without dummy rounds. I did and one day I went to the range and my gun wouldn't fire, the firing pin broke. the whole time it was the gun I kept on my nightstand and didn't even know it was worthless. I did some research and found that it is common with dry firing m&p.

[@hawknives]

Thanks Reed! Christ Bless!

[@iamscifi6710]

I though that dri-firing your weapon is not good & would damage some parts? Please explain if it's true or false. Thanks

[@Itsamemario0510]

+R Morales It's an issue with older firearms because the firing pin could crystallize but modern firearms have less problems with it (it has been argued that they have none) but you can just throw some snapcaps in there and it solves the problem for you.

[@droog2242]

Is a blue gun just as affective?

[@tonkmonster]

Just as important, though, is, when you are done with dry practice to say out loud, "Dry fire practice is over. I am loading my firearm(s) with live rounds now."

[@johnunderwood-hp8rj]

I hven't performed any dry practice. Shame on me. I thought it would damage the firearm if the trigger was pulled without some type of round in it. Am I incorrect? If so someone let me know. I have a Taurus Barretta M9 clone. Do I need one of the dummy rounds?

[@Seveneleven44]

My attic looks like a shooting gallery at a circus. Dry fire is the best practice.

[@thematrix6063]

No more big dot?

[@sergiozayas1862]

Can you damage your firearm dry firing?

[@bobby398]

No more big dots?

[@codythomas8394]

Was wondering the same thing

[@Glockshooter09]

what sights????

[@bigal7561]

Very good video. Very good training without all the BS that's on yeagers crap channel that no one watches anymore.

[@mountainmanwatchreviews8081]

1 question. I keep hearing that its bad for the bullet to keep ejecting it and reinserting it into the mag and re-racking it day after day if you dry practice frequently. The term I keep hearing is "bullet setback". Anything to that??

[@jackglockstar]

absolutely. just had the team never quit ammo replaced by them for me. I found after chambering 1 round 2 times it dropped overall length drastically, doing it 5 times yielded over a 10th of 1 inch setback. some rounds dont move at all, such as Hornady critical def and duty that have that cannelure ring around the bullet where it meets the case that you can see. good test grab a caliper, oal of your 9mm is around 28.5 mm. all of my team never quit i tested i was able to set to 27.2, 26.7,27 within 3 chamberings. my pdx1 124 doesnt move at all even after 20 chamberings just like the Hornady. glock kabooms in the 90s by police were found to be caused by setback, new SOP then made them throw those rounds away after 3 to 5 times, cant remember exact times before pitching.

[@jackglockstar]

oops, the whole point, setback means the pressure builds beyond safe range as it has to push harder for the round to pop out of it, therefore rupturing cases were a cause in old police 40s without fully supported chambers.

[@jackglockstar]

i have a buddy thats so worried about it he sharpies a line on his ammo where the lead meets the brass, the sharpie doesnt get into corner of the joint leaving a line, he checks to see if the line ever meets.

[@fivex4756]

+Jack Anthony Agreed, I will add that I now measure the case length as well before loading magazines with my carry ammo to ensure proper head space. Ive had two times with 45ACP that jammed tight, slightly long cases, once in a Sig and once in a Glock.

[@jackglockstar]

+Five x 475 ive never ran into long rounds, I dont reload. but shorties from chambering i have had.

[@SeamusMacMattain]

I run dry practice drills every day, trigger control, unholstering and reholstering, acquiring sight picture... no one I know thinks this is weird... I do have 1 friend who thinks guns should never be dry fired, but his opinion is fine for him, but for me, I find replacing a firing pin to be negligible in cost compared to training to save my life.

[@LogicBob]

A kevlar vest? :-/ How about a book shelf full of books?

[@The_Warrior526]

Just can't do it with rimfire or firing pinned hammers.

[@thatcrazywolf]

WarriorX that's what snap caps are for

[@dancross4444]

he said practice draw then clear the weapon....? How about we clear our weapon keeping pointed in a safe direction. Then enter the room for dry practice. Check again to ensure it is clear.... Then begin practice. People think in blocks of function, a practice draw with a loaded weapon could lead to an instinctive trigger pull.

[@michiganprotection]

really? if you are doing these drills i would hope you have the basic safety steps locked down. i cant watch one shooting video without a safety marshall crossing guard telling everyone how unsafe the video is.

[@nelsonstephen20]

+michiganprotection at no point in any of the safety ruled does it ever say, "clear your gun" if you dont have the discipline to keep your masterbator off the trigger during a draw, youre definately the person who needs to be doing A LOT more dry practice. if you can keep your booger hook off the bang switch, you will have nothing to worry about as far as an ND is concerned. that is a discipline and training issue, not a safety issue.

[@dancross4444]

+nelsonstephen20 , so if you live in an apartment, you would have no problem if your neighbor was to practice a draw taking aim at the wall to your apartment ?

[@nelsonstephen20]

+Dan Cross not really, A: i would either hang plates, or create a safe direction. and B: i would keep my dick beater off my trigger untill i have my sights on target and have made the decision to fire. so long is your firearm is well made, by a good figjting brand, youre not going to have to worry about it going off by itself. guns are inanimate objects, and you have to give them your permission to fire, i.e. pulling the bang switch. this is a TRAINING issue, do you really think that if you drew your gun on an attacker, its going to be a "safe direction"? No, because youre pointing it at the fucker. seriously man, if you dont have plates, go get 2 phone books and tap them together, boom you then have a safe direction. take a bout a 1"x1" piece of tape, put it in the middle, boom aiming reference. fuck it, tape that shit to a coat hanger and now its portable.

[@OneThirtyThreeSeven]

.40 or .45?

[@emsrusty846]

Exit Wounds lol .40

[@perryg799]

hey , wait a minute , reid said in an earlier video the only time a gun should be unloaded is when its being cleaned . and then at that time there should be another gun loaded beside you and here he says get all the ammo out of the room , so whos watching the door lol !

[@chrish5224]

I was thinking same thing. does he have a secondary for "just in case"? when seconds count, having to run to the other room, drop mag, make sure gun is clear or dummy rounds if using them, then load, rack bang!

[@perryg799]

but if I know reid good enough he probably keeps a backup on him . and a knife and a flashlight and a med kit and a tourniquet lol .

[@harlansavage656]

Pretty informative although I DISAGREE with saying, "I'm now beginning dry practice" BEFORE clearing your firearm, choosing a designated location, and removing all live ammunition from the area, etc. "I'm now beginning dry practice" SHOULD ONLY BE SAID OUT LOUD ONLY WHEN THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED. Saying those words out loud when a firearm is loaded with live ammunition is a bad idea.