Muscle Memory

[meno377]

First of all let me say that I am not an expert in any such way regarding any type of training for SD and/or HD and I only consider myself an owner of multiple firearms. I would like to hear if there is a real advantage or disadvantage towards training with multiple models for Self Defense and Home Defense situations. Being the owner of multiple firearms, I enjoy shooting different models and over the years have felt that I have gained muscle memory over the different models, but do others feel that this is actually a disadvantage because of this?

[echoThreeOneSix]

no disadvantage. being familiar with different firearms is fine. well, i guess it would depend on who you're defending your home from? hit squad? mercenary team? or just the standard home invaders, who are almost guaranteed to be less familiar / trained on the firearm they are operating.

[meno377]

no disadvantage. being familiar with different firearms is fine. well, i guess it would depend on who you're defending your home from? hit squad? mercenary team? or just the standard home invaders, who are almost guaranteed to be less familiar / trained on the firearm they are operating.

I have always felt that training is similar to driving different automobiles in some ways. The one thing that I have consistently done is having the same handgun and shotgun by the bed at night. But when I am awake, I have been consistently switching handguns around the house.

[jyo]

Well, several years back, I was a type 2 diabetic, but didn't yet know it---my vision was going to hell along with several other symptoms---I was unhappy because I didn't know what was going on. I was invited to go shooting with my friends, but kept putting it off because I couldn't see the sights on my pistols---when I finally went, I still couldn't see the sights worth a damn, but my old friend (a Browning Hi Power I had owned/shot and carried for years) just couldn't seem to miss! I have to think muscle-memory had to have something to do with this---despite my poor vision at the time, this put a smile on my face when I really needed it...

[dobek]

I have several different type of handguns (1911 - striker - revolver) and will shoot them all - but in a regular basis I stick with my 1911. Normal range is only 1911

I do this for the muscle memory - for example I was taking a training class and instructor asked me where in my draw did I click safety off. I had to admit I don't know - it is just part of my draw

I use this as an example - In an emergency - door kicked in - obvious someone in the house - whatever - you will get an adrenaline dump. I want to be able to manipulate safety - clear any malfunctions - etc without thinking about gun. It will just happen. If gun goes click - will you have to stop and think? Will you have to look down?

Build habit -

Steve

[VictorFranko]

'Jack of all trades, master of none'

[meno377]

Well, several years back, I was a type 2 diabetic, but didn't yet know it---my vision was going to hell along with several other symptoms---I was unhappy because I didn't know what was going on. I was invited to go shooting with my friends, but kept putting it off because I couldn't see the sights on my pistols---when I finally went, I still couldn't see the sights worth a damn, but my old friend (a Browning Hi Power I had owned/shot and carried for years) just couldn't seem to miss! I have to think muscle-memory had to have something to do with this---despite my poor vision at the time, this put a smile on my face when I really needed it...

Sorry about your vision and being diabetic, but thanks for sharing that great experience! Makes me wonder more if I should not train with multiple models though.

[meno377]

'Jack of all trades, master of none'

This is what I think and I am okay with this. Mainly as I am not trying to shoot a dime at 50 yards, nor am I running through a jungle on the front line. I am training for defending a 2000 square ft home and the odds are high that the BG would be within 10 yards.

[TheExiled]

'Jack of all trades, master of none'

Pretty much, this. I can pick up any handgun out of my safe and put it in the black right out of the box, and dial in even more as I shoot it. But for me, I have the most muscle memory and am the most consistent with my Glocks

[RobertMW]

Pretty much, this. I can pick up any handgun out of my safe and put it in the black right out of the box, and dial in even more as I shoot it. But for me, I have the most muscle memory and am the most consistent with my Glocks

Yep. I've got Glocks, 1911s, and Sigs. I can pick them all up and run them just fine, but I've got far more trigger pulls, malfunction checks, reloads, etc. with my Glock.

I could use ANY of them to do anything, but if something out of the ordinary came up, on any other gun besides my Glock, I would have to think about it, albeit very quickly. If a malfunction happens on my Glock, I usually have it fixed before I can even comprehend that I just did something.

Just last weekend I got an FTE in the middle of a match, I was dropping the mag and reaching to double rack before I was really consciously thinking about it. Most people watching me do the stage were asking me after the fact why my "reload" was a little slow. After the fact, I was worried that I might have moved to clear the chamber without having gotten my finger out of the trigger guard yet, RO said I looked good, though he didn't specifically know to look for it when it happened so suddenly.

[mr2ndamendment]

'Jack of all trades, master of none'

Beat me to it.

I train always and often with all the defensive guns I own. My carry/nightstand pistol gets the most range time but I practice constantly on the others. My two main pistols are a M&P9 and my good 'ol 1911 and as you guys know the battery of arms and feel of both are very different (no to mention the triggers).

Just train often and always. There are certain things I do with the M&P that I don't do with the 1911 (like slap the mag in a certain way to allow the slide to unlock itself home on every reload). It's reliable and works every time with my M&P but won't happen with my 1911. I train on both all the time, and the different feel of both guns really helps me keep them separate. Did I mention to train often? I shoot about 3 times a week though, which I admit is probably not normal, but then again neither am I.

[meno377]

It's good to hear that I am not a stranger as far as training with multiple firearms. Thanks for the feedback. I noticed that "RobertMW" and "TheExiled" are more familiar with the Glocks. I am in the same boat with that. As much as I like practicing with the XDM's, I have to admit that I am used to the trigger of Glocks. The G30 was the very first semiauto I got in the mid to later 90's and have put more rounds through that model than any other. Thanks again.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Before leaving the range, I usually practice a few round of this:

Line up each gun I have with me, load two cartridges in each magazine, put the target at 10 yards. If I'm with someone, I have them say go. Pick up the first pistol, insert the mag, charge the slide and fire two shots at the target, usually a 6 inch shoot 'n see. Set the pistol down, pick up the next and repeat. I don't move fast, nor do I move slowly, I don't double tap, but I don't linger over the sights either. Using different models and calibers.

If I have friends with me, we employ each others guns in the same fashion.

Its fun, as well as good training. Bragging rights are the prize.