Let’s get this out of the way right up front: if you’ve only put a box of rounds through your gun and then stuffed it in a drawer like it’s a bedtime flashlight, I need you to stop reading, walk to your safe, and whisper a heartfelt apology to that poor, neglected hunk of steel.
Done? Okay, let’s continue.
The One-and-Done Delusion
Most new gun owners (and let's be real, quite a few not-so-new ones too) treat their pistol like a fire extinguisher. Buy it, check the box, then let it gather dust until disaster strikes. Statistically speaking, the average gun owner will fire fewer than 100 rounds through their firearm—total. That’s like buying a sports car, driving it around the block once, and then parking it in the garage forever while still bragging about how fast it could go.
But here’s the thing: if you ever actually need that gun—for self-defense, for competition, or even just to not look like an absolute potato at the range—you need more than just ownership. You need familiarity. Proficiency. Confidence. The only way to get those things? Frequent, purposeful practice.
Shooting is a Perishable Skill
Shooting is a lot like cooking. Sure, you can boil water or scramble some eggs without practice. But try searing a steak to medium rare, blindfolded, in a high-stress situation while someone screams at you—and you’ll get a taste of what trying to shoot under pressure feels like without regular reps.
Muscle memory isn't built with 50 rounds once a year. It’s built with repetition, correction, and consistency. Your brain has to remember what recoil feels like. Your hands have to know exactly where the grip settles. You should be able to draw, aim, and fire with the kind of automatic precision usually reserved for brushing your teeth or avoiding spoilers on social media.
Real Talk: If It’s for Defense, You Owe It to Yourself
Let’s say you bought your pistol with personal protection in mind. First off—good on you. Taking responsibility for your safety is a commendable thing. But ask yourself: in a high-stakes moment when adrenaline is spiking, your hands are shaking, and your fine motor skills have left the building—will you be able to draw, aim, and fire effectively?
Because if the only experience you have with your gun is the time you took it out of the box and said, “Huh, that’s neat,” you’re not just unprepared—you’re potentially a danger to yourself and others.
It’s a little like buying a parachute and never learning how to pack it. Or getting a fire extinguisher and not reading the part where it says "pull the pin first." In theory, you’re ready. In practice? Not so much.
Ammo is Expensive—So Get Creative
Look, I get it. Ammo prices can feel like they're being set by someone playing darts at a board labeled “Ridiculous,” “Absurd,” and “You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me.” But practice doesn’t always have to mean dumping hundreds of rounds at the range every week. Dry fire practice at home costs nothing and does wonders for draw, presentation, and trigger control.
You can also invest in things like laser training systems, snap caps, and dummy rounds. They’re cheaper than ammo, easier on your ears, and you can do it in your pajamas—just, y’know, maybe close the blinds if you don’t want the neighbors to think you’ve really gone off the deep end.
You Spent the Money—Make It Count
A good firearm isn’t cheap. Between the gun itself, the holster, the safe, the accessories, and the permits, you’ve probably dropped a chunk of change that could have bought you a pretty decent vacation or at least a mountain of tacos. Why spend all that just to let it collect dust?
You wouldn’t buy a guitar and never learn to strum a chord. You wouldn’t buy a bike and never ride it. So don’t buy a gun and treat it like a paperweight with delusions of grandeur.
Final Shot
If you're new (or new-ish) to gun ownership, let me be clear: this isn’t about becoming some tacticool commando or a USPSA master overnight. This is about being safe, competent, and confident. It’s about not fumbling for your drawstring when you meant to draw your Glock. It's about giving yourself—and your loved ones—the peace of mind that if you ever need that tool, you know exactly how to use it.
So get to the range. Dry fire. Take a class. Practice like it matters—because if the time ever comes, it absolutely will.
And if you’re ever feeling unsure, don’t worry—I’m learning right alongside you.
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