May 3rd, 2023
5minute read
The concealed carry landscape has changed drastically over the last several years.
Competitive shooting is fun and educational.
I treat my everyday carry as a system and testing that system before I need it is crucial.
Should you compete with your carry gun? What self-defense advantages can you gain from shooting competition with it? Are there any downsides?
So, I decided it was time to start competing with my carry gun.
The Gun
Ive been carrying aSpringfield Armory Hellcat Prosince they were released.
I was looking for one gun to fill both roles, and the Hellcat Pro met those needs.
Here the author competes with his carry gun, a Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro. He carries the gun with a Vortex Defender 6 MOA red dot.
It follows me everywhere in a Black Arch Entrada appendix holster, attached to an AttackPAK Venom Inner belt.
I take thiseverywhereI can legally carry!
Magazines that carry 15 rounds in such a slim package are exactly what I need.
The author carries his Hellcat Pro in a Black Arch Entrada holster. The rig carries inside the waistband and offers a spare magazine pouch.
The match consisted of four stages.
Modeled loosely on IDPA rules, all targets had to be engaged with real-world considerations.
Shots must be taken from behind cover, if its available.
Both competition and real-world defensive encounters encourage the use of cover.
We ran it as a two-gun match.
Each competitor had a long gun and a handgun, forcing them to deal with transitioning to their pistol.
Operating your pistol with one hand while the other is occupied is excellent practice for the real world.
While competition is not identical to real defensive encounters, it can force you to improve your accuracy and speed under stress. This alone can be beneficial to your survivability.
There was too much running, too much wind and too much fun.
Nobody can spot your shooting deficiencies like a quality instructor.
However, formal training is also costly as a husband and father of two (plus one cat).
Ive used competition as an affordable way to supplement my skill-building.
I fired fewer than 100 rounds in this match through my carry gun.
Sadly, thats probably more than most carriers will do in a year.
With competition, the downtime between stages can also drag on.
Competition has the added benefit of stress.
Whether youre there to win or just to challenge yourself, the pressure is on.
Your heart rate will elevate and give you a small adrenaline rush.
Shot timers are often compared to the mind-erasing devices fromMen in Black.
Even the most well-planned stage can vanish from your mind with the sound of abeeeeep.
This can devastate your score or can be used as a time to practice your improvisational skills.
Keep fighting, get through it, and triumph.
Everyday carry is more than a gun.
The entire system must work together and mesh with how you dress.
No flip-flops, people.
Unfortunately, theyre still all over the place, but continue to dwindle with each additional match.
If youre serious about your defense, being a well-rounded shooter should be something that interests you.
Those smooth edges come from stepping out of your comfort zone and learning in new ways.
If you cant get a hold of me, Im probably off shooting my own match.
