Firearms Training: When ‘Good Enough’ Isn’t

“That’s good enough.” When it comes to firearms training, the mindset of “good enough” is a risky trap. We see it all the time. The shooter walks up to a target with holes scattered all over it, nods with satisfaction, and says “Well, he’s dead.” That may be true, however, only 30 of 50 shots landed in an acceptable target area and 10 of the ones that didn’t hit would have hit bystanders.

Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect. Perfect Practice Makes Perfect.- Vince Lombardi

Many people start with high aspirations in their training, aiming to master accuracy, speed, and precision. However, over time, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of just maintaining basic skills. Worse, some learn to accept truly mediocre results and justify is with “He’s still dead.” This approach not only limits growth but can create dangerous habits and false confidence. In self-defense or high-stress situations, subpar skills could make all the difference between safety and a bad outcome.

Why Does it Exist?

We all like to feel good about ourselves. We want to feel like we did a good job. If we keep the bar low, we get to keep feeling like we accomplished something. Meeting a low standard is still meeting the standard, right?

When you are first learning to shoot, just keeping all the shots on the target may be an accomplishment. But that shouldn’t be the endpoint. We should always be seeking improvement. Don’t let pride become a barrier.

The Dangers of a “Good Enough” Mindset

In shooting, the “good enough” mindset often means settling for the minimum level of competence. This could be a result of limited practice, lack of proper training, or simple complacency. When shooters stop challenging themselves to improve, they miss out on the chance to build more advanced skills. In a defensive situation, relying on “good enough” skills can lead to costly mistakes.

Shooting is a perishable skill, which means it diminishes over time if not practiced. Even basic elements, like grip, sight alignment, and trigger control, need consistent practice. This is especially true if you intend to rely on these skills to protect your life. Allowing these skills to deteriorate can create weak points in a shooter’s form, leading to poor accuracy, slower reaction times, and a lack of control. Ultimately, settling for “good enough” results in lower performance, which can increase risk in real-life situations.

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How Bad Habits Take Hold

Bad habits tend to form gradually. Often, they develop because of rushed practice, lack of feedback, or an attitude that just getting it done is enough. Over time, small inconsistencies in technique can turn into solidified bad habits. For example, poor trigger control or a loose grip can become hardwired into muscle memory, making it more challenging to correct later on. As trainers, we call these ‘training scars’. Doing it wrong over and over leads to these scars.

Consider a common issue: slapping the trigger. If a shooter doesn’t work to refine trigger discipline, this small habit can develop into a major flaw, affecting accuracy and speed. Once bad habits become ingrained, they are more difficult to unlearn. When the pressure is on, shooters often revert to the comfort of their usual patterns, and these habits show up. In a high-stakes situation, there’s little room for error, making these bad habits a potential liability.

The False Confidence of “Good Enough”

When shooters believe they’re “good enough,” they may start to feel a false sense of security. This confidence can lead to assumptions that their skills are sufficient for any situation, even those that require precision under stress. In reality, high-stress environments amplify weaknesses. Aiming, breathing, and trigger control becomes more challenging when adrenaline kicks in. It’s even more difficult when your firearms training consists of “good enough” most of the time.

For example, if someone faces a home intruder, the pressure to act swiftly and accurately is intense. This is not the time to realize that past training hasn’t prepared them to shoot precisely under stress. Aiming accurately while maintaining control becomes harder if skills haven’t been tested under similar conditions. This false confidence can become a serious liability in a critical moment, putting both the shooter and others in danger.

As Mel Gibson famously said in ‘The Patriot’, “Aim small, miss small.” This isn’t bad advice. Sure, every shot won’t be perfect, but if we are holding ourselves to higher standards, more of them will be and fewer will be justified by the excuse “He’s still dead.”

Building and Maintaining High-Quality Skills

Avoiding the “good enough” trap requires a commitment to regular, effective practice. Routine, high-quality training is essential to reinforce the fundamentals and challenge yourself. Every session should aim to refine basics like stance, grip, sight alignment, and trigger control. Adding stress drills and timed exercises can also help simulate real-life conditions.

To build solid skills, include a variety of drills in your practice. Try engaging in scenarios that require rapid aiming, controlled breathing, and quick adjustments. Incorporating these elements trains you to handle your firearm effectively, even under stress. With regular training that goes beyond “good enough,” you can build skills that hold up in difficult situations, providing better security and preparedness.

This isn’t limited to firearms training. The same principles apply to CPR skills, applying a tourniquet, developing your situational awareness and many other skills.

We Do It Ourselves

We apply this ourselves. Even though David and I have a lot of training and experience, we never stop learning. I try to take classes from other instructors at least twice a year.

For example, when I was transitioning to using a red dot, I fell into the ‘good enough’ trap. I wasn’t as fast or smooth as I should have been. But when I’d go ‘train’, I’d make the same errors and then go back to shooting with iron sights and doing what was more comfortable. When I recognized this, my solution was to go to a course with good instructors and only bring a gun with a red dot. After 2 days of doing their drills and not reverting back to what I knew I could do well, I was running the red dot much better.

The Value of Professional Training

Self-guided training has its limits, which is why seeking professional guidance can make a significant difference. Quality firearms training provides specific feedback on your technique, helping to identify areas where you may be falling into bad habits. Trainers can spot subtle mistakes that might be hard to notice on your own.

When you train with professionals, you benefit from their experience and structured courses that challenge you to improve. This approach prevents the complacency that can arise from training alone. It’s an investment that can transform mediocre skills into reliable ones. Whether it’s through group classes, one-on-one sessions, or advanced workshops, professional training builds discipline, awareness, and precision.

Consistent Improvement for Reliable Skills

Shooting skills need constant work and attention. Avoiding the “good enough” mentality requires a mindset of continual improvement. Even experienced shooters benefit from revisiting fundamentals and testing their skills under varying conditions. This dedication to growth helps to prevent stagnation and builds confidence grounded in genuine ability.

With each training session, you have the opportunity to solidify skills that will serve you reliably in any situation. Staying focused on quality, precision, and constant improvement ensures that your shooting ability is a true asset, rather than a potential risk.

Wrapping Up

Settling for “good enough” in shooting creates risks that are avoidable with consistent practice and high standards. By committing to skill development, engaging in realistic drills, and seeking professional training, you build abilities that stand up to real-life challenges. True confidence comes from knowing your skills have been tested and refined, providing you with greater safety, control, and peace of mind.

If you’re looking to break out of the ‘good enough’ pattern, contact us. We can help you on your journey to becoming a Better Protector.