How to learn to shoot when being shot at...

**Hackworth** · Posted On: 6/27/2012 9:38am

Would playing paintball and air soft be a good way to learn how to use a firearm?

**wetware** · Posted On: 6/27/2012 10:14am

Originally Posted by Hackworth

Would playing paintball and air soft be a good way to learn how to use a firearm?

Yes and no. It won't help your overall skill with firearms since both paintball and airsoft markers are inherently inaccurate, especially with paintball. However, it's useful for training small unit tactics, MOUT and maneuver under fire when part of an overall training regime.

**erezb** · Posted On: 6/27/2012 10:25am

Well it is the closest thing to a "wet" drill, people shooting at you.
How ever if you just want to learn how to shoot, moving or not, why do this? go to a special range, take a good teacher and practice with live firearm.

**Lindz** · Posted On: 6/27/2012 10:28am

All paintball taught me is that I would die really fast in a war.

**wetware** · Posted On: 6/27/2012 10:29am

Originally Posted by Lindz

All paintball taught me is that I would die really fast in a war.

Yeah, but unless you were a body-armor wearing pansy, I bet you got better at keeping your ass in cover, didn't you?

**slamdunc** · Posted On: 6/27/2012 10:33am

Originally Posted by wetware

Yes and no. It won't help your overall skill with firearms since both paintball and airsoft markers are inherently inaccurate, especially with paintball. However, it's useful for training small unit tactics, MOUT and maneuver under fire when part of an overall training regime.

It will definitely help you with your movements and team drills.

Originally Posted by erezb

Well it is the closest thing to a "wet" drill, people shooting at you.
How ever if you just want to learn how to shoot, moving or not, why do this? go to a special range, take a good teacher and practice with live firearm.

It would increase the stress level to have people shooting at you. As for going to a range, that would be a good idea, but the paintball is far more affordable.
You are still going to need an instructor with operator training, in order to really learn anything.

**Lindz** · Posted On: 6/27/2012 10:43am

I dunno. Boredom and aggression usually got the better of me pretty quickly.

**erezb** · Posted On: 6/27/2012 10:43am

We used to use "milles" Laser mounted on our weapons and shooting blanks. Was great fun!! and we used them also in great scale, battalion level.. we had toys too, like laser grenades and anti tank missiles, and they actually mounted them on hammers mimicking tanks! fucking good times, i almost for a second there miss being in the army lol.
I am pretty sure that you have that now also for general use, if it is on a proper weapon in a proper setting you can have a realistic virtual range (had that too and though it wasn't the best 12 years ago im sure today it is great!).

**Hanniballistic** · Posted On: 6/27/2012 12:42pm

Sim munition rounds are probably the closest to the real thing - they simulate the feel of the actual weapon you would use and are more accurate than conventional paintballing. A friend of mine runs sim courses in Florida and I believe Hock has several contacts too.

Well worth seeking out

**slamdunc** · Posted On: 6/27/2012 1:57pm

Originally Posted by Hanniballistic

Sim munition rounds are probably the closest to the real thing - they simulate the feel of the actual weapon you would use and are more accurate than conventional paintballing. A friend of mine runs sim courses in Florida and I believe Hock has several contacts too.

Well worth seeking out

Simunition is great, but it is pricey.