Experience vs Opinion

Here  is an article written by Dave Spaulding that speaks to experience vs opinion . More can be found at www.handguncombatives.com A few years ago I wrote several columns questioning the time spent teaching shooting while moving.

I don't dispute movement during conflict as it does happen. What I am referring to is the huge amount of time spent trying to accurately shoot while in motion front, back or laterally. I show students in my classes how to perform the skill, but I don't spend a lot of time on it as I have found few instances where it is actually done in conflict...street or battlefield. I show it because students expect to learn this "advanced" skill. When people are under fire, they either shoot to eliminate the threat or they are moving trying to get themselves out of harm's way, not both as it slows the shooter too much to keep them from getting shot. Those who advocate shooting while moving usually base their opinion on Airsoft or some other interactive training where missed shots (read that shots thrown wide) have little consequence. We are responsible for every round fired so the idea of "cover by outgoing fire" is a non-starter in the real world.   The idea of shooting THEN moving or moving THEN shooting is sound and I drill these skills in my classes as they allow for fast motion and accurate fire. When I wrote these past articles I was TRASHED on several gun forums, normally by people with little or no street experience, and was actually called by one forum (that apparently has a very high opinion of itself!) to come on and "explain" myself. Yeah, sure...When Retired Master Sgt. and Delta Operator Paul Howe came out and said he had never shot on the move in all his years of combat experience the criticism died down. I have never met Mr. Howe but I have great respect not only for his service and knowledge, but for his down to earth, no BS doctrine.    I recently read another article on this subject by another Special Forces veteran, this one from Israel...a country that has been in a constant state of war for 65 years. I do not know the author, but I found his article very interesting and obviously written to help inform combat shooters of a skill they probably do not need at the "training expense" of others. I will let his extensive bio speak for itself. I am sure this will incite many as his message will fly in the face of what "they know to be true" whether it is or not. It has been my experience that many in the combative firearms training arena have an idea of what they want reality to be and will resist anything that contradicts it. Please take the time to read this and give it careful, critical thought. Base your opinion on this thought and not on what some instructor tells you to think...