NRA Winchester Marksmanship Program

Occasionally I get a question from a reader, and this was about the Marksmanship Program.
I found it extremely helpful in advancing my skills, at my own pace. I completed the pistol program recently, and in working through it significantly improved my one handed and weak handed shooting. Plus, I’m a little geeky, I liked sewing the patches on my range bag.
 
What about the real world, not target practice? One handed and weak handed shooting is a real world skill. If you are ever in a confrontation and are injured, you may need to be able to use on hand, or use your weak hand as the primary shooting hand. If you have practiced, and mastered, hitting a target, you have better odds of being successful in a real situation.
 
I’ve been learning more defensive drills lately; shooting without sights, drawing and firing, startling then acquiring my target and making the shoot-no shoot decision. Do I think the skills I developed working the marksmanship program help? YES! Could I do one without the other? Sure, however, I considered it part of my training and practice and skill development. I think the confidence I gained completely the program help me have confidence in my ability to hit my target, without sights, while moving, one handed, etc.
 
If you only have a short time to learn because you are in a potentially dangerous situation, learn the point and shoot method, don’t worry about the sights, focus on pointing at center mass the throwing lead. Master that, then practice refining your skills.

I’ve just started the light rifle program. This one may take me a little longer but it is fun!