Fundamentals Win Fights

posted on January 25, 2013
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
rackley2015_fs.jpg

The reason that experts are constantly training is that repetition builds fundamentals, and fundamentals are the foundation of good marksmanship. Not having to think about how to line up the sights, reload or clear a malfunction, allow users to be faster at responding to a deadly threat, and can be the difference between winning and losing a fight.

There are also fundamentals for self-defense situations. Recently, Tiger McKee, director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, discussed defensive fundamentals, such as communication, movement and cover. These also have to be practiced in order to be conducted properly when under the stress of an attack. You don’t want your first time using a defensive skill to be during an attack.

If you’re range doesn’t allow this type of training, you can practice using a dummy gun in your home, which also helps you fine tune your home-defense plan with your family.

Latest

Women outside with rifle on rest
Women outside with rifle on rest

Three Hidden Joys of the Rifle

There is a particular jolt of joy when a shooter nestles behind a perfectly stable rifle and puts the ideal bullet exactly where intended.

New For 2026: Smith & Wesson M&P15 AXE

The new Smith & Wesson M&P15 AXE is not only the latest in the company's series of AR-style rifles, it marks the first S&W rifle to be chambered for the .300 Blackout cartridge.

The Armed Citizen® July 27, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Making Sense of Conflicting Court Rulings on the AR-15

Various and often conflicting judicial rulings on AR-15s tees up this critical constitutional issue for the U.S. Supreme Court, which has agreed to hear cases challenging bans of these popular semi-automatic in the coming term.

Skills Check: The Meltdown Drill

Our drill this month trains you to acquire a multi-round-durable grip from the start and continually pressure-test it under time and transition stress, holding you to an all-clean-hits standard.

EAA Corp. Acquires Manufacturing Facility in Tennessee

European American Armory’s recent acquisition of a large manufacturing facility in Mountain City, Tenn., is further evidence that the firearm importer plans to establish a domestic manufacturing presence.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.