Yes, Shooting is a Martial Art.

We’ve all seen it. The guy on the flat range with the 3XL DTOM shirt usually speaking loud to anyone who’ll listen. He’s a badass, just ask him. He’ll tell you.
And for whatever reason, that guy always wants to come talk to me. Being the nice guy I am, I normally give them the benefit of the doubt and never one to tell people to piss off…well, until they’ve earned it. This guy in particular dialed in on a painted rifle on the firing line, talking all sorts of boogaloo nonsense and then telling me how he was a ‘contractor down south’ and reciting the whole Bridge of the Americas scene from Sicario as if its his own experience. Naturally I wasn’t sold and walked away, only after casually letting him know I was unimpressed with a smirk.
Point is, these are the same people who’ll be the first to tell you why they carry a gun. Their justification, as if any were needed, is that they can end a physical fight by whippin’ out muh Glock. As if that matters at all.
The reality is this: fights happen fast, and don’t usually begin with the introduction of lethal force. If they do, that’s usually called an ambush. Far more often in the defensive world there’s gonna be a physical fight, the necessity of movement and skill in combatives. The defensive firearm is the last resort tool. And as I tell students in the Fighting Carbine and Kalashnikov courses I teach, your ability to move is the critical difference maker.
Shooting is a natural extension of martial arts. The stances, the footwork, the same gross motor manipulation is the exact same whether its practicing striking and grappling or training with small arms. If you stand still in a fight you’re going to get your ass kicked and the exact same is true of a gunfight- the flat range / static range might be great for training for the economy of motion (accomplishing the motion in the fewest movements) of an action, but its utility in training for a fight is limited. Its akin to never evolving past Kiba-Daichi in Shotokan Karate. Its mastery is important, but it is a starting point. Nothing more, nothing less.
With that said its a natural jumping off point to introduce movement drills into range sessions, and unfortunately this is verboten in a lot of places. That said, there’s a couple of drills and exercises I recommend and cover in class that you can replicate at home with no ammo.
The first is a dry fire and step drill. We’ve all seen the range theatrics of draw n’ fire, only to look side to side while keeping the weapon aimed forward. I understand the logic, somewhat (defeating tunnel vision after the shot), but the reality is that you just took a shot on an adversary and unless you busted his brain box, people don’t die instantly. You need to move. Draw, dry fire, then take a lateral step in one direction. Practice it going forward, to the side, or to the lateral rear (never take a step directly forward or backward- its the natural line of fire). I cover this in class through Pikiti Tersia but regardless of what you want to call it, it embeds the necessity of movement into your defensive drills.
The second is working your way to your feet from laying on your back and dryfiring in a mirror. More often that not in a defensive handgun context you’ve been knocked on your ass and have to fight to your feet against at least one assailant. We’ve seen this in multiple defensive incidents over the past few years, including Kyle Rittenhouse’s visceral demonstration of what 55gr Wolf can do. Throw a kettlebell into the mix if you really want to spice it up and add some stress. You’ll be happy you did.
Overall, understand that while shooting is fun, your training with a weapon is a martial art. A weapon is nothing more than an extension of your body’s natural capability. You have to train to fight with a weapon, not simply shoot it. Its called a gun fight for a reason. And for the love of all that’s Holy, don’t be that 300lb blowhard telling me why you carry a gun, knowing damn well you can’t fight your way out of a paper bag.

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About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

19 Comments

  1. Anonymous March 15, 2021 at 04:46

    5

  2. VAdeputy March 15, 2021 at 06:33

    Took a tactical first aid course yesterday and my partner for practicing was a bearded guy in his 50s about 45lbs overweight who talked about wearing a plate carrier (AR500) and a battlebelt if the proverbial shtf. And I told him he was either going to have a heart attack and die or wear said equipment for exactly 6 minutes after SHTF.
    Now don’t get me wrong, im generally medium speed, some drag, but I’m also not going to wear 20 lbs of steel armor in a $65 plate carrier and pretend i do sexy things.
    Now if he dropped 40 lbs and wore those 3lb polyethylene plates that cost a bajillion dollars and STFU about his 9 tours during WW3……

    • Johnny Paratrooper March 15, 2021 at 21:39

      If he lost that 45 pounds he could carry that gear and not notice the weight.

    • Vulcan March 16, 2021 at 10:45

      Lol right, I know a few guys that have the same mentality. AR500 armor sucks, period. It sucks because it’s directly related to this articles content, mobility. AR500 plates was the first armor I bought, now I just use them as a weighted training vest. My 3.5 lb polyethylene plates may not take as many hits as an AR plate but I sure as hell won’t be gassed and can move lots quicker, which is something I’d rather have all day long in a fight as opposed to the “multi strike” capability of AR500. AR500 is for targets not armor.

      • NC Scout March 16, 2021 at 10:53

        Yup.
        On that note also is the fact that regardless of whether you’re taking a hit in ceramic or steel, you’re out of that fight for a bit. A long bit. Second note- I’d be leery of the ‘multi-strike’ capability of AR-500. Something I’m shooting on the range for feedback (my AR-500 targets) is not exactly something I’d bet my life to wearing.

  3. OldBreedKalis March 15, 2021 at 12:21

    Excellent advice here Scout. There is much commonality in the application of tactics with regard to gunfighting, blade fighting, or empty hand combatives. It helps to understand that true, effective fighting systems are both a science and an art. The science lies in the technical aspects and the art is the creative adaptation of force in relation to the enemy. Once the student has achieved a basic level of proficiency and understanding in the principles of strike and move(cover and move), then they should progress to a dynamic level against an uncooperative foe(OPFOR) whereby they can begin to apply strategy and tactics in real time. This is the time tested method for validating skill that has forged warriors for centuries. Dummying for your training partner will only take you so far and is not the way to mastery.

  4. SOG March 15, 2021 at 13:34

    VADEP
    https://lapolicegear.com/la-police-gear-level-iv-ballistic-armor-plate.html under 230 a set, use gomez15 for 15% off :)
    alternative training methods for force on force or your own movements and gun katas
    laser trainers such as SIRT laser bolt, Hanguns, Mantis system, Airsoft handguns and rifles that have moving slides and bolts. one way to get your own FOF movements with consequences, a lot of 2A folks shit on airsoft but it has its uses. if you wanna don your NODS and IR laser and hit targets in the dark in your own house its a cool concept
    also if you get a version of whatever it is you shoot you have the same holsters,pouches etc. to keep familiarity of your gear and weapons handling nomenclature etc.. it can be a cost effective training aide. for those with no access to miles trainer lasers, simulators, simunitions and so on if can add value and bonding time with the kids.
    I have not purchased any yet but have had a AS glock 19 and real glock 19on the range and the size and feel is identical,my buddy uses for practicing from the draw and concealment in his basement etc.. helps with your live range shot times. the slide even blows back on the green gas models
    nothing replaces live fire but as a scout said you need to be creative and not be a statue on the square range.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoHA-rhGeG4
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP59P4jgP2E
    YMMV

  5. Reader March 15, 2021 at 15:37

    Great advice NC.
    For hunting, I prefer hiking the hills then shooting at steel targets or running and shooting.
    Having open desert is a nice area to practice on too.

    • NC Scout March 15, 2021 at 16:38

      Yup.

  6. That dude March 15, 2021 at 16:23

    I didnt know you guys took a picture of me when I fired my bazooka. Never forget the first time when i was in seal ranger green beret training at meps.

    • NC Scout March 15, 2021 at 16:37

      😂

    • 71M March 15, 2021 at 17:43

      Now that is good!

    • BePrepared March 15, 2021 at 19:22

      You sir, owe me a new keyboard and monitor after I spit coffee all over it.
      Well done.

      • That dude March 15, 2021 at 19:42

        Ill see what i can do! Take care brother.

  7. Anonymous March 15, 2021 at 21:15

    4.5

  8. Johnny Paratrooper March 15, 2021 at 21:38

    I’ll fight anything to the death except the urge to eat every 2 hours and I drink a 12 pack every night.
    And none of my guns are zeroed and I have 85 different loads for my 40 guns.
    As a guy who used to tend bar, I can tell you with 100% certainty to avoid these people at all costs.

  9. SOG March 16, 2021 at 15:19

    my wood target stands are peppered with spawling to the extent we wear gloves when setting them up. steel vs 2000 FPS projectiles equals pain. I got ar500 plates as a newbie budget prepper, then i grabbed PE and havent looked back since, my knees thank me.

  10. […] For me at least, shooting is not a recreational activity. Its a martial art. […]

  11. […] grip and wrist should be obvious – gripping is a key feature of any type of martial art, even shooting. Grip strength may save your life one day too, if you’re literally hanging for dear life in […]

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