
Free Targets & Drills
While this is a very unpopular opinion in the shooting industry, you don't always need to spend tons of money or attend multiple training classes every year in order to be proficient with a firearm. Just like any skill, you need to practice doing something right repeatedly until it's second nature. Once you receive basic instruction from Flock Tactical or another reputable instructor, you can do a lot of your own training to maintain, refine, or further develop your skill set. Here are some resources to help you accomplish that.
Targets
All you really need is some paper and a sharpie, but having pre-made targets is always nice. Here are some great 8x11'' printable targets from TREX ARMS that are useful for just about anything: zeroing, accuracy work, developing cadence, target transitions, throttle control, etc.
Dry Fire practice is essential to developing mastery of any weapon system, especially for those of us who can't afford to shoot thousands of rounds a month. In fact, even world-class shooters spend a considerable amount of their time dry firing to develop proficiency with reloads, drawing, target transitions, fundamentals, etc. See the TREX ARMS drill depository link below to access his video on dry-fire.
**DOUBLE CHECK to ensure you are (1) handling an empty gun and (2) pointing your empty gun in a safe location before practicing.**
Shooting steel is not only a great training resource, but it's one of the most fun ways to shoot and train. While using steel exclusively can create a false sense of proficiency, it is a great way to increase efficiency at the range and it is the best way, in my opinion, to train at longer distances. Here are some of the main steel products that I recommend, but you can always look around to find more affordable options in your area.
**SEE MANUFACTURER SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS**
Competitors and Tactical shooters both use the variations of the IPSC/USPSA target as a training standard. It's a great way to measure practical "combat" accuracy while giving you a realistic-sized target so you can develop speed.
Don't get comfortable with "D" and "C" level hits, but use the bigger target area to train yourself to hold for the center. A-zone. Additionally, you can use these targets to develop your "Bubble," which is an essential process that I teach to all of my clients.
**Don't want to pay? Simply make them yourself, for free**
Drill Depository
There are an infinite number of ways to train with firearms. Some drills isolate specific fundamentals that you need to master. Others simply combine multiple fundamentals into the same drill. Others will cause you to focus more on problem solving and processing, much like competitions do, that test how well the fundamentals are subconsciously seared into your brain.
TREX ARMS has done a great job of creating and compiling various drills that I frequently use. I highly recommend that you start with these to solidify your fundamentals. Then, tweak them to work on something you want to develop or create your very own for training or fun.