Take a moment to consider your fundamental shooting skills. Have you ever noticed, or been told, that you have an issue with anticipation affecting your accuracy? Perhaps your instructor mentioned that you could enhance your weapon handling skills when addressing malfunctions.

Most, if not all, firearms instructors will immediately implement”dummy rounds.” No, I am not insulting you! The “dummy round” is essentially an inert cartridge. It consists of an empty casing with a plastic or rubber bullet, no primer, and no gunpowder – the perfect and safe training aid.

The firearms instructors understand the importance of training with dummy rounds. They will load your magazines and randomly insert one or more of these training cartridges. This will help you observe the anticipatory movements when they occur or compel you to clear a weapon malfunction.

If many recognize the value of these inexpensive training aids, why do so few actually continue to train with them? I have asked this very question, and I was often told, “I will know where they are in my magazine.” I have a solution for this!

You will need the following equipment:

1. A box of cartridges, also known as “bullets.”
2. Dummy rounds (the number used is entirely up to you)
3. An unloaded firearm (This exercise is designed for the semi-automatic handgun).
4. Your complete duty rig (gun belt, holster, and magazine pouch)
5. Eye and Ear Protection
6. Oh yes, let’s not forget the need for a shooting range. Please, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS AT HOME!

The next time you visit the range, consider trying this simple exercise with dummy rounds:

1. With your empty firearm secured in its holster, remove the magazines from the weapon and your magazine pouches.
2. Dump the cartridges into the box they came in and add your dummy rounds.
3. Close and shake the box to mix the live cartridges with the dummy rounds.
4. Keeping the box closed, lay out the number of magazines you will load on the table or bench in front of you.
5. Now (this is the critical part), close your eyes.
6. Open the box and begin loading your magazines. Be sure to load them with the ammunition properly seated and facing the correct direction — do not load the ammo backward!
7. Remember, your eyes are CLOSED!
8. Once all of your magazines are loaded and with your EYES CLOSED, place the magazines back into your magazine pouch and insert one magazine back into your firearm.

NOTE: If your range rules prohibit you from inserting the magazine into the weapon this way, simply place the magazine in your pocket until you are on the line and can safely load the firearm.  Keeping the firearm pointed down range, and your finger off the trigger, focus entirely on the target, remove the magazine from your pocket, and load your weapon.

You are now ready to charge your semi-automatic pistol and begin shooting drills. You will be surprised when you encounter a dummy round, just as if someone else loaded your magazines for you.

Never underestimate the importance of training aids or your capability to creatively and safely approach your  personal training.