The biggest problem with dry-fire practice is the danger of a negligent discharge. You’ll notice that I didn’t call it an accidental discharge. Guns that go off when they’re not supposed to are a result of someone’s negligence. So let’s recognize it for what it is, own up to it, and take steps to see that it doesn’t happen.

The best recommendation I have heard is that the shooter should have a regular area in which to set up an appropriate target and practice. Then he or she should never allow live ammunition into that area. Strip the gun, magazines, and belt loops of all live ammo and leave it in another part of the house. Spring-loaded and solid-plastic dummy cartridges can be used if snapping the gun on an empty chamber is not desired. These dummy cartridges are available in most gun stores.

You really don’t need to set aside a lot of time for dry-fire practice. Generally 15 minutes each day is long enough to concentrate on improving your skills. However, during that time, it is important to just focus on your practice. Don’t allow the doorbell, telephone, or other distractions to disturb you.

Many negligent discharges occur because the shooter finishes his practice, reloads with live ammo, and then, just a bit later, forgets and decides to snap on his target a few more times. This is why it’s so important to have a set time for practice, making sure that the area is completely clear of live ammunition, and when you are finished, you are finished.

As we all know, an evening glass of “Who Hit John” is a wonderful comfort to the civilized man. However, due diligence and discretion dictate that we enjoy our favorite beverage after we have finished our firearms practice. To do otherwise would make us look like a fool.

The rifle hunter can use his dry-fire sessions to practice unslinging his rifle and getting into the various field shooting positions. With practice, the shooter can smoothly sling up and drop into a field position while his eyes continue to be focused on the target.

The handgunner uses dry-fire sessions to practice a smooth presentation of his handgun from the holster. In addition, he can practice turns and additional shooting positions. Both the handgun hunter and the defensive shooter can really benefit from these practice sessions.

Riflemen and handguners, alike, will find that dry-fire practice lets them work on the basics of marksmanship--namely sight picture, breath control, and trigger squeeze. And they are honing the basics without having to deal with the disturbance of muzzle blast and recoil. Just as in the case of the Rhodesian IPSC team, the shooter will need to make occasional trips to the range for live firing. But he should be able to see a marked improvement in his skills as a result of his dry-fire practice.

So don’t be so disappointed if you can’t get out to the shooting range as often as you’d like. Your shooting skills certainly don’t have to suffer as a result of it. Regular dry-fire practice is the key, and it won’t wreck your budget either. Give it a try and see if your abilities aren’t greatly improved. Heck, who knows? It might not be too long before folks are calling you one of those natural-born shots.

I’ll leave you with one final word about your shooting practice: We’ve all heard the old saying that practice makes perfect. Well, friends, it ain’t so. As Vince Lombardi once said, “Only perfect practice makes perfect.” I think you’ll find that dry-fire practice will go a long ways towards making your shooting skills more perfect.