The Only Firearms Training That Will Sharpen Your Edge

If you've read How to Shoot Like a Navy SEAL or spent time on my firearms training blog, you probably already know the “secret.” For the rest of you? Well, I could tell you… but then I’d have to kill you. Just kidding. Kind of.

Let’s drop the mystery: The so-called secret is dry fire training—and it’s not a trick, it’s not a shortcut, and it’s definitely not new. What it is… is effective. In fact, it’s the most efficient way to get better at shooting, period. It’s how I trained, it’s how I teach, and it’s what separates committed warriors from keyboard commandos.

What Is Dry Fire Training?

Dry fire is simply practicing weapons handling without live ammo. That’s it. But don’t mistake “simple” for “easy.” Dry fire is not just pulling the trigger. I could train a monkey to yank a trigger (he might slap it, too). Real dry fire training includes everything:

• Drawing from the holster
• Reloads
• Malfunction drills
• Transitions
• Shooting positions
• Moving and shooting
• Working new gear into your system

Dry fire is how you prepare your body and mind for live fire. You work the reps, refine the movement, and build neural pathways before you ever set foot on a range.

Why Dry Fire > Range Time

“But why not just go to the range?” you ask. Great question. And here's the answer:

Dry fire is cheaper, faster, and in many cases, better than live fire.

You don’t need ammo, range fees, targets, or gas money. You can train every day. You can train in your living room. You can train when the kids go to bed. And when you do hit the range? You're not figuring things out. You're confirming what you’ve already trained.

Think of it like boxing: The match doesn't teach you how to fight—it proves who trained harder. Same goes for shooting. Dry fire is your gym. The range is just your scoreboard.

Safety First, Always

Let me say this loud and clear: DO NOT START DRY FIRING WITHOUT FIRST LEARNING FIREARM SAFETY FROM A QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR.

Dry fire is a powerful tool—but it’s not without risk if you’re careless. So let’s cover some rules:

✅ Dry Fire Safety Tips:

• NEVER dry fire at anything you don’t want to destroy.
• Don’t point a weapon at interior walls unless there's a bulletproof backstop (brick wall, stone fireplace, or ballistic panel).
• Always triple-check that your firearm and magazines are empty. Then check again.
• Remove all live ammo from your practice area—ideally into a different room.
• Say out loud: “I’m beginning dry fire practice.” That mental shift matters.
• DO NOT dry fire when you’re tired, distracted, or emotional.
• NO GUNS + KIDS + DRUGS + ALCOHOL. EVER.

Safety isn’t optional. It’s part of being a professional.

How to Structure a Dry Fire Session

You don’t need hours. You need intentional reps.

🔹 Before You Start:

1. Review your range book (yes, you should have one)
2. Write down a plan: What skills are you training today?
3. Eliminate distractions: TV off, phone silenced, door closed
4. Clear your weapon, gear, and mags—triple-check everything
5. Choose a safe backstop with a small visual target

🔹 During Practice:

• Start slow and precise. “By the numbers.”
• Make each rep perfect before increasing speed
• If you mess up? Do it correctly 7 times to overwrite the error
• Stop after 15–20 minutes—before you get tired or sloppy

🔹 Weekly Schedule:

• First 2 weeks: Practice daily
• Next 2 weeks: Practice 2–3 times per week
• After that: Maintain with 1–2 sessions per week

Skill Progression: What to Practice

Here’s your dry fire menu. Pick 2–3 per session:

• Fundamentals of marksmanship
• Drawing: strong hand & reaction hand
• One-handed shooting: dominant and support
• Magazine changes: standard and one-handed
• Malfunction drills (use dummy rounds)
• Shooting positions: standing, kneeling, prone, fetal prone
• Barricade shooting
• Shooting on the move
• Target transitions
• Two-eyes open training

Make sure to log each session in your range book. Keep it sharp, keep it simple.

The Real Secret: It Works

Here’s the deal: Shooting like a Navy SEAL is simple.

That doesn’t mean it’s easy—but it is straightforward. It’s about discipline. It’s about reps. It’s about dry fire.

You don’t need special genetics. You don’t need high-end gear. You need to show up. And if you’ve never committed to dry fire before? Do it for 30 days. I promise you’ll be stunned by the results.

The results aren’t magical. They’re earned.

Train like your life depends on it—because one day, it might.