Training is good gear test?

Ever ask yourself, am I using the right gear or am I just using what I have? There is a world differance especially when it comes to conceal carry. When it comes to this one size does not fit all. This is the nice part of it, you can customize it to your physical ability and disadvantages. But a great many people do not. They settle for what they purchased or what a "friend" told them. You have to take that with a grain of salt, because we are unique in our own way. Size, Shape, clothing options, sex (men and ladies are built differently), all come into play. Then there is the simple fact of how can you effectively tell if the firearm and/or gear is correct for you. Yes, you can and should do safe drill's are home (applying the 4 firearms safety rules, you remember them?). You can go to the range and do drill's and training. But the question is this, are you training to the standard of your ability or the limitation of your gear? Taking training class is a great way to find all this out! I inform people who are very limited in firearm knowledge for conceal carry, take a class before you purchase a pistol. If is cheaper to take a $100.00 class and become educated, then spending $500.00 or more on a pistol that you find out is not right for you. I have had a lot of students who, say "I wish I would of known that before I bought the pistol". Besides the obvious education knowledge you will get, you get a chance to test gear and firearms. I always have time after the "official" class range time, so students can try other holsters, pistols and ammunition. It is amazing how friendly the community is, just about everyone is like "here, shoot it". You get a chance that firearm stores and ranges cannot offer, do to overhead and limitations. During training the instructor will ensure you are meeting the standard and skill set. You will find the flaw's of a certian firearm, or gear. Perhaps a simple change is all that is needed, or that you become educated why it will or will not work for you. Have had many cases in some classes where students thought they had the best holster for them, but when doing training, the holster came off the belt, or the belt broke. Far better to find it out now than when it really matters. Many times, people find that a slight adjustment in a certain technique was all that was needed (one's that somehow get missed in video learning). One occasion had a student that could not hit the target effectively, upon investigation, it was found that the ammunition that was being used was not as accurate as other ammunition (wonder how long and how much that would of cost on their own to find out?). One a few other occasions the students found out that their gear was great standing, but when put in common position, was the worst for it. The key is that an Instructor should not just tell you, but mentor you in training so you make the discovery yourself, which really drives it home. Taking training once a year can not only discover the weakness in your system of protection. But, it can also at the same time vindicate it. It will dust off the cobb webs and build your confidence on the things that are working great. If it is, don't change a thing, ask the Instructor what can I do to make the weakness stronger. You are paying a professional, they should and are more than happy to help and guide you to success. Stay aware, train properly and be viligant. Todd