Looking for Advice on Indoor Shooting Simulators for Home Training

[gerryaz]

Hey everyone,

I recently started exploring indoor shooting simulators as a way to improve my accuracy and technique without visiting the range every day. I have heard these systems can replicate real firearm handling, recoil, and various shooting scenarios quite effectively.

However, I am unsure which system suits a beginner to intermediate shooter on a moderate budget. Are laser-based simulators worth it compared to full projection systems?

How realistic is the training experience? Does consistent simulator practice actually translate to improved real range performance?

Any recommendations or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gerryaz]

Hey everyone,

I recently started exploring indoor shooting simulators as a way to improve my accuracy and technique without visiting the range every day. I have heard these systems can replicate real firearm handling, recoil, and various shooting scenarios quite effectively.

However, I am unsure which system suits a beginner to intermediate shooter on a moderate budget. Are laser-based simulators worth it compared to full projection systems?

How realistic is the training experience? Does consistent indoor shooting simulator practice actually translate to improved real range performance?

Any recommendations or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance for any help

 

[JMRhino]

First, my apology for not being able to answer your specific question as which platform is best; however, I can say as a 25-year firearms instructor for the GOV, routine and consistent practice without the recoil and report is directly beneficial for all shooters. Developing the proper muscle memory for a consistent trigger pull, sight picture, trigger reset and to a lesser extent proper grip will pay dividends for shooting live rounds in all conditions. I still dry fire regularly at home as it's cheap and effective. The "weapons handling" skills are equally as important as marksmanship and can be practiced simultaneously.

As to what system is best, I suspect cost may be a primary factor and your actual range (distance) available at your location is a consideration. The "laser" products may be cost effective enough with proper feedback to achieve the intended results. Just some thoughts...

 

[salmonchaser]

I retired in 2011 and had the opportunity to beta test several of the simulators that came on the scene during my tenure an instructor. The last system we had allowed the use of laser guns or live fire at the images projected on the rubber screen covering our bullet trap. I’m sure these systems have improved since then and can only imagine what AI can add to training.
I also remain a firm believer in dry fire practice and think it is particularly important if you carry a handgun. When fecal mater intersects the HVAC system you do not rise to occasion you fall to the level of your training. Saw the results every time I sat on a shooting review board.
I don’t recall from any prior posts your background. If you haven’t ever had any legitimate training you may be well served investing in a proven course with a cadre of proven instructors. I managed to get myself into at least two instructor classes every year of my 20 year career. Everything from basic refresher to advanced MP-5 courses taught by retired British SAS operators.
Catherine and I are planning on a few days at Gunsight next winter when we’re in Arizona. Firearms skills are perishable, even with my background I still want to get tuned up from time to time. Plus you get good hats.
I applaud your efforts to actually train and not simply bust some caps so to speak. I will close with this anecdote. One of my new SWAT guys came to me about a year before I retired. He had about 5 years on the job. “ Boss I got a problem” I just shot my quarterly and just barely qualified. I need more practice ammo or I won’t pass our swat qual. I asked him who he had been shooting with. He had two very good instructors on his squad plus another couple on overlapping shifts to work with. “Didn’t want to bother anyone, been shooting by myself” Burned through 1000 rounds making the same mistakes over and over.
To issue him more ammo I put him on a performance plan, required he meet with either of his available instructors once a rotation for 15 to 30 minutes. They got him ironed out and determined he needed corrective lenses.
His shooting occurred about a year after I retired. Shooting review board showed , Bad guy engaged him, he moved towards cover fired three shots, bad guy dropped from view, he reloaded, radioed for help, directed backup to the scene so no crossfire occurred, about three minutes after the first shot K-9 found the bad guy behind the shrubbery. DRT.

 

[3 Meter Para Bellum]

I was going to comment less elequently on dry fire practice and the like, but the two fellows above have done so far better than I could have. As far as simulators, there existence for home use is new to me, although I guess I should have expected they existed. That said even if it is just a step above basic dry fire practice and is able to give you a more dynamic experience, it seems like something of the sort would be beneficial.

 

[KinleyWater]

I've done limited work with laser training and nothing applicable to your situation. In my opinion, dry fire is the most cost effective way to practice both for shooting and for many failure drills. But, please, dry fire or laser, if you are using a real firearm -- make sure it's unloaded.