Author: Richard Mansir

Shooting drills benefit both seasoned shooters and novices.

While these exercises can be done for the sake of fun, serious shooters know that shooting drills were designed to enhance real-world proficiency when handling and using a firearm. Shooting drills help boost accuracy, enhance proficiency, improve reaction time, and refine overall skills when handling firearms – all of which can be crucial for tactical situations or self-defense.

Richard Kane Mansir explores the best shooting drills for proficiency and skill development, touching on firearm safety techniques.

Targeting Mastery: 3 Best Drills for Development

Before attempting any of these shooting drills, it’s best that a shooter is familiar with a handgun’s parts and functions. The following handgun drills can be done with both a semi-automatic or a revolver, but for simplicity purposes, let’s assume a semi-automatic is being used.

Mozambique Drill

This shooting drill emphasizes accurate shot placement, a crucial factor in concluding a defensive encounter, into an opponent’s critical areas. It also facilitates the practice of transitioning between shots on the same target.

How to Do It:

• Use a silhouette target featuring prominent head and chest areas then set it up between 7-10 yards away. If range regulation permits, begin with the pistol holstered.
• Upon go signal, fire two shots to the target’s chest and one to the head. Maintain the firearm’s aim the target, making sure it’s down.

5×5 Drill

This drill requires a large sheet of paper with 25 1-inch circles spaced half an inch apart, in a 5×5 grid. Set it up about 3 yards away. Load 5 rounds each into two magazines.

How to Do It:

• Start in the compressed ready position or the low ready position.
• Aim at the top left circle then fire two shots slowly and carefully. On the same row, move to the second circle and fire two shots. Fire the last round at the third circle, reload, then fire one more shot. Fire two shots each at the fourth and fifth circle.
• Reload your magazine and repeat the sequence for the remaining rows.
• Try to aim, fire, and reload faster going through each row.
• To count as hits, the shots must be within the circles.

El Presidente

This shooting drill was developed by Jeff Cooper. It’s designed to enhance draw-timing, target transitioning, reloading, and other basic movement skills.

How to Do It:

• Set up 3 targets set up at 10 yards away. The targets should be about 1 yard apart.
• Begin with a holstered handgun. Upon the go signal, turn and then draw, then fire two shots on each target.

Swift and Secure: Quick Firearm Safety Tips

• Treat and handle every gun as if it’s loaded
• Always point the firearm in a safe direction, especially away from people
• Shooters should never aim the firearm at anything they don’t intend to shoot
• Keep fingers off the trigger until ready to shoot
• Before shooting a target, make sure what’s behind or beyond it

Proficiency and skill development are what shooters should aim for when practicing and shooting drills. Each exercise provides an opportunity to refine a shooter’s marksmanship, contributing to a safer and more skilled shooter community.

Off-roading gives adrenaline junkies the chance to explore the world’s hidden (but less-travelled) gems. However, there’s a decision standing in the way of experiencing these wild joys — ATV or Jeep?

Both iconic wheelers are designed with rugged adventuring in mind, boasting the ability to traverse any terrain effortlessly with responsive controls and agile handling. Despite these similarities, choosing between the two is challenging. ATVs are compact, ensuring no path is too narrow or forest too dense. Jeeps are convenient and comfortable with spacious seating, advanced tech, and climate control.

While it’s ultimately about personal preference, Richard Kane Mansir says that understanding the differences ensures soon-to-be off-roaders make the right decision for them and their outdoor activities.

Safety Considerations

Jeeps are cars, meaning they are subject to regulations and monitoring by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Drivers and passengers are kept as safe as possible, due to the installed airbags, crumple zones, and large chassis. They’re designed to save lives during head-on highway collisions.

All-terrain vehicles, on the other hand, don’t have such safety features. Although, they do have seatbelts, roll cages, and safety mechanisms that restrict speeds whilst riders aren’t wearing seatbelts. Regardless, they aren’t made to withstand the same impact as a Jeep.

Street Legality

Jeeps take drivers from the highway to the trail with ease, provided all the paperwork is properly signed, of course.

This is true for ATVs in some states. However, most areas don’t allow stock-configurated all-terrain vehicles on the road. Owners are often required to fit windshields, headlights, and a few other necessities by law before driving it on the highway. If these conditions aren’t met, adventurers are forced to take their ATV to the trail by trailer or truck.

Durability and Maintenance Necessities

Durable and low-maintenance are two words associated with the Jeep. No matter the terrain’s toughness, Jeeps can handle it, thanks to their sturdy construction.

ATVs offer almost the same level of durability. However, they fall short in the reliability category. While Jeeps are well-known for their long life and ability to endure wear and tear, ATVs aren’t so fortified.

Comfortability Factors

All-terrain vehicles simply can’t compete with Jeeps in the comfort category. For those who want to go off the beaten track without a sore behind, the Jeep wins every time, and here’s why:

• It comes with a bunch of technology to enhance convenience and enjoyment (e.g., the infotainment system, Bluetooth, and advanced navigation).
• It boasts ample legroom and headspace for drivers and passengers alike. Not to mention the cargo space!
• Depending on the model, it can have foldable soft tops or removable roofs for the open-air experience.

Budget Needs

At the end of the day, money is often a determining factor — without enough cash or the ability to afford finance, Jeeps are out the question. They can put a massive $30,000 dent in bank accounts due to all the mod-cons.

Meanwhile, ATVs go for around $10,000, making them a much more affordable offroad vehicle.

The collector car market can be unruly and unpredictable, but one aspect rings true — when one segment begins to take off, similar vehicles aren’t too far behind. And the 4×4 market is no different.

Richard Kane Mansir reports that the last decade has been more than kind of vehicles like the Jeep Wagoneer, Ford Bronco, and Chevy Blazer. Their off-road capabilities and the die-hard fans keep their prices at a steady high. But Jeep has experienced particularly dramatic value boosts in the last five years especially.

For the average car owner, such vehicles are depreciating assets. But collectors would disagree. According to the latest price guide, some Jeep models have more than doubled in value. Here are five of them:

1976-1983 Jeep J-10

The Wagoneer and Cherokee appreciation certainly helped skyrocket the price of this late ’70s/early ’80s Jeep J-10 — it’s up 151% compared to five years ago!

During this era, the J-series found its way onto Jeep’s full-size platform, boasting large cargo capacity to compensate for the lack of passenger accommodation.

Some experts suggest the rarer nature of the model may make it more appealing to collectors since they aren’t often seen roaring down the highway.

That said, there’s a distinct sparseness of parts, making the J-10 trickier to restore than its Ford or Dodge cousins — although many would argue it pays off in the end.

1977-1980 CJ-7 Golden Eagle

Boasting a five-year price increase of 136%, the CJ-7 has brilliant features: elegance, robustness, top-down off-road traveling, and simplicity. And, to spice things up, the Golden Eagle displays giant hood graphics and gold highlights on the inside. No wonder collectors adore the model!

Available in a range of colors, collectors seek the Daisy Duke (i.e., white and tan) with Levi’s package for the classic late-’70s CJ look.

1984-1987 Cherokee Turbodiesel

The XJ Jeep Cherokees have been popular for ages thanks to their maneuverability, unflappable axles, and a variety of transfer cases for modest storage.

Perhaps the most recognizable model is the 190-hp 4-liter from the 1990s, which has experienced a price increase of 130%. But the 1984 to 1987 models beat them with a price hike of 155%.

Those who have shopped for an XJ before will understand the rarity of diesel models, which many collectors dub the reason for the extortionate value increase.

1986-1992 Jeep Comanche

Put a bed behind the front seats of the Cherokee and the Comanche is born.

It holds a unique spot in the market as the manufacturer didn’t see the point in continuing its production. Therefore, the 4×4 never saw its promised 1997 refresh.

That said, factory Grand Cherokee and Cherokee parts work with the Comanche. Thus, the pickup truck is great for trail vehicles and OEM+ rebuilds.

1997-1999 Jeep Wrangler

Exhibiting a five-year price increase of a massive 168%, the Wrangler boasts a four-link rear suspension and a Dana 35 axle like the Grand Cherokee. Receiving a refresh in 2003 for improved features, it’s a highly sought-after model due to its improved handling and extra articulation.

Indoor skydiving can be quite an intense activity that many are not brave enough to try. So, why is it an excellent activity for individuals with special needs?

Richard Kane Mansir explains that indoor skydiving can help individuals with special needs grow in self-esteem by accomplishing something that many might not attempt! It allows them to build their confidence, and the flying sensation almost gives them the feeling that they are superheroes!

Below, more about how indoor skydiving can help to lift persons with special needs to new heights is discussed.

Indoor Skydiving Builds Self-Esteem

Studies have shown, such as one conducted by California State University San Marcos, that individuals with special needs suffer from low self-esteem at much higher rates than other segments of the population. This can then lead to issues with mental health and even antisocial behavior.

Taking part in an activity such as indoor skydiving can promote adrenaline and the feel-good hormones dopamine and serotonin. This can help the individual to feel proud of themselves, feel positive, and improve their self-image.

Facing Fears and Building Confidence

Although it can seem scary at first when we face our fears, it can help us to build resilience and confidence. Indoor skydiving gives many the feeling that they are flying, and to some with more vivid senses of imagination can turn them into superheroes!

For people with special needs, who may struggle when faced with new or unfamiliar tasks, taking on something such as indoor skydiving and completing the activity can be a real confidence boost and an experience they can reflect on when completing future tasks or activities.

It’s Accessible to Varying Abilities

Thanks to the ability of essential weightlessness indoor “flying” provides, it can be incredibly accessible for those who may also suffer from physical impairments and disabilities. Age and physical ability don’t play as much of a part in indoor skydiving as other physical sports, meaning anyone who is willing to put the time and effort in can give it a go!

The feeling of weightlessness can also be incredibly freeing, as well as allowing people to exercise with minimal effort. Indoor skydiving can help to strengthen the muscles of the core, legs, back, and arms while also improving proprioception and coordination. Having trained professionals nearby also helps individuals to feel confident to truly give it their all!

It’s an Amazing Sensory Experience

Although some individuals may find the sound of the air rushing past their ears a little unsettling, this can easily be mitigated by the use of correctly fitted earplugs.

Otherwise, for many people with special needs such as autism, the sensory stimulation can be quite a pleasant experience!

It’s Simply Just a Lot of Fun

As those who have experienced it might evangelize, alongside the physical and mental benefits of indoor skydiving, it’s also an experience that truly cannot be beaten!

For those who may be interested in giving indoor skydiving a try or know of someone who may benefit, consider finding out the nearest indoor skydiving tunnel and enquire as to their ability to cater to special needs.