Shooting as a martial art

Several readers, after reading this post and this one, have asked me to list what I think of shooting as a martial art. Of course, I think that shooting for martial arts purposes is an excellent type of training. Naturally, as with any other martial arts practice, my hope would be that you never have to use it.

That said, what would make for good training? What kind of gun should you use? What should a martial artist be able to do with a firearm? When would shooting be appropriate? There are a million questions to be answered. But let me cover the main ones.

When to shoot for self defense?

Generally speaking, this is a very well-regulated part of the law. It goes without saying that if you feel you can safely avoid shooting, then do so. Most states will allow you to defend yourself from life-threatening attacks with deadly weapons by shooting. Some do not - check local and state laws.

States like Tennessee have "Castle Doctrine" - which broadens the legal scope in which a person can defend himself in his own home. Not only is a person allowed to defend their life in their own home, but Castle Doctrines typically prohibit lawsuits against the resident brought by surviving members of the criminal's family.

A very few states have a "duty to retreat" clause - requiring residents to make every attempt to flee before resorting to violence. Some states mandate that a resident do this in his own home. While this is an idea good in theory - the reality of what has become of it has no place in a free society. I could not live in a place that had such a law.

Persons with concealed / carry permits generally have the ability to defend themselves with a handgun in public places. There are many circumstances, and even more laws on this topic. Suffice it to say that the person legally carrying a handgun must be in a situation where there is no alternative to violence, before being able to shoot.

What kind of gun?

There are three main parts to this answer. Primarily, one should be able to use the gun that one already owns. If one does not own a gun, or if the gun to be used needs upgrading, then I will provide suggestions.

Handguns
Revolvers, and modern semiautomatic pistols are both good choices. Revolvers should be a larger caliber (.38 special, .357 magnum, .44 magnum, or similar). Semiautomatics should also be in a larger caliber (9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP). Stick with the common calibers I've listed, and you will do fine.

For revolvers, stick to brands Smith & Wesson, Ruger, and Taurus. For semi-autos, the best choices are made by GLOCK, Sig-Sauer, Smith & Wesson, and Springfield.

Shotguns
Best choices are pump-action or semi-auto. Most major manufacturers are just fine. Stick with a 12-gauge (20 gauge OK for the ladies), and use either buckshot or slugs.

Rifles
Best choices are semiautomatic, external box-magazine fed. Though not all-inclusive, here are some types that will do the job well, by caliber:
.30-Carbine - M1 Carbine
.223 - AR 15; Mini-14
7.62x39 - AK 47; SKS (also the 5.54 mm - AK 74)
7.62 NATO - M1A; Fal; AR 10

What skills?

Most shooting for self defense takes place in close quarters - 21 feet or less. Suffice it to say that the average individual would do well to master his own marksmanship inside of 25 feet. It is also reasonable to state that if someone can consistently hit similar sized targets at much greater distances, then shooting for self defense will become easier.

Marksmanship:
Be able to hit COM (Center Of Mass) shots and head shots at reasonable ranges. For handguns, COM shots may be made up to 50 yards, and head shots to 25 yards. For shotguns, similar distances, maybe longer. For rifles, double those distances, at a minimum.

Operation:
Be able to load and reload your gun. Be able to change mags (or use speed-loaders for revolvers). Be able to clear malfunctions. Be able to shoot both a handgun, and a long gun, and transition between the two as necessary. Be able to completely operate your firearm of choice.

Tactics:
At a minimum, be able to safely enter a room ("pie" a corner), and go up and down stairs. Couples should learn how to do this as a pair, too. Be able to do this with both a pistol and a long gun.
Double-tap drills, and "Mozambique" drills are  good to put in the tool box.
Low-light tactics are good to learn.

Maintenance:
Be able to "field strip" and clean your choice of firearms. At a minimum, know this for your long gun, and your handgun. If you have a pistol, shotgun, and rifle, be able to do this on all three. If you have a backup gun (handgun or rifle), know how to strip and clean it, too. There is nothing bad that will come of knowing the ins and outs of your gun.

Fundamentals:
Know how to stand and fire. Know how to shoot from having fallen down. Learn how to shoot over / around barriers or cover. Know the basics of stance. Know the basics of blocks (strikes, club attacks, knife attacks). Learn the difference between cover and concealment, and how to use each.

Advanced:
I think there are two main lines of thought when it comes to advanced training - operator training and marksmanship training. Neither is "better" than the other. Both are good to learn and know. Both have their application.

For the civilian, operator training is likely to be more appropriate, so it should be primary. Being able to do drills in and around barriers, and fighting out to about 100 yards, and the like will be far more likely for the civilian in a self defense situation.

Long range marksmanship - beyond 100 yards - will not be as likely for the civilian to use. But do not discount the usefulness of the training. Knowing you can make hits out to 500 yards with iron sights is a big plus. Taking that further, and making shots and reading wind out to 800 (or more) yards is also an advantage.