"If you fail and you learn something from it, that is actually a success." Episode Summary

In this episode, I sit down with Ben DeWalt of On Site Firearms Training and Erick Gelhaus of Cougar Mountain Solutions for an in-depth, no-nonsense discussion about firearms training, collaborative teaching, skill development, and the importance of a growth mindset on the range. Ben and Eric shared their experiences co-teaching pistol performance classes, how they balance speed and accuracy, the value of dry firing, and why ongoing education from other instructors is crucial for personal and professional growth.

We dove into everything from handling failure, identifying the most overrated gadgets in the gun world, to the role of ego in the firearms industry. Ben and Eric also highlighted why shotgun training is gaining traction, how to structure effective practice with time constraints, and the importance of adapting instructional methods to best serve students.

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Key Takeaways

Collaborative teaching improves the experience and adaptability for both students and instructors 04:03
Teaching plans should adapt to student needs, not stick rigidly to a curriculum 08:35
Speed and accuracy in marksmanship are both essential; practice should develop the balance between them 22:03
Recency of gun handling (dry practice) is more important than high-volume live fire for busy people 17:50
Failure on the range is part of growth; learn from it rather than engage in negative self-talk 27:19
Exposure to a range of teaching styles expands your ability to communicate and get through to different students 36:47
Shotgun training is increasingly valuable for areas with restrictive laws on other long guns 01:08:49
Most overrated piece of gear? Some say the shot timer—if you don’t know how to use it properly 01:15:59
Don’t fall for industry dogma—experiment, adapt, and find what really works for you 01:19:32
Stay vigilant: legislative threats to the Second Amendment are evolving, and urban/rural divides impact gun culture and rights 01:12:08

Guest Information

Ben DeWalt
On Site Firearms Training
Website: OFTllc.us
Erick Gelhaus
Cougar Mountain Solutions
Website: cougarmountainsolutions.com

Keywords

firearms training, pistol skill development, shooting instruction, dry fire, live fire, gun safety, co-instructors, collaborative teaching, handgun accuracy, speed and accuracy, shooting drills, law enforcement firearms, concealed carry, marksmanship, Second Amendment, defensive shooting, gun class, training tips, gun culture, New York gun laws, Virginia assault weapon ban, instructor collaboration, 2A community, tactical training, shot timer, B8 target, mindset in shooting, failure in learning, adult learning methods, range drills, OFT, Cougar Mountain Solutions, Ben DeWalt, Eric Gelhaus, The Gun Experiment