What is an expert? Is an expert currently at the top of their field, or is it ok to have been at one point? Are all experts equal or can you still be an expert if someone is “better” than you?
I ask these questions because though I try not to watch too many YouTube shooting videos, friends are constantly telling me to look at this one or that one. One that I recently watched had a lot of negative comments that mostly revolved around the older techniques that were being shown in the video. Yes, the techniques were a little older. Yes, the speed and fluidity of the shooter was not up to today’s competition standards. Nonetheless, I consider him an expert.
Would I go to that guy to improve my USPSA score? No. Could I count on him to teach a professional or civilian to hit a target and win a fight? Yes. There was a time in my life when I would not have considered him an expert. Not all experts are equal. Nonetheless, he is expert with pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shotguns. He can safely and effectively hit what he wants to while presenting the gun from an appropriate carry method. He knows a lot about guns and shooting. He devoted years of his professional life to shooting and teaching. What he does simply works. There is way more to using guns than the latest competition technique.
Beyond his ability though, there are higher levels of expertise. Does that matter for most people and most situations? No. If you are on a path to mastery, then you will want to go beyond what he was showing. Most would do just fine stopping right where he was. For a higher-level expert, knowing the current state of the art is important. Being able to execute it at a very high level is important. Even techniques you may not favor, for guns you may not use, can be included in this. If you don’t know and can’t do some of what is out there, how do you know what you do know and can do is the “best”, even for a more limited outlook? This can be taken too far though, as no one can be an expert in everything.
For those of us who enjoy shooting competitions, it might be helpful to remember that the next time we are presented with material that we can’t use, others might be able to. Likewise, if all that interests you is self-defense, don’t automatically write off “competition techniques.” Some of them can help you improve your self-defense abilities. A true expert should know what’s out there, and know how the various techniques and drills fit into the bigger picture. If you can’t figure out why someone would use a technique that you have no use for, maybe ask an expert. If you can find one.
An ex is a has-been; a spurt is a drip under pressure. 🙂 People call me that and I smile.
The more I read this post the more I appreciate what was said, especially coming from someone who dedicates a lot of time to becoming really proficient with a pistol (and I suppose long guns as well). Thanks for the article.
I appreciate your comment, as this is a tough topic to talk about with some people, and we could go into way more detail than I did. It seems like today people think anyone who does something different than they do can’t be an expert. Ridiculous.