Originally Posted by NickPilot
Is the self proclaimed lack of skill an example of British understatement, or is there some failing in sidearm training in the UK forces?
Nick, probably a bit of both. I'm guessing that the British forces are like us in Australia in that regard. Outside of SF, handgun training is to get someone to a standard to pass the qualification practice. As for shooting for proficiency .... pfft! Training programme approved, Ops Cell sign off, stores request for the weapons, ammo request, range booking, write a Range Instruction, do a risk assessment signed to be off by the CO, range coord meeting ....
I'm sorry to say that for all the fun a day at the range is, and for all the potential training value, it's just not worth it.
That's just for proficiency; forget the sort of expertise needed when you're terrified, banged up, hands shaking, on the ground in a strange land you've just bombed!
I suspect our American cousins are more likely to be able to do their own proficiency shooting. It's nigh on impossible to own a handgun in Aus just for the fun of shooting; can be done, but the hoops through which one must jump make it almost unfeasible.
As a junior cavalry officer I was the best shot in my Regiment ... with the rifle. 9mm SLP Mk3 however, I was diabolically bad. The only bloke in the Regiment who was any good at it was a commando who had corps transferred to the Armoured Corps. He'd had lots and lots of time on the tools, so to speak, and his musle memory hadn't faded.