Many people I know don't get to spend the time at the range practicing as much as they want to, or should. I know I don't anymore. My skills have slipped a little. There is never enough time in the day to do all the things I need to do, let alone doing the things I would like to do. Add to the time problems are the fact that ammo has gotten much more expensive in the past few years. I remember buying 45 ACP Golden Sabres in 185 gr for $9.99 for 25. Now those same cartridges are running $16.95 for only 20 cartridges. I used to buy 50 9 mm in 124 gr fmj made by S&B for $6.99 just 5 years ago and they now cost $12.99. Walmart used to sell 100 9mm in the Winchester White Box for $11.88 early 2006. They now run about 15 bucks. Fortunately, 22 lrs in the bulk boxes still run about the same 10 bucks they always did.
Well, this is all an excuse, really. It is. Yes, I need to practice technique: i.e, sight picture, target acquisition, trigger control, grip, draw, etc etc etc. All this can be done without a bullet int he chamber. Except for a few revolvers and pistols, mostly older ones at that, modern handguns can be dry fired with little to no problems. In addition, Snap Caps can be used to simulate a round in the weapon and prevent any issue with dry firing. Some people also use expended shells as Snap Caps.
In any case, it is important to practice the proper techniques listed above, and more. Most of these are easily doable without ammo. Muscle memory is important. This means you automatically know where to bring the weapon up for proper sight picture, or your thumb automatically knows where to go to turn off the safety, and you body automatically knows what position it is supposed to be in for shooting. Practice...practice...practice. It's practice that can save your life.
