FIREARMS TRAINING TIPS WITH RICK HOGG OF WAR HOGG TACTICAL BY AIMPOINT
WAR HOGG TACTICAL SELF EVAL
The War HOGG Self Eval is a quick, easy way to judge your marksmanship skills with both a pistol and a rifle. The Self Eval used in conjunction with The Firearms Training Notebook will help you Be 1% Better Everyday in your firearms training journey.
The War HOGG Self Eval is a red dot pistol and carbine shooting drill that provides measurable data for law enforcement firearms training, concealed carry practice, and serious shooters who want to improve their marksmanship. By combining timed presentations, split times, transitions, and a speed reload into one drill, shooters can capture performance data, log it in The Firearms Training Notebook, and build a targeted dry fire and live fire training plan. If you’re searching for a structured self-evaluation drill, red dot pistol training drill, or law enforcement shooting standard that actually drives improvement, the War HOGG Self Eval is your starting point. Train Hard. Stay Safe. Perform On Demand.
POINT OF AIM VERSES POINT OF IMPACT
Understanding Point of Aim verses Point of Impact with a carbine / rifle is critical to have proper shot placement. This is probably the biggest skill lacking for most people shooting a carbine. The hight of your red dot optic riser will play a big part when engaging targets at close distances.
Carbine Point of Aim vs. Point of Impact – Why It Matters Understanding carbine point of aim versus point of impact is one of the most critical pieces of rifle marksmanship, especially for shooters running red dot optics or LVPO on AR-style platforms. Point of aim (POA) is where your sights or dot are placed on the target; point of impact (POI) is where the bullet actually lands. Because of mechanical offset (the height difference between your optic and your bore) and your chosen zero distance (like 25, 36, 50, or 100 yards), those two points are not always the same—particularly at close distances. If you don’t understand that relationship, it’s easy to miss high-value scoring zones on targets or, in the real world, place rounds lower than intended. With a typical AR-15 carbine setup, your optic is usually about 2.5 inches above the bore. That means at very close ranges—3 to 10 yards—your point of impact will be lower than your point of aim, unless you compensate with a proper holdover. At your chosen zero distance, POA and POI intersect. Beyond that, your bullet follows a trajectory that causes POI to rise above or fall below POA depending on the distance. Good carbine training includes learning these offset holds, confirming them on a properly designed target, and logging the results in a training notebook so your holds become automatic, not a guess. For law enforcement, military, and responsibly armed citizens, knowing your carbine point of aim vs. point of impact is non-negotiable. It affects everything from CQB shots at close range to precision hits at distance. A shooter who understands mechanical offset and trajectory can place rounds exactly where they’re needed, regardless of distance or optic height. Whether you’re building a carbine zeroing protocol, refining red dot carbine work, or developing a data-driven firearms training program, mastering POA/POI is what turns a basic rifle shooter into a confident, accountable rifleman.
AIMPOINT MAGNIFIER PLACEMENT ON A CARBINE
In this video I talk about where and why I place my Aimpoint magnifier on my carbine. A magnifier can in some cases replace the need for an LVPO, however knowing your marksmanship capability is critical.
Aimpoint Magnifier Placement on a Carbine – Set It Up Right for Speed & Clarity Learn how to properly position an Aimpoint magnifier on your AR-15 or duty carbine. We cover eye relief, mount height, backup sights, and red dot alignment so you get a fast, clear sight picture for defensive, duty, and training use. When you add an Aimpoint magnifier behind your red dot, you’re turning your carbine into a flexible system that can handle close-quarters speed and mid-range accountability. But that only works if the magnifier is mounted in the right spot. Poor placement leads to a cramped eye box, slow target acquisition, and constant head bobbing to find the glass. Good placement gives you a clean sight picture, fast transitions, and consistent head position from 1x to magnified. Here’s how to think about Aimpoint magnifier placement on a carbine so your setup works with you instead of against you. 1. General Rule: Red Dot First, Magnifier Directly Behind It On a typical AR-15 or duty carbine with a flat top rail: Your Aimpoint red dot (PRO, T-2, Comp series, etc.) should be in your normal, comfortable position, usually somewhere around the mid-rail. Your Aimpoint magnifier mounts directly behind the red dot, on the same rail, with no gaps if possible. This keeps the optical axis aligned and ensures that when you flip the magnifier into place, the dot is centered and your point of aim matches your point of impact (assuming your red dot is properly zeroed). 2. Eye Relief Is King Most Aimpoint magnifiers have a fixed eye relief (generally around 2–2.75 inches depending on model). That means your head needs to be in the same place every time to get a full, clear sight picture. To set it up: Get into your natural shooting position (stock in your typical pocket, cheek weld where you normally live). Mount the red dot first where the dot is clear and natural for you. With the rifle shouldered, hold the magnifier behind the dot by hand, sliding it forward and back until you get a full, bright image—no dark halo or shadow around the edge. Mark that spot on the rail, then mount the magnifier there in the flip-to-side or swing-out mount. If you find yourself stretching your neck forward or pulling your head back unnaturally, adjust the magnifier on the rail instead of changing your head position. The optic should fit you, not the other way around. 3. Height and Co-Witness: Matching Your Red Dot Your magnifier mount height should match your Aimpoint red dot height: If you run a standard height / absolute co-witness red dot, your magnifier should be on a mount that matches that same height. If you run a lower 1/3 co-witness or “taller” dot (common on modern carbines), pick a magnifier mount designed for that height. If the heights don’t match, your dot will appear high or low in the magnifier and can be distracting or slow you down when you flip it into position. Most quality magnifier mounts allow small windage/elevation tweaks so you can center the dot in the glass without changing your actual zero on the red dot itself. 4. Backup Sights, Rail Space, and Stock Length When planning your Aimpoint magnifier placement on a carbine, don’t forget the rest of your setup: Backup iron sights (BUIS): Many shooters run flip-up rear sights behind the magnifier or between the dot and the magnifier depending on rail space and preference. Make sure everything folds/clears properly and doesn’t interfere with your flip-to-side magnifier mount. Rail space: Free-float handguards and monolithic uppers make life easier; on shorter rails you may have to compromise and slide the dot slightly forward or rearward to keep eye relief. Stock length (LOP): If you adjust your stock position frequently (e.g., armor vs. no armor), confirm that you still get a full sight picture with the magnifier in multiple stock settings. If you run armor often, set the system up for that configuration first, then see how it feels without kit. The goal is a repeatable, comfortable head position that works with your real-world gear, not just a T-shirt day at the range. 5. Training With Your Aimpoint Magnifier Once your magnifier is mounted correctly, you need reps: Practice flipping the magnifier in and out while on target so going from 1x to magnified becomes a subconscious, efficient motion. Run carbine drills at realistic distances—close quarters at 1x, then flip in the magnifier for 50–200 yard accountability shots. Confirm that your point of impact doesn’t change with the magnifier in place. If it appears off-center, adjust the magnifier’s internal alignment (if the mount allows it), not your actual zero. The more you train with your setup, the more you’ll appreciate a properly placed magnifier that doesn’t fight your cheek weld, vision, or speed.
ACHIEVING A PROPER PISTOL GRIP
The grip is one of the most overlooked fundamentals. Having a good grip can assist you in making faster follow up shots. A poor grip can greatly diminish your marksmanship ability with having shots go low, because as you change your grip pressure most times it causes the pistol barrel to dip. You can see this if you are paying attention to your red dot sight on your pistol.
Why A Proper Pistol / Handgun Grip Matters A solid pistol grip is the foundation for speed, consistent, and accurate handgun shooting. Before speed, before fancy drills, your handgun grip technique determines how well you manage recoil, track your iron or red dot sights, and avoid shifting your hand pressure between shots. A good grip gives you control, confidence, and repeatability, whether you’re training on the range, carrying concealed, or running a duty gun. Why a Proper Pistol Grip Matters A proper pistol grip does three big things for you: Controls recoil: The gun returns to the same place after each shot instead of bouncing all over. Keeps sights stable: Less movement means faster, more precise sight pictures. Improves safety: A secure grip reduces the chance of fumbling, limp-wristing, or losing control under stress. If your grip is inconsistent, everything else gets harder—trigger press, follow-up shots, speed, and accuracy. Building a Good Grip: Strong Hand Your strong hand (the one you shoot with) sets the foundation: High on the backstrap Get your hand as high as safely possible on the backstrap of the pistol. This lowers the bore axis over your hand, which helps reduce muzzle flip and keeps the gun flatter in recoil. Web of the hand fully seated The web between your thumb and index finger should be tight up under the beavertail or tang. No gap. A low grip puts you at a leverage disadvantage. Trigger finger placement Trigger finger is off the trigger and indexed along the frame until you’re ready to shoot. When it’s time to press, place the part of your finger that lets you press straight to the rear without dragging the gun left or right. Grip pressure—firm but not white-knuckle The strong hand should hold firmly enough to keep the gun stable, but not so tight that you’re shaking or losing fine control of the trigger. Building a Good Grip: Support Hand Your support hand does a lot of the work controlling the gun: Fill the gap With your strong hand set, you’ll see open space on the grip panel. Bring your support hand in from below and at an angle, wrapping the fingers around the front of the grip and filling that empty space on the side. Palm contact matters Get as much palm and skin contact on the exposed grip as possible. More contact equals more control and less movement under recoil. Thumbs generally forward On a modern, semi-auto handgun, most shooters run a two-handed, thumbs-forward grip. Support-hand thumb points forward along the frame or towards the target, stacked slightly below or in front of the strong-hand thumb, without blocking the slide or controls. Support hand does the heavy lifting Many shooters find that the support hand can apply slightly more grip pressure. Think of it as “clamping” the gun from the sides to help control recoil and keep the muzzle from jumping. Wrist and Arm Position A good handgun grip technique doesn’t stop at your hands: Locked or firm wrists: Keep your wrists stable and slightly forward, not bent backward. Soft wrists can cause malfunctions and inconsistent recoil management. Straight line from forearm to pistol: Try to keep the pistol more or less in line with your forearm, not canted or rolled over. Consistent pressure: Once you’ve established your grip, maintain the same pressure from shot to shot instead of “re-gripping” after every round. Consistency, Not Perfection The goal isn’t a “pretty” grip; it’s a repeatable grip that: Lets you see your sights clearly (iron or red dot) Keeps the gun tracking the same way in recoil Allows you to press the trigger straight to the rear without disturbing the sights Dry practice is your friend here. Unloaded gun, safe environment, and a focus on: Drawing or presenting the pistol with the same grip every time Building the grip before the sights come to your eye Maintaining pressure and wrist position through multiple trigger presses
KNOW THE STATUS OF YOUR FIREARM
Knowing the status of your firearm is paramount for firearms safety but also self defense. If you carry a handgun for a living know that the pistol is actually loaded can save your life.
Knowing the exact status of your firearm—every moment, without guessing—is one of the most important skills in responsible gun ownership and professional firearms training. Whether you’re a law enforcement officer, military member, or responsibly armed citizen, you should never be wondering, “Is this thing loaded?” You should know. Meta description (SEO): Learn why always knowing the status of your firearm is critical for safety and performance. We cover chamber status, magazine management, condition of carry, and how consistent firearm status checks build safer, more confident shooters. What “Knowing the Status of Your Firearm” Really Means Knowing the status of your firearm is more than just “loaded” or “unloaded.” It means you can answer, instantly and accurately: Is there a round in the chamber? Is the magazine inserted and how full is it? What is my condition of carry (safety on/off, decocked, hammer position, etc., depending on platform)? Is the gun ready to fire if I press the trigger, or does something need to happen first? This is true for every platform—duty pistol, concealed carry handgun, patrol rifle, shotgun. If you can’t describe your firearm’s status in clear, simple terms, you’re operating in a gray area, and gray areas are where negligent discharges and slow, fumbled responses live. Safety First: Status Awareness Prevents Negligent Discharges From a safety standpoint, firearm status awareness is non-negotiable. Safe gun handling is built on core rules, and knowing your gun’s status ties directly into each one: Treat all firearms as if they are loaded. This isn’t a slogan; it’s a mindset. Even when you believe the gun is unloaded, you still handle it with the same respect. But beyond that, a responsible shooter actually verifies and mentally tracks the true condition. Never point the firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy. If you think the gun is “probably unloaded,” you’re already wrong. Either you’ve verified and you know its status, or you haven’t. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target and you’ve made the decision to fire. A clear understanding of whether the weapon is hot, cold, loaded, or unloaded reinforces good trigger discipline. By building a habit of intentional firearm status checks—at the beginning of training, when coming on duty, after loading, after unloading, and when putting the firearm away—you drastically reduce the risk of tragic, preventable mistakes. Performance Under Stress: Confidence Comes From Certainty On the performance side, knowing the status of your firearm directly affects how fast and clean you can solve problems under stress. If you know your pistol is topped off with a round chambered, you don’t waste time second-guessing at the worst possible moment. If you know your carbine has one partial mag and two full mags in reserve, you can plan around that rather than being surprised by a sudden lock-back. If you understand your condition of carry (for example, red dot pistol with round chambered, safety in a given position), your presentation and first shot process become consistent and efficient. Stress amplifies uncertainty. Training yourself to always know the exact condition of your weapon gives you quiet confidence when you need it most. That’s a massive advantage in law enforcement firearms training, home defense situations, and defensive encounters where hesitation can be costly. Building Status Discipline: Make It Part of Your Process Status awareness shouldn’t be random. It should be a repeated, disciplined habit built into your training process. Examples of where status checks belong: Before stepping onto the range – confirm your firearm’s condition in line with range rules (hot/cold range). Before holstering – know if the gun is loaded and in your preferred condition of carry. After a drill or string of fire – confirm what’s in the chamber and how much is left in the magazine. Before storing or transporting – verify the firearm is in the correct condition (often unloaded, depending on policy and law). Over time, these checks become part of your rhythm. You’re not obsessively fiddling with the gun; you’re performing purposeful, safe, efficient status confirmations that reinforce confidence and consistency. Status Awareness for Concealed Carry For concealed carriers, knowing the status of your handgun is especially important: You should know your exact carry condition every time you leave the house. Your holster, belt, and clothing setup should allow you to carry that way safely and consistently. Periodic, safe, non-disruptive checks throughout the day (without unholstering in inappropriate places) should reassure you that nothing has changed—no unseated magazine, no shifted holster, no accidental manipulation. A responsible concealed carrier doesn’t just “hope” their gun is ready. They build a system and routine so they know it is. Status in a Professional Environment: Law Enforcement & Military In law enforcement and military environments, firearm status is a team issue as well as a personal one: Agencies and units often have clearly defined ready conditions for patrol rifles and sidearms (chamber status, safety selector position, magazine status). Officers and soldiers must not only know their own firearm status but often be able to verify and communicate it during operations and training. Consistent status standards help minimize confusion during transitions from training to real-world deployments and back again. Professional gun carriers must treat firearm status as part of their overall readiness, not a detail they’ll sort out “later.” Track It, Don’t Guess It One of the simplest ways to improve your firearm status awareness is to: Use a training notebook to record round counts and drills. Note how often you lost track of your gun’s status and had to stop to check. Build drills that incorporate reloads, status checks, and decision-making so your awareness stays active under pressure. The goal is to become the kind of shooter who never needs to ask, “Is this loaded?” because you’ve been tracking that answer the whole time.
THE FIREARMS TRAINING NOTEBOOK
Be 1% Better Everyday
To have a successful training session you must have a plan!
You need to collect valuable shooting data from both your live and dry fire training, "The Firearms Training Notebook" is a quick and easy way to do so and help improve your marksmanship and gun handling performance. We saw a deficiency in the firearms industry where there was no kind of firearms training notebook. So we decided to correct that issue and created The Firearms Training Notebook that fills that gap and allows shooter’s to build a solid range training plan.
Every student will receive a copy of The Firearms Training Notebook to record their shooting performance throughout a War HOGG Tactical firearm course. Students can see an increase in their marksmanship ability and gun handling skills, and areas the student need to work on after our courses. This marksmanship and gun handling training notebook and gives you the tool to take home to continue to make yourself 1% Better Everyday in your firearms training journey.
On The Range Podcast with War HOGG Tactical and Kelley Defense brings to you over 60 years of military and law enforcement experience. On The Range Podcast is an American podcast that wants to help you Be 1% Better Everyday and is geared for the civilian, law enforcement and military listener.
On The Range Podcast features a wide range of guests and topics including current events, firearms training, personal development, accountability, political landscape, firearms overviews and more!
War HOGG Words of Wisdom and 30 Minute Mark are two additional shows under On The Range Podcast
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100 Plus Videos on Firearms Training, Reviews, K9 Training, Tactical Training and more!
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On The Range "CREW" is for the law enforcement officer, military service members, and law abiding citizens interested in making themselves 1 % Better Everyday with like minded individuals.
On The Range Podcast feature a wide range of guests and topics including current events, firearms training, personal development, accountability, political landscape, product overviews and more!
Empowering Law Abiding Civilians, Law Enforcement Officers and Military Personnel Through Combat Proven Firearms Training, Tactical Training and K9 Training with War HOGG Tactical
In today's increasingly dangerous world, ensuring personal safety is more crucial than ever. Whether you're a law abiding civilian, law enforcement officer, or a military service member having the right firearms skills can make all the difference between living and dying in a gunfight. War HOGG Tactical is dedicated to improving individual's to be more efficient and effective with their firearms in a deadly force encounter. Based in North Carolina and traveling the country, veteran-owned, War HOGG Tactical provides Special Operations combat experience firearms training that goes beyond theory. Our goal is to empower law abiding civilians, law enforcement officer and military personnel by sharing real-world skills that truly save lives. Experience Not Theory War HOGG Tactical is led by 29 year US Army Special Operations combat veteran, SOF K9 handler and Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course instructor Rick Hogg. Rick's instruction bring invaluable real world combat experience to the range. We do not just teach; we share practical knowledge that reflects what we have learned on the battlefield. This focus on real-life applications makes every course engaging and effective. War HOGG Tactical training courses include: Firearms Training: Red Dot Pistol, Iron Sights Pistol, Carbine and Patrol Rifle Courses, Night Vision Marksmanship, Low Light Pistol and Carbine Marksmanship. Tactical Training: Vehicle Tactics, Vehicle Counter Ambush, Room Clearing / Close Quarters Combat (CQB), Aerial Marksmanship Gunnery, Night Vision CQB. K9 Training: SWAT K9 Integration, One Handed Pistol Shooting for the K9 Officer, Detection and Area Search. Each student receives a copy of The Firearms Training Notebook to record their shooting performance during our couses. Students can see an increase in their marksmanship ability and gun handling skills, and areas the student need to work on after our courses. This marksmanship training tool and measurable improvement highlights the effectiveness of War HOGG Tactical's firearms instructional methods. Nationwide Reach War HOGG Tactical conducts firearms training training course across the United States, including states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas. This broad geographic reach connects War HOGG with student's seeking to enhance their firearm self-defense skills. Courses cater to all experience levels. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned shooter, you’ll find a course that meets your needs with red dot optics or iron sights. Project Officer Survival War HOGG Tactical also champions Project Officer Survival, an initiative that provides free red dot pistol firearms training to law enforcement officers. Supported by various firearms industry partnerships, including Safariland, Aimpoint, Walther and Propper Clothing. The project aims to strengthen the firearms skills of those law enforcement officers who ensure our community's safety and add to their survivability. By eliminating the financial barrier for law enforcement officers, War HOGG Tactical has trained over 600 law enforcement officers and 4 officers directly attribute their survival to our training, since the projects inception. This initiative not only sharpens their firearms skills, educate officers on pistol red dot optics, but also helps builds a firearms training plan for these officers, and enhancing marksmanship under high-pressure scenarios. The emphasis on firearms performance on demand ensures they can respond efficiently and effectively when it counts the most in that deadly force encounter. Train Hard, Stay Safe War HOGG Tactical is committed to excellence in firearms training, tactical training, and K9 training focusing on empowering law abiding civilians, law enforcement officers and military personnel through practical, combat proven techniques using a building block methodology of instruction. Our dedication to delivering high-quality instruction is evident in every class, helping participants grow their marksmanship and tactical awareness. As the need for self defense firearms training continues to rise, War HOGG Tactical remains steadfast in its mission, to train shooter's to be efficient and effective with their firearms, using The Firearms Training Notebook to build a training plan to have firearms performance on demand. If you’re looking to enhance your personal safety or sharpen your firearms skills, War HOGG Tactical is prepared to assist you in achieving your shooting objectives / goals. In an increasingly dangerous and unpredictable world, high-quality firearms training is not merely beneficial; it is essential. Take the step towards increasing your safety and firearms skills by attending a War HOGG Tactical course. We equip individuals through effective & efficient firearms training and having students execute firearms performance on demand. Train Hard, Stay Safe and see you "On The Range" - Rick