468 Days of Dry Fire Excellence — Emily Fisher

Dry Fire Days

While range time is important, you can accomplish about 90% of all firearms related training without firing a single shot. Dry fire is arguably one of the most underrated training techniques out there. I'm sure you've heard your instructors talk about it—but we rarely see what dedication to that practice actually looks like. 

And then there's Emily Fisher. 

Over a year and a half ago, Mrs. Fisher set out on a mission to change that. I first noticed her daily dry fire videos on X and decided to follow her as a result. The journey has taken her through to over 400 days of dry fire excellence. To me, her content provides an excellent example of what it actually looks like to practice dry firing techniques on a daily basis. 

And she graciously decided to share some of that wisdom with us. 

How many days are you at with the daily dry firing, and what inspired you?

I explained in a recent post I reached 468 days of consecutive dry-fire before deciding to take a break. Day 468 was Jonathan (HavocTwoOne) and my wedding day, so I thought that would be a good ending to the dry-fire run. After that I took about a month off to enjoy newlywed life and focus on settling into my new home. I have enjoyed the time off don't get me wrong, but I'm excited to get back to it. 

The plan now, instead of daily videos, is to make one or two a week with a stronger focus on providing useful information and tips for training. This whole thing started as a 400-day challenge, the reason for that number was because that was the number of days I had left till my 21st birthday. My goal for a long time now has been to become a firearms instructor but I had quite the roadblock because I was “too young”.

I decided I was going to train harder than everyone who thought I wasn't old enough to teach, and that's what I did. The self-discipline challenge of it all was kind of a secondary reason I wanted to do it.

For the beginners, how do you incorporate dry fire time into your day?

Self-discipline has a lot to do with it of course, there's going to be plenty of days you just don't feel like it and if you're not disciplined then those days are going to win. I would tell anyone just starting off to be sure they have a goal and know the “why” behind their training. Training firearms has been one of the best choices of my life. It has led me to meet some incredible people and given me the chance to do some pretty cool things.

Actually, my love for training is the reason my husband and I even knew each other in the first place. But the core reason I train the way I do is my stubborn refusal to be helpless. So, if you're going to train effectively and consistently you better know your reason. It is also important to understand not every dry-fire session has to be hours long, or even an hour. If you are focused and intentional you can get plenty done in just 15 minutes.

Why do you think the fudd lore of dry firing being bad for your firearm exists? Is there any nuance there, or is it all just bunk?

There is at least a little merit to this idea. Back in the day dry firing would ruin your guns and will still damage rimfires, but for the most part, it's not true. Modern firearms are safe to dry fire. I think people sometimes forget that guns are tools meant to be used—not display pieces, and certainly not “safe princesses."

Or maybe this misconception is another excuse to not dry fire?

What is the biggest malpractice you see among people who carry a firearm often—be it professionally or personally?

That's an easy one: lack of training.

And I'm not talking about going to the range and just blasting holes in a target at a fixed distance and a slow pace. I'm talking about really pushing yourself and measuring your performance against some kind of pressure. That pressure could be a timer, other shooters, or simply scoring a drill against peers. Whichever you choose to do, I recommend all of them. It will take your training to the next level immediately. I strongly believe a person carrying a gun they don't train with is unsafe for everyone involved including themselves, doesn't matter if they are LE or otherwise.

Is there a noticeable divide in skill or safety between the two?

That's hard for me to say, it really depends on the individual. I have seen LEOs who were shockingly unsafe and I have seen officers who could easily destroy me in a match. I think the biggest problem there comes from the false assumption that carrying a gun makes you a competent shooter—it does not. Whether this mindset comes from arrogance or incompetence, it doesn't change this simple fact: you will never master a dusty tool.

What are some of the most useful dry fire techniques you’ve utilized?

Well, technique depends on what discipline you are training. However, there are some tools that will help you in all your training. The internet is a crazy place, something that I was not even a part of a year ago, but it does allow you to find all kinds of info about pretty much anything. Don't be afraid to look up training videos to help you practice.

It's hard to weed out the nonsense sometimes—just be smart about it and do your research before you take someone's advice. At the beginning of my 400 days, I used a dry-fire program created by Tom Castro and I loved it. I recommend finding something like that to help keep your training sessions focused and effective, especially if you're new. Finding a community, in person or online, is also extremely helpful when it comes to training. Not only can you share knowledge, but they will also keep you accountable.

Can you help the brøthers new to firearm ownership understand why it is important to dry fire?

Because of the nature of dry fire, it makes training specific things easier and more effective. You can get more reps in without using oodles of ammo. Anyone who shoots I'm sure will agree ammo is too expensive, dry fire is a great way to get around that.

Or you can use the same cheat code I did… marry someone who will buy you ammo, but I know that won't work for everyone I'm pretty sure I just got lucky. Because there's no bullets you can focus on what you're practicing without an explosion in your face distracting you which is helpful for some things. Dry fire also does not require a range; you can do it in the comfort of your own home. That makes it a lot more practical for most people.

Was it at all difficult to coordinate between everyone's schedules to hit those group dry fire training days?

We used to have quite the gang, about five of us in total. But due to some life circumstances, the gang has mostly moved away. Getting everyone together wasn't too difficult because we all worshiped together at the same church, so training after services just became the habit!

More importantly though, we all agreed on the importance of dry fire and the way to do it. But getting us all to focus and quit laughing is sometimes challenging! But that's just because we are so close and maybe a little immature at times :).

That's another thing, training is serious, it takes focus and is a lot of work. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy it too. Grab some guns and ammo, find a few friends, and have fun improving yourself and your community.

Any funny inside stories you can tell?

None that I can share without making someone very upset with me, enough said.

For those of us unfamiliar with your work, where can we find you?

Right now, I post on X (@ak_m_training) and Instagram (@ak_m.training).

Lastly, and for the brøthers—9mm or .45. Which is better?

That depends, are you trying to stop someone or kill their soul?

In Conclusion

I recently picked up some GØÄT swag. You should head over to our T-Shirt section and snag some up too. Don't worry—you can tell your mom a portion of it goes to various goat charities. Swipe that card, lil bro, it's always easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. I mean, that rule doesn't apply universally. Legal says I'm obligated to say it definitely only applies to purchasing our T-shirts, allegedly. Anyways, here's a picture of me wearing one. Nam' helmet is reserved for the office of chief goat propagandist—sorry, I don't make the rules. (This is why Rebel doesn't let me run the IG).