Is Competition Shooting Tactical Training? A Deep Dive with Matt Little

“There’s no substitute for pressure testing your skills—whether on the range or in life, the ability to adapt under stress is what sets you up for success.”Episode SummaryIn this episode, Big Keith and I (Mike) sit down with Matt Little aka “Gray Beard Actual”—retired Army Green Beret, former SWAT officer, USPSA grandmaster shooter, and host of “The Way is Training” podcast. We chop it up about competition shooting vs tactical defense, decision-making under stress, how to physically and mentally train for gunfights, and what key habits can help you win in both shooting and everyday life. We swap stories on Christmas gifts (from shotgun upgrades to custom sword canes), talk about building new training routines for the New Year, and geek out on topics from gunfight decision-making to the best ways to inoculate stress. Plus, we tackle recent Second Amendment news and the wild side of Florida Man shenanigans. Whether you’re a competitive shooter, prepping for self-defense, or just want to level up your training mindset, this conversation has key tips, real talk, and tactical insight for everyone. Call to Action1. Join our mailing list: Thegunexperiment.com 2. Subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple or Spotify 3. Follow us on all of our social media: Instagram Twitter Youtube Facebook 4. Be a part of our growing community, join our Discord page! 5. Grab some cool TGE merch 6. Ask us anything at [email protected] 5. Be sure to support the sponsors of the show. They are a big part of making the show possible. Show SponsorsSwig: Fuel your training with clean, healthy supplements. Use code TGE20 for 20% off at swig.com. New York Tac Defense: Prepaid legal defense for New York gun owners. Use code thegunexperiment2023 at newyorktacdefense.com for a discount. Key TakeawaysCompetition Shooting vs. Defensive Mindset: Shooting matches are fantastic for developing hard skills, speed, accuracy, and stress inoculation, but don’t substitute for real-world tactics and decision-making under unpredictable pressure. Train for Adaptation: You need a baseline of speed and proficiency before decision-making skills can shine. Task stacking and random, complex drills help you build automaticity and slow your brain down, even as you move fast physically. Hard Truths About Gunfights: Decision-making under stress and understanding how to triage priorities matter more than style or strict rule-following—safety and winning require adaptability. Gear and Tools: Dry-fire is king for 90% of shooters, red dots are legitimate game changers, and medical training is just as important as shooting ability. Don’t overhype the gear—focus on the fundamentals. Mindset from Special Forces: Mental resiliency, disciplined task prioritization, and strategic planning are universally valuable—not just for Green Berets, but for anyone serious about self-improvement or survival. Guest InformationGuest: Matt Little Former Army Green Beret, SWAT Officer, USPSA Grandmaster Host of “The Way is Training” Podcast Social: [Gray Beard Actual] on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok Notable guests on his podcast include Tony Blauer, Chuck Pressberg, and Tim Heron. Keywordscompetition shooting tips, tactical training, USPSA vs IDPA, decision making under stress, concealed carry training, gunfight preparation, pressure testing skills, firearms safety, mental resilience for shooters, The Way is Training podcast, Gray Beard Actual, prepping for emergencies, self-defense shooting advice, dry fire practice, red dot pistol, medical training for shooters, Second Amendment news, New York Tac Defense, gun owners legal protection Let us know what you think! Reach out, train hard, and stay safe.