January 06, 2026

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

1 hour 20 minutes

“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 Summary

In 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.

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Show Sponsors

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Key Takeaways

Competition 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 Information

Guest: 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.

Keywords

competition 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.

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By thegunexperiment

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