by Sheriff Jim Wilson - Thursday, May 28, 2015
Other popular terms for this defensive shooting method, hip shooting and instinctive shooting, are not really descriptive. Hip shooting is only one type of point shooting. And there is nothing instinctive about shooting a gun; it is a technique that must be learned.
Of course, the biggest problem facing the gunfighters of the Old West was that there was no Thunder Ranch or Gunsite to teach them how to do it. The ones who were lucky, quick, and able to figure it out were the survivors. The rest just became a slightly perforated footnote to history. Schools that taught one how to fight with a handgun didn't come along until the early 20th Century.
Probably the first of these was the training that William Fairbairn (1885-1960) instigated for the Shanghai police. Fairbairn taught his men to crouch and to extend their shooting arm towards the threat, looking over the top of the gun. If a threat appeared from another direction, the shooter moved his whole body to engage the new target, aiming with the whole body.
With the beginning of WWII, Col. Rex Applegate (1914-1998) was tasked with getting the operatives of the OSS (the forerunner of the CIA) up to shooting speed as quickly as they could be taught. A disciple of Fairbairn's, Applegate taught a similar technique. D.A.”Jelly” Bryce (1906-1974) was an Oklahoma lawman who became an FBI agent in the 1930's. Bryce was known to be quite good with a handgun and had been in several gunfights. He was so good, in fact, that he was picked as one of the FBI's firearms instructors. Bryce taught a very deep crouch, with the elbow bent quite a bit, and the handgun held well below eye level. He was also quite a showman and went on to perform shooting exhibitions all over the country.
The final member of the point-shooting elite was a Border Patrolman and WWII combat Marine named Bill Jordan (1911-1997). Bill preferred to stand erect and to move only his shoulder and arm when making his draw. He fired his shot as soon as the gun barrel cleared the holster for close-range threats. But he would also push the gun farther out when the target was farther from him. Bill also went on to please many an audience with his humor and his quick shooting. Today, of course, point shooting has taken a back seat to other defensive-shooting techniques. Defensive shooters are admonished to use both hands on the gun and to look at their sights, at least the front sight, as they press the trigger. However, we should not be so quick to dismiss this technique used by known gunfighters.
If the shooter has time to get both hands on the pistol, and is able to extend it at arm's length, it is an excellent idea to use the sights in delivering the defensive shot. However, when the threat is so close that extending the arm is not advisable, the defensive shooter could benefit from the ability to point shoot. And at these close distances, the support hand and arm may be busy fending off the rapidly approaching threat. One should always keep in mind that, the closer the threat, the more danger is involved, and the greater need for a quick hit to the Vital Zone.
Point shooting is not instinctive. Like any other shooting technique, it must be learned and practiced regularly. But it can be learned and it can save lives. If one has limited practice time, it is probably best to use two hands and focus on the front sight. If the time allowance is a little more liberal, then by all means have a go at point shooting.
One final word, though; point shooting and the fast draw that goes with it cannot be learned in just a few sessions. Those who think so should be sure to take a lot of band aids with them and have their hospitalization insurance paid up. Trying to be too fast, too quick, can lead to unwanted bullet holes in your body. Go slow, work for smoothness and accuracy.
Point shooting may just be the skill that saves you from the vicious, in-your-face attack, that everyone dreads.
http://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2015/5/28/point-shooting-revisited/
It has been nearly 30 years since Florida started the CCW ball rolling across the nation and the modern concealed carry revolution began. Since that time, the national pendulum has swung to the point of shall-issue carry laws being the rule rather than the exception. Even Illinois has joined the ranks of Right to Carry states, and it’s possible that we could see permits issued in D.C. before the year is out. Things are good and looking even better for Americans who exercise their right to self-preservation by means of carrying a concealed firearm. At this stage, shall-issue is the most common method of issuance, with 40 states offering licenses without discretion as long as an applicant meets distinct criteria stated in the law. States with unrestricted concealed carry, other than Vermont, also issue permits on a shall-issue basis. Individuals can travel out of state and legally carry a concealed handgun in states with reciprocal agreements. Merely declaring a state as having Right to Carry does not mean that all things are perfect. The devil is often in the details, and all CCW laws are most certainly not created equal. As in “Best States for Concealed Carry 2013,” we are ranking each state with updated legislative data to evaluate the places with the best and worst carry laws. To determine the best concealed carry states in 2014, we examined the following criteria and assigned numerical values to each category for a maximum of 95 points. In the event of a tie, we made determinations based on factors such as prohibited locations and transport laws. Keep in mind that we are specifically focusing on concealed carry rather than open carry.
Find out where your state ranks compared to the rest of the country, and be sure to enter the debate.
http://www.gunsandammo.com/personal-defense/best-states-concealed-carry-2014/
Concealed carry pistol training tools. (Photo: Jacki Billings)
Shooting drills are a pistol instructors’ greatest ally. Often undervalued, these simple exercises strengthen students understanding of concealed carry concepts as well as basic shooting principles.
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Over the course of teaching concealed carry and pistol classes, I’ve tested out my fair share of drills. While some fell short of expectations, six drills in particular always make their way into my curriculum. When conducting these exercises, observe all gun safety rules.
The dry-fire “Water Bottle” drill trains grip and requires a training buddy to execute. (Photo: Jacki Billings)
Though we teach grip in introductory courses, it is the one area I see consistently overlooked. As it is the one aspect of shooting we can consistently control, it’s imperative that those that intend to concealed carry are able to achieve a consistent grip on their pistols. The Water Bottle drill is a dry fire activity designed to show flaws in grip before hitting the range or the streets.
One student should face a target at roughly 3 yards with firearm presented and ready to dry fire. As the student dry fires, I intermittently use an empty water bottle to lightly tap the bottom of the fire i.e. under the slide immediately after the trigger is pulled (see image). Not only does this work to simulate recoil, but it also takes students by surprise. This is the best time to analyze grip.
A firm grip will produce little movement when the pistol is struck. If the firearm bounces around in the students’ hand, then feedback should be given and their grip tweaked until no movement occurs.
By balancing a bullet, snap cap, coin or other small object on the slide of the gun can reveal a jerky trigger pull. (Photo: Jacki Billings)
Jerking the trigger causes shots to land outside of the intended target. When concealed carrying, we always want our shots to land on target so as not to hit innocent bystanders so it’s imperative that we train and we teach good triggercontrol. My favorite drill to demonstrate proper trigger control is called The Balancing Act.
I prefer to first demonstrate this technique prior to turning it over to the students to practice. For this exercises, an unloaded pistol is required. Ensure all weapons are clear and verified by another student.
Get into preferred shooting position. Next, place a snap cap or coin (quarters work best) on the slide towards the nose of the gun. Pull the trigger. If the snap cap or coin is still resting on top of the handgun, then a straight and fluid pull was achieved. If the coin or cap tumbles to the floor, well then it’s time to work on eliminating the jerk.
The Natural Aim Area drill is best done with a laser training system. It has shooters aim, then close their eyes while moving off target, only to try to find their point of aim again while blind. Can be done in conjunction with Balancing act drill for added challenge. (Photo: Jacki Billings)
Again, like trigger control, accuracy is imperative when concealed carrying. We don’t want to hurt innocent people so we must stay on target when we draw and fire. The preferred drill for improving accuracy is the “Natural Aiming Area” exercise.
When conducting this one in class, I prefer to have laser trainers ready for student use. These give instant feedback and I find students respond well to them. If laser trainers can’t be used, have students dry fire with their handguns. Before dry firing, ensure the firearm is clear and empty.
Students should face a target 3-5 yards away. For this drill the perfect target is usually a light switch or doorknob. The student should present the gun and then close his or her eyes. Have the student draw a figure eight with the gun. When using a laser system, have the student pull the trigger and then open their eyes. Evaluate where the laser landed in relation to the target. When dry firing, students may still pull the trigger but should focus on where their sights are aligned and where the firearm is pointed.
This is not about precision, but about accuracy. If the student is lined up on the doorknob or light switch then no need to alter anything; however, if the student is off target, adjust stance and grip until the exercise can be accomplished correctly.
This sounds like an obvious drill, but you’d be surprised at the amount of concealed carry classes that don’t actually teach how to draw from concealment. Liabilities play a large part in some facilities opting not to teach this, but with inert training aides and laser systems there’s no reason to sit this one out. I’ve found students respond well to the practice and let’s face it; they’re in class to learn how to conceal.
Drilling drawing from concealment, like this IWB draw, can help identify problematic clothing/holsters/rigs for concealed carry. (Photo: Jacki Billings)
Having explored the concealed carry world largely on my own, I have accumulated a vast expanse of holsters in all sizes and varieties. Instead of tossing them, they sit in a large bin that I pull out just for concealed carry classes. Students get to pilfer through, choose one and holster up. All firearms are unloaded and verified at this point and once checked, firearms go in the holsters.
Students are required to adequately conceal their pistols meaning, no printing. Then I have them mill about the rear of the classroom. I give them a few seconds to calm down, get comfortable carrying, and then I call “Threat!” At threat, they must present the firearm at one of the targets on the wall. Students should hold this position until evaluated by the instructor.
When we conduct this drill, we’ve already run through the previously mentioned exercises. Students should have a good grasp on grip at this point, so instructors shouldn’t focus exclusively on that aspect. Instead, the focus should be on ensuring students are able to draw successfully from concealment and do so safely, i.e. not sweeping.
This exercise is most useful to students because it gives them the opportunity to put what they are learning to practice and evaluate if the clothes their wearing will work for concealed carry. It’s also a great opportunity for students to get an initial opinion on what kind of holster might work best for them.
Tap, Rack, Pull is a simple drill that could have lifesaving consequences if you find yourself in a firefight with a malfunction. (Photo: Jacki Billings)
“Tap, Rack, Pull” doesn’t sound that exciting but it is a drill I think every instructor should employ in class. When things go wrong, they tend to go terribly wrong and self-defense situations are not exempt.
This drill is simple. Call students up one a time and use snap caps to introduce a “failure” in the student’s firearm. The student must then tap the magazine, rack the slide, and pull the trigger. Ensure while the student is handling the firearm, they are keeping it in a safe direction at all times.
There’s nothing fancy here with this exercise; but it’s a good one to get students comfortable with clearing their own malfunctions and also familiarizing them with assessing problems.
The scan and assess drill should be performed both standing and kneeling. (Photo: Jacki Billings)
Tunnel vision is a physiological reaction to adrenaline hitting the system. The dangers associated with this reaction is that concealed carriers may be so focused on the target ahead, that they might miss the bad guy creeping up from the side. Safe for dry fire or live fire, the very versatile “Scan and Assess” drill promotes awareness in students.
For this drill, students will fire three shots, look left and right, then re-engage the target with three more shots. To spice this drill up further, you can require students to fire, scan, and then change positions before firing again. On the range, instructors can also throw some colored paper into the mix and require that the first set of shots land on one color while the second round must land on a different color.
This activity is good to run both in the classroom and on the range. I suggest doing both to better prepare students.
Though we can’t control every aspect of concealed carry and defensive scenarios, we can give our students a fighting chance with preparation. Simple drills designed to improve grip, trigger control, accuracy, drawing and awareness produce well-rounded concealed carriers and that’s whom I want on my side.
Safety warning: Jacki Billings is a certified NRA instructor. Any methods or information described in this article is intended to be put into practice only by serious gun-owners with proper training.
Cover: Jacki Billings
http://www.guns.com/2015/06/08/6-essential-drills-for-concealed-carry/
Jun 10, 2015 |
The city of Chicago has some of the most stringent gun controls in America. And as of June 9, it has also had over 1,000 shootings already this year.
It is quite apparent that the criminals are not obeying these ridiculous gun control laws and that the only people suffering from these laws are the law-abiding citizens that would otherwise be able to defend themselves.
Looking at the numbers that are coming out of these heavily controlled cities it is as plain as day that what we are doing is not working. Criminals do not follow laws as a rule and so what exactly are we thinking when we waste the time and money it takes to get these laws into effect in the first place? Because the American people have been sold a fairytale and bought right in to it.
What we need to do here is be honest, no matter what laws we pass guns are not going anywhere they’ll always be available on the black market and criminals will always carry them. What we do as a society that imposes unreal and reasonable limits on the our people is take any fighting chance these law-abiding citizens have away from them thus leaving them sitting ducks for the criminals.
Look at this news piece from New York City(another gun free zone) the criminals just aren’t getting the memo folks.
“You do not disarm the criminals by disarming the people”
http://defendandcarry.com/gun-control-not-controlling-the-criminals/
