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by srothstein
Sat Jul 23, 2022 10:19 pm
Forum: Training & Practice
Topic: 3 Drills for Concealed Carry
Replies: 7
Views: 4946

Re: 3 Drills for Concealed Carry

I think there may be a mistake in theory on ready positions and the draw stroke. IMO, I don't go to a ready position when i draw, I go to a shooting position. I draw because I have already determined there is an immediate threat and I have decided I need to take action against that threat. If I am getting my weapon out of my holster for some other reason, such as checking for a possible threat, I do not consider it a draw stroke, just a getting ready and I do it differently than when I draw. In that case, the ready position is not part of the draw stroke, but is a separate get ready movement.

Of the positions mentioned in the video, I generally prefer a low ready position, BUT I also do it at a much lower angle than the video shows. Keeping the weapon at the position shown (about 30 degrees down from horizontal) has all of the potential problems mentioned, especially retention and vision. I tend to use an almost vertical down position, say about 75 degrees from horizontal. This gives me better control of the weapon and better visibility, even though it slows my ultimate presentation a little. But it helps me with a flash sight picture as I bring the pistol up, allowing my first shot as I see the sights even before the pistol stops moving.

But there are a couple other positions that might also work and should be considered. Way back in the 80s, SAPD taught me a position they called the Third Eye position. As I draw to start looking for the threat (especially searching a house or area), draw the pistol and use a two handed grip right in the center of your stomach. This lets you keep the pistol braced tightly in your gut, with your arms against your sides. The barrel will naturally point in whatever direction you are facing and if you turn to look at something, turn your body instead of just your head. The pistol is naturally facing whatever threat you are looking at. You also do not need to move the pistol if you need to fire it. Yes, we were using revolvers when we were taught this, but it only requires a slight modification of the position (where your arms are braced a little further in than your sides) to use a pistol and allow room for the slide to work.

The problem with all of these positions is that you need them ONLY if you are LOOKING for a threat. As a general rule, I do not advise people to go looking for trouble, even in their own home. Take a good strong defensive position and wait for the trouble to come to you. It will get there too quickly in most cases. As a cop, I used to have to go looking for trouble. I needed these different ready and search positions. As a homeowner/citizen you have the option of not searching and just defending yourself. That requires different tactics and you should consider what you will do in each possible case. BTW, you are not wrong if you decide to look for the burglar in your house or the noise you heard outside. It is a very natural and commendable instinct to defend your home territory. I am just saying it is not always the best choice for survival.

The other position I was taught and do strongly recommend you consider and practice is a different draw stroke than normal. Most police shootouts used to occur at 8-10 feet. This distance allows for a draw, presentation, and fire that we all have practiced and used. I am not sure how often this other technique is needed, but it seems common enough to justify this for me. As a police officer, we also knew that a lot of attacks occurred from the interview position. This is a distance of 1 to 3 feet when you are talking to the other person. For an average citizen, the problem is what happens when the bad guy starts by stepping in front of you and into your personal space - 1 to 3 feet. In this case, I draw but take the pistol back to even with my hip, turned 90 degrees to be parallel to the ground, and fire from that position. I also do it as I am taking a step back to try to open some distance and it can include using the weak hand to push the attacker away.

Think about what you will do when the attacker is that close to you that you cannot do your normal draw and presentation. Some attacks are surprises that you did not expect and the person gets closer than you think they will.

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