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A very enjoyable first hand description of Delta Force's selection and training. Delta is the most elite unit in the Army. The author, Eric Haney, was also involved with the fictional TV show about Delta Force: "The Unit". The book does NOT get into significant details about Delta Force's missions.

One of the most important parts of the book for Texas CHLs is the description of the pistol-shooting methods Delta Force uses. They primarily use "instinctive fire". This involves looking at the target, not looking at your sights. The idea is that in combat shooting you must identify your target and take out the target quickly. The British SAS trained them in these methods. I assume Delta's instinctive fire methods are based off of Fairbairn/Sykes/Applegate's methods.

No disagreement with Mr. Haney. 'Tho I do kinda question the use of the work 'instinctive'. If it were instinctive, even a Cave Man (or an Aggie) could do it.

salty Whoop!

saltydog452 wrote:No disagreement with Mr. Haney. 'Tho I do kinda question the use of the work 'instinctive'. If it were instinctive, even a Cave Man (or an Aggie) could do it.

It requires training. I also think they bring the gun up into the field of view where it can be seen even if it's not in focus. That's very different from point shooting from the hip.

They primarily use "instinctive fire". This involves looking at the target, not looking at your sights.

That is not correct.

The infamous "instinctive" ability to shoot proves to be an "instinct" not shared by the overwhelming majority of most shooters, which is why they train and use aimed fire techniques with both long arms and handguns alike.

See what you need to see to make the shot, and outside of spitting distance, most shooters need to see the sights. Even Delta guys.

Texas Dan Mosby wrote:

They primarily use "instinctive fire". This involves looking at the target, not looking at your sights.

That is not correct.

The infamous "instinctive" ability to shoot proves to be an "instinct" not shared by the overwhelming majority of most shooters, which is why they train and use aimed fire techniques with both long arms and handguns alike.

See what you need to see to make the shot, and outside of spitting distance, most shooters need to see the sights. Even Delta guys.

While Haney may not be advocating to _never_ using your sights on a handgun, he specifically mentions the method Delta Force uses is not looking at your sights and giving the target "your full concentration" (p131)

He doesn't mention what distances he are involved.

Applegate documented his methods for the Marine Corps: Kill or Get Killed

Fairbairn and Sykes document their methods here: Shooting to Live

Thanks for the explanation Andy. It sounds like the technique is more similar to LFI's Stress Point Index or API's flash sight picture than to sightless point shooting or so-called "instinctive" shooting.