TexasCHLforum.com

Paladin wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2020 6:55 pm Chas,

Is this the position you are referring to?



or this?

Much closer to the 2nd photo, but squared-off to the target.

Chas.

The Annoyed Man wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2020 11:12 am Charles,

You’ve been watching Correa's videos, I take it? Seems like he’s recently talked about not drawing on a drawn gun, and creating distractions.

Not really. I've watched only 2 or 3 none of which dealt with drawing on a drawn gun or creating distractions. Not drawing on a drawn gun has been the "rule" for much longer than Correa has been alive. It also has exceptions. Waiting for or creating distractions is something I've taught for 30 years.

Chas.

I decided to practice this drill yesterday because of recent security videos of CQB gunfights that I have watched. A key factor in surviving a surprise attack is having the self-control not to "draw on a drawn gun" but wait for an opportunity to draw when your attacker isn't looking. Things such as momentary inattention or a distraction can give you that opportunity. When it arrives, it may only last a very few seconds, so you better be able to draw and engage effectively. (There are tricks you can use to cause a distraction, but those typically give you a very short window of time to respond, so be ready.)

I know that instructors seem to feel compelled to name every drill they teach these days , so I'll call this the "Breakaway Drill." A student once described it as such and that's as good as any. Give it a try, but not with your ported handgun. That won't be fun.

Let us know your times and accuracy percentage. I suggest keeping a small notebook in your shooting bag to track your progress. Do this for all of your training, not just this drill. If you don't have a timer, then get one. You'll be amazed at how much stress that will add to your training and practice. It also allows you to track your progress with empirical evidence rather then merely your gut feeling how you did on a given day.

Please practice folks. Some people survive an attack and gunfight because of sheer luck. I've found luck to be quite unreliable.

Chas.

I used to teach and practice a very simple but critically important CQB drill that I have ignored for a number of years. It is shot at 3 and 5 yards. As I said, it's very simple but mastering this skill can be a live-saver in a deadly close-quarters encounter.

At three yards using a timer, draw and fire one round (strong-hand only) at an IDPA target from a low point-shooting position. All rounds must hit in the 8" zero-down circle. By low point-shooting position, I mean the handgun is drawn, leveled at the target while held close to the body and fired. Once a student had mastered this part of the drill and is getting consistent times, I then have them shoot the same drill with concealment. Only after a student masters this skill with concealment and sub-2 second times, I add "retreat while engaging" to the drill.

As I said, I haven't practiced this in a number of years. To be honest, it seems too simple, but it is a skill that everyone should master. I of all people should not have gotten complacent about this critical skill.

Today, my times averaged between 0.83 and 0.85 seconds with almost all rounds hitting the target zone. This is without concealment. When I shot with a vest, my times averaged between 1.03 and 1.15 seconds. The lowest time I recall was 1.01 and the longest with a fouled draw was 1.42 seconds. (When you foul a draw, don't start over! Use it as a learning opportunity and continue the draw and fire.) These are pretty good times with good hits and I must admit I was surprised. That said, I know I can get the concealment draw under 1 second with dry practice at home and live fire at the range.

Surprisingly, my times at 5 yards were almost identical with at most another .05 seconds added and virtually the same accuracy. I didn't expect this at all, but this drill is really designed for 3 yards and closer. At five yards, one usually has time and distance to bring the handgun to a two-handed grip and engage with sights.

While decreasing one's draw-and-engage times while increasing accuracy is very important, this drill is only part of the "shoot your way out of trouble" skill. I tell all students to master this skill first, then we can talk about what comes next.

Chas.