If you've been a reader for awhile, you remember I've written before about point shooting. I've also posted comments on an FBI report entitled Violent Encounters: A Study of Felonious Assaults on Our Nation’s Law Enforcement Officers. The report details the fact that in most shootouts, the officers put fewer shots on target than their adversaries.
Before I go any further, I'd like to ask you to do something for me. Pick out an object in the room (or out the window) and point at it. Point naturally -- not as if you were going to shoot it, but as though you were pointing it out to a friend.
Now, look at the position of your hand. Is the back of your hand perpendicular to the floor, or at about a 35-45 degree angle to it? That's the natural position of your hand when you point.
That's also the typical gangsta position for holding a handgun. Did that position evolve by adapting their shooting to the natural mode of pointing? Even more importantly, is this position inherently better for point shooters?
I know this reads like heresy to handgunning purists (deepest apologies to my barber!), but it's an issue we must face if we want to train most effectively and efficiently.
5 comments:
Great point! As I sit here pointing at object in my office with my eyes closed. I hope no one sees me...
One thought though... If I recall correctly, in the report you reference.
"The report details the fact that in most shootouts, the officers put fewer shots on target than their adversaries."
In the majority of the cases don't the officers get ambushed. Don't the bad guys usually get one off before the officer can really engage? I would think there is a huge benefit to firing first without being fired upon. And I am certain what little handgunning skill I possess would go out the window the moment bullets start zinging past my head.
Just my 2 cents...
You may have a point regarding the ambush factor, but I've also read & seen news stories in which multiple officers fired an embarrassing number of rounds at suspects with few, if any, actual hits.
Defenders are always at a disadvantage, though, because action beats reaction. So, in the defensive situation I want every edge I can get, even if it means holding my handgun funny.
BTW, thanks for posting your comment.
Hello, my name is Emil Bandy, I live in Central Illinois and am a friend of DLR......
Excellent post..... I probably need to start practicing a little more in that stance instead of the weaver stance.....
I also wanted to thank you for maintaining this blog, excellent work and writing!
Thanks for the kind words, Emil. And I also want to thank you for putting a link to WARSKYL on your blog. I really appreciate it.
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