This is target shooting not self defense shooting, I also teach and this may be OK for a basic course. Grip, stance, trigger control,muzzle control,and so on.
Self defense except in certain conditions begins and ends from the holster.
Remember from the OP, this is taken from my CCW qualification, but the circumstances of the challenge are different. This is about people pushing themselves to be better. It's about trigger control. It's about learning yourself so that if you ever need to take a precision shot, you'll know exactly your ability and limitations.
Remember, I'm in CA. Getting a CCW is very difficult here. I'm a firm believer that a lawful citizen shouldn't have to ask permission to carry. So, I devised a shooting qualification that would be easy enough yet showed sufficient safe gun handling.
However, I believe as you do, there's more to defensive shooting than just having a gun. So, the part that's not listed is the shooting we do after the "official" qualification. Here is what I do next:
- 4 Controlled pairs (2 second par time)
- 4 Shots with the support hand only. Most have never even tried this.
- Reload drill- Fire two, emergency reload, one more shot. (5 second par time)
All this is from the ready. I've only got one hour with them at the range. If presentation from the holster was allowed, it could get very dangerous. In all the time I've been teaching this class, I've only had three students with any training in how to present from the holster. If you're really a defensive instructor you'll understand why it's not a good idea to have several students with no training presenting from the holster and trying to shoot under time pressure when they have no experience with it.
Yes, this is not how I would expect someone to shoot if they were defending themselves. However, if they are attempting to save a hostage, they better be able to do this. Don't you agree? Thus, the idea is to use your carry gun in the manner it would be used on the street.
For some reason people think that I'm suggesting that this is the only way to shoot, it's not. It's just one component of a well rounded skill set. There's simply not enough time in the class to do much instruction. If they come back for a class that is only about defensive shooting, there is a lot more they would learn. Yes, time would be a factor. Not just one time, but many depending on distance and position. Also, not just presentation from the holster, but presentation from concealment.
Now, are you going to take the challenge or did you just come here to hijack the thread?
Ole Joe Clark said:
I do find that if I sight the target and go ahead and get a shot off, I shoot much better.
This is because you're making one smooth motion when you shoot this way. The same can be accomplished after the sight picture is obtained. Once you have the proper sight alignment and sight picture, just start building pressure on the trigger. Build pressure until the gun fires. Focus should be on the front sight. Practice this by first building pressure slowly. Then speed the pressure build until you're shooting at the same speed you would when just bringing the gun up. That way you'll combine precision with speed.
Then, you can slow down again, but your trigger press will be smooth and consistent. This way you can go a little slower and obtain the best precision when you have time.
