The Most Important Pistol Skill
BY PGF
1 year, 7 months ago
This post on drawing a handgun covers a critical skill gap suffered by many concealed carriers. Time to muzzle on target wins gunfights. Or, as this very essential short article points out: draw to a first solid hit is most important.
The most important skill with a pistol, as it pertains to self-defense, is being able to deploy it efficiently, safely, and quickly. We could say that the draw to a first, solid hit, is most important. I would submit that the draw itself can be separated out from the first accurate hit to an extent because most defensive gun uses end with a gun displayed yet no shot fired.
Ironically, many self-pronounced practitioners of defensive pistolcraft tend to ignore this skill. I see at public ranges, all the time, people practicing only from ready positions, usually not even wearing a holster. Similarly, even some serious shooters who are technically skilled and focus on competitive shooting do practice from the holster, but from a holster that is not applicable to concealed carry.
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The draw needs to be well practiced for any number of scenarios. Most people who do actually practice the draw tend to focus only on the best-case scenario or performing the draw from a standing position with the hands in an optimal position, with both hands available to work on the task.
At the link, this drill offers 8 different situations or types of draw to practice.
On May 1, 2023 at 9:40 pm, X said:
And that good first hit requires a highly visible front sight, not a small one or dark one. A blaze orange one, a big dot — something that you will see in a flash sight picture on center of mass and in low light. And then immediately drop the hammer.
On May 2, 2023 at 7:04 am, Latigo Morgan said:
A lot of public ranges don’t allow drawing and shooting practice, which is why they see a lot of people starting at low ready.
I agree, it is important to practice – important enough to find a range where you can do so without grief.
On May 5, 2023 at 10:00 am, Bill Buppert said:
Gentlemen,
I may seem to be nitpicking but the most important skill is a combination of draw and having your sights on the target you are drawing against. Thousands or tens of thousands of dry fire draws.
I use a red dot on most pistols and this notion of perfect draw and presentation stopped the “where’s Waldo” problems in mastering the red dot.