[GeorgiaShooter]

I realized after commenting on ShootinBil's video yesterday that I sorely need practice on the skills I was flapping my gums about. So in all fairness feel free to offer constructive criticism, there's plenty of mistakes and nothing I do here is slick or pretty. I could feel how much speed I've lost from not practicing often enough. The lack of ammo, supplies and especially 22LR has all but erased my weekly practice sessions.

I decided to use my thick jacket as cover to make it slow to draw. I didn't reload and scan 360 on every drill like I should be doing. I was reminded that shooting from guard with a pistol is much more tricky than a revolver. With a pistol the angles can make it easy to miss a safety lever and too easy to interfere with the slide and cause a FTF.

Here goes, warts and all.... be gentle, LOL.
Simple CCW Practice Sig P938 then XDs45 3.3 - YouTube

 

[Moby]

This is something I need to work on as well.

In a real situation we are not likely to stand still and shoot.
If someone is shooting back, we will be moving.
Yet I never train while moving.

I have to get to work on that.
Thanks for sharing

 

[tele_pathic]

I don't know how "technically correct" it is or isn't, but it looks good. Meaning, I can see where that practice would get you out of the necessary jam.

 

[GeorgiaShooter]

I may have sent at least one over the berm into the woods (not good), so I'll have to lower my targets and get tighter to the berms next time. I sorely need to practice scanning 360, reload, scan and holster every single time. I tend to get too much tunnel vision focus when I shoot, which could come back to bite me. One of my friends who had 35 year career in this stuff always tells me that in a gunfight we perform equal to our worst practice day. That sticks in my mind.

 

[84160]

If you want some real live fire practice, I suggest you look into IDPA...

 

[Bill MO]

The main grip I have (and this is me) I don't like the backpedaling. If you are going to screw-up moving backwards will be it. You drag a heel or clip or heel on something and you are going down, more likely than if you turn your toes in the direction you are traveling.

Yes you need to turn your body more and will most likely be shooting one hand more times than not. But I find the movement to be smoother and you can move faster.

 

[GeorgiaShooter]

I know Bill, I was brought up with the same teaching, never walk backward with a loaded gun, you probably saw that I also did what you describe as your preferred method as well. Hell, I try everything just to break-fix my ideas.

84160, I do shoot IDPA and USPSA about 2-3 times per month. I also train in these sessions to remove bad habits I learn in those sports, it cuts both ways but thanks, still good advice. Lets me learn to run my gun hard.

 

[xXxplosive]

Looked like at least one went over the berm......Hmmm.

and Smooth is Fast...

 

[tacman605]

GS. You are a good shooter and you take the time to practice so these are merely observations. Use whatever works for you.

If you are going to move be it backwards, frontwards or laterally use one quick movement off the x instead of shuffling. As close as your feet were together it would only take a small object to tangle you up.

Work on where you are going to put your support arm. I would recommend something besides the bird wing placement, not being mean just don't know how else to describe it. Keep your support arm tucked in across your chest in a position to reacquire a two handed grip when available.

If you are going to use the technique of striking first while you draw then by all means strike. If you leave your hand/arm in contact with the attacker you run a great risk of your hand being grabbed and either pulled off balance, a wrist lock or arm bar type hold applied or if the person was armed with a cutting instrument suffering a very painful, devastating and not to mention distracting laceration to your arm. In the heads down, heads for cover you are still really to close to extend your arm fully. Fire from a retention position and then move, again watch your non firing arm, stay tucked.

The technique of zippering the target is meant that the first round is fired as soon as the gun clears the holster striking the subject at groin/waist level and continues up into the chest as you are moving back/acquiring a two handed grip and so on. If you are going to bring the gun up to a compressed ready hammer the chest with with multiple shots don't worry about a zipper action you are not accomplishing anything more.

When challenging again you are to close to fully extend your arm with same risks mentioned above. Place your hand in front of you chest in a position that gives a "stop" type hand signal but it is also in a position to acquire a two handed grip if needed. Keeping the arm in that position also allows for you to defend quickly a blow to the head or if the person charges you can execute a punch or palm heel strike if needed to keep them off of you.

No matter what your lower body is doing, moving back, sideways or whatever maintain a solid upper body with your weight leaning forward. On a couple of the rearward movements it appeared that it would not take much for you to continue your momentum into a rearward fall as you seemed to be overextending to change the point of aim/impact on the target. Years ago the technique for CQB and conducting a speed rock was to lean back as you draw bringing the gun on target quicker, which it did, however a stocky 10 year old could knock you over. With that being said, yes there are times when you need/want to change the point of aim/poi on the target you can simply change/shift/rotate the entire orientation of your body to the target keeping the firearm locked in one position however that is not really a recommended practice when moving to the rear. Keep your good upper body position and elevate or lower the weapon as needed.

As I stated you are a good shooter and use whatever works for you.

 

[GeorgiaShooter]

Awesome advice tacman, I will consider each point closely and incorporate these tips and see how I can improve. By the way thanks for your service too.

 

[GeorgiaShooter]

Went back to the range yesterday with the 9mm P938 and I tried not to back pedal so I wouldn't potentially fall or loose balance in a real situation. Used much higher berms this time and better target placement. I think it was a safer and slightly better practice. Another video under 3 minutes. Nothing to brag about here. I try to practice several times a month and thanks to videos, I notice slow improvement. Especially when I get good advice. I see some areas I'd like to improve, maybe someone else can add some additional tips. You can see a couple times how nicely the P938 trigger has broken in.


VIDEO LENGTH - 2:54
CCW Practice with Sig P938 - MARCH 2013 - YouTube

 

[tony1990]

Loved your video, unfortunately I can only practice in my computer room without any bullets in my gun. The ranges I go to only give you a 3ft space with a partition between you and the shooter next to you. I am looking for some place I can really practice at. However this video and others I believe have help me out to be better prepared.

:35:

 

[GeorgiaShooter]

The ranges I go to only give you a 3ft space with a partition between you and the shooter next to you.

I remember those days but I was always hesitant to get into shooting sports, thinking I was not good enough, not a pro. Then I joined a gun club. Funny thing though, I now realize that even joining a club is not a necessary expense with all the IDPA and USPSA shooting matches held all over the USA. If I'm not mistaken you are around DFW area and there is a lot of IDPA going on around there, probably USPSA too. You can pay about 20 dollars and bring about 50-150 rounds of ammo and shoot in these matches. The shooters train you, help you get started and if you join IDPA for about 30-40$ a year (I think) you even get an instructional DVD now. I jumped into both sports and it's the cheapest way to be able to run your gun, learn to be second nature in your shooting, mag changes, using cover and safety, they are very strict on that. So it's much safer than shooting in a standard range, plus you meet the nicest, most solid, honest people in the sport. First time shooters shoot free and they have a new shooter briefing. You can also watch these matches for free.

I finally dragged my wife into the sport and she's really good at it. If she had waited until she felt READY and prepared it may have never happened. Get about 3 magazines, a belt pouch, decent paddle or belt holster, buy a cheap $10 safety or hunting vest at Walmart and find the next IDPA indoor or outdoor match in DFW area and do yourself a huge favor and go shoot for free as a newbee. You will never look back.

IDPA - About IDPA



Here's a match example APRIL 4th
IDPA - Competition Details

 

[SCXDm9]

I think you did great... I want to be you when I grow up!

 

[Kennydale]

My ambition, because i just picked up a weapon last Nov....Is to be half that good..I was watching a similar drill on YouTube. The instructor recommended a palm strike to the head. As your backing up and drawing he was demonstrating the practice of slightly tilting the gun away from the body as you draw, and getting off the first shot from the hip then following through with normal grip.... Me at the moment walking and chewing gum at the same time is a challenge !

 

[Gaius]

You're doing just fine. The drills you are practicing are what I consider the "bread and butter" of defensive training and every instructor will have a slightly different take on what is "the best" way to do them. For example, there are those who consider backwards movement to always be a no-no for obvious reasons. My take is that it depends on the situation. Suarez has the line, "the fight's going to be what the fight's going to be" and I agree. Stay flexible in your drills. However, as was said earlier, do what works best for you, and keep up the good work. Thanks for sharing the vids.

 

[xXxplosive]

My comments and suggestiions on Bill's vid. almost got me tossed from this forum........but practice makes perfect and after watching others go through agressive drills at our outdoor training range I was made to realize what I'm not doing right.....also.

 

[OutlawSister1]

Nice shooting. Great vid to share and get us all thinking about realistic practice!

 

[chuckusaret]

Great video and shooting. I have taken several daylight and low light classes that covered both stationary and moving targets using both the point and shoot and laser assisted methods. I would have taken more classes but the instructor moved away, and I quickly learned that it takes ongoing practice to maintain proficiency. I found that the normal day today clothing worn was the hardest obstacle to overcome as shown in the video, but he still performed well. I live in Florida and have found that an unbuttoned & untucked shirt, such as a Tommy Bahama style, over a T-shirt works great for me.

Key to not being a victim is formal training and practice, practice and more practice

 

[miller_man]

I remember those days but I was always hesitant to get into shooting sports, thinking I was not good enough, not a pro. Then I joined a gun club. Funny thing though, I now realize that even joining a club is not a necessary expense with all the IDPA and USPSA shooting matches held all over the USA. If I'm not mistaken you are around DFW area and there is a lot of IDPA going on around there, probably USPSA too. You can pay about 20 dollars and bring about 50-150 rounds of ammo and shoot in these matches. The shooters train you, help you get started and if you join IDPA for about 30-40$ a year (I think) you even get an instructional DVD now. I jumped into both sports and it's the cheapest way to be able to run your gun, learn to be second nature in your shooting, mag changes, using cover and safety, they are very strict on that. So it's much safer than shooting in a standard range, plus you meet the nicest, most solid, honest people in the sport. First time shooters shoot free and they have a new shooter briefing. You can also watch these matches for free.

I finally dragged my wife into the sport and she's really good at it. If she had waited until she felt READY and prepared it may have never happened. Get about 3 magazines, a belt pouch, decent paddle or belt holster, buy a cheap $10 safety or hunting vest at Walmart and find the next IDPA indoor or outdoor match in DFW area and do yourself a huge favor and go shoot for free as a newbee. You will never look back.

I'm glad you posted this, I've been so wanting to get into IDPA. But then I keep putting it off, and always think that I'll need to get a little better first. Talked a buddy into going to watch one with me soon. This is the kick in the pants speech I needed to hear to get out and do it already. I've already been gathering up a little of the gear I'll need.