Simple CCW practice [2 min VIDEO] range visit yesterday

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.

tony1990 said:

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

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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.

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