| It's a question that we went back and forth | | | | various first person accounts, the reasoning |
| with for awhile ourselves many moons ago. The | | | | that WEF outlined as WELL as the method of |
| "how" and "why" of our conclusions may be of | | | | use and mode of INSTRUCTION made a great deal |
| some interest. Whether or not anyone agrees | | | | of sense to me, as well as others whose |
| with them, well at the least you'll fully | | | | opinions I had grown to respect. What we HAD |
| understand the basis for them.The question is | | | | experienced was IN that little old manual.The |
| this:Why does Fairbairn stress the straight | | | | task NOW was to do more research and to make |
| thumb in line with the barrel, even for one | | | | these methods come alive. That meant studying |
| handed shooting?Years ago when we first began | | | | as much material as we could find on this |
| our attempt to sort out the mechanics, | | | | topic, and then understanding it and |
| methods and reasoning behind this type of | | | | perfecting it.BUT, you may ask, what about |
| shooting we had the exact same question! It | | | | the "instinct" part. Didn't you KNOW this |
| really is an excellent question.We need a | | | | already? Yes, we did KNOW how many(certainly |
| little history here. When a group of us | | | | not all) individuals will react when placed |
| started to "experiement" with this method of | | | | in sudden life and death emergency |
| shooting we had all been indoctrinated and | | | | situations. The JOB was to rip this method |
| trained in one or both of the prevailing | | | | apart, find any flaws, find any strengths, |
| "practical" shooting methods extant. One | | | | and to make it fully our own. ONLY then, once |
| being the "cutting edge method" of the time, | | | | we really KNEW what the hell we were |
| that owing to Jeff Cooper and the methods | | | | doing(and talking about), could we DECIDE if |
| being taught at Gunsite. The other being the | | | | it offered any REAL solutions to us. ANYTHING |
| fairly standard FBI clone known as the | | | | less than FULLY studying, inculcating and |
| "Practical Pistol Course". Most police | | | | UNDERSTANDING the method would constitute |
| recruit training of this period emphasized | | | | INTELLECTUAL FRAUD in terms of any real |
| the PPC tactical course of fire over any | | | | incisive and HONEST comparison with any other |
| other method, including the much touted | | | | "method".How the hell do you judge something |
| "Weaver". Full sight alignment, "positive" | | | | without that mind-set.During this period(mid |
| grip with a two-hand "isoceles", barricade | | | | to late 70's) there were a growing number of |
| firing with both single and double | | | | "experts" entering the field. Cooper first |
| action(most departments carried wheel guns) | | | | and foremost, then names like Taylor, Farnam, |
| all done at varying distancesand various | | | | Ayoob, and many others. For the most part, |
| battery firing positions. The only time | | | | all "towed" the party line. Weaver was IT. |
| ANYTHING approaching "instinct" shooting was | | | | Everything else was outdated, outmoded and |
| even mentioed was at the six foot range | | | | "old" fashioned. Well, at this point I |
| distance when passing commentary went | | | | started collecting EVERYTHING I could about |
| something like......."Maybe you won't be able | | | | shooting. Everything. From the oldest manuals |
| to get the gun all the way up, | | | | and books to the most up to date. Magazine |
| so..............."This was the prevailing | | | | upon magazine, and of course continued ACTUAL |
| situation at that time for those interested | | | | training. What I was constantly learning was |
| in "combat" or "practical" shooting either by | | | | really eye opening.Studying McGivern, |
| vocation or hobby. To make matters worse, | | | | Hatcher, Roper, Nichols, Weston, Gaylord, |
| MOST if not all "civilian" instruction STILL | | | | Askins, Jordan, "old" works by Copper, and so |
| was based on the old "Olympic" style of | | | | many other men and other sources like |
| competitve target work.Now REMEMBER this was | | | | Leatherneck and the Infantry Journal, old |
| at a time when specially trained units like | | | | issues of the American Rifleman was |
| ESU or SWAT were still in their infancy! And | | | | astonishing. My research collection has NEVER |
| William Shatner's ONLY claim to fame was as | | | | stopped growing. I don't "stop" learning, but |
| Captain Kirk. When cops went on a job they | | | | more on that later.The only contemporary |
| were fully expected to handle it. ONLY the | | | | voice getting a little play in the popular |
| most EXTREME situations were responded to by | | | | gun journals was Brad Steiner. Much of what |
| "something" resembling a special tactics | | | | he wrote reflected what I had known to be |
| unit. At BEST most departments had only a | | | | true based on MY experience. There really WAS |
| semi-organized squad of "hats and bats", and | | | | a gap and a need for methods that dealt |
| that was it. So the street cop responded to | | | | specifically with CLOSE QUARTERS GUN BATTLES. |
| EVERY type of call and was FULLY expected to | | | | The only really close quarters method being |
| handle whatever emergency arose.So that gamut | | | | bantered about at this time was the "speed |
| runs from Bank alarms, to convenience store | | | | rock". Steiner's contemporary articles were |
| robberies, to building, warehouse and | | | | very interesting and he stirred alot of |
| residential searches, from alleyways and | | | | resentment and controversy.I remember one |
| stairwells to rooftops and basements. | | | | slam made aginst Steiner and John McSweeny by |
| Sometimes you creep and sometimes you run. | | | | Mas Ayoob. It concerned the use of a mirror |
| Sometimes you know there's a potential | | | | to check and adjust firing poistion, |
| threat, sometimes it just leaps out at you. | | | | alignment and so forth. This was a method |
| Sometimes there is plenty of light(good and | | | | advocated by MANY "old timers" as a tried and |
| bad), sometimes just a dim streetlight near | | | | true way of DAILY practice away from the |
| an alleyway that YOU have to clean out. | | | | range. Easy. Simple. No "brainer". Everyone |
| Sometimes, and more often than not, there is | | | | has a mirror. Made perfect sense to me. And |
| NO real light, just dark. And shadows!Search | | | | it WORKED. Great! Well, Ayoob likened this to |
| a warehouse for a suspect and you may get | | | | "mental" masturbation. I'm not really one to |
| shot from a distance, from behind cover or | | | | mince words, it's usually(not always) better |
| concealment. Search an apartment building or | | | | to just speak plainly. I couldn't help but |
| private residence for a suspect and you may | | | | wonder what the reaction of men like Paul |
| get shot from "sneezing" distance. You may | | | | Weston of the NYPD(who advocated this mirror |
| see the threat and "prepare' yourself, or | | | | training highly) or "Jelly" Bryce would have |
| maybe the threat just SPRINGS out at you. | | | | been to that comment. I also pondered what |
| Maybe the badguy is in front of you, maybe | | | | Brad Steiner's reaction, and perhaps more SO, |
| he's lurking and creeping just there behind | | | | John McSweeny's reaction would have been to |
| you.Maybe it's a car stop gone bad. Maybe | | | | Mr. Ayoob had he made that comment nose to |
| it's a "nut" who approaches YOU while you're | | | | nose instead of in print. Basically, what |
| in a patrol unit sipping coffee and shooting | | | | Ayoob was saying, thinly veiled as it was, |
| the shit with your partner. Maybe you're off | | | | was, you're a "jerk off".Where were we? Oh |
| duty.The point is this: In the real world | | | | YEA.......................................... |
| ANYTHING can and probably WILL happen. As bad | | | | ...................What to do with ALL of |
| as it gets, is about as BAD as it WILL | | | | this information, both new and "old". Well, |
| GET.Now add THIS: Will you be wounded, | | | | logically the thing to do was to look at the |
| injured, or in someway incapacitated, less | | | | most basic problems presented by any |
| than at optimum ability. Will you be firing | | | | situation and BUILD from there.Easy enough. |
| your duty weapon, or will you be using your | | | | Right? Well, actually |
| "back up" or has the shit degenerated to the | | | | no......................................First |
| degree that you have to use your last ditch | | | | thing we did was to DEFINE the terms that we |
| "hide out" piece. I've known situations where | | | | would use. When so and so said this, made |
| an officer has HAD to grab and use one of the | | | | this statement, what did he REALLY mean? When |
| "downed" perps weapons, to save his wounded | | | | Shooter A talks about this to Shooter B are |
| partners life. What POSITION will you be in | | | | they REALLY understanding the terms being |
| when all hell breaks loose? Maybe you CAN'T | | | | USED. Or is one party ASSUMING he knows what |
| run for cover, maybe there is NO cover. You | | | | a certain phrase or descriptive term means. |
| can do everything RIGHT and still die, and | | | | Damn, w're back to that logical foundation |
| you can do everything WRONG and survive. | | | | jammy again. Let's see................I stop |
| Life's kinda crazy that way.The obvious part | | | | some guy on the street and tell him in NO |
| of this, at least to an open-minded and | | | | uncertain terms that I LOVE his wife, and |
| "thinking" individual is that it IS | | | | always will. As a matter of fact, I have |
| impossible to train and/or prepare for EVERY | | | | loved her for years. The man may be pretty |
| situation, every contingency. Can't BE | | | | shocked, he would have a right to be, maybe |
| DONE.What CAN be done is to figure out what | | | | even take a swing at me. But, if we defined |
| method or system of training will GIVE YOU | | | | what was really said, well, the situation |
| the BEST all around overall preparation for | | | | changes. The guy's wife is MY sister. And |
| survival.The "PPC" wasn't the answer, and | | | | yes, I love her deeply, always have, and |
| neither was Copper's "Modern Pistolcraft". | | | | always will. Before any honest up front |
| Something was missing.A round about way to | | | | dialogue seeks to edify we should make sure |
| answer a single question, huh? Well without | | | | we're on the same page. That was job 1. As I |
| understanding the genesis or the seed that | | | | said anything less is intellectual fraud.So |
| all of this begins with and the "base" of | | | | we did a thorough job of defining the terms |
| experience that FORCED certain questions to | | | | we used and what they meant.Now we ruthlessly |
| be asked and answered the whole point will be | | | | went about tearing apart everything on both |
| missed. The "straw man" arguements will flair | | | | sides of the hill.What does the REALITY of |
| up, and the whole "thing" will turn into a | | | | the street teach us, and how do we find REAL |
| pile of shit. And NO one will learn a goddamn | | | | useful solutions to those problems |
| thing.The group of men that formed the core | | | | presented.AND, here's the REAL |
| of our "cadre" so to speak were mostly cops | | | | catch...............................how does |
| drawn together initially by interests in | | | | all of this tie in to the LEAST common |
| other areas than firearms. Most I had met | | | | denominator. In other words what is the MOST |
| thru my martial arts training, some were from | | | | basic overall approach to these problems, |
| the "iron" pit(what a shithole, I loved it), | | | | taking into account first and foremost the |
| some we met at competitive "practical" | | | | least in ability, skill, experience and |
| matches. We had at one time or another guys | | | | knowledge. If we can begin to build on that, |
| from local, state, and federal agencies. A | | | | then we have something really worthwhile.So |
| tremendous amount of experience and the | | | | here are the "problems":1. Visibility. |
| desire to really "train" was the bond(not the | | | | Perfect to zero.2. Extreme close range sudden |
| shaker joints and sundries). A rare quality | | | | violence. Unprepared. Reactive. Prepared. |
| for cops in those days.So we weren't | | | | Active.3. Enagaging adversaries at varying |
| stumbling in the dark here. We had the | | | | distances and/or heights/360 degrees. Close |
| access, time, opportunity and means(most of | | | | medium/long range. Effective transition. |
| us were single and making a pretty good | | | | Active and reactive.4. Ability to manuever |
| payday) to really travel, and train. | | | | and fire.5. Ability to effect fire on a |
| And....get in a whole helluva lot of range | | | | moving target.6. Ability to fire from |
| time. There was one point where at any given | | | | dis-advantage or awkward positions.7. Ability |
| time I had several 5 gallon pails filled with | | | | to fire from cover and/or concealment. Two |
| spent brass in my trunk waiting for their | | | | different tactical problems.8. Ability to |
| weekly drop off at my buddy who was a | | | | fire with both hands. Tandem-strong and weak. |
| reloading fanatic. With no real responsibilty | | | | Single-strong and weak.9. Ability to fire |
| in life you can live PRETTY LARGE(right | | | | when vision is impaired.10. Ability to |
| Boyoo?).Frank Behlert(remember him?) still | | | | transition from weapon to weapon.11. |
| had his old shop on Lehigh Ave. in Union. | | | | Emergency reloading and malfunction |
| That was a great hub of activity and a great | | | | clearing.12. The MUST DO shot.We did NOT |
| place to meet all sorts of interesting | | | | address specific tactical problems. This list |
| characters. It was also one of the first | | | | was designed for the MOST basic overall |
| places that really took an actice role in | | | | components facing every type of "shooter" |
| pushing the "practical" shooting matches in | | | | regardless of "job" specificity. A six three |
| the metro area.Now when some street | | | | 200lb. police tactical officer could face |
| "cherries" or FNG's get out of the academy | | | | these "problems" in the same way that a 5 |
| and hit the streets they clam up tighter than | | | | foot five 100lb. housewife may have to. |
| an asshole in a bath house. Sometimes it is | | | | Sounds silly? Think about it.How we put |
| good to just shut the fuck up and keep your | | | | together the syllabus-No forced or awkward |
| eyes and ears open. But by the same token, if | | | | positions or manuevers. |
| you don't ask you don't learn. So when ever a | | | | |
| dicey situation arose I would always | | | | Everything based to the GREATEST extent |
| "debrief"(sometimes that took on a WHOLE | | | | possible on gross motor skill, natural body |
| 'nother meaning) myself and sort out what | | | | dynamics, and "instinctive" action/reaction. |
| went "good", what went "bad", what could have | | | | takes into account next to worst case |
| been done better and what could have hit the | | | | scenario and works from there(worst case |
| fan. If I needed to question something I did. | | | | being you're already dead).The entire system |
| Still do.Alot of the older cops were really | | | | should be as seamless as possible. One |
| playing the old "salty dawg". 30 years and a | | | | component dovetailing with another. Not just |
| wake up and the papers were in and off to | | | | a "grouping" of techniques independent of one |
| Florida they went. Probably to drop dead of | | | | another. As general as possible to cover the |
| heart failure in a year. Life sucks and then | | | | greatest number of contingencies. Weak |
| you die, or life sucks, you relocate to | | | | offhand shooting is composed of the EXACT |
| Florida and THEN you die. Doesn't matter, end | | | | same mechanics as TWO HANDED braced firing. |
| result the same.Still these guys were a | | | | The fundamentals are EASILY retainable and |
| TREMENDOUS source of knowledge. On a whole | | | | apply throughout the entire shooting system. |
| RANGE of "police" related subjects. Most, if | | | | The grip on the draw is the same grip for |
| not all of these men were combat vets of WWII | | | | firing. The grip when running, climbing, |
| or Korea. So when I had a question I asked. | | | | jumping is the same for drawing and firing. |
| If my screwy facial expression betrayed my | | | | The grip when prone is the same when kneeling |
| disbelief at the answer, I usually heard the | | | | is the same whenusing braced barricade, is |
| following refrain(if I had a dime......), | | | | the same when using the "pop out" and fire. |
| | | | This is a bad thing under the stress of real |
| "Listen wet nose, that's the square, the | | | | world violence?The system? That we have to be |
| real deal, just remember I got more time in | | | | another long winded thread(if I survive this |
| the shithouse than you have on the | | | | one). But for many of you, it won't be what |
| road"......followed invariably by......."So | | | | you think or what you have |
| just shut the FUCK up and learn". Well as | | | | "pidgeonholed".FINALLY....................... |
| things go, I never did learn to shut the fuck | | | | ............the GRIP!Okay. First. Re-read all |
| up, but I did learn."They teach you what they | | | | these parts over again. Really put some |
| teach in the academy 'cause they got | | | | effort into understanding what is being said |
| to".............................."The street | | | | here.Fairbairn admonishes us to extend the |
| has it's own rules, and only the street | | | | thumb along the "slide release"(for |
| really knows what the hell those are". Rule # | | | | clarification). Mentions it several times. WE |
| 1 - CYA. Rule # 2 - Never EVER forget rule # | | | | DON'T teach that grip as part of the basic |
| 1.So where does this lead us? Well, this | | | | syllabus. We practiced it alot and some liked |
| attitude between what is "percieved" as real | | | | it and some did not. BUT that's NOT the issue |
| and what really is REAL caused us to | | | | here.The grip as advocated by WEF is |
| constantly question, examine, and re-examine | | | | particular to the weapon shown, NOT to WEF. |
| everything we were "taught" to do against | | | | Many gunners of the period in many different |
| everything we "really" DID.The bulbs really | | | | manuals and sources advocate the same grip |
| began flashing when we got hold of a copy of | | | | for THAT weapon. For the .45 ACP. It was |
| "Kill or Get Killed" followed by "Shooting to | | | | almost de rigueur. Did it help some achieve |
| Live". At first we all, myself included, | | | | the standards for it that WEF set forth, MOST |
| looked at these old pictures, drawings and | | | | certainly. For others it was a far less |
| "dust covered" verbiage as absolutely | | | | successful venture. Some improved with |
| outdated, "know what I did during the BIG | | | | practice, others did not.Now we have to find |
| ONE..............." bullshit! But "Get Tough" | | | | out why? Colonel Applegate had HIS answer and |
| had my sincere interest. One of those old | | | | we had ours(more on that later) BUT still we |
| timers I mentioned had been a US Navy | | | | wanted to understand why WEF advocated it and |
| "landing force" instructor during the "BIG | | | | what we might have been missing.First we have |
| ONE". I had seen him in action for real, | | | | to remember that "Shooting to Live" was |
| unflitered "Lucky Strike" hanging out the | | | | written in it's original form(we have the |
| side if his mouth and wreaking holy havoc on | | | | manual) as a manual for the SMP. An organized |
| some young "puffy chested" bucks. It was a | | | | UNIFORM police agency. "Shooting to live" is |
| thing of beauty! I on the other was | | | | an expanded version of the original SMP |
| "fighting" these guys and looked like I was | | | | manual. Why is that important? Because the |
| "rode hard and put away wet".Something didn't | | | | SMP, like most agencies issued a specific |
| add up. The methods my tour sargeant used | | | | "duty" weapon. A standard pistol. That was |
| WERE right out of "Get Tough", even how he | | | | the .45 ACP. But that wasn't all! The .380 |
| handled a "nightstick" and BOY he did that | | | | ACP was ALSO issued and for a VERY pertinent |
| with relish(remember NO ONE knew what a | | | | reason. The use of the thumb extended grip |
| camcorder was!). Maybe there was something to | | | | advocated for the .45 ACP had more to do with |
| this "Farburn" guy. I mean, up to this point | | | | the DESIGN of the weapon than with anything |
| "Fairbairn" was a good tan we got during "I & | | | | else. The angle between grip and barrel is |
| I" down at LBI. And "Applegate"? Sheeet, that | | | | such that a full "convulsive"(there's that |
| was the entrance to an orchard, right?So then | | | | term again) grip with thumb wrapped DOWN will |
| we ACTUALLY started READING these texts. | | | | effect the horizontal barrel to floor |
| Really trying to keep an open mind. After ALL | | | | alignment that is so important to ALL forms |
| if "Guru" Jeff said it was so, well damn | | | | of accurate shooting. MORE so in the method |
| youngin' IT'S SO!Now here's the "bitch" in | | | | taught by WEF. The thumb extension helped |
| the whole thing............Pretty much EVERY | | | | seat the weapon from backstrap to muzzle in a |
| reason WEF and Colonel Rex GAVE for the | | | | "better" way for THAT gun. A full "fisted' |
| validity of the methods(THEY ARE DIFFERENT | | | | grip tended to drop the muzzle DOWN. Also, |
| BOYS & GIRLS) were exactly what we all knew | | | | WEF had fairly large hands and a great grip. |
| were "missing" from the "practical" shooting | | | | He also realized this and adjusted |
| we were doing. The difference in a | | | | accordingly. Officer's with smaller hands who |
| nutshell......."How you are SUPPOSSED to do | | | | could NOT adjust or use the .45 ACP were |
| it, and how you REALLY do IT".Yes, if I have | | | | issued the smaller .380 ACP. Now notice the |
| the "drop" on a suspected badman, like on a | | | | line drawing on pg. 19 of STL. These drawings |
| hinky title 39 stop when YOU KNOW the shit is | | | | were made directly from still photos. Look at |
| just hanging in front of that fan READY to go | | | | how far the thumb is extended in the picture. |
| SPLAT all over everyone, then YES, ALL the | | | | I have fairly normal size hands and a fair |
| "rules" get followed. If I had to arrest a | | | | grip, and my thumb doesn't come near to that |
| suspect on a felony warrany or who was a | | | | position. I am certainly NOT alone in this |
| known "A & D" then yes......ALL the rules got | | | | problem. WEF recignized it too, THAT is why |
| followed. In those situations assessing, | | | | he issued smaller pistols for some |
| finding and moving to real "cover"(as opposed | | | | officers.Again, this manual was done before |
| to just concealment) was viable, actually | | | | the second world war and done with the |
| anything else was STUPID. If that was NOT an | | | | STANDARD issue .45 ACP or .380 ACP in mind as |
| option then covering the skel from a stable | | | | a UNIFORM piece of ordinance. WEF use of the |
| picture perfect "Weaver" or "isoceles" with | | | | extended thumb index was also obvious in his |
| positive sight alignment and all things neat | | | | method of firing both the M1 A1 carbine and |
| and tidy was the way to go. ANYTHING else | | | | the Thompson sub-machin gun. He liked this |
| would have been | | | | method.Colonel Applegate had different ideas. |
| STUPID.BUT...................then there were | | | | His duties exposed him to a VAST number of |
| those multitude of OTHER TIMES.SEE there is a | | | | handguns that WOULD be used in combat in |
| HUGE difference between having "IT" your way, | | | | varying countries. From the Luger to the |
| playing your "game", ACTING by your rules and | | | | Walther, from a Colt revolver to an |
| being forced to "REACT" to someone else's | | | | automatic, from a Browning to a Mauser. |
| "gamebook". You get forced into playing the | | | | Applegate sought A SINGLE method of battle |
| other guy's game and you're probably gonna | | | | firing that was applicable to ANY handgun, |
| lose. Especially when the rules change | | | | anywhere in the world. THIS is why Colonel |
| constantly.So let's answer this "job" | | | | Applegate advocated the "point shoulder" |
| together. Straight up and no bullshit. You're | | | | locked wrist, convulsive grip method. That |
| working the graveyard tour mid-week. From | | | | system alone would allow anyone to grab ANY |
| your experience you figure that this tour on | | | | handgun and be able to fire with effect(his |
| this day is usually pretty quiet. So it's | | | | words-Man Killing Accuracy). Since each |
| around 3:00 am, you have made your "beat" | | | | design had a different angle between handle |
| rounds, done your shift reports, answered a | | | | and muzzle, differing weight, balance, muzzle |
| few calls, shitcanned them and now need a | | | | length, sight aperture and so on he devised a |
| little "resting of the eyes". You coop up. Oh | | | | singular method to ADAPT to a GREAT number of |
| YEA, it's winter time. Snow, ice, and it's | | | | handguns. That is GENIUS! So on this point I |
| bone chilling cold out. Just as you find that | | | | disagree with WEF's approach. How about all |
| "comfortable" position and settle in the | | | | the other shootists? Like Bill Jordan. Look |
| radio goes bananas. Two seperate confirmed | | | | at his grip, about as tight fisted and |
| alarms at a warehouse that has been hit | | | | convulsive as you can get. And he is one of |
| several times before. OFF to the races you | | | | many that took a differing approach from what |
| GO!No siren, just the overheads, a couple of | | | | is shown in STL. All I want to do is keep it |
| blocks away you go "silent". You make a | | | | to the MOST basic FIRST. MOST BASIC FIRST. |
| cursory pass in the unit and spot the | | | | MOST BASIC FIRST! M O S T B A S I C F I R S T |
| probable position of enrty (an open window, | | | | !Was Applegate completely HAPPY with what he |
| in JANUARY). Maybe. Maybe these guys followed | | | | taught during WWII. NO, he wasn't. He told us |
| the "rules" and immediately left a second | | | | personally that he would have taught FULLY |
| avenue of escape available to them. Maybe you | | | | sighted fire FIRST, then "point shoulder" if |
| get a back up unit, maybe you don't. Doesn't | | | | he had to do it again. YEP! NOTHING is |
| matter, you gotta roll with punches and you | | | | written in stone!There are other SOLID |
| got a JOB to do. The warehouse is HUGE, | | | | reasons behind the differences between WEF |
| completely dark, multi-level with more "nooks | | | | and Applegate, as well as others extant |
| and crannies" than a Thomas's muffin. And | | | | during this time. But, hell all that's in the |
| it's BEEN months since YOU answered a call | | | | past. Who cares, right?Okey dokey. Back to |
| here (or maybe never) so the layout is NOT | | | | WEF and the extended thumb. NOW.......try |
| "fresh" in your mind.You approach the window | | | | this............even if you like the extended |
| cautiously and realize that the snowy, | | | | thumb for your .45 replace that auto with |
| slushy, muddy ground beneath has a distinct | | | | another auto, large/medium/small frame. How's |
| set of LARGE boot prints, NO, wait, TWO sets | | | | the "feel", bet you adjust with each |
| of distinct footprints. Let's | | | | differing piece.Now grab a wheel gun. Try it |
| see.........okay the window has been jimmied. | | | | WITH THAT! Hmmmmmmm.....how's that working |
| Pretty secure industrial window. These pry | | | | out? No, not the Model 29 S&W, the small |
| marks were done by something pretty big and | | | | frame two inch......try that. Well I don't |
| pretty sharp. Keep that in mind.Enough | | | | see HOW that extended thumb grip works AT ALL |
| bullshit, time to go into the "party".Let's | | | | with a revolver. Not for double action most |
| stop for a moment and take stock of our | | | | certainly!SO now what? How about |
| situation:1. NO light, either inside(if we | | | | this...........You carry a primary duty |
| could even find them) or OUTSIDE. | | | | weapon that is a large frame auto. Okay. You |
| | | | also carry a small frame "snubby" on your |
| 2. At least two potential threats. | | | | ankle....the "just in case" gun. And, maybe a |
| | | | Beretta .25 as your "oh SHIT" gonna be late |
| 3. Unknown area of operation. Little if any | | | | for dinner piece. THREE different guns, three |
| idea of how the joint is layed out. | | | | DIFFERENT grips and THREE differing "feels". |
| | | | Or look down the firing line at people who |
| 4. At least one perp is armed with something | | | | are looking to YOU for instruction. All |
| big, and sharp. At the LEAST. | | | | shapes and sizes, all different in so many |
| | | | ways, and probably all preferring a different |
| 5. Have other officers to worry about. | | | | handgun. Damn, you HAVE to find the most |
| | | | fundamental starting point.My answer? A |
| 6. Cold as a sonofabitch. Stiff, wearing | | | | strong, natural and (dare I say it) |
| winter uniform, can't move all that well. | | | | convulsive grip. The same GRIP you have used |
| Adrenalin pumping like a MOTHER. | | | | since INFANCY to hold and use tools and |
| | | | objects, to make a fist, to lift weights, |
| 7. Why didn't I become a dentist like Mama | | | | etc. etc.Opposable thumb. Simple. This is THE |
| wanted?So you go IN. Your partner or your | | | | most basic action possible. Everyone can do |
| back up takes the "shit catcher" position at | | | | it. Everyone understands IT. And it is |
| the rear, you handle the "flush". C'mon now, | | | | APPLICABLE across the board for a GREAT |
| in you GO...................................I | | | | variety of hand types, builds, disabilities |
| know what I've done in those situation, I | | | | and WEAPONS. It can be used for any size |
| know what OTHERS have done in those | | | | autoloader or any size wheel gun.NOW!!!!! |
| situations, and I KNOW how we were TRAINED to | | | | READ THIS.............................Did I |
| do it, and MOST importantly, I know how it | | | | EVER SAY IT WAS THE ONLY OR BEST METHOD? NO, |
| was REALLY handled. Here's the | | | | I did NOT! I only said it was the MOST |
| "rub"............pretty much everything WEF | | | | basic!What I did say was that it was the most |
| states in Shooting to Live is EXACTLY what I | | | | basic, simple, accessible GRIP to USE as a |
| have seen, and experienced BOTH in my OWN | | | | FOUNDATION. Get something SOLID under your |
| actions and those of others. ALL well | | | | belt NOW, then work towards whatever method |
| trained, diligent and "good" cops, knew their | | | | and/or goal you wish. AND all the MORE power |
| business. AND this was before we EVER heard | | | | to you!My philosophy in a nutshell: I could |
| of these methods or researched these | | | | teach you very effective techniques that |
| sources.SEE...........................THIS | | | | would take a bit of time to master. But along |
| was the MISSING link that we all KNEW, but | | | | with that I can teach you something you can |
| COULDN'T really pin down. This was IT. You | | | | USE right now when you leave here and cross |
| can forget the "stats", the "percents", | | | | that deserted parking lot. Master BASICS |
| ignore the over SIX decades of emprical | | | | first and then the sky's the limit. Even WEF |
| knowledge from agencies all over the WORLD | | | | said given more time he would have taught |
| including the FBI, the DOJ, and virtually | | | | different methods. Ernie Cates when he set up |
| every major department throughout the free | | | | the USMC close combat program with Nakabyashi |
| world( not even to mention a worldwide | | | | choose his basics carefully. he told me that |
| conflagration then went on FOR years). Forget | | | | rule one was: The part of the hand with NO |
| all of that. I KNOW what my "instinct" was | | | | hair is the palm! At it's core that's all I'm |
| and what was the "instinct" of a host of | | | | saying.I'm sure I've missed some salient |
| others in similar situations. Does that make | | | | points (combat draw and some other issues), |
| it RIGHT or WRONG? Does it matter? It is what | | | | but I've wasted a whole day on this and I'm |
| it is. Kinda like death and taxes, or at | | | | pretty wasted by now. I did my best to offer |
| least death. You can talk up a storm about | | | | sound reasoning. That's all I can do. This |
| it, still is what it is.Okay. So, comparing | | | | line of thought can be applied to just about |
| what I knew to be relevant in my experience | | | | anything, certainly all aspects of armed and |
| and having seen first hand, as well as thru | | | | unarmed close-combat. |