Self Defense- Pistol Primer (Part 2)

The Four Step Draw Stroke:

     The Four Step Draw Stroke should provide a smooth, consistent presentation of the pistol to the threat and easily integrate with the previously illustrated “up close” fighting platforms.  All pistol qualification courses should be shot utilizing some type of cover garment (i.e. open ACU blouse to simulate a suit jacket).  For the sake of clarity, the majority of the following pictures were exposed from open carry.

     Step One brings the support side hand flat against the chest (figure 7a), as the “C” shaped firing hand sweeps the cover garment straight back clearing the concealed pistol (figure 7b), then the firing hand is jammed into a firm firing grip as any pistol retaining devices are released on the holster.  The end result should be a firing grip with the web of the firing hand high on the pistol’s back strap before the pistol ever leaves the holster (figure 7c).

Figure 7a Step One

Figure 7b, “C” Shaped Strong Hand Fingers to Sweep Cover Garment

Figure 7c, Firm Firing Grip

     Step Two simply brings the firing hand elbow straight up, clearing the pistol from the holster (see figure 8).

Figure 8, Step Two

     Step Three consists of lowering the firing hand elbow straight down, thus pivoting the pistol toward the target, then the support side hand comes underneath, not in front of the pistol to form a Retention Stance (see figure 9). 

Figure 9, Step Three

     Note.  The trigger finger may be placed inside the trigger guard once the Retention Stance has been reached, and the decision to fire has been made.  If the shooter does not decide to fire from the Retention Stance, the trigger finger will not enter the trigger guard until the pistol is traveling to the target in Step 4.

In Step Four, the pistol travels straight to the target and intersects the shooter’s line of sight just before full extension (see figure 10). 

Figure 10, Step Four

The Two Handed Grip:

     As distance from the target increases, the importance of not disturbing the pistol’s sight picture prior to the bullet’s exiting the barrel also increases.  At all times, a smooth press of the trigger straight to the rear is desired.  To minimize tension on the trigger finger (and thus reduce accuracy robbing side-to-side movement of the pistol), the proper application of grip pressure for each hand in the two handed stances must be understood.

     If we were to assign a measurement of grip pressure responsibility for each hand (100% being the maximum for each), then the proper two handed grip would place about 40% on the firing hand and 60% on the support hand.  By placing the majority of the grip pressure on the support hand, we free up tension on the trigger finger and make it easier for a smooth press, straight back. 

     An excellent demonstration can be made to a shooter by using the shooter’s own firing hand as a surrogate for the pistol’s grip.  The instructor grips the shooter’s firing hand in a regular handshake using roughly 40% gripping pressure (see figure 11).

Figure 11, 40% Firing Hand Pressure

Then the instructor completes the two hand grip with about 60% pressure from the support hand (see figure 12). 

Figure 12, 60% Support Hand Pressure

    

     It is also important to stress a high hand grip for both the firing hand and support hand on the pistol (see figure 13). 

Figure 13, High Hand Grip

And avoid the control and accuracy robbing, “Cup and Saucer” type grip (see figure 14).

Figure 14, “Cup and Saucer” Grip

     Another key facet of a proper grip is thumb positioning.  The thumbs may be locked down with the firing hand thumbprint pushed down against the support hand thumbnail (see figure 15).

Figure 15, Thumbs Locked Down Grip

Or with the support hand thumb pointing forward and firing hand thumb resting atop the support hand thumb (see figure 16).

Figure 16, Thumbs Forward Grip

     Note.  Given the position of the M11 slide lock lever, it is possible for the firing hand thumb, in the Thumbs Forward Grip to depress the slide lock lever upon the firing of the last round in the magazine, thus causing the slide not to lock open on an empty magazine.  If the shooter elects to use the Thumbs Forward Grip, care must be given to keep the firing hand thumb well clear of the slide lock lever.  The Thumbs Locked Down Grip lessens the chance the M11 will fail to go to slide lock upon firing the last round in the magazine.