Self Defense - Pistol Primer (Part 6)

After Action Assessments:

     Air Force pilots have good advice too, “Check your six.”  FBI statistics make clear armed opponents more often than not come in multiples.  Just as well trained shooters need to understand the importance of movement to winning a gun fight; they also need to know not to re-holster their pistols too soon, lest they fall prey to an attacker’s accomplices.

     Two additional positions need to be understood by the shooter to ensure effective and competent after action assessments.  The first position simply lowers the pistol out of the shooter’s line of sight when using either an Isosceles or Weaver Stance and is referred to as the Low Ready (see figure 21).

Figure 21, Low Ready Position

From the Low Ready, the shooter can scan left and right of the original target, and then clearly re-assess the downed threat.

     The other position is a relative newcomer to the firearms training world, but effectively answers the longstanding problem of how to adhere to Rule #2 while moving with a drawn pistol in close proximity to others.  The Sul Position gets its name from the Portuguese term for “south.” 

     In the Sul Position, the pistol’s muzzle is directed toward the ground, yet away from the shooter’s own body due to the fact the pistol is rested upon the flat back of the support hand whose palm is in turn rested upon the upper abdomen.  The other important index point to emphasize in the Sul Position is the mating of the support and firing hand thumbs…print to print, if you will (see figure 22).

Figure 22, Sul Position

     From the Sul Position, the shooter can effectively and safely scan 360 degrees after having assessed threats to his front from the Low Ready.

     Note.  After the shooter has scanned left and right of his original target from the Low Ready, he should bring the pistol to the Retention Position; decock; assume the Sul Position; and then scan starting from his support side direction a full 360 degrees back to the original target (if at all possible, never turn in the direction of your firing hand, as the weapon is more vulnerable to a disarm when it is lead with).

     After the area has been scanned; the pistol should be brought back up to full ammunition capacity if needed (Tactical Reload); Low Ready reassumed; the shooter should scan (by glancing his eyes downward), the front of his body to ensure he’s not been injured; and only then is the weapon slowly re-holstered keeping eyes downrange (and all retention devices re-secured).

Self Defense- Pistol Primer (Part 5)

Continuity of Fire:

     Those who have performed reloads in combat agree the vast majority of reloads will be performed after the weapon has been shot empty and is at slide lock.  In keeping with gross motor movements, both the Slide Lock Reload and Tactical Reload (getting the partially ammunition depleted pistol fully loaded again during a lull in the fight), should mirror one another with only a few minor variations.

     Step One in the Slide Lock Reload is upon realization of an empty pistol, bring the firing side elbow to the abdomen and rotate the magazine well inboard while maintaining the firing grip with the firing hand (see figure 19a).

        Figure 19a, Slide Lock Reload Step One

     In Step Two, the shooter releases the support hand grip and depresses the magazine release with the support hand thumb (see figure 19b).

Figure 19b, Slide Lock Reload Step Two

     In Step Three, the support hand sweeps down the pistol’s front strap, and sweeps the toe of the magazine free of the magazine well, allowing the empty magazine to fall to the ground (see figure 19c).

Figure 19c, Slide Lock Reload Step Three

     In Step Four, the support hand establishes a grip upon the spare magazine in its holder (bullets should be facing forward when stored in the magazine pouch), positioning the index finger to make insertion into the magazine well positive (see figure 19d).

Figure 19d, Slide Lock Reload Step Four

     In Step Five, the flat of the back of the magazine is mated to the flat of the back of the magazine well, then the magazine is briskly seated (see figure 19e).

Figure 19e, Slide Lock Reload Step Five

     In Step Six, the pistol should be charged by manually pulling the slide fully to the rear by the support hand and then releasing the slide (not by easing or riding the slide).  The slide may be released by either using the Overhand Method or Sling Shot Method, whichever the shooter prefers (see figures 19f and 19g).



Figure 19f, Slide Lock Reload Step Six, Overhand Method

Figure 19g, Slide Lock Reload Step Six, Sling Shot Method

     In Step Seven, the shooter presents the pistol back on target and reassesses whether or not the target is still a threat (See figure 19h).

 

Figure 19h, Slide Lock Reload Step Seven

     For Tactical Reloads, the shooter simply retains the partially depleted magazine in the support hand as in Slide Lock Reload Step Three; then stores the partially depleted magazine in the support side pocket prior to retrieving a fresh magazine (see figure 20).

 

Figure 20, Storage of Partially Loaded Magazine

     Slide Lock Reload Steps Four, Five and Seven are then completed.  Tactical reloading methods which require the juggling of the depleted and spare magazines require fine motor skills in the heat of battle, and should be avoided.  Keep it simple. 

     Note.  By keeping the firing hand elbow indexed at the abdomen throughout the reloading process, all manipulations can be seen in the shooter’s peripheral vision, thus allowing the shooter to remain aware of his surroundings (threats). 

     Unless forced to break the firing hand grip on the pistol while firing right handed (i.e. support hand is wounded and rendered inoperable), all manipulations of the magazine release, decocking lever, and slide (slide lock levers are small and can be easily missed by adrenaline-charged hands), are best done with the support hand.  Left handed firing will necessitate the shooter use the firing hand trigger finger to manipulate the magazine release and decocking lever. 

Self Defense- Pistol Primer (Part 4)

Getting Off the X:

     The Marines have a saying, “In an ambush, you’re dead till you save your life.”  Just as sure as “freezing” in an ambush will cost you your life, standing still with your feet planted may very well cost you your life in an interpersonal gunfight.  The incorporation of movement to your shooting is critical.

     The simple truth that action beats reaction should be understood by the shooter and more importantly, how that truth can be used to our advantage.  When the decision to “go to guns” has been made, moving or “getting of the X,” interrupts our opponent’s decision making process and gains us precious time to, as the Marines say, “save” ourselves.

     As should be required in the quarterly qualification course, shooters need to move off line as they draw and engage the threat (see figures 18a, 18b, and 18c).

Figure 18a, Start Position

Figure 18b, Off the X, Left or…

Figure 18c, Off the X, Right

     Note.  When moving to the support hand side, body mechanics make the Point Shoulder Stance more conducive for getting good hits.  When moving to the firing hand side (and out of the opponent’s arm reach), body mechanics make the Weaver Stance more conducive to making good hits. 

     In an actual gun fight, it is critical the shooter continue to move while firing until the threat has been stopped.  However, on a crowded range firing line, a single 30 inch step in the prescribed direction while drawing the pistol, will serve to remind the shooter of the importance of getting off the X in a gun fight.