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.