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