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Remember at the NFOA meeting when I said "get the gun out in time"?

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JTH:
At the NFOA meeting, during the Defensive Shooting workshop, one of the things I talked about was "recognizing the situation in time to get your gun out" and how that meant "having a quick and solid draw" in terms of fundamental shooting skills.  Remember that?

Read this:   http://pistol-training.com/archives/8501

New research, studied over 1100 cases of police reactions in lethal-level altercations.  And you know what?

Two seconds.

In over 90% of lethal-level altercations, police officers had 2 seconds or less in which to react.  In other words, not 2 seconds to determine it was lethal-level, but after that determination, 2 seconds to react effectively to it.

So---what's YOUR draw time?

(I note:  I have NOT read the study referenced there.  I've seen the abstract, but I don't have access to the original article.  I'm debating buying it...  And, I'll note, there is a difference between law enforcement needs, and standard citizen needs.  That being said---what IS your draw time?)

Lorimor:
At what distance?  I assume this is the time needed to put one shot into an 8" circle. 

At the NFOA event I managed 2.3 something.  I think that was at 7 yards?

JTH:

--- Quote from: Lorimor on September 02, 2013, 07:43:04 AM ---At what distance?  I assume this is the time needed to put one shot into an 8" circle. 

At the NFOA event I managed 2.3 something.  I think that was at 7 yards?

--- End quote ---

12" plate, 10 yards.

Due to the fact that the research was done on law enforcement altercations, and (in general) the mean distance is about 9-15 feet, my take on this is that officers had to get their first shots off at 4 yards (average!) in two seconds from a retention holster once it went lethal-force level.

Those carrying concealed have a plus there without the retention.  :)

While a lot of people use an 8" circle for "accurate enough for self-defense," personally I'd say to get a realistic idea of what you can do, use a 6" circle at 3 yards, or an 8" at 5 yards.  (I'll note that I don't think that this is really stringent enough for effective shot placement in actual stress situations, but it'll at least get you on target in the basic area and give you an idea.)

Don't only practice "draw to one shot", but instead practice draw to four shots (or three, or five---vary this) making sure you get all shots in the circle, and THEN check your draw-to-first-shot time.

Do I think that having a fast draw makes you safe?  Nope.  Do I think that having a fast, practiced draw gives you a better chance?  Certainly.

If you have a 5 second draw (or more), you might think about this.

(Lorimor, are you still going with Glock?  Or have you moved back to 1911?  You liking that new holster?)

bullit:
Who was running the stop watch in the a fore referred to gun fights?

JTH:

--- Quote from: bullit on September 02, 2013, 02:40:21 PM ---Who was running the stop watch in the a fore referred to gun fights?

--- End quote ---

I'm pretty sure you are going to have to read the original research for that answer.  :)

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