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