Combining accuracy and speed, Gunsite course curricula teach students to present their handgun from the holster and make multiple hits on target within 1.5 seconds.
We refer to the draw stroke as the presentation at Gunsite. It’s a better explanation than simply “drawing” the pistol, because it describes the act of presenting the pistol from the holster to the target or threat. In our “basic,” five-day pistol class we expect students to present the pistol and make hits on targets from 3 to 7 yards away in 1.5 seconds. Most students can do this in two or three days of training.
While it’s true it would be best to have your pistol in your hands when confronted with a lethal threat, it’s also true you can’t wander around in public with a gun in your hand without justification. The solution is, of course, discreet concealed carry. Now the issue becomes whether you can present your pistol in time if confronted with an immediate deadly threat, and that’s why we train our students to respond in 1.5 seconds or less.
Here’s a drill to help you improve the speed of your response, and I hope it inspires you to work on practicing your presentation from concealment. You’ll need a timer or a shooting partner to time you, a silhouette target, your carry pistol and holster.
Here’s the Drill
Stage 1
At 5 yards, starting with the pistol held in two hands at low ready, muzzle depressed, fire two rounds on the start signal.
Stage 2
At 5 yards, starting with one hand on the holstered pistol, fire two rounds on the start signal.
Stage 3
At 5 yards, starting with hands down at your side, pistol holstered, fire two rounds on the start signal.
Total: Six rounds
Clearly, your slowest times will be on Stage 3. Having one or two hands on the pistol is a big advantage when speed is of the essence. Thinking about this, you should see that being alert, and seeing and avoiding a deadly threat, is the way to go. But, if you’re forced into a confrontation, having one or two hands on your pistol could make a big difference. In many cases this may be all it takes to make a violent offender have a change of heart and decide to seek a different victim, one who is not alert, armed and ready to act.
You can’t defend yourself unless you’re alert and see it coming. Don’t allow yourself to be taken by surprise and continue to work on practicing your presentation.
