Gun Handling Techniques
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These
pictures were taken at various times and are captioned to illustrate
Range Officer (RO) commands, gun handling and safety skills that are
exercised during a Steel Match. Novice shooters should study these
for tips and safety instruction. CRITICAL NOTE: At
all times when the gun is out of the bag or holster, you MUST handle
it so as to maintain it pointed down-range (towards the targets).
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RO: "You may handle your weapon and take a dry sight picture"
You: may unholster or unbag your gun, and rehearse your firing
routine WITHOUT TOUCHING YOUR AMMO or charging the gun.
Not all ROs give this command, because it is actually a subset of the
next command...
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RO: "Load and make ready" or just "Make ready"
You: can do everything mentioned above for "You may handle your
weapon and take a dry sight picture", plus when you are
comfortable, you may charge your gun and return it to the holster or
assume the low ready position (below).
Notice Richard has his finger off the trigger and alongside the
trigger guard.
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The low-ready position is the start position for the .22 pistol. The gun
is pointed forward towards a red bowling pin just in front of the
shooter. The red pin in the picture is actually for the adjacent stage
which has been set up in the same bay - but Richard here is pointing at
one just like it in front of him.
The finger is off the trigger, alongside the trigger guard and any
external safety is off.
This start position may also be used in any pistol division by novice
shooters who do not possess a holster or who are uncomfortable with
drawing a loaded weapon.
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You: Assume the standard start position. In this position, any external
safety must be ON (e.g. 1911), the gun decocked (e.g. Sig) or otherwise
in standard ready condition (e.g. Glock, revolver)
RO: "Are you ready?"
You: optionally nod, or do nothing, unless you are NOT ready. Then
say so.
RO: "Stand by"
"Beep"
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On the beep, you may draw.
For those with good hearing acuity and reaction time, you may start
your motion at the start of the beep. This gains you .3 secs over those
who wait for the end of the beep.
Peter illustrates good technique by reaching for a firm grasp on the
gun with his strong hand, while positioning his weak hand across the
chest; here it will be out of the line of the muzzle as he draws and be
ready to bring onto the gun as it clears the holster.
Notice the index finger extended down the holster - the holster is
covering the trigger.
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Ennis has his strong hand grip established and clears the gun from the
holster.
Notice his index finger REMAINS off the trigger because at this time
the muzzle is pointing close to his leg and foot. Not a good time to
accidentally pull the trigger by being overly hasty.
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The gun is clear of the holster and is pointed downrange. The weak hand
is brought from the chest to take its position on the gun in a firm
2-handed grip. At this time any external safety may be disengaged.
Eyes are firmly fixed on the first target.
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The gun is brought up into line of sight on the first target and the
first shot is fired.
Provided you have good sight alignment and maintain proper trigger
control you will hit the target.
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Stu illustrates a good stance and the 2-handed grip.
Right hand firmly grasping the gun, but not in a death grip; left
hand fingers wrapped over the right hand, as high on the gun as
possible, left wrist cocked so both forearms are aligned, palm of left
hand squeezing into the side of the gun.
This grip helps manage the recoil so the front sight should just lift
from the target then drop back down again when you pull the trigger.
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From the other side, you see that both thumbs are pointing forward down
the left side of the gun, right thumb on top of left thumb - not
overlapping or interwined.
This may feel awkward at first and may not be what you see in the
movies, but it is the established best practice. See also Matt
Burkett.
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Peter illustrates an alternate technique. Both he and Stu are shooting a
Glock. The Glock has a squared off front to the trigger guard. Peter has
his left index finger in front of the trigger guard on the squared off
section. This allows a slightly higher grip which helps reduce muzzle
flip, but may not be suitable for folks with a smaller hand.
If you did read Matt
Burkett he does not recommend this technique, but it is used by Eric
Grauffel the IPSC World Champion.
Try both,
see what works for you.
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RO: "Reload if necessary"
At the end of a string, you will probably want to put in a fresh
magazine. You will have your spare magazines on your belt or on the
table next to you.
Note that during this maneuver, the gun remains pointed safely
downrange and the shooter's finger is off the trigger and alongside the
trigger guard.
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RO: "Unload and show clear"
At the end of the 5 strings for the stage, remove the magazine,
reverse the slide to eject the round remaining in the chamber, allow the
RO to inspect the inside of the gun, then rebag/holster the firearm.
RO: "Range is clear" sometimes "Range is safe"
Now you can pick up your ejected round.
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