By Ed Santos, The Shooting Channel
This is Part 2 of a 2 Part series in an attempt to help the shooter better prepare for high stress confrontations while using a semi-automatic pistol.
In Part 1 we discussed two of the four primary fundamentals or components of defensive pistol marksmanship: Stance and Grips. This week we will discuss Sights and Trigger Control and an additional component of defensive pistol craft called follow-through.
Sights
Confrontational Considerations in aiming the pistol
Consider that the shooter may not see the sight at all, due to a lack of time to do so, low light, or loss of visual acuity and near focus due to body alarm reaction. Consider that the human eye cannot focus on more than one object at a time. In addition, under the onset of the body alarm reaction, the ability to change focus from one distance or object to another diminishes and the speed in doing so may not be sufficient for aiming the weapon in a conventional manner.
Sight Focus
Three locations that a person can or will focus their eyes in an armed confrontation:
(1) The opponent’s weapon or hands
(2) The opponent’s chest or head
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(3) The front sight of the pistol (or silhouette of the pistol)
Note: a common problem in confrontations is for the defender to focus upon the object in or at the opponent’s hands during the firing process. In many cases this is away from the desired target area needed for rapid incapacitation. Due to eye-hand coordination, in many cases the projectiles end up hitting at or near the hands of the opponent. Once threat identification is made and there is no other choice but to shoot, focus either on the chest or head (as in point shooting) or on the front sight (as in precision shooting) as you aim the handgun. The method of aiming and sighting of the handgun is based on the situation and the distance to the threat.
The preferred method, whether for precision (sighted) shooting or for point shooting (where focus is on the threat and intended anatomical target location) is with the handgun held up to eye level, with the gun’s sights exactly between the dominant eye and the intended point of impact. Always raise the gun up to eye level when possible, never bring the eye (or head position) down to the gun. Raising the gun to eye level aids in rapid, reflexive shooting that maximizes use of eye-hand coordination.
Sight Alignment
- Sight Alignment is the relationship of the front sight and rear sight, to be used as they were designed to be. Sight Alignment consists of having the front sight level with the rear sight and properly centered between the left and right halves of the rear sight.
- Sight Alignment can be initiated by having a properly fitting and pointing handgun for that particular shooter, followed by a proper grip, which aligns and elevates the handgun as a natural extension of the lower arm. This may be especially important in circumstances where the shooter either cannot see the sights or does not have the time to do so.
Sight Picture
- Sight picture is what the shooter sees in terms of the relationship between the handgun and the target. Focus on the front sight (this is either a fine focus or focus that includes some of the area to the front of the muzzle). The gun and sights are centered on the intended target (upper chest or head), target appears as a blur or slight blur (depending upon the distance), rear sight appears as a slight blur.
- For point shooting situations, or others where the sights are not completely used, the sight picture may consist of a blurred image of the gun, held at eye level, and the focus being upon the intended point of impact of the round(s).
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Trigger Control and Technique
A lack of proper trigger control is the number one cause of misplaced shots. Trigger control is certainly more than just “pulling the trigger” or “making the gun go off.”
The proper grip, locked wrist, and the proper position of the trigger finger… Smooth steady pressure to the rear…Until the point where the shot breaks… maintained rearward throughout recoil…And returned or reset to the position where the trigger mechanism is able to fire again…But without removing the finger from the trigger while on target and still engaged in the firing process.
The elements of Trigger Control and Technique are:
• Trigger Finger Position
-finding the optimum position or “sweetspot”
-inside of trigger finger does not rub on the outside of the gun during stroke
• Trigger Finger Pressure
-smooth steady pressure straight to the rear,
-roll or press the trigger, don’t “pull” or “jerk” the trigger
• Trigger Speed
-shoot only as fast as you can hit, not merely as fast as you can.
• Trigger Cadence
-the shots should be in an even timing, not sporadic
• Trigger Resetting
– as the trigger is pressed to the rear, the shooter should maintain rearward pressure through the entire recoil process. The trigger is then allowed to move forward under spring tension only enough to the point where it resets (the sear or firing mechanism re-engages). This is done without allowing the trigger finger to come off the trigger, so the trigger finger moves back and forth with constant contact while the gun is on target and firing.
Proper trigger finger discipline is essential to both safe and effective handgun shooting. This means that the only time that the trigger finger goes on or near the trigger is when the gun is on target. Otherwise, remove the trigger finger anytime that there is no sight picture or when voluntarily lowering the pistol to a ready position.
Follow Through
This additional component of defensive pistol marksmanship is essential for success in an encounter. Follow through during the shooting process can be defined as maintaining the sight picture and other fundamentals of defensive pistol marksmanship throughout the shot process and slightly after the last shot is fired. This can consist of a momentary pause after each and every shot where the gun continues to be aimed. Follow through is not immediately lowering the pistol from the line of sight after the shots or relaxing the stance.
Breathing or breath control is not normally taught as a technique for defensive shooting. During a short distance, close proximity, immediate threat type situation there simply may not be time to level a gun and relax for the shot. For a more extended situation where a very precision shot may be taken, then a breathing technique, such as using the natural respiratory pause (after the exhale) may be suitable. It might be useful for the shooter to implement breathing techniques during the recovery process (when coming to the ready position or upon reholstering) or during lulls in the confrontation. Research into autogenic breathing or “combat” breathing has proven that the shooter can initiate breathing sequences to induce relaxation and reduce oxygen debt. Using a pneumatic count (“one-thousand-one”…etc.), the shooter inhales for 4 seconds, holds this for 4 seconds, exhales over 4 seconds, and holds this for 4 seconds, and repeats the process. This induces relaxation for most persons following stress. This technique was derived from military research following World War II. Other variations of this may involve shorter 2 second intervals or simply taking a deep breath.
Shooter Diagnostics and Performance Improvement
The serious defensive shooter should learn or become familiar with the following to improve their shooting:
-Shot Group Diagnosis
-Common Errors for shooters
-“Calling the Shot”
-Principles of Coaching Shooters
By instilling the skills needed to defend oneself from a hostile act, the person has subconscious reflexes that are “ready to go,” when and if needed. These skills should be properly practiced and repeated consistently, be suitable for defensive purposes, and integrated together into one smooth act. During training, consciously make sure that all of the fundamentals are working together at once. Learn to evaluate any time that one or more caused a change or error. Over time, the entire process becomes more integrated and subconsciously applied. When the shooter is able to repeat all of the fundamental skills effectively under stress and on demand, it is then that they have achieved the integrated act of tactical hand gunning.
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Ed Santos is author of the books “Rule the Night Win the Fight” published 2008 and his latest “Low-Light Combatives” published 2013. He is the Owner/Founder of Center Target Sports, Inc. and Tactical Services Group. He teaches advanced firearm skills and low-light training around the world and can be reached at ed@tacticalservicesgroup.com.
Thanks to The Shooting Channel for this post. It’s easy to give them a visit – click here.