Using a fast draw, do you really need to know how?

[2HOW]

+1 MB , and if you do practice you may as well be proficient in the draw. 1/4 hip ,,1/2 hip etc.

[jimbob_texas]

Quite the experience.  My only self-defense experience afforded me the time to see the trouble coming, and prepare for it - I had my gun in hand by the time the scenario materialized, in spite of my best efforts to not be in that position.  Before the BG could do whatever he had planned, I had convinced him it was a bad idea.  Again, no police, no statistics.  In my case, awareness of the situation gave me time, and a draw was moot.

[Michael Janich]

Great question. Here are my thoughts:

1) Many athletes overtrain their skills to ensure that, when it really counts, they can do it right. Achieving a very fast draw in training makes it more likely that a smooth, reasonably quick draw will be achievable on the street.

2) Challenging yourself in training induces stress and helps you validate your skills under that stress. It's not so much the speed you're trying to achieve but the ability to get the job done under the stress that the speed imposes.

3) The statistics we do have indicate that most firearms incidents ("gunfight" is not an appropriate term) are over in a matter of seconds and only involve a few rounds. If those are the parameters, a fast draw seems appropriate if you want to ensure that you can "get in the game."

Food for thought...

Stay safe,

Mike

[luvmy45]

Michael and Michael,

Thank you for those well thought responses to my question.

That helps me think in more positive terms about the fast draw, and the ability to do it.

Thanks again,

Brian

[tombogan03884]

Got me rethinking it.

[Sponsor]

[devzal]

Several years back I had an incident were a guy put a gun to my head as I was getting out of my car while two of his buddies tried to snatch my wife, I figured it was going to end bad fast any way so I went for my gun. I fired just as the muzzle clear the holster and hit him in the stomach, he was very close and he went down fast and the other guys ran back to the car. So I believe there is a reason for speed but it should be reserved for times when they on top of you and your chances of missing are low. Turns out they followed us home from the grocery store, they were on the security camera tapes that the police recovered.

[Frisco]

I think something that needs to be addressed in this thread is your choice of holster, and where you carry it, and how that aids you in a "fast draw".

I carry strong-side, right behind my kidney in a very high percent of the time in an Askins style holster.  I carry my primary in this fashion.  I often, when using my mobility scooter, carry crossdraw in an IWB holster.  The crossdraw pistol is actually a backup to my primary.  I carry a Glock 99.999999999999999% of the time.  Usually a G21 strong side, and a G30 cross draw with the spare mags for the 21 weak side.  My mags are always in the same place, and will fit either pistol.  I try to carry the smaller version of my primary...whether it is the G26 backing up the G19, or the 23 backing up the 22.

Carry your reloads in the same place all the time.  I carry spare magazines for three reasons...in order of importance to me.  The magazine is the weakest link in your gun.  A great gun is of no value if the magazine fails.  You just might need more ammo fast!.  The weight of the two spares balances the weight of the gun on my other hip, and as a long time gun carrier...it saves my back! 

I have acheived a pretty smooth and rapid presentation from the crossdraw position.  As I have carried strong side for 20 years now...I am VERY proficient in getting that weapon into play.  I still practice both here at my home range.

Use a quality holster.  Use a quality belt made for carrying a gun.  This is no place for a $9.00 nylon gun show special to be used as a tool carrier for the tool you MAY need to save your life.  You will never become smooth, fast, or proficient with crappy gear.  Carry in the same place.  My hand goes to my stong side without even thinking.  It goes cross draw if I am in my wheelchair or scooter.  Muscle memory will take over when fine motor skills have gone out the window.  You fight like you train, and poor training will translate into poor fighting.

I believe that a rapid presentation, while not always neccessary, is a skill that is best to have and not need, than to need and not have.  Clint Smith said something to the effect that "The time to learn new skills is not in the middle of a fight."