How to Shoot Faster (and Actually Hit)

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Quick question: Shooting from retention, am I going to gas myself if my pistol has a barrel port and matching comp on top (e.g., Springfield Echelon 4.0c Comp)? I practice drawing from the holster and dry firing that way, but when I look down, I'm thinking, 'That was a good shot, but that's a big hole on top of this pistol pointing all that gas pretty much straight up toward my face.'

Or am I missing something?

This is a great concern. I've never shot a ported pistol from retention. You are correct about the escaping gasses being too close to the body. For this reason, I don't think I would EDC a ported barrel. For competition, a ported barrel can be advantageous but I would want that port to be at the end of a fully extended reach.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Thefacts]

So I can summarize this article in a simple statement. Speed= art form, Accuracy= science. There is only one way to be accurate, but if you want more speed there are several ways to do that- notably equipment and skillset. Equipment if you know how to use it, skills if you're willing to build them.

 

[OldJarhead]

I don't shoot a ported pistol so I am no help. Perhaps suspend some paper, like the back of a target, horizontally above the pistol and fire it. What it does to the paper should give you an indication of what it will do in a close hip shot

Ported pistols are not suitable for (as John Farnham says) "serious purposes". Not only will muzzle blast do more than "gas" you, in darkness the flash directed upward right in front of your sight picture can do bad things to your ability to see down range. To test this, just shoot it in the dark. To test the blast, tape up a cardboard box with both ends open. Make it about as tall, laying on its side, as the distance from belt to eye level. Put the pistol in about half way, (resting on what is now "bottom"), and fire a round. The effects will tell the story.

 

[OldJarhead]

Why do folks continue to spread self defense gun training nonsense? It's just going to get people killed.

Your attacker will never stand broadside at 25 yards and wait for you to shoot them like a paper target. NEVER.
The majority of self-defense altercations occur inside 7 feet. You won't get an opportunity extend your arms, push the gun forward, get your perfect thumb over grip, or see your sights. Point, or press and shoot, while fighting off the attack inside 7 feet is the proper training format. Will your handgun go out of battery if you have to press it to your attacker and shoot? You don't hear numb gunners talk about that but it highly likely to occur.

Amazing this still continues.

According to statistics, you will never need a gun to defend your self. Ever. Why have one? If you do shoot, statistics say 3-5 rounds might be enough. A 5 shot snubby should be good, right? Unfortunately, as a defender, we don't get to choose time, place, distance, number of attackers, or how the offenders are equipped. Defensive shots have been made out to 75 yards. There is a cop who now carries 145 rounds because he shot himself dry with 47. He got 12 hits with a .45 acp, on one guy. Wasn't enough.

Why one cop carries 145 rounds of ammo on the job

Before the call that changed Sergeant Timothy Gramins’ life forever, he typically carried 47 rounds of handgun ammunition on his person while on duty

www.police1.com

I train for what might happen. Every position, including non-standard positions, from retention and bad breath distance out to 50 yards or more. I never want my last words to be "If only...", or "But the statistics...". If it happens to YOU the statistics are suddenly 100%.

Why do folks continue to spread self defense gun training nonsense? It's just going to get people killed.

Your attacker will never stand broadside at 25 yards and wait for you to shoot them like a paper target. NEVER.
The majority of self-defense altercations occur inside 7 feet. You won't get an opportunity extend your arms, push the gun forward, get your perfect thumb over grip, or see your sights. Point, or press and shoot, while fighting off the attack inside 7 feet is the proper training format. Will your handgun go out of battery if you have to press it to your attacker and shoot? You don't hear numb gunners talk about that but it highly likely to occur.

Amazing this still continues.

 

[HayesGreener]

According to statistics, you will never need a gun to defend your self. Ever. Why have one? If you do shoot, statistics say 3-5 rounds might be enough. A 5 shot snubby should be good, right? Unfortunately, as a defender, we don't get to choose time, place, distance, number of attackers, or how the offenders are equipped. Defensive shots have been made out to 75 yards. There is a cop who now carries 145 rounds because he shot himself dry with 47. He got 12 hits with a .45 acp, on one guy. Wasn't enough.

Why one cop carries 145 rounds of ammo on the job

Before the call that changed Sergeant Timothy Gramins’ life forever, he typically carried 47 rounds of handgun ammunition on his person while on duty

www.police1.com

I train for what might happen. Every position, including non-standard positions, from retention and bad breath distance out to 50 yards or more. I never want my last words to be "If only...", or "But there statistics...". If it happens to YOU the statistics are suddenly 100%.

Being retired, I only carry 25 for my single stack 1911. With that said, there are are only two occasions when one can have too much ammo.


When swimming, and when on fire.

 

[SimonRL]

Why do folks continue to spread self defense gun training nonsense? It's just going to get people killed.

Your attacker will never stand broadside at 25 yards and wait for you to shoot them like a paper target. NEVER.
The majority of self-defense altercations occur inside 7 feet. You won't get an opportunity extend your arms, push the gun forward, get your perfect thumb over grip, or see your sights. Point, or press and shoot, while fighting off the attack inside 7 feet is the proper training format. Will your handgun go out of battery if you have to press it to your attacker and shoot? You don't hear numb gunners talk about that but it highly likely to occur.

Amazing this still continues.

Bigger question is do people know what to do to prevent their gun from going out of battery when it pushed up against someone. AND, what to do immediately after.

@KillerFord1977 and I trained with a guy who encouraged us to practice this. Needless to say, one ends up with a very painful thumb!

 

[Shibadog]

As has been said, “speed is fine, accuracy is final”. As Jordan said there is “No second place winner”.

 

[OldJarhead]

Being retired, I only carry 25 for my single stack 1911. With that said, there are are only two occasions when one can have too much ammo.


When swimming, and when on fire.

I've been asked numerous times how much ammo to carry. My reply is always the same- as much as you want. This is said bearing in mind I've never talked to anyone, civilian, cop, or military, who had been in a gunfight and afterward said "Man I wish I had less ammo".