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".

 

[HayesGreener]

I have told this story here before but it has been a while. A number of years ago i left my truck at a repair shop for some minor repairs and decided to walk a couple blocks to a Walgreens for passport photos. There I was, an old guy with a white beard, carrying my walking stick and pulling my laptop roller bag along when a low rider with 5 thugs pulled up next to the sidewalk. They were eyeing me and I am sure were sizing me up for a strongarm robbery, or worse. The hair stood up on the back of my neck，my cop senses kicking in. One of them commented about liking my stick. ‘’Yes its a nice one,‘’ I said. Instead of looking like prey I turned and faced them and smiled and asked if they were having a nice day. I guess they decided I was not easy prey after all and the guy in the back seat who seemed to be the leader said, "let's go" and they drove away. I use the incident to illustrate why I think it is important to not look like prey.

I also recall that throughout the encounter I was thinking, there are 5 of them, but I have my stick, my .45, and 25 rounds, I think that's enough.

It is highly unlikely that I would ever need to shoot in self defense, and even less likely that I would need more than a few rounds, but those spare magazines are a comfort.

 

[Mr. Untactical]

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.

Well, crud. I guess I should've thought that through. It was a tossup between my new Springfield Echelon 4.0c Comp (which I really like) and my Walther PDP F-series 3.5" as to what I would transition to as my new EDC. Despite the additional barrel length of the Echelon (4 inches vs. 3.5) it conceals a tad better due to the Walther grip being a little more prominent and the PDP F-series being wider overall than the Echelon.

I love both of them and both are fitted with direct-mount optics (I'm not going to argue with the "we hate pistol optics for EDC" crowd today, sorry). Both optics are red circle-dot reticles (C&H Precision on the Walther and Holosun on the Echelon). After my last training session in an active bay, I actually leaned toward the Walther; I shot it a little better, not that there was a ton of difference.

My Muddy River Tactical IWB holster for the Walther has metal high-level retention clips and it is a great clip for keeping the holster where it is supposed to be, but it is a freaking bear to put on - which is another reason I went with the Echelon in the end because it had the standard polymer "U" clip on my Rounded Gear holster.

Or . . . as someone else mentioned (here, I believe) I could just purchase a non-ported barrel for the Echelon for when I am using it as EDC.

Decisions, decisions . . .

 

[Lab4Us]

I could just purchase a non-ported barrel for the Echelon for when I am using it as EDC.

 

[Model 457]

Hi,



Welcome to the forum.

Well, I'll tell you what. When a new member shows up and posts a snarky blanket statement which is just a profound glimpse into the obvious, they might expect a little snark in return.

The OP article was only one aspect of what should be a well-rounded regimen in order to prepare for real-world situations.

I suggest that both of you hang around, read a few threads, get to know us, and become part of the community. We share all kinds of skills, expertise, and experiences. We have a lot of good times here, poking fun at each other, learning from each other, and admiring each other's Hi-Points. Pull up a keyboard and make yourself at home.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Hee hee hee! You said Hi-Point.