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Using A Vehicle for Cover in a Gunfight

Great info to add to one's bucket of knowledge, my Special Ops team practiced these vehicle covers in the 1980's, I would caution about the windows, and it will be a guarantee bet that your windows will be shot out, if you have return fire. Edge yourself on profile stance at the steel frames reduce your target profile, and be prepared to engage two threats.
 
Leaving some options available, you can maintain a seated position with the driver's door open, with your foot bracing it open. The 'V' formed by the window frame and the pillar provides 'fairly' good concealment/cover (depending what caliber of rounds are incoming). This position offers the capability of escape in the vehicle or the use of it as a 2-ton (depending on the vehicle) ramming device.
By angling the vehicle a little, you can have the engine block provide some solid cover. When I learned (and later taught this technique) it was in a patrol car, with a spotlight in the mix (yes, there was an incident where the spotlight gained a 'groove' in it).
If you haven't watched the video of Jerry Miculek shooting at a car, it's worthwhile.
 
Leaving some options available, you can maintain a seated position with the driver's door open, with your foot bracing it open. The 'V' formed by the window frame and the pillar provides 'fairly' good concealment/cover (depending what caliber of rounds are incoming). This position offers the capability of escape in the vehicle or the use of it as a 2-ton (depending on the vehicle) ramming device.
By angling the vehicle a little, you can have the engine block provide some solid cover. When I learned (and later taught this technique) it was in a patrol car, with a spotlight in the mix (yes, there was an incident where the spotlight gained a 'groove' in it).
If you haven't watched the video of Jerry Miculek shooting at a car, it's worthwhile.
I saw a VHS video years ago that showed basically the same thing. Then the guy put on a ballistic vest, stood on one foot and took various pistol rounds and never lost his balance. Crazy
 

Guns and Cars​

A Terrible Place To Get Into A Gunfight​

A soft skin (unarmored) vehicle is a terrible place to get into a gunfight. It is basically like sitting still in a tin can. If you can’t easily escape by driving away, get out so you can move.

The engine block is the only place on a car that may stop a bullet. Your best bet is to crouch near the front wheel well, putting the engine block between you and incoming rounds.

The Difference Between Cover and Concealment​

Know the difference between cover and concealment. Cover is anything that can stop incoming bullets; concealment only shrouds you from the view of the enemy. Cars are largely seen as concealment.



Barrel Sit Lower Than Sights​

Be mindful that the barrel of your firearm sits lower than the sights. When shooting from a concealed position, it can be easy to accidentally send a round into the object you are hiding behind instead of over it. For instance, when shooting from behind the front wheel well of a patrol car, one could easily zipper open up the hood of a brand new vehicle, which is not easy to explain to your supervisor.

Shooting Through a Windshield​

Bullets shot into a front windshield will impact targets in the vehicle a few inches lower than you expect them to, and rounds shot out of a windshield into outside targets will hit higher than you expect them to. Both of these situations are due to the extreme angle of the windshield.

When shooting out of a front windshield, it may also be helpful to have the first few rounds of your magazine be full metal jackets, which will not come apart when they hit the windshield and will punch clean holes. The idea of this tactic is that the holes left by the full metal jackets will allow the rest of your hollow points to pass the opening unobstructed, since hollow points have a tendency to open up and break apart on the first object they hit.

Drivers Don’t Shoot​

Drivers don’t shoot; they drive. Passengers shoot and maintain fields of fire. They are responsible for providing security for the driver. Time and time again it has been proven that multitasking, such as shooting while driving, often leads to misplaced shots and accidents.

Small Space = Small Gun​

A small space requires a small gun. Tailor your firearms to the environment in which you will be using them. AR pistols bring a powerful cartridge in a small package, while pistol caliber carbines work well for the cramped quarters and can be easier to control due to the smaller rounds being fired.
 
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