Enhancing the draw, Part III: completion: the job determines the tool. Once the gun is out, what do we do with it?

Guns Magazine, Dec, 2005 by Massad Ayoob

In Part I of this series, we addressed access--getting your hand onto the concealed pistol and preparing to pull it from the holster. In Part II, we discussed presentation, getting the handgun from the holster and bringing it to bear downrange. With those things accomplished, the completion of the draw stroke is determined by the task at hand.

Draw To Ready Position

The "draw to ready" is done preparatory to a building search, or to some courses of fire in pistol qualification. The situation--or, in qualification, range rules--will determine the attitude of the muzzle, i.e., whether it is down 45 degrees in "low ready" or "guard" position, up by the same margin in a "tactical high ready," or straight ahead of you as is popular with Special Forces. If the pistol is double action and has a manual safety catch, particularly if the catch is mounted on the slide where you might find it awkward to manipulate, the lever should be pushed into the "fire" position at this point. However, if you have a single-action auto pistol with a short trigger pull, it is best to leave the safety engaged at this stage, though your thumb should probably be on the lever and ready to press it down into the "fire" position.

In any case, no matter what type of firearm you have, the trigger finger should be on the frame and completely clear of the triggerguard at this point! Do not place the finger on the front edge of the triggerguard! This will hold the finger taut, and a startle response can cause it to snap back against the trigger hard enough to cause an unintentional discharge.

Draw To Gunpoint

The various studies by Professor John Lott, Professor Gary Kleck, and the California Attorney General's Office all indicate the overwhelming majority of cases where armed citizens pull guns on criminal suspects end with the suspect at gunpoint, not with the suspect having to be shot. This is unquestionably supported by the collective experience of the law enforcement community.

Therefore, if the shooter carries a gun on duty or for protection purposes, it is safe to postulate at least 90 percent of drawing practice should focus on the draw to gunpoint, and not the draw to the shot. It is universally agreed what we become habituated to practicing is what we will do under stress. If all our drawing practice ends with a shot, it is entirely possible we will reflexively shoot a suspect we must draw on under stress, even if his danger level has not yet reached the level where he deserves to take a bullet.

Taking a suspect at gunpoint, your double action auto's safety should still be off, and your single action auto's safety should still be on, with the thumb prepared to wipe it off and fire instantly if the necessity arises. The trigger finger, however, should still be "in register" on the frame.

Where should the muzzle be oriented? Decide beforehand. Aiming at the chest or head will block your view of his hands with your own hands and gun, and this could put you fatally behind the curve. You may not see his draw in time to stop it with your own gunfire. I prefer to level on the pelvis. This allows me to see his hands. It also creates a high level of psychological deterrent effect. If firing is necessary, a hit in this area can have great stopping effect, and the angle is such a miss or an exiting bullet minimizes danger to unseen bystanders behind the suspect.

Some currently suggest pointing the gun at the ground in front of the suspect, essentially a 45-degree low-ready range position. While I feel this sacrifices a good deal of the deterrent effect that can end a gunpoint situation without bloodshed, if it's the policy of the department you work for, you're bound by it and should practice accordingly.

Draw To The Shot

If the situation is so urgent deadly force must be immediately unleashed, take the double action's safety off as soon as possible, and wipe the single-action auto's lever into the "fire" position as soon as the gun is coming up into the target. By the time the front sight is on the target in this urgent situation, the finger should already be pulling the trigger. If you carry for defense, remember, this is the least likely outcome, so it shouldn't constitute the bulk of your quick-draw training time.

Some suggest you begin "trigger prep," the initial pulling of the trigger, early in the draw stroke. Remember, however, the faster you get and the more the time is compressed, the earlier the finger will find itself entering the guard. You can get to where it's too early, and you risk shooting yourself in the leg in a max-speed draw. The finger should not enter the guard until the gun is coming up on the target, even if you've determined beforehand you must fire as soon as possible. Consider thoughtfully. Practice realistically. Build your skills carefully.