Most defensive engagements are up close and personal. When you’re at bad breath distances, there’s no time to acquire a perfect sight picture, shooting stance, and grip. When you’re on the defensive, you’re already behind in the reactionary gap. You must learn to quickly engage a threat from close distances. This means shooting from retention and point shooting. Instincts may take over, but you must be well-practiced. This must be ingrained in your muscle memory.
Retention Shooting
Retention shooting involves firing without acquiring a full shooting grip and position. The dominant hand grasps the handgun, while the support hand protects from physical attack. Draw using the elbow up, elbow down method. Retrieve the pistol with a firm pull from the holster, raising the elbow up toward the shoulder. Then, tightly tuck the elbow into side and tighten your arm muscles as you present the pistol on the target. This also is referred to as Fairbairn’s ¼ position, which is famously used by the Shanghai Police Department.
You can move to even closer retention by moving the elbow straight back until your forearm is indexed at your side. Cant (angle) the handgun away from your body to avoid inducing malfunctions (the slide hitting body or getting caught in clothing). Keep the muscles in your arm tightened and a firm hold on the pistol. This position gives you a lot of power and control, think opening a tough jar with a stuck lid. Keep the “support” hand (not in use) out of the path of the muzzle. Keeping it up near the face to guard against attack is a good practice.
Put these skills into practice with some dedicated range drills. Set a man-sized target at 5 yards. If your range allows, practice drawing the pistol with the elbow out, elbow down method. If not, begin from the retention position, with the elbow locked into the side. Bend the legs slightly to a crouched position to lower your center of gravity and provide more support. Remember to keep your support hand up and out of the way. As you begin to get a feel, practice from the closer retention position with the forearm locked into the side.
Fire two rounds center mass. We’re looking for combat accuracy. The goal is to get the assailant off you and to create space. Additionally, you can practice firing a full magazine into the target as fast (and safe) as possible. The ultimate, “Get off me!”
Another good drill, this time off the range, is simulated force-on-force training with dummy firearms. This allows you to practice keeping your firearm secure when you get into a physical altercation. You just need a partner and firearm stand-in.
Point Shooting
Point shooting is the practice of firing without using the sights, just your natural point of aim. This minimizes the time between when a threat is presented and engaged. Fast and accurate first shots are often fight-enders.
Practice by picking a point on the wall. With an unloaded, triple-checked pistol, draw and present without acquiring a sight picture. Try your best to naturally place your sights on your chosen spot. Once in the firing position, freeze and bring your eyes to the sights to see where they actually landed. A laser aiming device can also assist with this. Adjust your perception and try again. After a few times, you should be getting closer to the intended point of aim. Repetition is the name of the game here. You are getting a feel for your natural point of aim by tuning your muscle memory.
Once you begin to get a feel, translate these skills to the range. Set a target at 5 yards, and practice drawing and shooting center of mass. Draw and fire one round — reholster — draw, and fire one round. If your range doesn’t allow drawing, lay the pistol on the bench and just pick it up for presentations. The draw stroke can be practiced during dry fire.
If you have a range buddy, you can take this a step further. Using paper targets with different numbered aiming points (you can make some on your own with a sharpie and the backside of a standard target), have your partner call out a random number for you to shoot. Reholster and repeat, then swap roles. This forces the brain to react, rather than execute a planned action, which is more realistic to an actual defensive encounter.
Another great method to practice is Meat & Paper. Use the silhouette box of the pistol slide or flat of the revolver cylinder as a rough guide. Place the outline over the bad guy’s body and fire. Keep the firearm aligned by checking to ensure you don’t see the flat slides of the slide or cylinder. This is still fast to action, but provides a bit of a reference point for aiming. Set a man-sized target out 5 yards or so, draw, and fire 5 rounds using this method.
A laser aiming device can also be useful. This provides a good reference point, without having to align iron sights or search for your red dot optic. Careful you don’t begin to take too long searching for the dot, as this is still aiming. There are plenty of great weapon-mounted lasers from a number of trusted manufacturers, such as Streamlight, SureFire, and Nightstick. Crimson Trace offers a set of laser grips that provide a similar function.
Final Thoughts
Close engagements are common in concealed carry. In fact, the FBI states that over 90% of self-defense shootings occur within 3–7 yards. Preparation is key and you must practice these skills to be ready. Retention shooting and point shooting are essential skills for concealed carry. Just be safe, start slow, and build your skill level.
I was introduced to point shooting when serving as a ground pounder in the Army in mid 1960’s.
We patrolled along a path weaving in the jungle and different targets would pop up
along the way. For my tax dollars it was the most valuable training before vacationing in Vietnam.
John Everett
I was introduced to point shooting when serving as a ground pounder in the Army in mid 1960’s.
We patrolled along a path weaving in the jungle and different targets would pop up
along the way. For my tax dollars it was the most valuable training before vacationing in Vietnam.
John Everett
I was introduced to point shooting when serving as a ground pounder in the Army in mid 1970’s.
We patrolled along a path weaving in the jungle and different targets would pup up
along the way. For my tax dollars it was the most valuable training before vacationing in Vietnam.
John Everett
Keep up the good work guys I’ve been practicing for one week and I am much faster than I thought I would be to start with if I didn’t try this new technique I probably wouldn’t make it so thank you guys you may have just saved my life
AHAHAHAHA! Point shooting is THE definition of antiquated tactics. 1980 called and wants their tactical advice back.
Superb article! Glad you reinforced retention and point shooting. I think people don’t get that most of the time it’s all you’ve got. The idea of point shooting is while your garget is close, you point the gun at center mass, but the further away your target is the more you can actually aim.