Sneaky Draw

While everyone is chasing a sub one second draw from concealment, how much work have you put into drawing you gun surreptitiously. The fastest drawstroke is the one where the gun is already in your hand, just saying.

First Round Lethal Strikes

I’m not knocking the importance of a quick drawstroke. One that delivers a first round lethal strike in the shortest time possible. The problem is the level of maintenance required to sustain over the long haul. Would the shooter be better off moving towards a more reliable first round lethal strike, instead of being as quick as possible. The emphasis on accuracy will be easier to maintain over intermittent range visits. Plus, landing your first round promotes two things. The first, is accurate follow up shots. If the shooter demonstrated basic fundamentals on the first shot, the chances are high they will continue to apply the fundamentals. Alternatively, when they miss the added pressure does not automatically produced improved results. The second point is a higher survivability rate. The first round lethal strike has a higher chance of ending hostilities. The bad guys starts worrying less about you and more about their own safety. In addition, when they are worried about their own safety it limits the damage you could sustain. It is hard to return fire when you are taking effective fire no matter your role in the gunfight.

Being Sneaky

Drawing your handgun without attracting unwanted attention is comprised of two points. The first is your movement speed. If your movement speed is fast or jerky it  most likely will attract the attention you are trying to avoid. The eyes are attracted to movement, faster movement is even more alluring. If you find your opponent distracted or otherwise occupied it is a great opportunity to employ a sneaky draw. The second is natural movement. If the movement to your holstered gun can be disguised or merged with other actions it has a tendency to draw less attention. If your hands are along your side it gives you the best chance. Once you have decided to move your hands above your waistline it will make disguising the movement to your holster more challenging.

One Handed as the Default

Here is where some will run into trouble, not practicing a one handed drawstroke from concealment. Most who are interested in a super fast drawstroke fail to put the time into practicing their one handed technique. It is assumed it is no big deal or they don’t need to practice. Big mistake. You do need to practice, in fact as our default technique we teach a one handed technique. Not only does it work well for a sneaky draw, but it allows you to use your weak hand for other tasks. It is much easier to sell the movement of only one extremity, versus two. Moving one hand slowly and even using the free hand as a distraction will go a long way.

Move Super Slow

Practicing for a sneaky draw is not difficult. The drawstroke doesn’t change. It is performed slowly with minimal movement. Don’t confuse slow with bad. You may feel an urgency to draw. I get it, but you still have to be sneaky. If the urgency didn’t require discretion then you would be going full speed. It is hard to keep your cool in a deadly force encounter. If you want the sneaky draw to work and the conditions are present, then moving slow through the initial drawstroke is the key. Once you have cleared the holster, the speed to target will be dictated by the situation. You may not even get to present due to proximity. Until then, stay cool and move slow.

I was concerned about discussing the subject in the open. We practice this regularly in our advanced carry classes and it is time more people started doing the same.