When you need a gun, you needed it like yesterday. Getting the gun from your holster onto target flawlessly requires solid technique and lots of practice.
Great honor
During our training classes I cannot wait to get to evolutions involving drawing from the holster. Think about it for a second, how amazing is it we as free men and women can carry a gun in a holster. Take a moment to appreciate how fortunate we are as citizens and a nation. Many throughout the world do not have this right. They may criticize, condemn or vilify those of us who exercise our right. Others it boils down jealously. For me, teaching the fundamentals of drawing from the holster to target is one of my greatest honors. I am passionate about the effort and product we produce.
Crawl first, then run
Drawing from the holster is not difficult, but there are important steps you cannot mess up if you expect to deliver effective fire on the target. We teach the drawstroke in a series of steps that are virtually identical going to the target as they are returning to the holster. The added fluidity of returning to the holster only helps to create a stronger grasp of the drawstroke. We begin new students with a simple three step process from their strong side hip using an on the belt holster. Like anything else you need to crawl before you run so obtaining a solid firing grip while the gun is still in your holster represents the most important step. I know it seems silly, but the mistake people make is thinking they know the best grip while the pistol is in the holster. What they need to do is obtain the best grip pointed at the target then slowly holster without changing the grip. Every time you draw from the holster this is the grip you want.
Danger close
The second step is often overlooked or not given attention; which is close contact. It is possible you will lack sufficient distance to fully extend the gun to the target. In times like this, coming to close contact to deal with an immediate threat may be your best option. Practicing from this position will provide you with this contingency in advance. You want to be familiar with this position, to be prepared in advance. It will be unlikely having not practiced this it will be of much use to you.
Drive it hard
The final step is driving the gun straight to the intended strike point on the target. Not the target in general, but a specific point on the target you intend to strike with your projectile. From close contact your hands will come together first then drive straight to the target using the most economical motion. Do not add extra movement, movement not required or that adds more time overall. Move the pistol in a fluid motion with the idea the front sight comes to rest exactly where you want the bullet to strike. Moving the gun so fast, you experience sight bounce at full extension is another mistake. Whatever time you might have made up by moving fast you throw away searching for your sights or worse you pull the trigger without confirming your sight’s position.
Holster work is a core skill for handgunning. Whether you are practicing on the range, attending a training class or carrying concealed you need to make working from the holster a priority.
