5 Day Pistol Course - Lesson 7

Type: Practice (live ammunition)

Time: 1 hour

Venue: Title: Basic Pistol Course- Lesson 7

Range

Students: 12

Student Equipment: 12 X Pistols

36 X Pistol magazines

180 X pistol rounds per student

Instructor Equipment: 1 X Pistol

3 X Pistol magazine

50 X pistol rounds

Assistant Instructors (AI'S): 2 (Names)

PRELIMINARY ACTIVITIES:

Prior to arrival of students:

- Write lesson title on board.

- Set up classroom chairs.

- Layout 1 X pistol, 3 x magazines and 180 rounds under each chair if students are not providing their own.

- Safety check all weapons.

- Inspect all magazines, no live rounds/ensure working.

- If used, load/check PowerPoint.

On arrival of students:

- Safety declaration, check no live rounds.

- Seat.

CONDUCT OF LESSON

This lesson, Pistol-Lesson 7, Double taps vs controlled pairs and Facing Movements. I am the primary instructor (if first time with students, give name and background) and I will be assisted by (introduce the assistant instructors).

Introduction

EXPLAIN- During an armed encounter, you will not always be graced by your target approaching you from the front. There is a high possibility, especially in encounters with multiple targets, that some of your assailants will approach from the side or the rear. You will need to be able to turn towards your target on potentially uneven surfaces while maintaining your balance and situational awareness.

The quickest way to end a gunfight is to hit what you are aiming at. While speed takes precedence over accuracy at close ranges (and vice versa at long), no threat was ever neutralized by a fast miss! We need to hit what we are shooting at, firstly to end the engagement as quickly as possible, and secondly to minimize collateral damage.

Objective

EXPLAIN- At the conclusion of this lesson, you will be able to demonstrate turning to engage your target and your ability to fire rapid aimed shots.

Review

EXPLAIN- The previous lesson, Lesson 6, covered Reaction times, Recoil management, Multiple targets, Man v man, Fundamentals Evaluation, Drawing the pistol.

Here are some questions for you:

Explain the sequence of events for drawing the pistol?

What should our shot intervals be?

Double Taps vs Controlled Pairs

EXPLAIN & DEMONSTRATE – The sight picture we need at close range will be different to that we need at longer ranges. In this part of the lesson we'll evaluate what works for you. Students will require 90 – 120 rounds. The instructor will demonstrate shooting an 8 inch dot at 7 yards using different methods of firing two shots in rapid succession. The demonstration will include:

• Point shooting (instinctive shooting) – engagement of a target by pointing the weapon at the target without relying on the use of sights.
• Double Tap (Hammer) – Two shots fired at the same target fired in rapid succession utilizing one sight picture.
• Sighted shooting - Two shots fired at the same target fired in rapid succession utilizing a sight picture for each shot fired.
• Have the students perform this drill from the low ready position before moving to the draw. Allow the students to perform point shooting dry prior to going live. On completion of the drill at 7 yards, move the students back to 15 yards and note the difference in results.
• Introduce the shot timer so students can see how they perform on the clock using that technique and self-evaluate their accuracy using that technique at differing ranges.
• Repeat for the other two techniques.
• Emphasize the effectiveness of different sight pictures at differing ranges.

Ask if any questions

Facing Movements

EXPLAIN & DEMONSTRATE – These drills will be conducted at 7 yards on an 8inch dot. Students will be asked to turn to the left or right at 90 degrees to the target or turnabout with the target to their rear. Weapons will be in the low ready position with the muzzle pointing 6 – 12 inches in front of their feet. Weapons will remain on safe (where applicable) with fingers away from the trigger until the pistol is pointing towards their target. Students will require 30 - 60 rounds.

• When facing left 90 degrees away from the target (i.e. the target is on the students right) the student should pivot on the strong foot (right for a right handed shooter and left for a left handed shooter), moving the support foot into position to acquire the correct shooting stance (where possible).

• When facing right 90 degrees away from the target (i.e. the target is on the students left) the student should pivot on the strong foot (left for a right handed shooter and right for a left handed shooter), moving the support foot into position to acquire the correct shooting stance (where possible).
• When facing 180 degrees away from the target (back to target) the student should be capable of pivoting on either side foot bringing the other side foot into position.

• Students will all turn in the same direction to engage their respective targets, particularly when turning completely about.
• Instructors and students should pay particular attention to their muzzle during these practices.

Students should be reminded that where possible they should be stepping forward into ground they can see to be clear of obstacles vs stepping backwards into uncleared ground and risk falling over an unseen obstacle.

Ask if any questions

PRACTICE AS MUCH AS TIME PERMITS

Ask if any questions

Ask the students questions for final confirmation

Summary

EXPLAIN- Becoming familiar with what sight picture you require at differing ranges to place a rapid, accurate shot while maintaining a stable (if unorthodox) shooting platform will greatly assist you in a gunfight should be unfortunate enough to be involved in one .

Look Forward

EXPLAIN- Your next lesson is Lesson 7, Double Taps vs Controlled Pairs and Facing Movements.

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