By Kyle Lamb

In an earlier article, “Training Mindset” (link to this article on website) I discussed the mindset I use when drawing a pistol. I also referred to discussion about the presentation. So here we go.

If you haven’t read that article here is what you missed when we discuss drawing the pistol quickly. I listed a couple tricks, first is to listen to the beep of your timer, the beginning of that beep is the signal. Not a beep and then draw the pistol. Secondly the firing hand needs to go to the pistol as quickly as possible and attain a firing grip, or the closest to a firing grip as possible while the pistol is in the holster. This snappy action will immediately speed up your draw stroke.

If you have a retention device on that holster, this is also the time that is deactivated to allow a smooth removal of the pistol from the holster.

Here is where it gets a little tricky, your support hand needs to move into a position to receive the firing hand and the pistol once removed from the holster. I use a trick of touching my chest or solar plexus with the support hand which then puts it in the vicinity of meeting the firing hand with pistol. I say this is tricky when in fact it is “Mindset” again. If your mindset is to be snappy with the firing hand to go to the pistol, mirror that with quickly moving the support hand to touch your chest. If you feel like this is wasted movement you will quickly see that it allows a smoother transition to get both hands onto the pistol as well as a more repeatable position 3.

Let me backtrack slightly now, since maybe positions 1-4 don’t make sense to you, yet.

Position 1 is the firing hand getting into position to pull the pistol from the holster. Position 2 is actually pulling the pistol from the holster. Position 3, which I call the retention position, is when both hands contact each other and you attain your firing grip. Position 4 is the pistol pushed into a position to shoot.

So back to the beginning, you have made a quick movement to get your hand onto the pistol, ready to draw, not drawing the pistol but ready to draw. You have deactivated any retention device. You are now ready to smoothly draw the pistol, bypassing position 2 moving to position 3. Your support hand has touched your chest and is now ready to receive.

I use the bottom of the trigger guard as a reference point for my support hand’s index finger to touch. Once I feel this touch point, I am ready to simply push the pistol towards the target, rotating my support hand into the correct shooting position as I present.

If you have a safety, such as on a 1911 or any of the newer wide body pistols, this is when this safety is pushed down. It is important to leave your thumb on that safety for extra leverage against recoil and ensure the safety isn’t accidentally pushed back up. 

With both hands in their shooting positions it is easy to simply place your finger on the trigger to start the prep process. Your sights will become level on the target, allowing you to fire accurately.

During this draw process, at no time should the sights go above your intended target. If you have a tendency to porpoise the pistol, this will eliminate that wasted movement. I use this technique because it allows me to engage close targets more rapidly. As long as the pistol is level you will have a good chance of hitting your target. Think contact type targets, within 1-2 yards.

The initial grip on the pistol is importantly. If you have the correct reference points, the pistol will go where you are looking. If you skip any of these steps there is a good chance you will have to shift your grip to hit the target. Not an efficient way to be quick. And by the way, speed counts in a gunfight, but only of you hit your target.

When I teach pistol classes, the only speed I ask for initially is the movement to position 1. After that I am only looking for a smooth draw. With the support hand touching your chest it won’t slow the draw it will make a perfect draw consistent and repeatable.

Now clear your pistol, work this techniques with dry fire. When you think you have it perfected, head to the range to see if you are as smooth as you think.

If you don’t have a shot timer, get one. In my next article I will discuss the use of the shot timer to increase speed and consistency. 

Thanks for tuning in and reading these articles. All feedback is welcomed, please drop us a line at Lamb@vikingtactics.com and tell us what you think and what other articles we should add to future newsletters.

See you on the range, Kyle Lamb, Viking Tactics, Inc.