Hollywood versus Reality: Running with a handgun?

[rustycrusty]

There are some constants between competition shooting and defensive/combative shooting when it comes to movement because the most important goals are the same

1- don't die
2- don't kill anyone you shouldn't
3- win

the third goal is accomplished in very different ways even between shooting sports and will be different every time in defensive/combative situations.

The first two goals are rather unchanging. 1 is pretty easy. Even novice shooters are generally aversive to pointing pistols at themselves. I did say 'generally' and we all know exceptions to this.

The best and most instinctive way to not point a gun at yourself while you are running is to not jerk the gun around a lot. You don't see videos of competitive shooters or combat shooters running wih a full sprinters arm pump. The pistol is always held with less movement than the arm without it.

Second to that, the pistol is held in a manner where is can easily be controlled when falling. this seems to be instinct for many shooters as well. I notice that every champion shooter and combat shooter I watch runs with the pistol floating away from the body and generally in front of the face, or with the pistol held close and controlled by both hands 'sul' position.

Last, I notice that the pistol always points in the direction of travel unless it is held on target. Comp shooters tend to point towards a target of they have one, but when they don't they point forward. It is hardest to manipulate a gun to point at your torso when the gun is pointed directly forward and held there purposefully. I know this from grappling with sim guns. It is much easier to have it torqued into your body if it is pointed across body. Even in sul position, the gun points down, but at midline with energy most easily directed out straight forward into a isosceles stance.

Number 2 is all about trigger control. If if you are to slip the instinct is to shoot hands out to catch you. Getting limbs out while falling would give best probability for missing yourself with an ND. also remember- when falling, you don't have to pull the trigger for the gun to go off. There is plenty of shit around in the real world that can pull a trigger on a gun being pressed into and skidded along the ground or any other surface. Trigger control goes beyond keeping your finger off the trigger. Wrestle with a gun or fall in a bush with a gun and you will understand what I mean. I have had a t shirt pull the trigger while grappling. No solid advice here other than to practice awareness of what's around the trigger.