Hollywood versus Reality: Running with a handgun?

[boomerhc9]

To preface the question, I have done movement drills with rifles, but have not done much beyond engage and holster, move drills with pistols.

I watched a variety of Hollywood fluff and always noticed folks running with pistols drawn. Does anyone really do that?

It was my thought process of muzzle control, trigger discipline, overall control of the firearm goes to crap when you take off running down a street with a handgun...

Just my thoughts, but for those of you with more experience is this a training scenario that happens?

I do, and have seen people running with handguns out of the holsters all the time at matches. I havn't been in a warzone, and don't train by running down tejon street with my gun out.

I guess I am more referencing the people that you see hauling ass with their pistols drawn. I am all about the uspca style of moving with a purpose with a weapon drawn, but just always wondered about the folks you see sprinting etc.

Don't see a lot of folks around here running around with their guns out other than at matches, but this is just shithole colorado springs. Other places may be different.

I am talking real world tactics, not competition, but getting to use a environment to test skills and drills under stress without the added bonus of bullets flying in your general direction is always nice.

I guess I will say this. One poster said something about being programmed to shoot twice, then move. I shoot competitions, but I wouldn't do this. I would attempt to shoot until the threat stopped, I probably wouldn't just stand in place, I'd probably try to make it a little harder for the other person.

If in said gunfight, I had to reload, or was in a bad spot, I'd try to get behind something that would stop a bullet. I don't think however, that I'd shoot, holster, move to cover, unholster and reload, reholster, run to a new place, unholster and shoot, holster.. etc

[Irving]

I'm very confident that in a real life situation I wouldn't remember to do anything and would just stand right where I was and fire from out in the open like a dummy.

[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.

[RMAC757]

Sounds corny but I use a replica Airsoft of my XDm to practice in my basement. I do this a lot and it has cut down on my draw time and reload times. Target acquisitions has been a big focus of mine. Making the right call to shoot in a crowded area. Rule #4 which is often plays last on our list of priorities. I've also practiced engaging multiple targets while moving towards cover. It's amazing what just a little practice will do in a non-threat environment. A buddy old me "it ain't worth killing for if it ain't worth dying for". Pretty profound, and sound advice. Coloccw hit the nail on the head. Every situation is gonna be different. I just try to improve the areas I can while maintaining proficiency. The Airsogt gun is just a tool, like a blue gun. I want muscle memory to take over so my brain can focus on task at hand.

[MarkCO]

That is not corny at all. Dry-fire is a proven skill builder as is airsoft. Anything that increases your weapon familiarity and overall skill is of great benefit. While there are certainly crusty old trainers that put down the action shooting sports, the fact of the matter is that all of the top trainers of Mil and LE are in fact involved in competitive shooting in one form or another. They all agree that the cross-over is not only beneficial, but almost imperative. Spend any amount of time with Seeklander, the AMU, etc. and you will see that the more you know about the use of weapons at speed, shooting on the move, etc, the better your chance of survival will be if you do in fact end up needing to use a firearm.

[Irving]

There are guys that have treadmills in their garage/basement that they use to practice shooting on the move with their airsoft guns.

[MarkCO]

Are you peeping on me Irving.

[Irving]

No, but I sometimes regret getting rid of our treadmill.

[HoneyBadger]

There are guys that have treadmills in their garage/basement that they use to practice shooting on the move with their airsoft guns.

Hilarious.

[Irving]

Why is that funny? I can't think of a much better way to practice shooting on the move at home.