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Developing a uniform and consistent grip is oneof the most important aspects of developingspeed (not to mention accuracy), yet is one of themost ignored. Develop a strong and consistentgrip and watch how fast and accurate you get.peed is very important in thetactical employment of pistols. Mostoften, you will be responding to a threat,so you will already be “behind the powercurve.” Any increase in your speed isimportant. But I must point out that wewant “controlled speed.” An Old Westgunfighter once said, “No one was everkilled by a loud noise.” That statementis worthy of note! Always rememberthat the purpose of shooting is to hit.That is paramount and more importantthan speed.A slow hit that arrives on target longafter the fight is over is as worthless aslightning, like a shot that misses by amile. We must strive for balance betweenthe two extremes. We want a balancebetween the speed of the shot and theaccuracy of the hit. Let’s discuss how tofind that balance.There are three parts to presentingthe pistol and firing the shot. The firstis the movement of the pistol from theholster to the point position (on target).This must be done as quickly as humanlypossible, regardless of the size of, ordistance to, the target. The second partis the time spent on the pause to verifythe sight picture, as well as its alignmenton target. This is simultaneous with the“prepping” of the trigger. As the pistolarrives on target, the shooter must pauseat the top of the stroke in order to preparethe trigger for discharge, as well as toverify the sight picture. The time spenton this pause is greatly dependent uponthe difficulty of the shot. A large targetat three meters requires relatively littlesight picture verification; whereas a fiftymeter target will require considerablymore verification time, and a much moreprecise sight picture. The final portionof the presentation is simply holdingeverything in place while the last ouncesof pressure are applied to the trigger untilthe shot is fired.In order to gain speed, youmust perform the correct proceduresmoothly. This means the exclusion of allunnecessary motion specifically relatingto the procedure. This also means movingquickly from a position of rest. The bestway to develop the type of speed needed(without sacrificing accuracy) is to breakthe presentation down into its componentsand practice each one independently ofthe others. In other words, in phase one,you move the pistol up to the target as fastas possible without pressing the trigger. Inphase two, you prepare the trigger andverify the sight picture. In phase three,you hold everything in place as you exertthe final press on the trigger. Here aresome dry practice drills that will assistyou in developing controlled speed.Drill #1: After following the drypractice safety procedures, set up the drypractice target the appropriate distanceaway. With the fastest movement thatyou can muster, present the pistol tothe target. Make sure that you did nottake any shortcuts that violated safetyprinciples, such as covering your supporthand with the muzzle or touching thetrigger too soon.It is important that you do not pressthe trigger at this point. Continue theexercise until you can bring the pistolfrom the holster up to, and aligned with,the target in one second.Drill #2: Continue with drill #1,but add the preparation of the triggerand the verification of the sight picture.As the pistol rises into the line of sight,the trigger finger takes up the slack onthe trigger. When you arrive on target,do not let the trigger break. Controlthe trigger! Simultaneously, pick up thefront sight through the rear sight notch.Close the non-dominant eye and focuson the top edge of the front sight as itis perfectly aligned with the rear sightand super-imposed on the target. Holdthat position!This drill takes the act of firing theshot right to the very edge of discharge.Hold the trigger preparation and the sightpicture for one to two seconds. Mentallythink the words “pause” and “verify.” Donot allow the trigger to break.Drill #3: Continue with drill #2,taking the firing stroke to the very pointof discharge. Mentally think the words“pause,” “verify” and “press.” As soon asyou think “press,” press carefully throughthat final stage of the trigger. Monitor thefront sight for movement.Continued on page 34Volume 4 - May/June 2007 www.usconcealedcarry.comConcealed Carry Magazine 33