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Lecture: 09-2005
“FAST AND FANCY
REVOLVER SHOOTING”
Continuing our study of
historical masters, we will look at Ed Mc Givern.
In the 1930’s McGivern wrote
extensively on his experience with handgun shooting. In his book of over 480 pages he described training concepts that
are completely familiar today.
In keeping with the dictate, “if
you want to learn a new technique, read an old book!” we will look at some of
the lessons McGivern wrote about nearly ľ of a century ago.
Using hand built electronic
timers; McGivern recorded five shot, unsighted groups that could be covered
with a “silver” half-dollar, fired at 15’ in 45/100 of a second. The average modern auto-pistol cycles about
13 times a second. McGivern’s revolver
was cycling at the outer reaches of the modern auto-pistol’s mechanical
capabilities.
He recorded one shot draws, with
hits on humanoid targets, in 2/5ths of a second.
He recorded one shot draws, with
hits on humanoid targets at 50 yards in 2 seconds.
ON GUN MODIFICATIONS
McGivern referred to modifying
handguns and springs as “mutilation”.
His overall opinion was they were the sign that the shooter needed a
psychological crutch.
He saw persistent, consistent,
studied, goal oriented practice as worth more than all the modifications and
gadgets available.
He preferred gold bead’s
embedded in his front sight blade. He
even put them on the front sight blade of his Remington over-under derringers.
He said the guns and ammo “of
today” are capable of greater accuracy than the shooter.
ON TRAINING FOR “PRACTICAL”
SHOOTING
The best way to learn and master
shooting is by shooting. Practice must
be persistent and goal oriented.
Begin training by shooting
standard sized targets at known distances in order to assure yourself you can
place shots. Then substitute bulls eye
targets with standard sized targets and known distances and shoot from all
manner of positions.
Target shooting is well worth
the effort. Any form of studied
shooting is worth while.
Precision shooting is critical
to practical shooting.
“Target shooting is to build the
ability to actually make hits in certain predetermined places and do it
regularly with reasonable certainty. It
is the underlying concept of all shooting we call practical, which means doing
the same thing we do on targets, without any guides or marks to assist us. In practical shooting we must perform these
skills more quickly, with less preparation and do so with less time lapse and
repeatedly in much shorter time. “These skills must be done in darkness or low
light; therefore you must be “familiar” with your firearm.
ON TRIGGER MANIPULATION
“The shooter must be able to
control the trigger properly during the entire time interval for getting the
shot away”
Trigger control is the
concentrated effort of success in all forms of shooting.
Trigger control means releasing
the shot at the instant that all things are correctly related and in proper
position for the shot required. (It is
all relative.)
It also means not releasing the
shot until all things required for the shot are in relative relationship.
It means the ability to hold the
trigger release until all matters that are causing interference have passed.
Trigger control means not
finishing the shot until all conditions are in place to accomplish the needed
shot.
That means you must have the
ability to apply 21/2 #’s of pressure on a 3# trigger and hold the remaining ˝
# until all disturbance has passed and the desired shot can be made. Do not release the 21/2 #’s. Hold until the conditions settle and finish
the last ˝#.
Trigger control is learned
through much careful, slow single action shooting.
Trigger control is the “mystery”
underlying all marvelous shooting performance.
The shorter the barrel, the more
important the trigger control.
ON TRAINING FOR PRACTICAL
SHOOTING
A student, under the guidance of
a competent instructor who willingly and consistently follows the instructions
and advice of the instructor will make more progress and develop more ability
than someone who engages in haphazard experimentation.
Shooting instructors will only
get a little better than medium, average results from a specific pupil unless
he recognizes the student’s individual mental and physical equipment.
No two people walk, talk, eat,
work or play the same – because they are different physically and mentally –
why would they physically handle the gun the same?
Guns, through production
standards come with standard size, form and dimension with interchangeable
parts. People do not.
Do not waste time looking for
artificial aides – you won’t need them.
Everything that is needed for success is contained right within
yourself!
Skill is developed and
maintained by persistent practice. It
is developed by consistent training and study.
It is developed through a system of study, application and training
intelligently pursued.
“Repeating and studying these
processes and experiences is the method of procedure by which we must develop
what is termed exceptional skill.”
ON THE PRESENTATION
Speed (of presentation) is the
result of practice and training which finally brings all movement under
subconscious control.
Time can not be gained. It must be saved by the systematic study of
the various interrelated movements absolutely necessary for the
performance. All movements must be
reduced to the smallest # and the shortest distance.
The shooter must be able to
grasp his gun in such a way that it lays and balances in his hand when it
leaves the holster in practically the same relative position it assumes when he
does deliberate shooting.
The sense of feel that comes
from knowing when the gun is pointed “just right” comes from repeatedly
sighting the gun and getting the “feel of when they (the sights) are correctly
aligned. Then the shooter must learn
rapid aimed fire.
Getting your hand on the gun in
a hurry is only a small part of the job.
Getting your hand closed around the gun is the key to success in
delivering the shots.
“If you find it necessary to
resort to the quick draw to get out of a tight spot and you are risking
everything on the successful outcome of the attempt, watch exactly what the
other fellow is doing, also watch his every reaction in response to what you
do. In other words, study your opponent
without 9if possible) giving him any outward evidence of any emotion or
intention on your part. Study closely just how he reacts to certain behavior on
your part and try to foresee, so far as possible, his next move in order to
forestall it. Keep your mental impulse
to act quickly keyed up to the highest tension under which you can still keep
it firmly under control. Remember at
all times than the degree to which you can consistently perform any of these
quick-draw shooting performances, depends to a very great extent on just how
persistently you study and practice.”
Speed without fairly consistent
accuracy means nothing whatsoever.
ON THE STANCE
There is no “one best position”.
Always try to be comfortable in
mind and body. Adopt a position that is
suitable and comfortable for you. Find
a stance that provides steadiness and comfort coupled with speed and necessary
freedom of movement.
Shooting involves positive
movement, properly controlled, correctly timed and accurately directed.
Body balance involves absolute
freedom of body and leg movement and then skillful control determines the
ability to deliver accurate blows in boxing and shooting.
Speed without fairly consistent
accuracy means nothing whatsoever.
ON UC
The most proficient men in all
lines and branches of the shooting game are, and always have been, the
originators, not the imitators.
The most important subject to be
studied in connection with all the super speed and positive movement
proficiency is you.
The development of subconscious
control is, in my estimation, the most important point to be considered.
As we proceed with this subject
it should be constantly kept in mind that a man is an organism for reacting on
impressions, his mind is there to help determine his reactions, and the purpose
of his education is to make them numerous, immediate and perfect.
It is to be remembered that
muscles are never active except as stimulated to action by the nervous system
and it must also be kept in mind that a great part of the essence of success is
contained in perseverance. Resolute
action in preference to alibis.
The ability to maintain physical
and mental balance while under pressure is the mark of the professional.
Danger does not interfere with
their (professionals) positive movements, properly controlled, and correctly
timed and accurately directed.
The self-generated start
results, in all cases, depending largely on who first issues the signal and
first directs the impulse to act.
McGivern’s book is one of many,
written long ago that reminds us that, where men and fighting are concerned,
there is nothing new under the sun!
ATSA Study Day Shooting Drills
4/5TH’S OF A SECOND
Pit 3
Props: IDPA target with ATSA 3” dots
Purpose: To attempt to duplicate the shooting feats
of Ed McGivern
Process: The Practitioner assumes a position in front
of the target at a distance of 5 yards.
His weapon is in his hand and pointed at one of the five 4” dots. At the sound of the audible signal he fires
five rounds into the chosen dot.
The time lapse from first to
last shot is recorded as is the overall diameter of the group.
The Practitioner repeats the
exercise on each of the five 3” dots.
Times and diameter of the groups is recorded for each run.
2/5TH’S OF A SECOND
Pit 2
Props: IDPA target
Purpose: To attempt to duplicate Ed McGivern’s one
shot draw in 2/5ths of a second.
Process: The Practitioner takes a position 10 ft in
front on the target which is 10 feet away.
Using a self-generated start, the Practitioner draws and fires one shot
onto the target. If a hit is acquired,
the time is recorded.
The drill is repeated 10
times.
The RO uses a timer set on auto
start when the start button is released.
At the first movement of the Practitioner the RO releases the timer
activator button.
The Practitioner should do all
shooting one handed and the weapon should do no more than clear the holster.
SCOOT AND SHOOT
Pit 4
Props: The large hanging plates.
At 10 yards a charge line that crosses the entire length of the plates
is drawn on the ground. Another set of
lines are drawn starting at mid-point on the first charge line with each line
traveling at about a 45degree angle to each berm.
Purpose: To allow the Practitioner an opportunity to
practice shooting while on the move and with strong and weak hand.
Process: The Practitioner assumes a position at the
far left side of the charge line that is parallel to the plates. On the start signal he moves along the
charge line engaging each steel target with one round, left hand only.
He then assumes a position at
the far right side of the same charge line and repeats the exercise while
moving right to left along the charge line using his right hand only.
The Practitioner then assumes a
position at the end of the diagonal line at the left side of the pit and moves
along that diagonal to the center of the parallel charge line engaging the
steel targets as he moves.
He repeats the exercise from the
diagonal charge line on the right hand berm to the center of the parallel
charge line.
50 YARDS IN TWO SECONDS
Pit 1
Props: The 50 yard steel plate on Pit #1
Purpose: To attempt to duplicate the one shot draw of
Ed McGivern
Process: The Practitioner faces the 50 yard steel
target. On his own initiation he draws
and places one round on the steel plate.
The RO uses a timer set to activate when the button is released. When the Practitioner begins his
presentation the RO activates the timer.