Gun Grips
Training with hand guns
I’m no hand gun expert, in fact my actual contact with real handguns is minimal, however, I do understand the importance of being able to handle a gun when it comes to Self Defence.
As with any other weapon, training with a gun should be treated in two ways.
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You’re unarmed and your opponent has a gun
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You both have a gun
There is the possible 3rd of you have a gun and your opponent doesn’t but we don’t train specifically for this because the training would be similiar to if both of you have a gun (although less similiar than other weapons).
If you are unarmed and your opponent has a gun you need to decide whether you are going to run, disarm or do as you’re told.
If running, don’t just run in a straight line. Simply running in slalom will greatly reduce the chance of you being hit from a fired bullet. Adding rolls will further increase your chances. It is alot harder to aim well compared to what we see in the movies (especially with a hand gun), even more so at a moving target and even harder again depending on the distance. In fact, chances are that the average joe on the street is not intending to actually use the gun and will just let you run away. On top of that, he probably won’t even have the gun ready for immediate firing e.g. the safety may be engaged, it may not be cocked etc. (you can learn to spot these things simply by familiarising yourself with different guns). This having been said, anyone with a gun should be taken seriously as if they know what they are doing and are willing to use it. It’s the common saying of never to underestimate your opponent.
If you plan to disarm your opponent the key is to grab the gun the moment he is distracted and move it so that you are out of the line of fire. Once you have hold of the gun, grip it for all your worth, using both hands to twist the gun away from you and towards the attacker with the aim of prying it from his hands or breaking his fingers. If you get hold of it or it falls free, kick or throw it out of range, or use it against him. Another handy hint is that revolvers and automatics will only fire the bullet that is in the chamber, immediately under the hammer, therefore, it is possible to prevent a second bullet being fired by holding the top slide of an automatic or gripping the cylinder of a revolver.
Attempting to disarm, however, may be much more risky than it’s worth. As a general rule, if confronted with a gun, just do as you’re told and only take physical action if you feel they will kill/rape etc. you regardless. This is even more true if your attacker holds an automatic/rifle/shotgun etc. and/or you think that he is professionally trained (military or other).
I don’t endorse the use of firearms but do understand the need to train with them just in case. It may just be that you successfully disarm an opponent, grab his gun, and then he pulls out another one (or his friend has one) and you need to know how to use it. A good way to do this without going to some type of military or gun nut camp (which I do not oppose, just don’t get brainwashed) is to use a water pistol to train drills and disarms (so you can see if you would have been shot) and then go to a shooting rangs to familiarise with different types of guns and feel what it is like to aim and shoot.
When training ‘gun drills’ remember the following points (these are mainly for hand guns):
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Keep it close
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Keep your aim on your target whilst moving. Include crouching, running, rolling, walking (use longer steps), closing in on your opponent, at distance etc
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Practice against multiple opponents and in different terrains
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Practice going down while drawing your weapon
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Remember your gun safety, hold it down if not using it and never point it at a friendly etc (you can research gun safety on the net)
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Use your legs to shield yourself from gunshots if nothing else is available
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When holding the gun, keep your wrist straight and use a smooth continuous movement. The top of your body should be stable but relaxed.
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Lastly, keep calm. You have no chance of aiming straight if you have the shakes.
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