Getting the Gun Into the Fight: Quick Draw Handgun Techniques

A fellow instructor and I were recently discussing techniques surrounding the draw process. The epicenter of the discussion was what position the support hand should be in during the draw process. The other instructor argued for the support hand to be in a higher, more “combative” position, which allows the hand to be used to protect or strike if the situation is close enough to allow empty-hand techniques.

I often encounter students who position their hand high like this, and it is something I discuss with them due to the fact that it slows their draw down because they have to bring the hand down and under the handgun to get it on the grip when forming their grip. This also affects how well they build their final firing grip and ultimately how well they shoot. Their argument is always that the high (often up near the face) hand allows them to defend their head or throw a strike. While I consider this a valid argument, I ask if they are close enough to strike the opponent, is drawing at that time (and distance) the best option? This makes them think and most of the time their answer is no.

Combative Draw

Used and taught in defensive and tactical circles, this process emphasizes accessing the firearm from a holster with the intent of being able to use the off hand to strike or defend. This draw differs from a speed draw in that the end user is less concerned with speed to the first shot. More emphasis is placed on technique that will allow the user to flow to a close-quarters position, shoot to extension (in some cases), etc.

Each process has a different emphasis (speed versus combative use of the off hand), and this is often where the line is drawn between competitive and tactical (defensive) shooters. I will attempt to erase that line by getting you to think about the end goal in the fight at different distances.

You might be wondering which draw process I embrace. The answer is neither! I don’t think of fighting from a “one answer” angle. I approach the fight from a principle-based angle and believe that if the end user trains for and follows the basic principles that are dictated by distance, he will increase his chances of success. The following will help you better understand the different distances in the potential fight, and what I believe to be the best actions (and goal) at each distance.

To introduce certain principles and get you to think logically about what techniques might make more sense than others, let’s look at the fight in terms of distance, since it is the determining factor that dictates your best options to access the gun.

Extreme Close Range

Distance: One yard or less.

Attributes: Very close, most likely contact distance where the individuals are striking or grabbing each other. Body motion will be wild and aggressive. Maintaining a stationary position will be nearly impossible.

Goals: Protect your head. Keep from getting knocked down or out. Utilize empty-hand or edged-weapon skills to work either to distance or same-side access control, which will allow you to access and draw your firearm without having the draw impeded or losing the gun. Same-side access control is defined as having control of the opponent (usually the arm) in a manner where you can reach for your gun without his being able to impede this process.

Close Range

Distance: Two to five yards.

Attributes: Close, within one or several steps to contact. Too close for most to effectively draw their gun and get shots on target unless a close-quarters technique is used.

Goals: Create distance (if possible) with lateral or angular movement. Rearward movement will not allow distance if the aggressor is chasing. As the distance closes, protect your head, keep from getting knocked down or out, and utilize empty-hand or edged-weapon skills to work either to distance or same-side access control, which will allow you to access and draw your firearm without having the draw impeded or losing the gun.

Correct Actions

The goals at this distance are very similar to the extreme close-range goals. This is because the distance can be closed so fast that you can find yourself in a close-range attack that turns into a contact-distance attack in about one second. I recommend creating distance in this case, but to be honest, getting distance against someone motivated to close that distance is nearly impossible. In cases where distance cannot be gained, you must simply default to empty-hand techniques to disrupt the attacker or gain same-side access and control.

Medium to Long Range

Distance: Seven or more yards.

Attributes: Long-distance attack, rarely found in civilian self-defense situations. Far enough for skilled end users to effectively draw their gun and get shots on target.

Goals: Keep distance with lateral or angular offline movement. Place obstacles between the aggressor and yourself. Access the firearm after or during movement offline. Maintaining a stationary position is the worst thing to do unless the situation requires it (e.g., family members to protect, no space to move), because even though the distance allows a speed draw, the shots on target may not effectively stop the threat if he is closing distance quickly. Using movement to extend the distance or placing obstacles between you are often the best choices, and doing this while drawing might compromise the movement. If cover or an obstacle are not options, utilize the fastest draw possible to get shots on target to neutralize your attacker.

Correct Actions

Accessing the firearm is important, but when you break down the process, the most important action is often to move as opposed to draw. As with the close-quarters default response of drawing, I have often found that the default at longer ranges is to draw the gun while standing still, even against an aggressor who has already established a grip on his own weapon (gun or knife). In this case, drawing while standing still almost always results in getting shot or cut.

You cannot outdraw someone who has already accessed a gun, and even if you use the fastest speed draw in the world, you will likely not effectively stop the threat fast enough to keep from getting shot. A knife or contact weapon armed opponent will close the distance very quickly and, unless movement is used to keep the space or an obstacle is placed between you and the aggressor, the fight will turn into a close-quarters battle once again. Movement offline (left, right, or at slight angles in these directions toward obstacles or cover) is the key. Sprint movement is often best, but several aggressive steps in either direction if there is a close obstacle are also effective.

Drawing will often slow the movement down, so unless you can effectively draw from standing still to a dead sprint, I recommend moving first and then drawing when you get to where you are going. A caveat: some of you may not have the physical ability to move like this. Your options are limited but simple enough. Use an effective speed draw to get shots on target and hopefully neutralize the threat before he can harm you or others.