Preparation is key to concealed-carry success, so make sure you take the time to prepare! Here are 4 drills for skills with the smaller end of the spectrum. Read on…
SOURCE: NRA Publications, by Ed Head
Small, easily concealed handguns have become an increasingly popular choice among firearm consumers. It makes sense to assume many of these pistols are carried in pockets. Pocket carry may actually be the most-popular mode of carry, but I wonder how many folks actually practice with it? Being small, lightweight, and often equipped with miniscule sights and heavy trigger pulls, pocket pistols aren’t the easiest guns to shoot well. Then again, attributes such as compact size and light weight make these handguns easy to carry around. Some folks use them as primary-defense pistols, while others relegate them to the role of backup guns.
There are a good number of folks who often rely on a pocket pistol but spend their practice time with a larger handgun. Don’t assume that because you’re confident and competent with the preferred “full-size” pistol that you’ve developed the skill set necessary for equal competence on the pistol you perhaps more likely will have to rely on.
Pocket pistols should be carried in a holster! Well-made pocket holsters protect against accidental firing by covering the trigger, position the gun in the same way in the pocket every time and break up the outline of the gun, making it more concealable and less likely to “print” while in the pocket. With the pistol in the pocket, you should be able to obtain a firing grip, with your finger straight along the outside of the holster, and pull the gun from the pocket, leaving the holster behind. Now here’s the important part: Never, ever attempt to re-holster the gun with the holster in the pocket. Keeping the pistol pointed in a safe direction, finger off the trigger, safety on (if there is one), take the holster out of the pocket, re-insert the pistol, then carefully place the holstered handgun back into the pocket.
Depending upon how big you are and the size and cut of your pockets, you may wish to pocket carry with the pistol in a front trouser pocket or rear pocket. Pocket carry is possible in jacket pockets as well. Have you ever seen a police officer approach a driver with his or her support hand in a jacket pocket? You can bet that hand is grasping a gun, most likely a small revolver. While not strictly pocket carry, I know people who use a pocket holster as an inside the waistband holster, either in the appendix or behind the hip position. The same careful holstering rules apply to this carry method.
Here are a few drills you can practice with your pocket pistol. If you’re really comfortable with drawing the pocket gun, start these drills with the handgun holstered. If not, it’s best to start with the pistol in the hands at a low-ready, muzzle-depressed position. After each shooting drill, top off or reload the pistol and carefully and safely return it to your starting position. This isn’t a quick-draw drill. Take your time and keep the finger off the trigger until your sights are on target. Considering the role of the pocket pistol, you can do these drills at close range — 3 to 7 yards — on paper. If you want to practice on steel targets, maintain a safe distance of 7 yards or farther.
Drill #1: Fire 2 rounds to the vital zone of your target. Repeat. Total of 4 rounds.
Drill #2: Fire 2 rounds to the vital zone of your target and 1 round to the head zone. Repeat. Total of 6 rounds.
Drill #3: With two targets placed side by side, fire 2 rounds to the vital zone of each target. Repeat. Total of 8 rounds.
Drill #4: Repeat Drills 1 through 3 by taking a step to the side as you bring the pistol up on target. Total of 18 rounds.
A little practice with your pocket pistol will pay big dividends in improving your accuracy and confidence. Put down your favorite big pistol for a while and spend some time with your little, constant companion.
