How fast is your draw?

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  • Trapper Jim

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    22   0   0
    Dec 18, 2012
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    Confidence Builder. You know how when you get a fumbled draw with all this practicing on the clock, where you just hit the beeper to start again?
     

    Jon Smith

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    Aug 30, 2021
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    Several years ago, my wife bought me a ruger with a de-cocker on it.

    I got rid of that thing so fast it would makeyour head swim! :)
     

    backtrail540

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    Aug 3, 2008
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    Angola, IN
    Just curious - how fast is your draw and how accurate is it? I carry appendix and I can (not under duress) get a consistent 2.5 second draw and hit the 9/10 ring from 5 yards or so. I am trying to get to a 1.5 second draw and I can do it now but my grip and my aim goes to hell. I can still hit the target but its sloppy and is definitely not in the 9/10 ring.

    View attachment 169818
    1.1x-2.5x pending garment, distance, high or low % target etc...

    For a sighted shot (aka not from retention etc...) the presentation is the same speed and consistency regardless of target size and distance - the difference being the amount of effort needed in sight picture and trigger manipulation. I see a lot of people slow down at all steps in the process as target difficulty or distance increase and that's a lot of low hanging fruit to be grabbed.

    Garments can add some variation.

    For instance, my last range session I was getting reps from under a winter coat and drawing to a TA targets mini dap from 7-50 yards. Despite the winter coat, I was still able to hold that window (except for a bad draw at 50 that was corrected and still only added a couple tenths). 4/6 @ 50 and 4/5 @ 25 but my colder draws at 10 yards on the same target were fairly slow, on par with what I was later doing at 25. Chalk that up to being less warmed up with the garment or cold performance or just the garment taking more effort to clear - likely all the above.




    There is a difference when working on skill building vs something like the No Fail shot where you absolutely can't miss but one is needed to build the other.


    50 yards winter coat


    25 yards winter coat


    10 yards winter coat
     

    88E30M50

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    Dec 29, 2008
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    I’ve been working with a shot timer lately and am slightly under 2 seconds for the first shot after the draw and about 2.5 seconds for 3 rounds in an 8 inch circle at 5 yards. It needs work. I am down to about 1.5 seconds during dry fire but that jumps back to just under 2 under live fire.

    I’ve been working with different calibers and have noticed something that I used to see with my Glock 23. When I shoot a Sig P229 9mm vs a P229 in .357 Sig, I go from about .25 split times with the 9 to .33 with the .357 Sig. But, my groups tighten up with the .357 Sig. I used to see a similar thing when I shot the G23 vs the G19s I used to have. The .40 was a bit slower for me but I was more accurate with them than I was with the 9mm.

    I’ve found that an unzipped jacket adds just over a half second to the draw. A safety equipped gun adds a bit too. With a CZ P10C, I was able to draw and fire in just under 1.8 seconds but with a P226 SAO, it jumped back to near 2.0. The heavier Sig was easier to shoot faster but again, I was outrunning my ability to be as accurate as my.

    My goal for 2022 is to focus on a single gun and practice dry fire draw daily and live fire weekly. I have no real goal but want to see if I can improve both accuracy with the 9mm while possibly getting the live fire draw stroke down to 1.5 seconds.

    I’ll never been the best or fastest at the range, but do want to see what I can get to as I approach my 60th birthday in about a year.
     

    Jon Smith

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    Aug 30, 2021
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    I'm glad that you have decided to work on that. It can be a confidence builder as well.
    Remember, it doesn't matter that you'rethe fastest at the range, but that you know what you can do when the chips are down.
    Also I might add, knowing when not to draw can be more important than a fast draw.
    Me, I am getting old and slow so I have my wife carry. She's younger. LOL
    Keepworking on that, it sounds like you're doing well.
     

    JCSR

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    May 11, 2017
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    3 shots to A zone 7 yards M&P 9mm shield concealed. Consistently under 1.9 most days.

    SWZvVIz.jpg
     

    88E30M50

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    Dec 29, 2008
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    That's impressive. I'll never be fast, but I do want to be consistent and accurate. I also need to get rid of bad habits that I developed. For instance, I found that my grip was inconsistent when drawing from a holster and realized that I was lifting the gun from the holster with my fingertips, then trying to get a firing grip. When I went back to planting the web of my hand firmly, then wrapping my fingers around the grip, the grip issue went away and group size improved.
     

    gregkl

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    Apr 8, 2012
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    Long story.

    Longer range session today than normal. 240 rounds today.

    At breakfast with some friends yesterday I mentioned that I really want to focus on one gun for the year. In fall of 2020 I put a dot on my M&P Compact and shot it all winter. At some point in spring I was at the range with a friend and I let him shoot my 1911 9mm. The following weekend I realized that I didn't even shoot it that day so I took it with me and put rounds downrange; the first time in well over a year. I ran my drills faster and scored better with it than I did my Compact even after shooting the Compact all winter. So for the summer I shot the 1911 with iron sights closing my left eye and seeing a fuzzy front sight. I am cross dominant and have old eyes requiring reading glasses.

    That breakfast conversation had me thinking if I really want to focus on one gun, I need to pick one and get after it.

    So today I ran the SCAT drill 4 times. Twice with my RO(1911) and twice with my compact. I was hoping to see a glaring difference between the two.

    Here are some of my stats:

    Higher score with the RO, but Compact group(s) were tighter

    Average draw to first round RO: 1.76; Compact: 1.98

    Accuracy RO: 76 & 77
    Accuracy Compact: 77 & 75

    I ran one drill with each firearm using a factory load and one using 3.6 gr TG under a 125gr TC Blue Bullet. Softer load. Didn't seem to affect things much. I was 0.12 seconds faster on the draw with the RO and 0.02 faster on the Compact with the reloads.

    All that said, given that many of you know my biggest issue is being an overthinker, I figure I can do the following:

    1. Stick with the Compact and learn to shoot the dot since my eyes are not that great.

    2. Shoot the RO and just accept that I'm not following the "rules" since I'm closing an eye and seeing a fuzzy sight but won't be getting any better with the dot which is on my .22 pistol, my 15-22 and on my AR when it's completed.

    I think I can learn how to be effective with the Compact and possibly go beyond what I can do with iron sights, I don't know.

    At the end of the day, I sent a few rounds at steel plates out 50 yards. I was able to hit the steel with both though I do recall it taking a few extra shots with the iron sighted pistols( I also shot my Shield at that distance).

    If anyone makes it through this, I'm interested in your input.
     

    cedartop

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    Apr 25, 2010
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    North of Notre Dame.
    Long story.

    Longer range session today than normal. 240 rounds today.

    At breakfast with some friends yesterday I mentioned that I really want to focus on one gun for the year. In fall of 2020 I put a dot on my M&P Compact and shot it all winter. At some point in spring I was at the range with a friend and I let him shoot my 1911 9mm. The following weekend I realized that I didn't even shoot it that day so I took it with me and put rounds downrange; the first time in well over a year. I ran my drills faster and scored better with it than I did my Compact even after shooting the Compact all winter. So for the summer I shot the 1911 with iron sights closing my left eye and seeing a fuzzy front sight. I am cross dominant and have old eyes requiring reading glasses.

    That breakfast conversation had me thinking if I really want to focus on one gun, I need to pick one and get after it.

    So today I ran the SCAT drill 4 times. Twice with my RO(1911) and twice with my compact. I was hoping to see a glaring difference between the two.

    Here are some of my stats:

    Higher score with the RO, but Compact group(s) were tighter

    Average draw to first round RO: 1.76; Compact: 1.98

    Accuracy RO: 76 & 77
    Accuracy Compact: 77 & 75

    I ran one drill with each firearm using a factory load and one using 3.6 gr TG under a 125gr TC Blue Bullet. Softer load. Didn't seem to affect things much. I was 0.12 seconds faster on the draw with the RO and 0.02 faster on the Compact with the reloads.

    All that said, given that many of you know my biggest issue is being an overthinker, I figure I can do the following:

    1. Stick with the Compact and learn to shoot the dot since my eyes are not that great.

    2. Shoot the RO and just accept that I'm not following the "rules" since I'm closing an eye and seeing a fuzzy sight but won't be getting any better with the dot which is on my .22 pistol, my 15-22 and on my AR when it's completed.

    I think I can learn how to be effective with the Compact and possibly go beyond what I can do with iron sights, I don't know.

    At the end of the day, I sent a few rounds at steel plates out 50 yards. I was able to hit the steel with both though I do recall it taking a few extra shots with the iron sighted pistols( I also shot my Shield at that distance).

    If anyone makes it through this, I'm interested in your input.
    Interesting. Of course option 3 is to get a Stacatto with a dot and then you have the best of both worlds. :cool:

    I guess my main question is, what is your long term goal and do you have any short or medium term goals? If someone is serious about only becoming proficient with your carry gun then I think at least staying with one type/action/sighting system would be the way to go at least until you have met some standard that you set for yourself.

    Jealous you had such a long session today. It was cold and very windy here today. I only shot 75 rounds but tried to make them count.
     

    gregkl

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    Apr 8, 2012
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    Interesting. Of course option 3 is to get a Stacatto with a dot and then you have the best of both worlds. :cool:

    I guess my main question is, what is your long term goal and do you have any short or medium term goals? If someone is serious about only becoming proficient with your carry gun then I think at least staying with one type/action/sighting system would be the way to go at least until you have met some standard that you set for yourself.

    Jealous you had such a long session today. It was cold and very windy here today. I only shot 75 rounds but tried to make them count.
    Stacatto's are cool,lol.

    My carry gun is a Shield so manual of arms like the Compact but iron sights like the 1911. I have thought about putting a dot on the Shield but not until I am more proficient with a dot.

    Goals are probably an issue for me. I am constantly asking myself how long will I be able to afford this sport/hobby? Then I do some math and realize that range sessions aren't that costly.

    Competitions can get costly but I imagine there is a way to minimize that if you're not aiming for national status.

    I guess I need to decide first if this is a hobby I can pursue up to and possibly into retirement(8 years or less away).

    Once I settle that in my mind, I would like to try some competition. I shot the carry match at Riley a couple times last year and I mostly enjoyed it. I shot a Steel Challenge with my .22 and it was okay.

    I think I could have fun trying USPSA or IDPA(have shot a couple matches several years ago). My goal would be fun and to improve in my skills.

    Short term goals would be to get proficient enough to consistently shoot drills at the competent/novice level at least.

    Yeah, my hands took a long time to warm up after I was done! It was 38, windy and cloudy but at my level I need to train, lol.
     

    Jon Smith

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    Aug 30, 2021
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    Ist, I have to say Kudos on you draw capabilities. I am envious.

    2nd, I too am suffering from OES (old eye syndrom)

    3rd, not much help but sounds like whichever EDC you like the best and carry the most comfortable.

    4th, I am extremely jealous that you had range time, not really. I am thankful that you could have range time.

    I have covid, not much range time now.
     

    gregkl

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    Apr 8, 2012
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    Ist, I have to say Kudos on you draw capabilities. I am envious.

    2nd, I too am suffering from OES (old eye syndrom)

    3rd, not much help but sounds like whichever EDC you like the best and carry the most comfortable.

    4th, I am extremely jealous that you had range time, not really. I am thankful that you could have range time.

    I have covid, not much range time now.
    How are you feeling with the covid? Some feel really bad, others not so much. Here's hoping you are in the latter group.

    I get grief from some that I burn ammo during these crazy times but at my lack of ability it won't do me any good to abstain from shooting. I don't have enough years left in me to wait this out. I'm either going to practice/train and improve until I can't anymore or I'm going to miss my last window to do this sort of stuff.

    BTW, sometimes it takes me as much time to draw my pistol as others who clear a Texas Star or a plate rack. :)
     

    88E30M50

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    I’m thinking about focusing on getting as good as I can with a single gun as well this year. I’ve been cycling through several to see if there’s a standout before I choose what to focus on though. Nothing really stands out just yet.

    The P229 platform makes a lot of sense for me in that I can run the same pistol as a 9mm with irons, 9mm red dot, .357 Sig with irons and .40 with irons. Another contender is the P10C.
     
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