Cardboard Gunfighters
Part I
How many experts in the field of teaching self defense with a handgun do you
know. I am considered by many, in my area, to be an expert on the subject of
self-defense with a handgun. I don't know how many experts on the subject
actually exist in my area. I do know there are some that think they are and will
tell you so, but in order to qualify as an expert, the person would have to have
first hand experiences to draw on; not one instance but many. What I do have is
over twenty years of experience in the pistol shooting sports and 53 years of
life's teaching to draw from. I’ve spent countless hours studying videos of
shootings and the teachings of many experts (Cooper, Taylor, Smith etc.) or
professionals on the subject.
Cardboard gunfighters in cardboard gunfights, that is what we are when we
participate in matches. Let’s not kid ourselves, cardboard is not menacing, does
not have a face, isn’t three-dimensional or carry weapons that can hurt us. Then
what do we gain by participating in these matches? I believe the two most
important things we can learn, in no particular order, are equipment knowledge
and fundamentals.
Equipment – do things work, gun, mags and holster? Are the sights right for me,
can I carry comfortably, does my gun go bang every time I pull the trigger, will
it run without jamming? Fundamentals of using the handgun, sight alignment,
trigger press, controlling recoil, what it takes to hit a target with accuracy
as quickly as possible, how to make a fast reload, an efficient draw from the
holster, what it is like to shoot from cover? We also learn what it is like to
shoot under pressure (for some reason that little timer the RO holds in his hand
always seems to change things when it goes beep).
We can learn the mechanics that are required, if we were ever forced to use our
handguns to defend ourselves. We can do them enough so they become second
nature. What we can’t learn is the horror, confusion and fear of being in an
actual gunfight or know what we will do if the time comes. So to tell you “This
is how it has to be done” is ridiculous. What has to be done can only be learned
from being in a gunfight, an experience none of us (I hope) ever want to be a
part of.
DVC, Jimmy G.