Yeesh... I need more practice
.. However, I pray that if I am ever in a gun fight the gun is already in my hand when the fight starts. ..
Indeed.I agree, a fast hit, is better than a fast miss***,,
If you'd take me up on my invite to come compete, you'd know that on more than half of the stages presented at a given match, you don't just stand n' draw at the beep. You have to draw while running to a position. Sometimes it's close, sometimes not.
The skill translates surprisingly well to other things. As my freestyle (2-hand) draw got faster, so did my strong hand only draw. That's pretty useful, ask the MO clerk in the video that's going around the last few days.
At 7yds, I'd like to get consistently into the .7x range to a hit on an 8" plate. I'm close, but that last tenth or so is hard to get.
In the real world 360 2-way tactically critically dynamic range, you may or may not have cover or concealment to run to. (Fun fact: most interior walls aren't actually cover, only concealment)
What else makes you fast? Having a VERY well defined "line in the sand" that if it is crossed we do not dither, we act.
We did have cookies at the last match. Chocolate chip. They were pretty awesome. No need for forks plates like with cake. We're all about efficiency in both shooting and consumption of chubby treats.
As someone who knows a little about drawing and hitting quickly, I'll vote YES it is important. All the awareness in the world will not help if the fight lasts 3 seconds and it takes 3.5 seconds to get your gun out and hit who you are aiming at then the fight is OVER before you can even get your gun involved in it.
On the other hand if you can draw from concealment in less than 1.5 seconds (some of us less than 1) then you have time to get your gun in play and get multiple hits on target. If you can employ some "OODA disruption skills" then you can buy even more time. On the other hand if the BG uses some "OODA disruption skills" on you AND it takes you 3 seconds to get to your gun...then you are woefully behind the curve and survival will be more luck than anything else....
What makes you fast? Eliminating extraneous movement. Smooth is fast. Herky Jerky is slow.
What else makes you fast? Having a VERY well defined "line in the sand" that if it is crossed we do not dither, we act. There is a story about John Wesley Hardin, Jeff Milton and (IIRC ) George Scarborough in 1895 crossing the border over into Juarez Mexico one day for some entertainment. Milton was the chief of police of EL Paso and Scarborough was a US Marshal and both were serious gunmen of some repute. As the story goes they had gone to Juarez to gamble and have a good time when someone stepped up in front of them and began verbally abusing them and reached for his gun at arms reach. Before the guy could clear the holster Hardin had drawn and jammed his pistol into the guy's stomach. Milton later said it was the fastest thing he'd ever seen....
Not only was Hardin a fast hand with a gun, but he had a definite "go switch" and didn't hesitate...he also recognized the cues of impending assault and didn't wait to see what kind of gun was getting pulled on them before he acted. Milton and Scarborough were still at "orient and decide" ...Hardin was already at "Act".
Which local shooting ranges allow you to draw and shoot. I believe Eagle Creek only allows you to work from a bench. I practice this unloaded but would feel better to try to hit an index card from 20' like was stated here earlier.
Dryfire is the key. Unless you have an unlimited ammo budget, dryfire, dryfire, dryfire, dryfire and dryfire some more.
Riley Conservation ClubWhich local shooting ranges allow you to draw and shoot. I believe Eagle Creek only allows you to work from a bench. I practice this unloaded but would feel better to try to hit an index card from 20' like was stated here earlier.