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The need for speed: Presentation, draw, and safety

You can gain more appreciation and awareness in how you draw by following some simple, safe concepts

Before you start practicing high speed draws, have a buddy watch you or, preferably, film your draw so you can see what you are doing and when your trigger finger is going on the trigger.

I recently did a couple of videos illustrating some points regarding the draw, safety, awareness, and training concepts.

Check out these two videos. We’ll discuss them thereafter.


There is much more to building speed with precision than what is contained in these two videos. However, that is the purpose of training courses. In the meantime, you can gain more appreciation and awareness in how you draw by following some simple, safe concepts.

1.) Do the draw in reverse. Start from the target and break it down, step-by-step, back to the holster. Then put it back together, moving forward. We do this in our S.A.F.E. series.

2.) Build in an awareness of when you will touch the trigger, regardless of what trigger system you currently use. Remember that that concept must be able to be applied to your carbine and your shotgun if you use those weapon systems, too.

Having one system for handgun and another for carbine/shotgun invites trouble.

3.) Do not let your ego get in the way of common sense and safety. Getting on the trigger too soon, along with not having trigger sensitivity and awareness when you are on the trigger, is one of the major causes of negligent discharges.

We must all be mindful of that as we seek to improve our speed and delivery. If you choose to ignore this and get on the trigger earlier than advised, then you must face the consequences of your actions if you have a negligent discharge.

4.) For situations where you do not bring the weapon to line of sight — as in a close quarter situation — the trigger is contacted at the final firing position.

5.) There are basically four major ways of bringing the gun on target.

1.) Finger point method.

2.) Muzzle elevated and rocking in (also high ready position).

3.) Out and up method I illustrated.

4.) Up to line of sight and then out (Chip McCormick’s).

They each have advantages and disadvantages. You choose what works for you.

I’ll soon be posting more videos on my YouTube page, RonAveryPSA, for you to watch and enjoy.

Ron Avery is President and Director of Training for The Practical Shooting Academy, Inc. and Executive Director of the non-profit, Rocky Mountain Tactical Institute - both training institutions dedicated to professional firearms and tactics courses, higher police standards and training and use of force research.

Ron is a former police officer with many years of street experience, which he brings into the training environment. He is internationally recognized as a researcher, firearms trainer and world class shooter. His training methodology is currently being used by hundreds of agencies and thousands of individuals across the US and internationally.

He has worked as a consultant and trainer for top level federal agencies, special operations military from all branches of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies across the US.

He is a weapons and tactics trainer for, handgun, carbine, select fire, precision rifle and shotgun, as well as advanced instructor schools, defensive tactics, team skills and tactics, low light tactics, arrest and control and officer survival. He is also a consultant for firearms training programs, use of force and firearms research, range development, instructor development and other firearm related topics.

For over 25 years he has consistently ranked among the best shooters in the world in national, international and world championship competitions, winning many different titles including two-time National Law Enforcement Champion. In 2002, he represented his country as a member of the first place, United States Practical Shooting Association’s “Gold Team” in the Standard Division in the World Championships in South Africa.

As a published writer, his articles have been featured in SWAT Magazine, Petersen’s Handguns, American Handgunner, U.S.P.S.A.'s Front Sight, Colorado State Shooting Association and other law enforcement publications and journals.

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