Training dry fire, SIRT Pistol and getting off the "X"

[zimmerdesignz]

I have been training a lot. I take carrying pretty seriously, especially when I was a Paramedic for 18 years. I purchased a SIRT pistol to practice with. If you don't know what they are then do yourself a favor and google them. It is awesome for practice outside the range. I downloaded a free OPEN software to combine my computer and cam into the shot tracking. I now can practice at home and get feedback on my shots timing and placement. I said all that to ask this question. I have been practicing my draws from concealed holster and practicing getting off the "X" when firing. Does anyone have a weak side (left or right movement) that feels odd or not natural? I'm right handed and moving left then firing the first shot feels completely normal but moving right is very unnatural. I think it has to be with my foot placement. My stance is with the right foot slightly back from the left foot. So the side step feels awkward.

[OlBill]

Right handed?

[Middle Age Russ]

What shooting stance are you practicing -- Weaver, Modified Weaver, Isosceles or some other? You'll have definite biases with Weaver or Weaveresque stances due to the bladed-to-the-target position. Isosceles doesn't have this same bias, but you almost have to disconnect what your lower body is doing from what your upper body is doing when you move either direction.

[zimmerdesignz]

Weaver. Because that right leg is dropped back it makes a shift to the right ackward.

[OlBill]

Look at videos of fights on two way ranges, the shooting positions are almost always from the startle position going into an isoceles. Head ducked down between shoulders, arms locked straight out, crouched.

Your feet are going to take care of themselves.

Jack Weaver developed the position for competition.

Try the isoceles and see if it is any easier to move. It's probably what you'll end up in anyway.

[OlBill]

Good job working on moving.

[zimmerdesignz]

Look at videos of fights on two way ranges, the shooting positions are almost always from the startle position going into an isoceles. Head ducked down between shoulders, arms locked straight out, crouched.

Your feet are going to take care of themselves.

Jack Weaver developed the position for competition.

Try the isoceles and see if it is any easier to move. It's probably what you'll end up in anyway.

Ok thanks

[Mike S]

As Russ & Bill indicated above, adopting an isosceles shooting stance (with the addition of slightly flexed knees & weight forward on the balls of the feet) will allow you to engage much more fluidly and, as your post is based on movement, the ability to move more fluidly both laterally & forward. Moving off the 'X' to the left or to the right (laterally) & engaging shouldn't feel much different; when moving forward & engaging targets presenting on the strong-side I do have a little less arc of engagement, but more so with a carbine. (ie, I'm right handed, & target engagement is on the right side while I'm still moving forward).

I'd suggest starting off with a single side-step to the left, pushing off on the ball of your right foot, then alternating back & forth (push off to the right, then left, etc) until it feels more smooth. Then incorporate an isosceles dry fire with the side-step. (Remember, its a lateral side-step, not a 'bunny hop' to the side).

Unfortunately, this only gets you 1'-2' 'off the X', & under stress the fella shooting at you may have missed you entirely if you hadn't just side-stepped into his errant shot. With this in mind, I'd suggest considering this more of a "getting off the line of attack" of someone up close & personal rushing towards you rather than 'getting off the X' of someone who's about to shoot at you.

Also to elaborate on what Russ mentioned about upper body / lower body functions; your upper body will need to face the threat & keep oriented towards what you're engaging, while your lower body (from the hips > down) orients towards the direction of movement. Don't bother with starting fast, just go slow until the movements are fluid & the speed will gradually come. (Remember, you're lower body is walking a straight line in whatever direction you want to move, preferable towards cover, & your upper body is tracking the target). The distance you can move 'off the X' in this manner will depend on how close the target is to you & whether you're moving laterally left/right or at an angle, but will generally get you a couple more feet off the X than the simple side-step above (don't engage past 90* off your direction of movement, so once you feel yourself having to turn past that re-orient your body towards the target and then transition to the side-step while still engaging, or stop movement & engage).

It's been a long day, so hopefully this doesn't just sound like a bunch of babble....

[zimmerdesignz]

Appreciate it. Any suggestions for Amazon Kindle books on these subjects?

[OlBill]

Videos by Kelly McCann aka Jim Grover. I don't get anything from sales but I do know him. He's the real deal.

[zimmerdesignz]

Thanks, I'll check him out.