Comments on: DON’T LOOK AT YOUR GUN WHILE RELOADING!

By: James Bliehall

James Bliehall — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 21:45:43 +0000

George, a very clear and concise comment. I have 5 (soon 7) patented weapons training systems and have had discussions with many that I have trained that have been in real gunfights; military and LE. They ALL told me that when “it stopped working” they ALL looked at the gun first. If they saw any brass they knew they were in a world of hurt. I also NEVER teach what I derisively call a “Hollywood High” mag release. i.e.,holding the gun out and then hitting the mag release, hoping the mag will fall free. We have ALL had a mag not drop. Your support hand is at the weapon, hit the mag release and “strip” the mag out and throw it to the ground (or into your mag bag.) That applies to both handguns and rifles. The overpowerring need is to get back in the fight with an operable weapon, not to “keep your eye focus down range.” Stay safe. James

By: George Williams

George Williams — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 18:56:38 +0000

I have to disagree with much of this article. IDEALLY, manipulation of the weapon would be “eyes-free.” However, real life intrudes. Discounting the human reaction to threat and the overpowering need to see what is most important in this moment creates unrealistic expectations, at best. “Tunnel vision” is a natural survival response, intensely focusing us on what is most threatening. “Breaking tunnel vision” is a false concept. If your attentional focus is now on fixing your weapon (reload/malfunction), tunnel vision is broken and not a factor (that doesn’t mean the individual is no longer overwhelmed in problem-solving, just that the vision quickly returns to normal). Under threat/pressure, we necessarily focus on what is most important to us NOW. If our weapon isn’t working, we focus on that if the threat is not close or more overwhelming than the need to solve our weapon’s problem (meaning we aren’t able at that moment shift attention to the weapon, e.g., the example the author gave of students continuing to press the trigger on an empty weapon while being killed). Our vision is what we most rely upon when under threat. The question should be, “How do I fix my weapon problems while maintaining my situational awareness?” Keeping our heads up while bringing our weapon up into our eye-target-line (or eye-threat-line) allows us to observe the threat while quickly transitioning to assessing the problem and then quickly returning to observing threat. Much during a reload or stoppage drill can be accomplished without looking at the weapon, e.g., drawing a new mag while dropping the empty mag. And while some highly trained individuals with extensive combat experience may be able to perform under existential threat without looking at their weapon, we see almost everyone else in that situation look at their weapon while problem-solving. By bringing the weapon into our field of vision (our “work space”), it permits our eyes to rapidly move to and from the weapon as needed. The key to remaining combative and effective during reloads and stoppage responses is to keep our heads up. Burying our head by looking down takes us out of the fight and requires us to reorient to the threat. The time it takes our eyes to flit from the threat to the mag well or ejection port and flit back to the threat is not likely to determine our survival. Putting the weapon to one’s chest and then problem-solving will inevitably cause the individual to look down, completely losing situational awareness and location of the threat. Games are generally won and lost with the tenths of a second gained or lost by reloads. Gunfights are generally won by early recognition of threat indicators, decisiveness, accuracy, and, unfortunately, luck. It’s OK to look at your weapon while problem-solving. Just keep your head up and in the fight while doing so.

By: James Bliehall

James Bliehall — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 01:34:35 +0000

IF you have a Class 3 malfunction and DON’T look into the gun for any brass before you hit the mag release button, you are going to be in a world of hurt when you bring the fresh mag up with your support hand and the mag in the gun is jammed tight. And it could also be an empty mag in the gun, slide lock and the mag doesn’t drop free. I train the military. Their weapons get pretty dirty. We head to the range with a nice clean well lubricated weapon. 2 different worlds.
I believe this treatise can get you killed in a gunfight.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 22:54:11 +0000

In reply to rl. Most people don't realize that shooting ranges condition you to stand completely still during a shooting evolution. Even competitions rigidly govern when you can move or not. Watch security video of real shootings; movement before, during, and after is commonplace. Yes, I know it would be unsafe for ranges to be otherwise. It's up to you to somehow train for that reality gap.

By: Lew Johnson

Lew Johnson — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 15:10:39 +0000

In reply to JD. EXACTLY!!! Mr. Carson, not sure of your experience(s)..... In a static environment manipulations will be simple ALL DAY LONG. Add stress, elevated heart rate and respiration, adrenaline dump and the world is now a VERY different place. Get that Smoke Slinger up into your work space and look through that window of opportunity when working your gun.

By: Art Meyer

Art Meyer — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 13:46:36 +0000

Lots of interesting views from many different people, I would wonder how many have ever been in an actual shoot out situation. The best way is the way you are most comfortable at but nothing is any good without hours of practice so that it becomes second nature when you have to do it.

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 05:15:59 +0000

In reply to Russell F Steen. I don't believe a lawyerly disclaimer is necessary here.

By: Tony

Tony — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 05:08:46 +0000

Unless it is an emergency reload (empty mag), I recommend you check your magazine carrier to be sure you have a spare there before you hit the release button and let the active mag fall to the ground. You just might need to retain it if there are rounds in it.

By: Chris Jensen

Chris Jensen — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 03:24:08 +0000

In reply to Corey. Gun in your peripheral, a quick peek to see “why” the gun is down, will make doing a tap rack, to default to double feed, or empty mag that did not lock back, will put you back in the fight faster. Fact, you will fight like you train, if you train and you train to fight. That is the great thing about being an instructor, there are so many ways to do it.

By: Mark Anthony YAP

Mark Anthony YAP — Mon, 06 Sep 2021 03:05:22 +0000

In reply to Corey. amen.....well said