For the sake and simplicity of explanation, let us assume I am carrying concealed at roughly the three-o’clock position:
- The gun hand sweeps under the cover garment, from the front, in somewhat of a chopping motion, and down towards the holstered weapon. The fingers rather spread, with the little finger leading through and under the garment. The fingertips maintain a faint contact with the body.
- Whilst the hand nears the holsters low-front area, it starts the upward motion of the circle and the ring and middle fingers making contact with the grip.
- Simultaneously, the thumb releases the thumb-break, (even if there isn’t one, I keep the movements the same, constantly) and I complete the grip by pulling the weapon up into the hand, as the thumb comes around to complete the grip.
- The elbow then comes straight up and, just as the weapon clears the holster, the gun hand/forearm is brought parallel to the ground and the elbow comes down (EU/ED…explained below) into a close or quarter-hip position (or continues out and into the appropriate shooting or so-called ready position).
Points to ponder:
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Dave James’ Elbow Up – Elbow Down or EU/ED
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- The entire process is to be executed is a smooth and flowing manner.
- While technically a finger initiation grip, the pistol is hardly in motion prior to the thumb completing the grasp.
- It is well to remember to grip the weapon in a vice-like convulsive manner with a locked wrist and rigid forearm.
Dave James is a retired Peace Office and, if memory serves me, U.S. Army combat veteran. He also grew up with, and was tutored by, some pretty big men in the field, fathers of the trade, so to speak, such as Col. Charles Askins, Mr. Delph C. "Jelly" Brice, and Mr. William Henry “Bill” Jordan to name but a few. Additionally, Dave’s great-grandfather, a Civil War vet, and his grandfather were both marshals, his father, a Navy flyer and intelligence officer knew and learned from them all, and so did Dave.
As Mr. James explains it: “Elbow Up/Elbow Down, plain and simple, has been around for ages, but I believe it was the gentleman from Singapore (William Ewart Fairbairn) that brought it in to the light as printed word.
(Picture if you would a circle flat alongside your body, like holding a spoke less wheel.)
Drawing: The hand goes to weapon, the web of hand seats high on the back strap (revolvers) or tight under the grip tang (automatics), fingers lock down and as you draw the thumb locks down, LOCK your wrist. Accomplished correctly you will feel the muscle along the forearm quiver a tad, this is the “prime” grip.*
(Picture in your mind an old pitcher pump or well pump.)
Keeping the elbow IN, do not let it flop around, draw the elbow straight up so the handgun clears the holster (priming/drawing water), as the handgun clears you push the elbow straight down and foreword, (flushing the pump). For some this works better when dropping the shoulder a tad ala Bill Jordan.
Now as the draw is completed you may choose where to lock in and shoot. You may go to the top of the holster, slightly forward at the hipbone, again forward to the side of the belly (for us fat guys), or even all the way out to the navel. Kind of like the old FBI crouch, Bryce inspired in my opinion.
The support hand can be just about anywhere but I was taught to have it up and into the chest/gut area in case needed. This all done with the hand and wrist locked, arm/elbow locked into the body.
If needed you continue to push the gun forward and up to the sights for distance shooting (re-priming the pump).”
* Note: Currently, with large frame double-column pistols, the tight grip and locked wrist are all the more important. This is because for some people the “prime” grip is not possible. Therefore, it follows that as long as the wrist is locked, the grip solid and tight, the recoil still flows along the arm. The only thing left to do is find the body point that fits you and the weapon used.
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Joe Doakes'/Kilogulf59’s Note: To explain EU/ED’s usage in my own words and as I understand it, it is a simple technique of drawing which gives one the ability to fire instantly upon completion, if necessary. For example, based upon the time/distance factor, firing at the holster top (at ED) is the fastest shot possible for a particularly close distance. EU/ED is the starting point in the shooting continuum that finalizes itself with two-handed sighted fire. The “correct” point in this continuum at which one decides to shoot is not chiseled in stone. It is however, based upon the individual's skill, ability, and comfort level. It is just that simple folks…
Take care and stay safe,
Joe Doakes aka Kilogulf59Integrated Close Combat Forum
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