Joe Doakes' note: This treatise was written by “7677”, moniker of an esteemed ICCF member and administrator. A US Army veteran, former police officer, and now retired federal agent, 7677 is a highly experienced marksman, combat shooter, instructor, and innovator.
The One-Handed Draw Stroke
By 7677
The basic draw stroke that the majority of point shooters use was for the most part laid out in Fairbairn and Sykes book “Shooting to live”. However, in the book the draw stoke is not discussed it was assumed that people would pick up on it by doing the positions outlined in the book. The book teaches what I called a “low” draw stoke compare to the “high” draw stoke that is taught with Quick Fire.
The Master Grip,
The first step of the draw is the master grip. The master grip is a firm grip of the firearm. (the master grip changes depending on which type of holster is being used)
Half-Hip,
After the master grip is attained the weapon is drawn to the half hip position. The best-written explanation of this technique was by Dave James with Elbow Up/ Elbow down (EU/ED). This technique gets the out of the holster and on the target extremely fast. The inside of the elbow is driven into the side and when the shooter feels it hit his side he fires. (Now there have been debates on what “the side of the body” is and depending on the shooter the side can be the side of the body on the floating ribs or forward to the front of the body on the ribs above the stomach it depends on the size of the person and what they feel comfortable with.) The exact position of EU/ED largely depends on which point shooter you look at as Jelly Brice’s EU/ED position was different then Bill Jordan’s and the list goes on. The next consideration for the position of the elbow is the distance to your enemy. In Extreme close quarter situations elbow is going to be further back. Note: you might even find yourself in ¼ hip position.
Three-Quarters Hip,
Once you are in the ½ hip (EU/ED) you transition to ¾ hip. The gun is brought up under your dominate eye with the elbow bent. The gun should be under the eye about 6 to 8 inches with the gun in your peripheral vision. NOTE: the pictures in Shooting to Live show the gun in the exact centerline of the body, however this is true for people with most cross dominate eyes but most people with dominate eyes on the same side as the shooting hand bring it under their dominate eye.
Point-Shoulder,
After the ¾ hip the shooter transitions to the point shoulder. The Point shoulder comes from Rex Applegate’s book “Kill or Be Killed. The “point shoulder” position which the strong arm is thrusted out just under the line of sight under the dominant eye.
Convulsive Grip,
A convulsive grip is used while shooting all of these positions. The convulsive grip limits how far the arm can be brought up with the point shoulder position. It also keeps the gun from bouncing around during rapid-fire drills while you transition though the above positions during the draw stroke.
The Zipper,
The zipper the act of firing throughout your draw stoke and leaving a vertical line of bullets on the target. How far you make it through your draw stoke depends on how are your enemy is from you. The entire zipper drill is the following the first shot is taken at the EU/ED position and the shooter continues to rapid fire through the ¾ hip and point shoulder, which should place the rounds in the head.
Eyes,
The gun should follow you eyes not your eyes following the gun. You should focus on a point COM and once you take your fist shot (EU/ED) shift your focus to you ending point and the gun with follow the path up the body from just below your first point to your ending point.
The Gun,
At first practice shooting at 3 yards when you reach each position in the draw stroke. During these drills it is important that you look COM take your first shot (EU/ED), look at the target’s neck (3/4 hip), take the next shot, Then between the target’s eyes (Point Shoulder) and take the third shot. Once you are hitting the points you are focusing on then attempt a double tap at each position. Then when you get that down then attempt to shoot throughout the entire draw stroke. You should be able to get 4 to 6 rounds on the target. After you got this down then move to 5 yards and start over again. Remember, if you groups start to open up during rapid fire it is because your grip is too lose and you need to make it tighter. My grip starts at firm and becomes firmer “tighter” the faster I shoot my gun.
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My comment here; once a person has mastered the above, add multiple targets, movement and cover and I feel a person would be a very well rounded shootist indeed.
Here's a PDF version for your convenience: The One-Handed Draw Stroke By 7677
Take care and stay safe,
Joe Doakes aka Kilogulf59Integrated Close Combat Forum
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