SHOOTING FROM A BARRICADE
BY DAVID NASH
Firing from a barricaded position is an essential
part of combat marksmanship. It is a relatively straightforward skill,
and easily acquired. As all shooting techniques, however, mastery only
comes from extensive practice. Contrary to what is seen on movies, most
shooting incidents do not happen at high noon on main street. Common
sense dictates that when being shot at the reasonable person will try
to find cover from incoming rounds. If withdrawal from the scene is
not practical and returning fire is justified, then knowledge of barricade
position firing is essential.
The most important part of the barricaded position
is being behind the barricade. While this seems a simpleminded thing
to say, it is amazing how many times while coaching this technique one
sees shooters positioned beside the cover they should be behind.
As this is a combat skill it is important to
become a small a target as possible. A good strategy is to adopt a kneeling
position behind the item of cover. The kneeling is a good position because
it allows quick adoption from standing and it is also quick to get up
from. As a general rule the closer your center of balance is to the
ground the more inherently accurate a position is. Therefore, the kneeling
position is a two-fold better position for return fire than standing,
not only for making yourself a smaller target, but also for making your
shots more likely to hit your aggressor.
The adaptations from a normal two handed shooting
position are simple. The shooter does not use the off hand to give support
to the weapon by muscle tension as he would in a traditional manner.
Instead the off hand is pressed against the covering object. A much
used method to accomplish this is to make a fist with the thumb extended,
in a "thumbs up" sign. Press the pad of the thumb and the
last knuckle of the support hand into the barricade. Cradle the firing
hand and weapon in the support hand. Make sure that no part of the firearm
is touching anything other than your flesh. Contact by the weapon with
solid objects causes the weapon to bounce and the round to go off target.
The only portions of your body that should be exposed beyond the barricade
are your firing hand, and only the amount of your face that is needed
to obtain a clear view of the sights, target, and situation. Your arm
should be raised enough so that the weapon is brought up to your face,
not your face lowered to your sights. It takes practice to enable you
to be able to quickly judge the distance needed between your body and
cover to allow you to quickly assume the position.
This article is based on the strategies for
using a pistol behind a barricade, but long guns can also use this tactic
with superficial modifications. Instead of using the knuckles of the
support hand against the wall the hand should be extended as if making
a "stop" sign. Extend the thumb away from the hand. Press
your hand against the cover with your index finger flush against the
barricade edge. Your thumb should extend past cover like a shelf. Rest
the forearm of the firearm on this shelf. All other aspects are similar.
It cannot be stressed how important this technique
is in a lethal force situation. It is equally important that this technique
is practiced so as to allow a seamless transition into this position.
About the Author:
David Nash is a State of Tennessee Certified Security Gaurd Trainer
and
firearms instructor. He works as the chief of training for Shepherd
School
Inc. More articles written by Mr. Nash can be found in the Archives
section of his site at http://tngun.com/archives.php
|
Stumble It!
