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Skill Set: Transitions
By Tiger McKee
While the theory of weapon transitions is simple -your primary weapon stops functioning so you transition to a secondary weapon - the application of the transition is a more complicated subject. You need to know transition techniques, when and when not to apply them, and the mental ability to make the proper decisions.
Technique depends on equipment. With a 'tactical' sling looping around your body you lower the muzzle down with the support hand while presenting the pistol with the primary hand, acquiring a two-handed grip on the pistol as soon as possible. Sounds easy, but have you done it while moving and then kneeling down behind cover? For a long-gun equipped with a simple carry sling let gravity work for you. The strong hand comes off the grip of the rifle or shotgun as it goes for the pistol. Gravity pulls the stock down and the support hand brings the long-gun, muzzle pointing up, tight against the body for stability.
Don't forget about low-light applications. You may need to use the light on your long-gun after swapping over to the pistol. In this case you tuck the stock of the long-gun under your support arm, trapping it against your body. The support hand is still gripping the handguard, or vertical grip, so it can point and operate the light as needed. Will your tactical sling allow you to do this? With a simple sling and a hand-held light the strong hand lowers the stock down and you clamp the long-gun against the body using the crook in your support elbow. This secures the long-gun, the support hand operates the light, and the strong hand presents the pistol.
When it comes to application we have to consider the relationship between distance and time. Usually more distance means more time. When the rifle stops functioning at handgun distances the quickest way to get shots onto target is to transition to the pistol, as opposed to reloading the rifle or clearing a malfunction. At extended distances it may make more sense to get the rifle back into the fight.
When you transition to the pistol, remember you are stepping down in stopping power. At the first opportunity you should perform another transition, only this time going from the pistol back to the rifle. Just because the threat is down, or gone, doesn't mean the fight is officially over. If I have to hold for the police or backup to arrive I would rather do it with a rifle.
To perform transitions fluidly we have to reprogram ourselves. Think about your previous training and practice. Probably most of it has been with either the pistol or the rifle. To blend the pistol and rifle into one package, flowing from one weapon to another on demand and without mental or physical delay, requires constant mental focus, especially in the beginning. Take time to start figuring out how transitions work and practice them now. Then, remember that in a fight, it ain't got to be pretty, it's just got to work.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama, author of The Book of Two Guns, a staff member of several firearms/tactical publications, and an adjunct instructor for the F.B.I. (256) 582-4777 http://www.shootrite.org
