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Skill Set: Ready and Retention Positions
by Tiger McKee
It seems like every day someone is coming out with a new ready or retention position for fighting with pistols. The problem with a lot of what I see is that the techniques may look good on the range, but don't work for fighting. Although I've written about this subject before, it's something I want to discuss again.
Holding your weapon, hands, and arms in your normal firing position, you lower everything down, rotating at the shoulders achieve the "low ready." In this position if you look down at the pistol the weapon and sights are still in alignment with the hands and arms. The angle you hold the arms is determined by the situation or environment. With a possible suspect you need to see their hands. The angle of your arms is low enough so your weapon, hands and arms don't block you from seeing their hands, but high enough so it's the shortest distance to travel from there to the center mass of the threat's body. With a threat at the top of a set of stairs your low ready will actually be with the arms angled upward.
When searching an environment that may contain a threat I need everything low enough so I can see the entire area. For clearing around a corner the pistol sights are pointed at the bottom of the corner so I can see everything from that corner and beyond. Often the first part of a threat you'll see as you work a corner is feet or legs. With your arms and weapon too high they'll block you from seeing something important.
For working in an area that contains bystanders or partners I lower the arms down until the muzzle is pointing at the ground in front of my feet. With this technique I can turn in any direction without covering anyone with my muzzle. As soon as possible I bring my arms up to my normal low ready, with the angle dictated by the situation.
When I'm worried about retention issues I pull the pistol back to the side of my chest. The weapon is held chest high on my body so when I fire the rounds will be chest high on the threat. The weapon is against the side of my body so the slide can operate without hitting my body or clothing and creating a malfunction. With the weapon indexed against my body I aim by positioning my body in the direction I want the rounds to go. This is an example of true point shooting. (This retention position is also step two of my presentation technique.)
Any ready or retention position should allow you to fire immediately, without wasting time. A ready position should an aggressive position that allows you to fight effectively and efficiently. A retention position should protect your weapon as much as possible, but at the same time must allow you to fire if necessary. Consider these issues carefully, then take it to the range and make sure you know how they 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 www.shootrite.org