One shot qualifier

One Shot Qualifier

After seeing all types of training and competition for more than thirty years, I am more impressed with a single fast shot into the kill zone than a tightly placed fifty round group on the face of a one dimensional paper target. I call the single hit the one shot qualifier. Some students regard the one shot qualifier as unfair. When asked to hit the gong or the X ring only once during a string of qualification shots, they feel that perhaps they need a second chance. They are not presenting an argument but rather a rationalization. Some state they favor double taps and after all the second shot is sometimes the more accurate. Perhaps they should slow down a few thousands of a second and be certain they get that one shot hit.

Handguns are not very powerful. All we have is accuracy. There are often shots fired too quickly that somehow connect, true, but an accurate shot to the proper location is the goal. Loud noises simply do not often suffice. I realize quite a few shooters will mimic the police by carrying high capacity pistols. I suppose one out of seventeen bullets is bound to connect. But then, all will connect with something and that something may not reflect favorably on the shooter. Occupied baby strollers and school buses come to mind. Quality of fire not volume is important.

At the range the firing distance is delineated into yards. Common handgun markers are 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 yards. During a match I am able to get a perfect hit much faster at 5 yards than at 15. We all seem to have some predetermined time frame in which to achieve a hit. Unfortunately many shooters have skills that are aspirational rather than operational and thus they miscalculate their proficiency. At longer ranges accuracy is everything. Range can be the greatest advantage a trained shooter has. At close range you had better have well honed fighting skills as well as gun skills in your tactical arsenal. Moving out of the line of attack is essential. Tactics are important. Emotional control and mindset are essential. Lets look again at the one shot qualifiers. If you have fifty rounds of Winchester USA how should you use it? Rather than blasting away lets make the most of it. Try each of these one shot qualifiers. Repeat each for a total of five rounds each. Draw, fire one shot, and repeat four times. You may be on to something.

Three yards Speed Rock, one shot.

Five yards One hand shoulder point, one shot.

Five yards One hand shoulder point, weak side.

Seven yards Two hand, any style.

Seven yards Barricade, any style

Seven yards Failure to stop- one shot to cranium

Seven yards Hostage rescue target – one shot

Ten yards Draw and achieve a center hit in 1.5 seconds

Ten yards Barricade, any style

Fifteen yards Barricade, any style

There is your fifty rounds- was it well spent?