Close Quarters Weapon Retention
Simulating a close quarters situation for practice can be difficult. There are many factors that aren’t present in traditional shooting when engaging a threat up close. Shooting accurately can be challenging enough on a range; when you introduce someone grabbing for your weapon, it becomes more dangerous and difficult. This is because you are now trying to focus on many things at once instead of just getting rounds on target.
Weapon retention is arguably the most important factor in a close quarters fight. Losing control of your weapon is a worst case scenario because it limits your ability to defend yourself and adds the potential of your own weapon being used against you.
As demonstrated at 1:00 in the video, Sgt. Don Gulla recommends using a technique where you grab the top of your muzzle with your off hand while drawing. By grabbing your gun, you make it very difficult for an attacker to get a grip on your weapon. You are enabling yourself to use both arms to move your weapon towards the attacker giving you more power.
It is important to note that you will only be able to fire one shot while holding your gun this way. Due to this, we recommend practicing following up the shot with multiple blows from your elbows in case the shot isn’t incapacitating. Sgt. Gulla demonstrates this at 2:00 in the video. Following the physical blows, you can repeat by chambering a new round and reengaging the target.
These techniques require a good amount of practice to become comfortable with. We recommend starting out with your SIRT training pistol at home. Make sure to remove all live fire weapons and ammunition from the situation. You can practice these techniques with a target or a friend. If practicing with a friend, only SIRT training pistols should be used. Once you are comfortable with this technique, it is important to validate with live fire. You will need to find a range where they allow close quarter training.
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I am a Senior Correctional Officer (Sergeant) with the Iowa Department of Corrections. I work in a maximum security Penitentiary within the high security long term restricted housing unit. I am a defensive tactics instructor with the department. I am weapons certified and conduct high risk armed escorts. I also operate my own business T-M Firearms Training. I am Certified NRA and USCCA Instructor and Training Counselor among other certifications. I currently utilize SIRT Training pistols in my classes and weapons retention training. I am Interested in possible certifications involving the Sirt and live fire training.
I am retired military and a Certified Instructor with the USCCA. I am also responsible for the weapons training for my church’s 8 armed security personnel (Act 235 Certified Agents state of PA).
Hi Jon my name is Jim. I am a part of a training team called Watchers and warriors. We go around to different churches and teach active shooter seminars as well as pastoral security training. We are based out of New Jersey. I saw that you train your guys who carry at your church. Do you have any other training that you do for your team. Just curious. Thanks
I have a Wilson Combat Custom Classic in .45 and use Laser Ammo insert for my dry fire. I have to run the slide or cock the hammer after each shot which does not offer me good training for muscle memory. I also have a Glock 17 Gen 3 in .9mm which would benifit me in using your SIRT Pistol since you do not have one in a 1911 Model. Please advise what you would recommend along with any Training Aids for dry fire excersizes.
What are the differences in your various SIRT Models. I see that your pricing has a range from cheapest to most costly.
Thank you,
Barry Beach
Hi Barry, The different costs of the SIRT basically depend on whether you get a red v green shot indicating laser and whether you get a polymer slide or a metal slide. The 110 is modeled after functional features of a Glock 17 (I shoot a 19 myself) and the 110 emulates the feel of both. Hope training goes well!
I know you have a new compact model. Is that one based on the Ruger LC9? Can that one be had with a .08nm laser for my simulator recognition (I have a Ti)? Thanks, Wes
Training has some interesting methods for law enforcement. Keep sending the training
Don, thank you for that nugget of info. We must learn from past tragedies. Looking forward to seeing you folks at SHOT in a couple weeks. The SIRT pistol along with the LASR system are outstanding training aides. Keep up spreading the good word.
I was in the martial arts for 25 years, and the technique your using having your hands by the heart we call the strength factor area , when I teach grappling moves to have more control you bring your attackers hand / arm in close to the body to gain control by the heart we’re you are the strongest in close the heart in the strength factor area just like your teaching in the video. Awesome…