Pairs

[rob_s]

hammers, controlled pairs, dedicated pairs, deliberate pairs, double taps.....

Whatever you call them, why are we still so obsessed with two rounds to a target in training environments?

and if you do use them, what terminology do you use for them and how do you define those terms?

[Steve]

I think more or less because for years it was the defined way to teach shooters a minimum response to a threat(s) and it took hold then the gaming community took it and ran as well......... I backed away from teaching them except in the more so called basic levels of my program.

while they may still have there place(limited capacity guns possible) i teach shooters if its a single threat they give them at least 4-5 rounds in a rapid manor (yes i know in single stack guns its 50% of the guns capacity),

we also know handguns suck at killing people too, well and others times 1-2 rounds will do the trick others it takes 23 rounds> so were is the standard?

with the guns capable of holding 13 to 18 rounds in today's guns why not give them more by today's measure vs the 60's-80's of wheel guns and 1911's(which i often still carry both) of 5-8 rounds


controlled pair as 2 aimed rounds fired with 3 separate sight pictures usually used at distance of 15 yards or greater

hammer or accelerated inside 10 yards 2 shots rapid 2 sight pictures one for the first pair fired then a follow up sight picture in case....

now that siad its riar i ever use that since i usually fire 4 or more

[Jay Cunningham]

Whatever you call them, why are we still so obsessed with two rounds to a target in training environments?

Who is "we" and which training environments are you referring to?

[rob_s]

"We" meaning the training community as a whole and training environments being any kind of formal instruction, whether a commercial class, LE class, whatever.

[Jay Cunningham]

I think there is utility in introducing people to the concept of doing more than shooting once and dropping the weapon and looking at the hole in the target. It is an introduction to proper mindset.

I never have understood the need to make all kinds of little distinctions between this kind of pair and that kind of pair. Beyond an introductory level class, I think there really is no need to focus on any type of "pairs." The so-called Non Standard Response sort of has become the standard response these days, which is good.

I have read where Paul Howe considers a failure-to-stop drill as five rounds COM, then the transition to the ocular window.

[Blake]

hammers, controlled pairs, dedicated pairs, deliberate pairs, double taps.....

and if you do use them, what terminology do you use for them and how do you define those terms?

I thought Randy Cain's explanation of the terminology used in multiple shot was excellent. Although, I hate to misuse Randy's terms, I will try to recall what I think he used and meant.

Deliberate pair: two shot on a target, taking time and precision to deliver the best possible shot placement possible. Time is not of the essence so to speak.

Hammer/Double tap: I think most trainers are getting away from double tap, from what I have heard, read, and attended. Hammer, one sight picture, two rapid shots with the single sight picture.

Controlled pair: Sight picture, fire, sight picture, fire

I hope I didn't screw those up too bad.

[rob_s]

I think there is utility in introducing people to the concept of doing more than shooting once and dropping the weapon and looking at the hole in the target. It is an introduction to proper mindset.

I never have understood the need to make all kinds of little distinctions between this kind of pair and that kind of pair. Beyond an introductory level class, I think there really is no need to focus on any type of "pairs." The so-called Non Standard Response sort of has become the standard response these days, which is good.

So if I'm reading you correctly, you think "doubles" are an important part of training but that you see defining sight picture criteria certain definitions as unnecessary?

[rifleman2000]

I have always been taught/gone with:

Controlled pair- Two sight pictures, two shots; ~25m

Hammer- One sight picture, two shots. ~10m or less

I have also seen, but never practiced, something called a "zipper", which is used for 5m or less (I think); with a rifle you start low on the target and fire three rounds with one sight picture, the recoil is used to space the shots up the target's torso, hence the "zipper".

The context I saw it was in a three gun match. A sherriff's deputy (not SWAT) used it on targets that were only supposed to be engaged twice. But under stress of competition, the shooter defaulted to an ingrained habit and fire three rounds each, thus causing an unnecessary reload and hurting his time.

Which is why I never program myself to any one specific string of shots; controlled pair, hammer, or especially not the zipper. For me it is more important to have a good technique to fire accurately and quickly; and I practice coming from the low ready and firing.

I say again, I do not want to program myself to any string of shots.

[Jay Cunningham]

So if I'm reading you correctly, you think "doubles" are an important part of training but that you see defining sight picture criteria certain definitions as unnecessary?

I think getting the novice shooter used to the idea of more than one round per presentation is important.

I think a lot of time and effort is wasted on a list of definitions for various "pairs." Perhaps for the novice shooter the idea of shooting fast at close range and a little slower at longer range should be stressed. As the shooters progress, the idea that the target provides the feedback to the shooter should be emphasized.

After all, shouldn't all shots be broken as fast as they possibly can while still achieving the required accuracy? If you use this as your basis, then you don't need all of those fancy definitions.

[Jay Cunningham]

Specifically regarding sight picture, I think it is another mindset thing that should be ingrained as part of a proper follow-through. If you shoot someone, you should re-acquire a sight picture. There are exceptions to this of course, but there are usually exceptions to everything.