The Quest For Excellence

A student once asked me what percentage of fire in a gunfight — and the training appropriate to gun fighting — did I think needed to be geared towards precision fire? My answer was simple: “All fire should be precision fire.”

We should be in pursuit of excellence with each shot we fire. Since there will be no do-over in a gunfight — or even in simple target practice — the shots we fire must simply be the best they can be, period. In the case of small arms training today, many students often feel a blinding need for speed. This may in fact not necessarily address the big picture. The parameters of marksmanship have long ago been addressed and established even if ignored or forgotten by today’s shooters. The principles of the Modern Technique as taught by Col. Jeff Cooper and his lineage over the last 30 plus years evolved around a triad of points: accuracy, power and speed. Somewhere over the years these principles have often been diluted or misunderstood by the mass marketing of polymer-wizbangs and high-capacity magazines. The key is a balance of these three points, and one point must not over shadow the others. Otherwise the scale is tipped to the side of error.

Hit The Target Well

Accuracy means to hit the target well, not on the edges, not on the paper somewhere, not on the edge of the plate or edge of the man. It means hitting the target in the center of what is available to the shooter. We — you — must hit the target well.

Power of whatever calibration is no good without being properly placed. A center hit with a 9mm is better than an edger with a .44 Magnum. Sure the .44 will leave a mark, but if you want to mark them, use a paint ball. All jest aside, if an edger does not stop the threat, he is still a threat to everyone on our side in the fight. In a recent conversation about .44 Magnums I made a statement that 90 percent of all the .44 Magnums ever sold never had more than a 100 rounds of true full-house magnum ammunition fired though them. True magnums are not fun to shoot and a cylinder full usually will prove my point to all but the stoutest of hearts — or hands.

Know someone who has a .44? I will buy all the full-house .44 Magnums anyone can fire through a single setting, without taking more than a 30-second break for loading, while keeping the hits on a paper plate a 15 yards. Power is magnificent if it is controlled, in moderation and hits the target well. Especially in a fight. Speed of delivery is important but must be balanced with accuracy. Center hits with the most powerful system you will carry on a regular basis and can control while firing with solid hits will win fights. A slow center hit is better than a fast miss; and the controlled center hit of a 9mm is better than a magnum miss. All fire should be precision fire.

Surgical Fire

Even more critical is the possession of surgical skills while shooting. Center-mass hits are good, but may not solve your problem. Shooting at playing card size targets under the balance of speed and using a powerful weapon — all done on a regular basis — may be the foundation of these kinds of surgical skills. These skills may be needed under the duress of a true fight. Multiple shots in the center of mass may garner your opponent’s attention, but may not stop them from continuing their evil ways. Precision fire should hit the center of mass, but surgical fire may win the fight. Practice both.

As a note of caution, the last round fired wins most fights. Fire yours well.

As our conversation came to a close, the young man was curious about what my expectations were regarding a student’s attitude and performance during a course of instruction. What do I expect? I expect excellence from them in the same way they expect it from me when I teach. The bottom line may indeed be: “What do you expect of yourself?” Are you willing to work hard enough to achieve it? Train hard.

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