Reliable draw

January 2024

People talk a lot about firearm reliability, but I think we often forget about draw reliability. A two-second draw leaves a lot to be desired, but it may serve you better in self-defense than an unreliable draw. People drop their guns at shooting competitions. Go for speed, but get reliability first.

If I have a half-second draw 99 out of a hundred times, but one out of a hundred times I have a 6-second draw because my shirt got in the way, then I have a 6-second draw. Let’s compare those numbers to firearm malfunctions. What do people say about a gun that goes “click” on every seventh mag or so?

We spend a so much energy thinking about reliability of firearms. But that’s easy. There are hundreds of reliable guns. I’d like to see people focus on the much more challenging and much more critical topic of draw reliability.

Here are some ideas on what to work on. This is mentioned in Legal, ethical and tactical considerations of use of force.

- four step draw, with a particular focus on getting on step 1 correctly

- drawing after your clothes and holster have settled to how they normally ride

- different types of clothing

- drawing from laying on all four sides

- drawing while seated in a chair, car, booth, etc.

- off-hand draw

- draw you defensive chemical, impact weapon, flashlight or other weapons

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