The draw

I train for both, with the majority of the training going to one handed draw practice.

1 handed is the way to go, because it is the more difficult. As you stated, you may need that other hand for something else, or it may be injured. If you are fortunate enough to have that second hand available at the time when it really matters, that's just a bonus. Don't neglect drills at "grappling distance" that may require contact shooting an adversary. They are complex and must be executed with safety in mind. I recommend professional training for these complex but important scenarios. I use a 22 M&P pistol for these drills to prevent my target from being reduced to confetti.

My first two SD classes taught two-handed draw, and that is primarily what i have been practicing. I invested in a blue gun matching my EDC to be able to practice draw safely. Many mornings I run through a few minutes of blue gun draws before holstering my EDC. Recently I watch YouTube video on strong-side one-handed draw. Now I practice that method for at least half of my blue gun draw practice.

For me, AIWB is slightly quicker to draw than strong side IWB; that said, strong side IWB is more comfortable if seated for an extended time.

I have always defaulted to a 1-handed draw as my left hand (if it is available) is naturally reaching behind to pull my coat/jacket out of the way.

If a threat is 2 yards, 6 feet . It's time to go H2H & get Nasty JMO ; )
H/D

CDW4ME said:

For me, AIWB is slightly quicker to draw than strong side IWB

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But the question of 2-hand or 1-hand draw applies equally to AIWB and strong-side holstering.
Notably, I have of late been seeing many more recommendations for AIWB over strong-side.

I used to practice both but the last year or so have switched to soley one handed.

I shoot IDPA and so it really hasn't been a big deal. Most guys that run a vest, jacket or button up are using one hand to sweep anyway.

I run my carry gear which consists of a t-shirt of some sort and have gotten very consistent with a one handed draw. I practice/train/shoot at home.

I like the idea of having my off hand free and from my experience the chances of fouling up a draw either one or two handed are about the same.

In the few close-range self defense situations that I've found myself in, my left hand was busy blocking, grabbing or bleeding. If I'd needed it to access my handgun, I'd have been in a world of hurt... .

In “social” situations, having two hands available to draw is a luxury. A gunfight is a fight that just happens to involve a gun. I train with the idea that my “support” hand is going to be holding/contacting a steering wheel, door handle, dog leash, bag of groceries, flashlight, camera, umbrella, or some kind of stick, if not some part of an opponent’s body.

Having said that, there is nothing wrong with training to use the support hand to clear clothing, to start the draw. Just be aware that one may have to “create distance,” to allow one the luxury of having two free hands.

Also, train for the possibility that an opponent may well target one’s “strong” hand, or weapon hand. For over three decades, I prioritized gaining control of others’ “strong” arms and hands, as I made arrests. I would rather “smother the draw,” than deal with a weapon in an opponent’s hand(s).

Train and practice for your intended use and anticipated needs.

As a younger firearms instructor it was startling to me how many folks who lawfully carried handguns didn't give much attention to their selection of holsters, as well as their ability to safely and properly use their holsters. Holstering and drawing from a holster are a couple of weapon handling manipulations that can be a lot more dangerous than many people may stop to consider.

Some folks look at the holster as nothing more than a convenient way to carry (by wearing) a handgun from one point to another.

A lot of public/private ranges won't allow people to use holsters or draw from them, so it can make it difficult for people to practice using them for drawing and holstering during live-fire.

Classes and competition participation cost money and time.

Then, there's the folks who don't seem to anticipate they may ever have to "fight" using their holstered weapons.

For the folks who do engage in firearms training involving holster use, or are required to do so (for their jobs/careers), it can vary. Being able to draw as may be necessary under anticipated circumstances (dynamic, chaotic and stressful), both 1 and 2-handed, or using your offside hand, might be necessary skills to learn and practice.

I remember when I was first working to be able to do a 1-sec draw/fire from both Duty and concealment holsters. I'd just returned from an outside LE class where the students were encouraged to maintain the ability to draw/fire from "real" concealment - meaning jackets and coats, not some lightweight "vest" - and the suggested goal was to remain able to do it and get solid A-zone hits out to 5-7ds in no more than 1.5sec. 2-handed shooting grips were required for the timed assessment drills, because it required getting that support hand clear of manipulating any cover clothing (lifting sweatshirts worn under jackets, while the strong hand swept the jacket), and supporting 2-handed stability and accuracy at speed. Sure, 1-handed close-range was easier and faster, but if you can do it the hard way, the easy way can become ... even easier.

The former head range instructor, who was my mentor for many years, once told me that the "trick" to mastering a sub-1sec draw was ... to do it correctly for at least 10,000 repetitions. He worked with me until I could hit that sub-1sec benchmark, at least sometimes, but that was just a static range "test". I did a lot more drawing on our hot LE range, though. Then again, standing there and waiting for the audible buzzer, fully expecting what you're going to do, is a far different thing than being out off the range and caught up in some real world situations. You can't know what you're going to be doing, including with your hands.

When I was required to draw my duty weapon for real, in both uniform and plainclothes situations, I seldom remembered the draw, let alone what I'd had to do in order to complete it. There were times when it seemed that it simply "appeared" in my hand, or hands. Of course, that was the point of the training and practice, right?

CDW4ME said:

For me, AIWB is slightly quicker to draw than strong side IWB;

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I'm not going to argue that if you're simply speaking of practicing your draw stroke with no threat close by or present.

Last year we concluded some extensive training (with blue guns, we were going to continue with Simunitions, but COVID happened) where we found that if a threat is within bad-breath distance, drawing from a bladed stance, holster 3:00 or farther back, offered the opportunity to at least get a pistol out of the holster and up (using the weak-hand/arm for stand-off) before the threat closed and engaged; whereas, from AIWB, once the threat is at close-range, he can -- depending on his skill level and yours -- easily interdict your draw-stroke by stepping in and using any number of entries, even simply pinning your arm.

Rexster said:

Also, train for the possibility that an opponent may well target one’s “strong” hand, or weapon hand. For over three decades, I prioritized gaining control of others’ “strong” arms and hands, as I made arrests. I would rather “smother the draw,” than deal with a weapon in an opponent’s hand(s).

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Yep. Exactly. Too few train this way.

My conclusion remains, AIWB (which I suspect most use because they believe it offers significantly better concealment for them) may be comfortable for some, may be convenient, but in most dynamic situations where one party or the other goes hands-on, there's too much risk. So for me, speaking of the draw, I am more concerned about the applicability in situations in which I might find myself, rather than the false promise of "superior concealment." As a citizen, most here probably don't care, but those who've worked the streets I suspect have a much better understanding.

One hand.

But then the other hand too, for that BUG.

Old Dog said:

I'm not going to argue that if you're simply speaking of practicing your draw stroke with no threat close by or present.

Last year we concluded some extensive training (with blue guns, we were going to continue with Simunitions, but COVID happened) where we found that if a threat is within bad-breath distance, drawing from a bladed stance, holster 3:00 or farther back, offered the opportunity to at least get a pistol out of the holster and up (using the weak-hand/arm for stand-off) before the threat closed and engaged; whereas, from AIWB, once the threat is at close-range, he can -- depending on his skill level and yours -- easily interdict your draw-stroke by stepping in and using any number of entries, even simply pinning your arm.

Yep. Exactly. Too few train this way.

My conclusion remains, AIWB (which I suspect most use because they believe it offers significantly better concealment for them) may be comfortable for some, may be convenient, but in most dynamic situations where one party or the other goes hands-on, there's too much risk. So for me, speaking of the draw, I am more concerned about the applicability in situations in which I might find myself, rather than the false promise of "superior concealment." As a citizen, most here probably don't care, but those who've worked the streets I suspect have a much better understanding.

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I can see your point(s).
Coming from the perspective of a concealed carrier, not a uniformed officer ...
(I don't see cops carrying AIWB in uniform, may happen just aint seen it)
AIWB would be advantageous if seated (like in a restaurant or vehicle) for quicker access.
Strong side might be better if the threat was close as you described above.

Its a typical day, no road trip.
I'll use a "commander" size 1911 for my example, I can carry it either AIWB or strong side IWB.
Walk dogs 1-2 miles, go on a bicycle ride/ thats it, end of choice; IME, AIWB doesn't work on a bicycle for me. Strong side it is.

From the perspective of someone who might find themselves trying to defend against someone trying to draw from AIWB (no particular shortage of criminals who carry that way, sans holsters) ...

If someone is trying to access/draw their weapon in the front of their waistband, it makes it easier to "go at the gun" (hands on) and keep it pressed inward against their body.

Trying to go at a gun holstered further around the waist requires more reach into the defender's centerline and defensive space, and it's harder (from the front) to turn the weapon "into them", unlike when it's already set up to keep it turned into them when it's carried AIWB.

This is something that's easily demonstrated in unarmed SD training, and can include trying to get a knife into service, or just trying to prevent your hands from being more easily attacked and neutralized (if they're held in the front of your waist, versus further behind the hip, away from the attacker).

There are pro's & con's of any carry method. Some are often touted as being better suited for ease of carrying a weapon, but that doesn't mean they'll be as practical for being able to draw against a sudden physical "intrusion" of a close range defensible space, or a confined space engagement. Fighting with a gun can be a lot different than carrying a gun, or just presenting a gun from various holsters.

Choose your purpose and risk/benefit consideration of carry method, and then perhaps consider seeking some training by someone who has had the opportunity to learn the various advantages & disadvantages that may be relevant to your anticipated SD w/G situations.

One size doesn't really fit all.

I see the point in training both ways. I've also seen and experienced so many fumbled draws during close-in training that I personally am not even willing to try. For me, hand-to-hand is hand-to-hand until I have the time and space to execute the draw with however many hands I feel like.

fastbolt said:

A lot of public/private ranges won't allow people to use holsters or draw from them, so it can make it difficult for people to practice using them for drawing and holstering during live-fire.

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This is a fairly large barrier for me. Even my private club doesn't allow drawing and firing from a holster.

Dry firing, though, is different. I practice one and two-hand draws.

I agree with one hand draw practice. There are too many things you might need your other hand for ( steering wheel, Pepper spray/ other non lethal force, keys, knife, to push attacker away, etc., etc.)

For me it's cross draw holsters IWB or OWB. you practice draw with both right and left hands seperately... it becomes a cinch to do with either hand. With proper adjusment you can draw easy from a seated position in a car ( etc.). In CCW you will often have a shirt in the way, try to dip or insert hand under shirt, keeping some buttons loose on the bottom.

Please be sure the gun has the magazine out and check the chaimber before practicing quick draw. ( sorry to have to say this, but you never know who is reading).

JudgeHolden10 said:

This is a fairly large barrier for me. Even my private club doesn't allow drawing and firing from a holster.

Dry firing, though, is different. I practice one and two-hand draws.

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At the range most SD situations happen, that should be good enough. But if it irks you maybe a friend with some private land could help. ( assuming it's legal to shoot on private land in MO).

Palladan44 said:

Requiring a one handed holster draw, while your opposite hand plays defense.

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has anyone figured out which hand automatically goes up first for defense? in an adrenal-dump situation every move devolves to your training or to your basic instincts. i bet your strong hand is the one playing defense in this scenario.

i agree about practicing the one-hand draw. i practice weak and strong side one-hand draws. when at home, consider this dry-fire practice and keep all ammo out of the room.

luck,

murf