5 count draw and cover garments

[Doghandler]

Let's talk about a five count draw scheme as specific to a cover garment or garments. Given the increasing popularity of CCW and within this group, the popularity and practically or requirement of utilizing cover garments, I think it's time we gave the issue of 'clearing the garment' it's own count which will add one more count to a typical four count strong side scheme.

Count one will be 'clearing the garment'. Count two will be establishing grip.

Why even give it a thought? Why, because clearing the garment should not be incidental to establishing grip. We can't establish grip until we have cleared the garment. Giving count one to establishing grip trivializes the importance of clearing the garment and trivialization can lead to complacence and complacence can lead to sloppiness and you might never get a grip.

What do you think? Am I barking up an empty tree?

 

[bikerdoc]

Massad Ayoob addresses clearing cover garments in his concealed carry book

 

[allaroundhunter]

What do you think? Am I barking up an empty tree?

Yes and no. When I am wearing an open button-down shirt or unzipped jacket then I clear the cover garment with my strong hand as I reach to gain a firing grip on my weapon; ergo, no need to add that step.

When I am wearing anything closed (zipped jacket, t-shirt) that covers the gun, then I use my weak hand to clear the cover garment as I draw with my strong hand.

It all depends on what type of garment you have to clear (from what I have been taught).

 

[sidheshooter]

I don't think you are barking up the wrong tree. Maybe call it "count zero" to avoid confusion; either way, it is a legitimate concern given the possible variables.

As an aside, the last hand gunning class that I took was a "concealed carry" class having to do with flinch response and close quarter concepts and practice. IMHO, I was the only guy with a real-world civilian cover garment; I was wearing a loose sweatshirt (as I often do on my own time) and had to "Hackathorn rip" to get to my 3953 in its IWB each and every drill. The only other guy who even bothered just had an open button-up woolrich tac shirt thrown on to conceal-along with his tac belt, tucked in t-shirt, OWB holster and mag carriers.

The rest of the folks in the class just had tucked in shirts and exposed OWB rigs, no cover garment. The guy who shot the best (and was, frankly the best shot-don't get me wrong) was using a full size EAA witness with a flared mag well, OWB kydex, and competition mag holders sticking out all over his belt like Obi wan kenobi's light saber, plus spares.

Suffice to say, I was typically slowest on the draw, especially in the one-handed drills. I'm happy to report that it (mostly) wasn't by a whole lot, but it was enough slower to make the point. Cover garments suck when speed is an issue, but that's life in 21st-c. America.

 

[Doghandler]

Count zero. Avoid confusion. Got it.

 

[Paul Gomez]

Count One, as I teach it, refers to a multitude of things.

Hips Square to the known threat. Weight forward.

Off Hand either maintains a Fence or collapses flat to the chest at the pec line.

Gun Hand clears the cover garment high, using either the thumb or curled fingertips.

Gun Hand thumb contacts torso and drives down to the holstered gun.

Full Firing Grip established in the holster.

And on to Count 2.

Clearing the cover garment is one facet, but only one facet, of establishing Count 1 of draw stroke.

 

[xXxplosive]

IMO.......there are many different cover garments, not just open front shirts and or jackets but different kinds of apparel....even rain coats and ladies apparel. Also, there are many styles and positions of carry form 1 to 12 O'clock....suppose one could write a book just on this aspect of CC addressing each garment and position.......Geeezzzz.

 

[Doghandler]

Thanks, Mr. Gomez. I was hoping some trainers would chime in.

Yes, there is certainly a lot going on in count one. The four count draw is at it's core a task analysis. One thing to be understood in the four point scheme is that we can choose to stop or continue at any count as influenced by the dynamics of SA and threat level.

I see two possible advantages to giving the cover garment it's own count - count zero.

1. Count zero gives us a drill that accounts for variations in cover garments and also changes in sidearm. Zero one. Zero one. Zero one two. Zero one two, etc.

2. Count zero gives us opportunity to pause, as influenced by dynamic SA and threat level, in a less conspicuous manner than hand on grip which may attract undesirable attention from bystanders who are not aware of the unfolding threat.