Do you double tap when you train

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Yes, I practice double-taps if possible--sometimes even triple taps.

Some range allow rapid fire so i will practice double taps when I can, while some ranges only allow single shots per second.

I also practice strong side/weak side shooting at times.
 
Always remember that being a good shooter at the range has no bearing on how good you are as a defensive shooter.
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True, but I've never seen a poor range shooter improve under the stress of a combat situation....
 
It's how I was trained, well over 20 years ago, with the double-action revolver, when I entered law enforcement.

Each session I spend at a range that permits it (the one I most frequent does) includes at least a few so-called "double-taps". To me, they are two shots fired in rapid succession once on-target, with only a return to original sight-picture taking place in between.
 
The point is, a firearm is always considered to be deadly force. If you need to use it, it's because you need to use deadly force.
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You have to have a justification for use of deadly force to use a firearm defensively, but that justified use of force can be less than lethal, folks, as long as it effectively neutralizes the intitial threat of death or greivous bodily harm (eg, the home invader elects to turn and exit the way he came in).
 
Being able to fire accurate shots in rapid succession is good training BUT not a cure all.

on another note ,in real life ,shooting in a defensve situation, the object is to keep firing until the immediate deadly threat is stopped. If you have multiple threats ,you engage the most dangerous first.

To rely on a double tap to solve all your problems could get you killed.
 
My definition has always been:

Double Tap: Aim, fire two shots without reacquiring sight picture.
Hammer Pair: Aim, fire one shot, reacquire front sight on target, fire second shot.
Controlled Pair: Aim, fire one shot, aim, fire second shot.
 
My P-64 will double tap on the first shot UNLESS you train with it. The light single action trigger pull is very conducive to it, and unless you're used to the transition you'll double. However, interestingly enough, the recoil characteristics are such that both shots hit more or less the same spot at normal engagement ranges; that second shot won't miss.
 
Are you saying that 'to keep shooting until there is nothing standing to shoot at', is defensive shooting and not offensive shooting?
I think a better term is to keep shooting until the threat is no longer a threat .
If you consider this to be offensive, then so be it.
I consider it to be good survival tactics and just common sense.
Here is a link to an excellent application of this so called "offensive shooting"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADHoBijaqNU
(The action starts at about 1:14)
 
Let me add this.

I have shot with people who shoot USPSA and consider it ample training for a defensive encounter (to which I laugh at). They think that because USPSA teaches you to "double tap", it is all you need as far as training goes. The problem with USPSA is that you can miss fast enough to win, because accuracy is not weighted as heavily as it could be.

However, USPSA is not bad by any means; it can be a great supplement to defensive training. It gets your heartbeat going, some adrenaline pumping, and it makes you think. It does test accuracy to an extent, but it does not test defensive tactics.


Now, while you can miss fast enough to win in USPSA, misses don't get you anything in a firefight. On the flip-side, USPSA does help because it teaches you to shoot quickly under some stress. There are people who only shoot at a range and think that is plenty. For them I say; you can hit slow enough to lose. A hit that you have to take too much time to line up can get you killed just as fast as 3 shots that you fire too quickly and don't aim well enough.


Basically, get some actual defensive training, and then find something to supplement it and keep your skills sharp (aside from range time). IDPA is another good one, and it is focused more on defensive tactics.
 
The only time I'm confident that my controlled pairs will be grouped together is when I'm close to the target...I'd say about 5 to 7 yards; anything past that and I'm nervous that the gap between the two shots may be too wide. At 5 to 7 yards, however, you should be able to jack out at least 3 to 5 shots on target in quick succession, with a high and firm two-handed grip. If not, more practice is needed.
 
ChCx2744 said:
The only time I'm confident that my controlled pairs will be grouped together is when I'm close to the target...I'd say about 5 to 7 yards; anything past that and I'm nervous that the gap between the two shots may be too wide. At 5 to 7 yards, however, you should be able to jack out at least 3 to 5 shots on target in quick succession, with a high and firm two-handed grip. If not, more practice is needed.
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I would offer that you don't need an overly firm grip...certainly not one where you would lock your arms out.

As an example, in the picture below, I'm shooting at two targets at 12 yards. I've place the first two shots within 3" of each other, have transitioned to the next target and am about to press off two more shots (which were even closer together).

Note that not only are both cases, from the first two shots, still in the air, but above the slide. This wasn't a double tap, but two sighted shots. Also note that my arms aren't locked out, the elbows are relaxed

TangBrass.jpg
 
statistically, if you are using a handgun, your chance of a 1 shot stop is about 50% per shot. that assumes you made a good hit to mid torso or head. Other shots count for little.

So, plan on 2 on 3 quick hits or move up to a long gun for HD.

Shooting 1 handgun shot and evaluating is a good way to pick up a shot to yourself while the BG`s system is shutting down.

I am well aware that in certain legal jourisdictions or situations multiple shots might be construed as excessive force, but that is a legal problem, not a tactical one. Your defense is your training and that these shots were fired BEFORE the BG was out of the fight. The minute the BG is out of the fight, your right to shoot stops.

I , too, use the common definition that a triple tap is 3 actual hits to mid torso or head, the usual strategy being to go for the mid torso first because it is the bigger target. With a rifle or shotgun this may be a non-issue because one shot may be enough.

If you do not understand the inadequacy of handgun rounds, this site gives some room for thought-- http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/printable/node/7866 Read the fine print--he clarifies some of the apparent quirks in the data
 
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"I am well aware that in certain legal jourisdictions or situations multiple shots might be construed as excessive force, but that is a legal problem, not a tactical one"
You have put a lot of good common sense into one sentence.
I am tired of hearing how the number of shots is grounds for a charge of excessive force.
If every shot is justified--meaning necessary to stop the threat--you are justified in shooting as many shots as are required in the situation.
Likewise if you are NOT justified in shooting than even one shot is one shot too many.
 
9mmepiph, I see two casings in the air, so I'm going to venture a guess and say that pair was in quick succession. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that unless I was fairly close. At 12 yards, I don't think I could get the shots within 3 inches of each other. Do you have a picture of the target that you shot at in the picture?
 
ChCx2744 said:
Do you have a picture of the target that you shot at in the picture?
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Regretfully I don't. The picture was taken in the middle of a COF during an IDPA Regional match...I seem to remember it was a 14 shot course.

The picture wasn't shot with a personal camera, but by the professional photographers working the event...they didn't take pictures of the hits on the targets. I just had a quick glance at the target before someone taped it up for the next shooter
 
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