Quit Blowing Up Your Pistols

Quit Blowing Up Your Pistols

In yet another example of how to blow up your pistol, a competitor in a recent pistol match very forcefully hit the back of his pistol’s slide with his left palm in an attempt to clear the malfunction. As he struck the slide, the round detonated in the ejection port.  

At one point, hitting the back of the slide was a commonly taught response to a 1911 pistol failing to go into battery. However as we see in this incident, that may not be a very good idea and indeed could be very dangerous.

The competitor was recording a video of his match so we had the ability to analyze what happened. In picture #1, you can see that there is no round in the chamber. In picture #2 you can see that a round has “nose-dived” into the magazine and was likely holding the slide to the rear. In the video, you can see the competitor pull the slide to the rear to attempt to clear the malfunction which seems to exacerbate the problem because the slide ends up stuck further to the rear.

In picture #3 you can see the competitor’s hand an instant before he slams the slide forward. Note the slide’s position in relation to the muzzle. In picture #4 we see the instant the round detonated in the ejection port—note the slide’s position. The competitor hit the slide so hard he easily forced it forward an inch or more. The competitor received relatively minor cuts since his hand was not directly over the ejection port. The pistol was not seriously damaged, but the magazine was ruined.

So what caused the round to detonate? Before everyone starts—NO, it was not the ejector. The arrow in picture #5 shows the part of the slide which strips a round from the magazine and inserts it in the chamber when the slide moves forward ( I do not know what this part is called and could not find any info identifying the part). When the round nose-dived into the magazine, it perfectly positioned the primer in the path of the slide. Picture #6 shows the detonated round’s primer. Picture #7 shows that the primer fits perfectly into this part of the slide.

As I researched this article, some additional information became available. Earlier in the video the competitor was having feeding problems with his pistol. He mentioned that he had recently replaced the magazine base pads with “+4” extensions without replacing the magazine springs. This coupled with the fact that the magazines were not new may have contributed to the feeding problems and the nose-dive. If you are going to change or add anything to your pistol that takes it out of factory specifications, make sure that the change works.

In my classes I teach that the proper response to a click instead of a bang is to tap the magazine (to ensure it is properly seated) and rack the slide—tap, rack. This will often clear the malfunction. If it does not, the proper response is to lock the slide back, aggressively strip the magazine out, and then reload the pistol and continue to fire if the circumstances so warrant. With the proliferation of striker fired pistols, beating the back of the slide is an outdated technique that is counterproductive.

After reloading, if it does not fire you probably have a broken pistol that's not going to be easily fixed on the spot. If you are under assault, the proper response at that point is to aggressively depart the area or take other necessary action.

Finally, when serving as a match Safety Officer, I have become more aggressive with stopping a shooter when I see them excessively struggling with a malfunction.  This is the fifth incident of this nature that I have direct knowledge of over the past ten years in the San Antonio area. I doubt that it is only happening here. I have noticed that as competitors begin to struggle, the chances of them doing something unsafe rises quickly. These are matches, not life or death situations. If a competitor is having problems we are better off stopping them and allowing them safely resolve the problem and then to reshoot (if necessary) before we permit something unsafe.

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The Federal Air Marshall TPC revisited using the FBI QIT-97 Target

This is an update of an article I wrote in 2018 that described what I was able to glean concerning the pre 9/11 Federal Air Marshall (FAM) qualification or Tactical Pistol Course (as it was known at that time). From 2016 – 2018 despite numerous tries, I could not pass the TPC even though I was shooting at an IDPA Master level on the old 90 round qualification. I essentially stopped trying.

Fast forward to 2023 and Duane Thomas’ article in the Dillon “Blue Press” on the FAM TPC using the FBI Q target (The Blue Press, June 2023, pages 60-63). Coincidentally, a friend’s daughter is interested in becoming a FAM and asked me to teach a basic pistol class for her and another student. Since I was satisfied that I could pass the TPC using the FBI Q target, I dug out some FBI QIT-97 targets so I could demonstrate the pre 9/11 TPC using that target. I shot it cold and passed the time requirements (barely) and the points.

I shot the qualification with my P320 Carry in 9mm with a Holosun green dot optic sight. I used an open front concealment garment for the strings that required concealment. I was somewhat concerned that the accuracy necessary for success on the QIT-97 would require a bit more deliberation and therefore a quicker concealed draw than the FBI Q target—this proved to be the case.

Target Placement: Two targets placed three yards apart from edge to edge with a third target placed in the middle. Targets are seven yards from the firing line.

Scoring: The maximum possible score is 150 points with a minimum passing score of 135 points. Hits earn five points for inner bottle, 2 points for line hits on inner bottle or full value hits on outer bottle. Zero points for line hits on outer bottle or for a miss. You must be within the time limits for each string of fire. 

Shooting the FAM qualification course within the time limits while hitting the inner bottle necessarily requires a careful balance between speed and accuracy. This is not trivial. If you do not meet every stage’s time requirements, you fail even if you managed to shoot a passing score overall.

The Qualification:

Stage 1: From concealment, draw and fire one round on one target. Repeat. Maximum time is 3.30 seconds for 2 rounds fired.

Stage 2: From low ready, double tap (two shots) on one target. Repeat. Maximum time is 2.70 seconds for 4 rounds fired.

Stage 3: From low ready, fire 6 rounds into one target. Maximum time is 3.00 seconds for 6 rounds fired and all splits (shot to shot time) must be 0.60 seconds or less.

Stage 4: From low ready, fire one shot, reload, fire one shot into one target. Repeat. Maximum time is 6.50 seconds for 4 rounds fired.

Stage 5: From low ready, fire one round into the one of the two outer targets and then transition and fire a round into the other outer target. Repeat. Maximum time is 3.30 seconds for 4 rounds fired.

Stage 6: From concealment and facing up range with back to targets, turn 180 degrees and place one shot into each of the three targets. Repeat. Maximum time is 7.00 seconds for 6 rounds fired.

Stage 7: From low ready and standing, fire one round into one target, slide locks back, drop to one knee, reload, fire one round. Repeat. Maximum time is 8.00 seconds for 4 rounds fired. (Note this is essentially a slide lock 1-reload-1 drill just dropping to a knee while reloading)

The times for the qualification shown in the picture above using my P320 Carry were as follows:

Stage 1: Draw: 1.56, 1.57 = 3.13 (Standard: 3.30 seconds or less)

Stage 2: Double Tap: 1.06, 1.03 = 2.09 (Standard: 2.70 seconds or less)

Stage 3: Rapid Fire: 2.84 (Standard: 3.30 seconds or less)

Stage 4: Speedload: 3.26, 3.34 = 6.50 (Standard: 6.50 seconds or less) I barely squeaked by on this stage.

Stage 5: Transition: 1.55, 1.49 = 3.04 (Standard: 3.30 seconds or less)

Stage 6: Turn & Draw, 3 Targets: 3.04, 3.07 = 6.11 (Standard: 7.00 seconds or less)

Stage 7: Slidelock Reload: 3.10, 3.98 = 7.08 (Standard: 8.00 seconds or less)

Times = Pass for all strings

Points = Passed with 138 points (I dropped a total of four shots (or twelve points) outside the inner bottle)

The Federal Air Marshall TPC is an extremely challenging pistol qualification and particularly challenging using the QIT-97 target.

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Shooting the Pre 9/11 Federal Air Marshall's Qualification Course or TPC

Recently Dillon Precision’s “Blue Press” published a Duane Thomas article concerning the pre 9/11 Federal Air Marshall (FAM) qualification course.* This article, in conjunction with a close friend’s daughter expressing an interest in becoming a FAM rekindled my interest in the earlier FAM qualification. (*The Blue Press, June 2023, pages 60-63). 

I was talking about the qualification with a shooting partner when he mentioned that a mutual friend had been a FAM. Since our mutual friend had retired as a Special Agent (SA) from another federal agency, it never occurred to me to ask about the FAM qualification. I will refer to my friend as Special Agent (retired) or SA ret. for the remainder of the article.

SA ret. confirmed all of the FAM scoring, target positioning, etc. that Thomas mentioned in the Blue Press article. Since SA ret. was a firearms instructor at his agency, he had been detailed to the FAM program literally the week after 9/11 as the government scrambled to increase the number of FAMs in the program. My friend said that since they were all credentialed LEOs or Special Agents, the detailees were put through an intensive firearms training program to ensure that their shooting skills were up to FAM standards. SA ret. said that they shot all day, every day for two weeks. He said that they literally shot so much that at the end of the training the FAM program replaced all of their issued pistols because they had exceeded the pistol’s service life.

I had written an article in 2018 that described what I was able to glean concerning the pre 9/11 from research and a discussion with Mike Seeklander at the 2016 IDPA Nationals. Mike Seeklander indicated that the FAM had used an FBI QIT-97 Target and a scoring system that differed from that which Thomas mentioned in his article which was the FBI-Q (milk bottle) target. As Thomas mentioned, the FAM program has likely used a number of qualification courses and targets over the years; therefore, the discrepancy between what Thomas mentions as the standard target and the QIT-97 Seeklander mentions are probably a result of different time frames.

Scoring: The maximum possible score is 150 points with a minimum passing score of 135 points. A minimum passing score of 135 allows for three complete misses. From my experience, if you are at the level where you routinely miss the FBI Q entirely your chances of passing the qualification are slim.

You must be within the time limits for each string of fire. Shooting the FAM qualification course within the time limits while hitting the bottle necessarily requires a balance between speed and accuracy because of its strict adherence to the maximum time requirements for each stage. This is not trivial. If you do not meet the stage’s time requirement, you fail even if you managed to shoot a passing score overall.

Shooting the FAM qualification course is best done on an outdoor range. The course requires you to shoot targets spaced across lanes and one of the stages requires the shooter to turn 180-degrees without sweeping anyone. You must use a concealment garment for two of the seven stages.

The course of fire is 30 rounds from 7-yards, fired at three targets spaced three yards apart. Per Thomas: “The FAM set up the outer two targets with three yards – nine feet – between them edge-to-edge, then centered a third target between those. When you do it that way, according to my tape measure the distance between targets edge-to-edge is three feet, six and a half inches.” Some INTERNET sources claim the targets were three yards apart. Thomas goes on to state that given the FAM program’s mission, the nine feet distance makes sense. No commercial aircraft was wide enough for three people to stand eighteen feet apart in a fuselage.

The Target: Thomas mentions that the pre 9/11 FAM qualification used the standard FBI-Q target scored as five points for a full value hit within the bottle and zero points for hits outside the bottle. In other words, a hit on the line of the silhouette scores as a miss. SA ret. told me that in the FAM program he attended they used a version of the FBI-Q target that had a circle in the upper chest; however, they ignored the circle for scoring and used the entire bottle with full value scoring.

The Qualification:

Stage 1: From concealment, draw and fire one round on one target. Repeat. Maximum time is 3.30 seconds for 2 rounds fired.

Stage 2: From low ready, double tap (two shots) on one target. Repeat. Maximum time is 2.70 seconds for 4 rounds fired.

Stage 3: From low ready, fire 6 rounds into one target. Maximum time is 3.00 seconds for 6 rounds fired and all splits (shot to shot time) must be 0.60 seconds or less.

Stage 4: From low ready, fire one shot, reload, fire one shot into one target. Repeat. Maximum time is 6.50 seconds for 4 rounds fired.

Stage 5: From low ready, fire one round into the one of the two outer targets and then transition and fire a round into the other outer target. Repeat. Maximum time is 3.30 seconds for 4 rounds fired.

Stage 6: From concealment and facing up range with back to targets, turn 180 degrees and place one shot into each of the three targets. Repeat. Maximum time is 7.00 seconds for 6 rounds fired.

Stage 7: From low ready and standing, fire one round into one target, slide locks back, drop to one knee, reload, fire one round. Repeat. Maximum time is 8.00 seconds for 4 rounds fired. (Note this is essentially a slide lock 1-reload-1 drill just dropping to a knee while reloading).

My friend and I shot the FAM qualification during a training session in August 2023. The temperature on the range was 102 degrees with no shade so the heat challenged us a bit. We used the Range Master Q target which is similar to the to the FBI Q Target (with additional circles inside the bottle and a line at the bottom). We used the middle target for most strings which resulted in a possible hit count of 22 hits on the middle target and four hits each on the outer targets.

I shot the qualification with my every day carry (EDC) P320 Carry in 9mm and my alternate P365 in 9mm. Both have Holosun green dot optic sights. I used a closed front t-shirt as my concealment garment for the strings that required concealment.

I completed two qualifications with my P320, the first shot cold, and passed both. 

 

FAM Qualification with P320

The times for the qualification shown in the picture above using my P320 Carry were as follows:

Stage 1. Draw: 1.48, 1.39 = 2.87 (Standard: 3.30 seconds or less)

Stage 2. Double Tap: .88, 1.08 = 1.96 (Standard: 2.70 seconds or less)

Stage 3. Rapid Fire: 2.20 (Standard: 3.30 seconds or less)

Stage 4. Speedload: 3.06, 2.95 = 6.01 (Standard: 6.50 seconds or less)

Stage 5. Transition: 1.32, 1.28 = 2.60 (Standard: 3.30 seconds or less)

Stage 6. Turn & Draw, 3 Targets: 2.69, 2.71 = 5.30 (Standard: 7.00 seconds or less)

Stage 7. Slidelock Reload: 3.54, 3.79 = 6.53 (Standard: 8.00 seconds or less)

Times = Pass for all strings

Points = Passed with 150 points

 

FAM Qualification with the P365

I completed three qualifications with my P365 and passed all three. The times for the qualification shown in the picture above using my P365 were as follows:

Stage 1. Draw: 1.62, 1.52 = 3.14 (Standard: 3.30 seconds or less)

Stage 2. Double Tap: 1.15, 1.06 = 2.21 (Standard: 2.70 seconds or less)

Stage 3. Rapid Fire: 2.75 (Standard: 3.30 seconds or less)

Stage 4. Speedload: 3.04, 3.41 = 6.45 – barely squeaked by on this string due to issues with the concealment garment during the reloads (Standard: 6.50 seconds or less)

Stage 5. Transition: 1.37, 1.48 = 2.83 (Standard: 3.30 seconds or less)

Stage 6. Turn & Draw, 3 Targets: 3.22, 3.01 = 6.23 (Standard: 7.00 seconds or less)

Stage 7. Slidelock Reload: 3.80, 3.77 = 7.57 (Standard: 8.00 seconds or less)

Times = Pass for all strings

Points = Passed with 145 points (the shot touching the line on the middle target is a miss).

The FAM Qualification course tests several major tasks you must perform in the course of shooting a match or using a pistol for self-defense. They are:

-- Safely draw the pistol (clear concealment garment)

-- Extend to fire

-- Transition between targets

-- Reload the pistol (clear concealment garment)

-- Execute precise shots (sight alignment, sight picture, trigger control)

-- Turning then drawing the pistol

-- Moving from standing to kneeling

In my series of articles on deliberate practice I discuss the value of structured drills with specific goals designed to improve performance. Each of the major tasks listed above is composed of sub tasks that also must be performed correctly. Once we break each major task down into sub tasks we can then apply the deliberate practice methodology to improve our shooting.

For example: I have been practicing coming on target from a low ready position and firing an accurate shot. My practice has resulted in a .20 to .30 second improvement. When you do this five times during a qualification that time savings adds up.

The Federal Air Marshall course of fire is an extremely challenging pistol qualification and is a good tool for concealed carriers to use to benchmark their skills. If you can stay within the time limits and score a perfect 150, I will tip my hat to you.  

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Practice Update -- The Same Thing, The Correct Way, Every Time

This is an update to a post I published in 2018 that reflects some of the techniques and lessons I have learned in the last few years. The journey continues. 

The Same Thing, The Correct Way, Every Time. My students tell me that my mantra is often the one thing that really sticks in their mind. I tend to repeat it over and over during the course of a class. To shoot well you must do the same thing, the correct way, every time.

So what does that mean? Particularly for beginners, you must have an acceptable foundation upon which to build your shooting stance.  The next time you are at the range, take a moment and look at how most untrained pistol shooters are standing — you will see every variation imaginable; most are not optimal.

The correct shooting stance is an aggressive stance with feet approximately shoulder width apart, while your knees are flexed (bent). If you're doing it correctly, you'll feel tension in your calf muscles. One foot may be in front of the other as in a slight karate-style front stance. A stance that's too wide will inhibit your ability to swing to shoot multiple targets and your ability to move.

A common problem I often see is beginners literally standing with their heels in a line perpendicular to the waist. While this gives the illusion of a stable stance, there is no lateral stability. A too-narrow stance can cause you to lose your balance as the pistol recoils.

Bend your upper body slightly forward with shoulders slightly in front of the waist, ears in front of shoulders. Your spine should be relatively straight. This posture puts the majority of the body weight slightly forward and uses the body's mechanics to help control recoil.

Grip the gun as high on the frame as possible with the shooting hand indexing against the beavertail and making full contact with the rear of the frame. If your hand size permits, extend both thumbs toward the target along the slide or frame while exerting inward pressure with the palms of both hands.

The shooting hand squeezes the gun from front to rear; the support hand squeezes the shooting hand from side to side. This creates a clam-shell effect that generates four-way, equal pressure on the pistol. Having the proper pressure balance on every side allows the gun to track more consistently in recoil and then return to the target quickly and consistently. 

 

Use 100% of your grip strength. Some instructors advise using 60-40 or some other percentage--I do not.  If you are using 100% of your grip strength (what ever that might be), by definition you cannot increase your grip pressure when you press the trigger. This helps prevent you from moving the pistol out of alignment when you press the trigger.

Aim--Align in the Middle. Ensure you have a proper sight alignment and sight picture.  Sight alignment and sight picture are often confused, but they are not the same. Alignment refers to the relationship between the front and rear sight; the sight picture is the relationship between the aligned sights and the target — what you see the instant the pistol fires.

Alignment is correct when the top of the front sight is the same height as the top of the rear sight blade, and there is an equal amount of light showing on either side of the front sight. With optical sights, alignment consists of seeing the dot in the window — regardless of where it appears.

You must focus on the front sight (or dot, etc.) to fire an accurate shot. The human eye's physical characteristics preclude simultaneously focusing on objects at multiple distances. Focus on the front sight, not the rear sight and not the target. If you are using a dot, focus on the target and super impose the dot on the spot on the target where you want the bullet to hit.

Finally, you must simultaneously do all the above while pressing the trigger to the rear.  You can have the perfect sight alignment and picture, but if you move the pistol out of alignment when you press the trigger it does not matter how you press the trigger. The shot will not hit where you want it to.

I did not do this as I was shooting the lower target in the picture 5x5 drill picture. My friend Steve and I were shooting the standard version of Gila Hayes' 5x5 drill (not the IDPA version). I was using my P320 with an RMR. I had a great group going until I moved the pistol as I pressed the trigger on the last two shots. I failed to grip the pistol and THEN press the press the trigger correctly two times.

The group on the upper target was the same pistol with the RMR turned off and using the iron sights. A bit of a drift to the lower left (I’m right handed) indicating that I did not have a perfect 100% grip every time on this run either.

The Same Thing, The Correct Way, Every Time.  Back to the range for more deliberate practice!

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