Pistol Fundamentals Flashback: Jeff Copper and the Modern Technique

H/T Lenny Ladner

 

 

No other man in firearms training history has had more influence and persuasion that Colonel Jeff Cooper, USMC (Ret.)

The Modern Technique of Pistol Craft that Colonel Cooper invented and taught revolutionized Handgun Training forever.

The MT can be divided up into four major parts:

1. The Big-Bore Autoloading Pistol

Cooper favored this pistol for its proven fight-stopping characteristics, its ease of handling, and the ability to reload it very quickly. While he personally preferred the Colt 1911 in .45 ACP, he also gave the nod to the CZ-75, the Browning Hi-Power and a few other guns. He was not a big fan of the 9 mm, however, and called double-action semi-auto pistols the answer to an unasked question.

2. The Weaver Stance

Cooper borrowed this technique from Deputy Sheriff Jack Weaver, who was consistently beating them all in the combat matches. It is a balanced combat stance that uses a two-hand, isometric hold on the handgun. The shooting hand pushes forward and the support hand pulls back. It is the key to fast, multiple shots using full-power ammunition.

Since the MT was developed over 40 years ago, there have been a myriad of other shooting stances developed that are worth checking out.

3. The Flash Sight Picture

Early on, Col. Jeff Cooper realized that when shooters focused on their front sights, their number of center hits went up dramatically. He also realized that, at close range, you really don’t have to carefully line up both the front and rear sight, nor do you have the time to do it in a gunfight. Just get the front sight on the target as quickly as possible, see the front sight clearly, and launch your shot. The effectiveness of this technique is amazing.

4. The Surprise Break

Cooper taught his students to press the trigger instead of giving it a healthy jerk that would throw the sights off target. In practice, one begins this technique very slowly, pressing gently until the shot is launched. Done properly, the shot should come as almost a surprise. With further practice, one learns to compress all the right moves and deliver his shot quickly and accurately. The combination of No. 3 and No. 4 is why you hear instructors admonish their students with “Front sight, Press.  Front sight, Press.”

 

News Piece from 1979 on Cooper and Gunsite Academy.

 

Jeff Cooper’s Handgun Fundamentals Instructional Video (1985)

 

The Clown World Chronicles: Hero Customer Who Shot Armed Robber at Houston Taco Joint Ordered to Face Grand Jury by Soros-Funded D.A.

Hero Customer Who Shot Armed Robber at Houston Taco Joint Ordered to Face Grand Jury by Soros-Funded D.A.

 

It has reached the point in FUSA where it is not even shocking that we hear about a Soros subsidized Houston District Attorney (Kim Ogg) who released a hardened criminal back into society on a ridiculous bail amount and then that said criminal (who is 9 times out of 10 Black or Brown) goes on to commit some awful, heinous crime that typically results in the death of innocent people (Who are a majority of the time WHITE.)

What is really ATROCIOUS about this story is that this time an ARMED CITIZEN was in the right place at the right time to STOP this POS Dindu and now the CITIZEN is being treated like the CRIMINAL!

I was glad to read the Citizen has a lawyer and is proceeding with caution.

ALWAYS exercise your right to REMAIN SILENT until a lawyer is present.

Let’s all pray for a Grand Jury NO BILL so this fine Armed Citizen can get on with the rest of his life.

 

 

 

Pain is often the result of Stupidity

Noreen Firearms ULR .50 BMG Pistol

 

Like many of you the first word that went through my mind was WHY?

 

Know Your Texas History: Frank Hamer’s Sweetwater Gunfight

Frank Hamer’s Sweetwater Fight: Lessons Learned

 

As a writer and old west “enthusiast” I absolutely love reading about the old Texas warhorses like Frank Hamer.

Men who were cut from rawhide and raised in the traditions of the 19th century old west but forced to live in the modern “civilized” 20th century.

In short, men who were the last of the Old West Gunfighters.

“When we talk about personal defense, we may spend too much time talking about attacks from criminals who are not known to us.

It is also a good idea to realize that dangerous encounters can occur with people who are known to us. This reality should also be considered when we are formulating our own personal defense plans. That said, the overpowering urge should always be to find a way to avoid trouble whenever it is the least bit possible.”

 

For further reading on Hamer, I highly recommend these two books:

I’m Frank Hamer: The Life of a Texas Peace Officer

Manhunter: Frank Hamer, Texas Ranger (A Novel based on the Life and Times of Frank Hamer, Texas Ranger)

 

Know Your Ammo: The 25 ACP – The Worst Carry Caliber

The 25 ACP – The Worst Carry Caliber

 

The .25 ACP, the infamous “mouse fart” gun!