A Stoppage Reduction Overview...Tap, Rack...

[Guest Paul Gomez]

In the video, I go over both the Diagnostic and NonDiagnostic approaches to dealing with a failure to fire.

The article below deals strictly with the NonDiagnostic model

Any interruption in the cycle of functioning is a ‘stoppage’. By this definition, an empty gun is a stoppage, no round in the chamber is a stoppage, a primer that fails to ignite results in a stoppage, a failure of the slide to go into battery is a stoppage, etc, etc.

Using a nondiagnostic model, all of these issues are addressed with a single skillset. Any ‘failure to go bang’ results in the gun being drawn back to a physical reference point [gun hand elbow indexed on torso, muzzle up, mag well turned in towards centerline, ejection port out], the mag base is struck to ensure that it is properly seated and the offhand continues its’ motion to end up grasping the slide, at the cocking serrations, and fully running the slide to the rear and releasing it at that point. If it is determined that the gun is at slide lock, a reload is conducted. Next, a proper two handed grip is established at Count Three of drawstroke and the weapon is driven straight to threat, shooting if needed.

In pic one, the gun is at extension, trigger has been pressed and there was no ‘bang’.

Pic Two, gun is returned to physical reference point previously described and the base of the magazine is ‘Tapped’ to ensure it is fully locked into place.

Slide is racked in the third picture.

Two handed grasp of the gun is reestablished and the gun is being driven back to appropriate extension.

[Jonnin]

Ok, I am not all that tactical and all that, but why take the gun off target to point it at the sky to rack it? I do not see the advantages of moving into an awkward, off the target position just to rack the slide. I could see it if the shooter is using a weapon that is too big/hard to slingshot rack, is that the reason?

[Guest Paul Gomez]

Jonnin,

There are a number of reasons that I bring the gun in to that position. It facilitates movement without covering nonhostiles with the muzzle. It supports weapon retention much better than an extended position. We have greater dexterity and strength when we bring our hands into our torso. It positions the gun in such a manner as to aid in clearing the chamber by facing the ejection port towards the ground.

Here's a short video in which I discuss these issues and more.

[chances R]

I know there a different ways to skin the cat.....but.......in the type 3 malfunction/clearance part of the video I noticed you would 'sling-shot' the release each time. As the basis of most type 3 mal. is a FTE, which can be from a 'sticking' problem, extra force on the extraction/rearward motion may be needed. Therefore, wouldn't it be better to keep a firm grip on the slide to be able to forceably run the slide forward as well as to be able to add additional force to the rear for each of the 3 racks, than to release and re-grab the slide each time?

[Guest Paul Gomez]

Therefore, wouldn't it be better to keep a firm grip on the slide to be able to forceably run the slide forward as well as to be able to add additional force to the rear for each of the 3 racks, than to release and re-grab the slide each time?

I find that most everyone who keeps their hand on the slide during manipulation tends to rob the slide of energy when returning forward. The fully compressed recoil spring is the most effective way to get the slide forward. By getting it fully forward, we are most likely to get the extractor to snap over the rim of the chambered round. This, in turn, maximizes the likelihood that we'll get the stuck case dislodged.

You may feel like you have more force driving the slide forward by keeping your hand on it but, in actuality, you have less.

[chances R]

Can see your point. And like most things....it depends. Noticing how you assisted the slide forward in your video when the slide failed to go into full battery. That could also be encountered with the type 3 malfunction clearing.

[Guest Paul Gomez]

Noticing how you assisted the slide forward in your video when the slide failed to go into full battery. That could also be encountered with the type 3 malfunction clearing.

Years ago, I worked for a Brit and the way he addressed stoppages utilized a diagnostic model. He would look to see 1 of 3 conditions: Slide Fully Forward, Slide Fully Rearward and In Between [which he referred to as Blockage In the Body]. Whenever the slide returned forward, he would smack the rear of the slide to ensure that it had returned to battery.

However, the problem could and would be better resolved by cycling the slide fully.

[Guest NYCrulesU]

Ugh. That's all I have the energy to say right now. Daughters birthday party to attend. If I'm not needed while she plaoys with her friends, I'll have the memory of pic #3 and the finger position in pic #4 to give me a chuckle. Thanks.

[Guest Paul Gomez]

Ugh. That's all I have the energy to say right now. Daughters birthday party to attend. If I'm not needed while she plaoys with her friends, I'll have the memory of pic #3 and the finger position in pic #4 to give me a chuckle. Thanks.

You've gotten quite good at not saying much.

The techniques that I've shown are designed to be as robust as possible. They hold up under a wide range of stressors and are easily developed and maintained by a wide range of students from all walks of life.

I've been a soldier and a cop long before I got into private sector teaching. I've trained widely and broadly and tested techniques under a significant range of circumstances. I've taught for a number of 'names' in the industry and consulted with many more. What I teach currently is the distillation of those experiences.

As I offered on another forum, if you are seriously interested in learning, I'm through your area pretty regularly. I'd be happy to work with you. If you just want to be an ass, well that's your choice as well.

[TMF]

Unless something is unsafe or inherently unsound in it's tactics then I'm willing to entertain it. I've seen a broad spectrum of tactics over the years, and I can't say that I've adopted 100% of my tactical shooting SOPs from any one particular source. So long as an instructor can intelligently articulate an answer when questioned on his tactics I'm not going to say it wrong or jacked up. I'll file it away in my tactical knowledge bin and I'll either use it or I won't.

I think questions have been answered well so far.

[Lumber_Jack]

Ugh. That's all I have the energy to say right now. Daughters birthday party to attend. If I'm not needed while she plaoys with her friends, I'll have the memory of pic #3 and the finger position in pic #4 to give me a chuckle. Thanks.

Everyone is questioning the gun position during the mag slap and slide rack, as of genius doing something wrong. I have seen many others teach the same technique. Bring the firearm into your field of view. This allows you to keep peripheral vision down range and on your target. This goes for all weapon manipulation including mag reloads

I'm no expert but all seems legitimate to me. This is a forum for sharing information. Seems that's all the op is doing. If you dont like it, offer a constructive reason, other than finger position in pic 4. Which btw, as long as its not on the bang switch, looks fine to me.

Sent from my Mom's basement