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He's Grabbed Your Gun! Now What?
Source: http://www.lawofficer.com/news-and-articles/columns/Nance/gun_grab.html;jsessionid=D157DF44B0466F63F8D3FA6B09FEC4F7
When your gun is in-hand and a suspect grabs it, you better have a plan. I know what you're thinking, "I'll just shoot 'em", right? That might seem like an appropriate response initially but before you bet your life on that tactic, consider these factors.
If the first round misses the suspect because he averts the muzzle, subsequent attempts to fire the handgun will likely result in the weapon malfunctioning, since the suspect's grip would almost certainly prevent the slide on a semi-automatic handgun from cycling. (I've experienced this time and again during retention and disarmament training using Simunition guns). Obviously if the weapon is unable to cycle, it's not going to go "bang" when the trigger was pulled. But, for the sake of argument, let's say your first round struck the suspect.
Remember that the vast majority of handgun wounds are survivable. Unless the round struck an extremely vulnerable portion of the suspect's anatomy, it would not immediately incapacitate the suspect. Highly motivated suspects, such as those who would attempt to disarm you are often capable of fighting through the pain of being shot once.
Don't get me wrong, shooting a suspect who grabs your firearm might help your cause. However, shooting him might not be enough. What you need is a reliable method of maintaining possession of your handgun that enables you to get the upper hand during the stress of a close quarter life and death confrontation.
A commonly taught technique for retaining your drawn handgun involves pushing the muzzle of the weapon toward the suspect, then pulling and twisting the handgun from the suspect's grasp. When a suspect attempts to disarm you, strike him with the muzzle to inflict pain and distract him. When you pull the handgun toward your chest, twist the gun (counter clockwise if you're right handed). This will likely result in the front sight cutting the suspect's hand, compromising his grip on the barrel of your gun. In most cases, this method of handgun retention would be effective. But what if the suspect is twice your size and has hands big enough to palm a basketball?
The Push, Pull, Pry Method
If the suspect still has hold of your handgun after vigorously executing the technique described above, it may be time to resort to Plan B, which in this case is the Push, Pull, Pry method of handgun retention.
This tactic involves using the forearm of your non-gun side to post against the suspect's wrist. This is best accomplished by moving your arm counter clockwise (for right-handed shooters) in a circular motion. Now step forward with your gun side leg at about a 45-degree angle. Then pivot on the balls of your feet to face 90-degrees to your left. Pull your handgun toward your chest to the close-quarter shooting/handgun retention position while using your forearm to pry the suspect's hand(s) from the weapon. If possible, maintain contact with the suspect's arm and grab his wrist, forcing it downward. This action serves to off-balance the suspect and reduces the likelihood of your muzzle crossing paths with your non-gun side arm. It also places you in a relatively safe position on the outside of the suspect's arm.
Once the suspect is off-balance and his hand(s) have been dislodged from your handgun, pivot on the balls of your feet to face the suspect. Your handgun should be held high against your pectoral muscle, in the close-quarter shooting/handgun retention position, with the muzzle oriented toward the suspect. From there you should be able to create distance and or employ personal body weapons to facilitate the standard malfunction clearance (tap, rack, assess) described below.
From the ground
When someone is trying to take your gun, you don't want to be trying to decide between technique 15A or 17C. Under these circumstances, commonality of technique is vitally important. The same basic skill set should work for all in-hand retention applications regardless of your position relative to the suspect.
In the unfortunate event you should find yourself on your back with the suspect on top of you, you can execute the Push, Pull, Pry method as described above, with only slight modification. Essentially, it's the same technique minus the footwork.
One important consideration when retaining your handgun from your back is to move the gun to one side or the other prior to executing the technique. This affords you much better leverage and serves to compromise the suspect's balance. To attempt this technique with your handgun held in front of your chest (between you and the suspect) would be difficult, since the suspect would have a tremendous leverage advantage.
Tap, Rack, Assess
Anytime you have been in a struggle for your handgun, it's a good idea to tap the magazine to ensure that its properly seated, rack the slide to clear any malfunctions, and assess the situation to determine if firing at the suspect is appropriate.
Keep in mind that the Tap, Rack, Assess maneuver can be performed with one hand. For instance, if while on the ground your handgun is out of battery, you could tap the magazine on your leg, the ground, or even on the suspect (in the form of a combative strike). You can rack the slide by placing the rear sight on the top of your holster and briskly sliding your arm along your leg. You are then in position to orient the muzzle to the suspect and assess the situation.
All you need to add this valuable tactic to your repertoire is a little spare time, a willing training partner, a non-functional training gun and a pair of gloves (to reduce the possibility of injury to your training partner's hands).
Start slowly and concentrate on proper technique. After you've developed good body mechanics, pick up the speed and have your training partner provide resistance. See for yourself if the Push, Pull Pry method is an effective means of handgun retention.
Always have a "Plan B". Never give up!
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Comment: I suggest a person not use their rear sight to clear the gun if a problem doesn't already exist. This is a difficult procedure under ideal circumstances, and can easily cause a jam.
He's Grabbed Your Gun! Now What?
Source: http://www.lawofficer.com/news-and-articles/columns/Nance/gun_grab.html;jsessionid=D157DF44B0466F63F8D3FA6B09FEC4F7
When your gun is in-hand and a suspect grabs it, you better have a plan. I know what you're thinking, "I'll just shoot 'em", right? That might seem like an appropriate response initially but before you bet your life on that tactic, consider these factors.
If the first round misses the suspect because he averts the muzzle, subsequent attempts to fire the handgun will likely result in the weapon malfunctioning, since the suspect's grip would almost certainly prevent the slide on a semi-automatic handgun from cycling. (I've experienced this time and again during retention and disarmament training using Simunition guns). Obviously if the weapon is unable to cycle, it's not going to go "bang" when the trigger was pulled. But, for the sake of argument, let's say your first round struck the suspect.
Remember that the vast majority of handgun wounds are survivable. Unless the round struck an extremely vulnerable portion of the suspect's anatomy, it would not immediately incapacitate the suspect. Highly motivated suspects, such as those who would attempt to disarm you are often capable of fighting through the pain of being shot once.
Don't get me wrong, shooting a suspect who grabs your firearm might help your cause. However, shooting him might not be enough. What you need is a reliable method of maintaining possession of your handgun that enables you to get the upper hand during the stress of a close quarter life and death confrontation.
A commonly taught technique for retaining your drawn handgun involves pushing the muzzle of the weapon toward the suspect, then pulling and twisting the handgun from the suspect's grasp. When a suspect attempts to disarm you, strike him with the muzzle to inflict pain and distract him. When you pull the handgun toward your chest, twist the gun (counter clockwise if you're right handed). This will likely result in the front sight cutting the suspect's hand, compromising his grip on the barrel of your gun. In most cases, this method of handgun retention would be effective. But what if the suspect is twice your size and has hands big enough to palm a basketball?
The Push, Pull, Pry Method
If the suspect still has hold of your handgun after vigorously executing the technique described above, it may be time to resort to Plan B, which in this case is the Push, Pull, Pry method of handgun retention.
This tactic involves using the forearm of your non-gun side to post against the suspect's wrist. This is best accomplished by moving your arm counter clockwise (for right-handed shooters) in a circular motion. Now step forward with your gun side leg at about a 45-degree angle. Then pivot on the balls of your feet to face 90-degrees to your left. Pull your handgun toward your chest to the close-quarter shooting/handgun retention position while using your forearm to pry the suspect's hand(s) from the weapon. If possible, maintain contact with the suspect's arm and grab his wrist, forcing it downward. This action serves to off-balance the suspect and reduces the likelihood of your muzzle crossing paths with your non-gun side arm. It also places you in a relatively safe position on the outside of the suspect's arm.
Once the suspect is off-balance and his hand(s) have been dislodged from your handgun, pivot on the balls of your feet to face the suspect. Your handgun should be held high against your pectoral muscle, in the close-quarter shooting/handgun retention position, with the muzzle oriented toward the suspect. From there you should be able to create distance and or employ personal body weapons to facilitate the standard malfunction clearance (tap, rack, assess) described below.
From the ground
When someone is trying to take your gun, you don't want to be trying to decide between technique 15A or 17C. Under these circumstances, commonality of technique is vitally important. The same basic skill set should work for all in-hand retention applications regardless of your position relative to the suspect.
In the unfortunate event you should find yourself on your back with the suspect on top of you, you can execute the Push, Pull, Pry method as described above, with only slight modification. Essentially, it's the same technique minus the footwork.
One important consideration when retaining your handgun from your back is to move the gun to one side or the other prior to executing the technique. This affords you much better leverage and serves to compromise the suspect's balance. To attempt this technique with your handgun held in front of your chest (between you and the suspect) would be difficult, since the suspect would have a tremendous leverage advantage.
Tap, Rack, Assess
Anytime you have been in a struggle for your handgun, it's a good idea to tap the magazine to ensure that its properly seated, rack the slide to clear any malfunctions, and assess the situation to determine if firing at the suspect is appropriate.
Keep in mind that the Tap, Rack, Assess maneuver can be performed with one hand. For instance, if while on the ground your handgun is out of battery, you could tap the magazine on your leg, the ground, or even on the suspect (in the form of a combative strike). You can rack the slide by placing the rear sight on the top of your holster and briskly sliding your arm along your leg. You are then in position to orient the muzzle to the suspect and assess the situation.
All you need to add this valuable tactic to your repertoire is a little spare time, a willing training partner, a non-functional training gun and a pair of gloves (to reduce the possibility of injury to your training partner's hands).
Start slowly and concentrate on proper technique. After you've developed good body mechanics, pick up the speed and have your training partner provide resistance. See for yourself if the Push, Pull Pry method is an effective means of handgun retention.
Always have a "Plan B". Never give up!
--------------
Comment: I suggest a person not use their rear sight to clear the gun if a problem doesn't already exist. This is a difficult procedure under ideal circumstances, and can easily cause a jam.
I am omitting detailssuch as how to gripthe hand in order to lock the wrist properly, or how to plant your feet. Those details, and indeed the moves themselves, are best learned through practice in a controlled setting. A couple months of aikido or krav maga will result in you being able to execute these moves quickly and without thinking.