Training: Defensive pistol skill drill — shooting from retention

By Eve Flanigan

Elbow forward support hand position for shooting from retention drill. (Photo: Eve Flanigan)
A well-worn statistic says that most interpersonal violence takes place within nine feet or less.  What if the need to use your handgun arises when an attacker is less than arm’s length away? A traditional firing stance would be at best unwise, and at worst impossible. This lesson will demonstrate the retention shooting position, a method of firing your way through an otherwise inescapable assault.
Safety is paramount. If you have been admonished by an instructor regarding keeping your finger off the trigger, please refrain from trying this with a loaded firearm. If your muzzle and finger discipline is not confirmed by practice, do not try this exercise. Guns.com and I bear no responsibility for unintended consequences, e.g. injury and/or death, resulting from inadequate finger or muzzle control or misinterpretation of this exercise.
The purpose of the retention drill is to practice and understand drawing and firing while keeping the gun out of reach of an up-close, violent actor.  You’ll be using your handgun, ammunition, a human-appearing target, and eye/ear protection.
Run this drill at first with an empty gun to be sure you have the steps down and muzzle/finger safety

Source: Guns.com