[brownie]

Time and Distance: One Example of Solving the Equation

SwampRat and I have discussed this subject at considerable length, below is a compilation of his thoughts and mine.

We deal with time and distance equations in many areas of our lives daily. We learn to drive a car which is continually updating time and distance problems. The more time we have behind the wheel, the better we judge time and distance which directly corresponds as to how well we drive overall.

If we don't practice driving [ the training ] very often, we may eventually learn where the vehicles corners are, but in the meantime, we're going to have repair bills to pay until we establish a base of skills through practice [ training ] so that we become comfortable with our ability to solve these time distance equations to the point it's instinctive and done subconsciously.

Can we expect to be able to solve time and distance equations proficiently in the self defense arena if we've never experienced a self defense equation? I hardly think anyone can expect to answer that with a yes, yet many people who carry a gun believe they can solve a time and distance self defense equation simply by carrying a gun.

On the surface, a hand held readily available firearm would seem to solve most of the equations we'd expect to encounter, but if we actually break the self defense equation down into it's basic components, we discover it takes X amount of time to determine we need to respond to a threat, it takes X amount of time to physically get the weapon operational, and it takes X amount of solve the problem proficiently with that tool.

If we can determine that the sum of X's will be no less than some amount of time, we can then establish how much distance is required to allow us to have the time to accomplish the sum of the X's.

If you then look at the time and distance equation in this manner, you can see that distance directly relates to the amount of time needed to perform a task. The shorter the distance, the less time we have.

We can establish that there is a minimum amount of time necessary to accomplish the 3 X's which can be considered a constant. By training our reaction time and draw speed to first shot, we can reduce the time constant. Reducing the time constant [ for us ] means we are reducing the distance part of the equation as well as we know that distance is in direct proportion to time.

Brownie

 

[SwampRat]

Funny, I was just going to suggest you post that up over here. I read it on the Threat Focused Forum and it fits perfectly into the Speed Thread..Great Write up there Brownie. This is one of the most important topics I stress in my classes. In fact, I think you stole my thunder..I was going to write a piece on this exact same thing..:drinks..Now I dont have too..good read Sir..

 

[brownie]

Funny, I was just going to suggest you post that up over here. I read it on the Threat Focused Forum and it fits perfectly into the Speed Thread..Great Write up there Brownie. This is one of the most important topics I stress in my classes. In fact, I think you stole my thunder..I was going to write a piece on this exact same thing..:drinks

We've both discussed this at length, reread the opening line in bold :thumsup

Brownie

 

[brownie]

Is it Enough?

Here's something I wrote back on 11-26-2006 on my own forum that also should be included in this theme.

http://floridaconcealedcarry.com/Forum/showthread.php?p=28537#post28537

Brownie

 

[NkmG19]

A while back me and my lady did some role playing where we each took turns playing the BG. Well lets just say that it was eye opening where you thought that you could use your firearm but by the time you accessed it the BG was on top of you. My hand got hung up on my t-shirt several times while attempting to draw quickly before the BG (my lady) closed the gap. We also saw the dangers of purse carry when being confronted at close range where a holster would have been much quicker.

Can we expect to be able to solve time and distance equations proficiently in the self defense arena if we've never experienced a self defense equation? I hardly think anyone can expect to answer that with a yes, yet many people who carry a gun believe they can solve a time and distance self defense equation simply by carrying a gun.

Pretty much if you've never tried it then you can't adjust or react as fast as you think.

 

[capngeo]

Time/Speed/Distance.... 3 things also fundamental to a mariner.:thumsup

Question: The local range does not allow holsters, so I practice my holster work with an airsoft.... do you gentlemen (Brownie & SR) think I am hurting myself due to muscle memory "learning" the lighter weight, different trigger pull, and lack of a recoil?

I figured I could compensate by leaving the gun lay on the table, then picking it up, acquiring the target and shooting. The range almost had a blown gasket when I was picking the gun up from the table and double-taping (double taps are also verboten).

 

[SwampRat]

Time/Speed/Distance.... 3 things also fundamental to a mariner.:thumsup

Question: The local range does not allow holsters, so I practice my holster work with an airsoft.... do you gentlemen (Brownie & SR) think I am hurting myself due to muscle memory "learning" the lighter weight, different trigger pull, and lack of a recoil?.

Not at all..in fact 90-95% of all my practice at home is done with either an empty gun or airsoft..Drawing a firing with an airsoft will build the muscle memory you need get hits on target..I use my 9 or 45 to practice draw strokes and build speed, also to reinforce the muscle memory again.

 

[brownie]

Time/Speed/Distance.... 3 things also fundamental to a mariner.:thumsup

Question: The local range does not allow holsters, so I practice my holster work with an airsoft.... do you gentlemen (Brownie & SR) think I am hurting myself due to muscle memory "learning" the lighter weight, different trigger pull, and lack of a recoil?

I figured I could compensate by leaving the gun lay on the table, then picking it up, acquiring the target and shooting. The range almost had a blown gasket when I was picking the gun up from the table and double-taping (double taps are also verboten).

Airsofts will work fine for developing the draw speed muscle memory and to get the muzzle on threat [ verification the muzzle is pointing where you think it is and/or developing that skill further ].

Recoil and trigger cpntrol is something else. If I wanted to gain recoil control [ incorporating that into the practice ], I'd fire only one handed as fast as I could shoot with live ammo on the range until all my shots could be kept COM inside an 8" circle.

Putting the two together would be very beneficial in developing the various necessary proprioceptors. I'd also suggest drawing and dry firing at home with the actual weapon you carry. Men like Jelly Bryce, Bill Jordan, Col. Askins spent hours do this and they lived through many gun fights and died old men. They thought it was worth it, and I wouldn't question their opinions.

Brownie

 

[capngeo]

Thanks guys! With the cost and availability of ammo, I think Airsoft is all I'm going to be able to practice with for a while

 

[brownie]

BTTT

 

[mike1956]

Thanks guys! With the cost and availability of ammo, I think Airsoft is all I'm going to be able to practice with for a while

If only ammo was priced as affordably now as it was when you posted this...

 

[bttbbob]

Time and Distance: One Example of Solving the Equation

SwampRat and I have discussed this subject at considerable length, below is a compilation of his thoughts and mine.

We deal with time and distance equations in many areas of our lives daily. We learn to drive a car which is continually updating time and distance problems. The more time we have behind the wheel, the better we judge time and distance which directly corresponds as to how well we drive overall.

If we don't practice driving [ the training ] very often, we may eventually learn where the vehicles corners are, but in the meantime, we're going to have repair bills to pay until we establish a base of skills through practice [ training ] so that we become comfortable with our ability to solve these time distance equations to the point it's instinctive and done subconsciously.

Can we expect to be able to solve time and distance equations proficiently in the self defense arena if we've never experienced a self defense equation? I hardly think anyone can expect to answer that with a yes, yet many people who carry a gun believe they can solve a time and distance self defense equation simply by carrying a gun.

On the surface, a hand held readily available firearm would seem to solve most of the equations we'd expect to encounter, but if we actually break the self defense equation down into it's basic components, we discover it takes X amount of time to determine we need to respond to a threat, it takes X amount of time to physically get the weapon operational, and it takes X amount of solve the problem proficiently with that tool.

If we can determine that the sum of X's will be no less than some amount of time, we can then establish how much distance is required to allow us to have the time to accomplish the sum of the X's.

If you then look at the time and distance equation in this manner, you can see that distance directly relates to the amount of time needed to perform a task. The shorter the distance, the less time we have.

We can establish that there is a minimum amount of time necessary to accomplish the 3 X's which can be considered a constant. By training our reaction time and draw speed to first shot, we can reduce the time constant. Reducing the time constant [ for us ] means we are reducing the distance part of the equation as well as we know that distance is in direct proportion to time.

Brownie

You and I have also discussed this several times. Time and distance dictates technique.