Training for head shots

[ramzar]

We've been using hostage targets for head shot training for a while now and I think it's worth your while.

Start in a ready position not pointing at the hostage at 7-10 yards with a target that has two hostage takers on either side of the hostage. The two targets that we've used so far are Ops Gear and PTS (PTS doesn't have a photo of their new target there yet). Both only have partial faces of the hostage takers.

Just before the buzzer of the timer your partner will call out left or right and you will engage that hostage taker accordingly as fast as possible. You have to make the hits count. Best to miss away from the hostage. Par time of 1.5 seconds to start and then down to 1 second.

Also, check out Ron Avery's related article:

High performance shooting: The head shot

[ZombieTactics]

... The two targets that we've used so far are Ops Gear and PTS (PTS doesn't have a photo of their new target there yet). Both only have partial faces of the hostage takers. ...

I should have some of the PTS targets soon. I'll try to post a pic ASAP. The Ops Gear targets are good also.

EDIT/UPDATE: errrr ... nevermind, lol

[ramzar]

Here are images of the two targets we've used:

[Manolito]

I don't know if I would take that shot. With a rifle no problem otherwise I think I would hold off on that shot myself. Just me personally what is the size of the target left or right of the hostage? If I use nine inches for the average head I am guessing all my shots would have to be in a five inch area.

Thanks Bill

[ramzar]

I don't know if I would take that shot. With a rifle no problem otherwise I think I would hold off on that shot myself. Just me personally what is the size of the target left or right of the hostage? If I use nine inches for the average head I am guessing all my shots would have to be in a five inch area.

Thanks Bill

Only a couple of inches of wiggle room. Quite doable consistently with practice.

There was a case of a hostage taker outside the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles on Nov. 9, 2004 and LAPD Officer Sergeant Hector Feliciano pulled off such a shot with his Beretta 92FS after thumb cocking it.

I remember the video of the incident from one of the classes at ITTS with Scotty Reitz.

[9mmepiphany]

I don't know if I would take that shot.
...I am guessing all my shots would have to be in a five inch area.

You have to remember that you aren't starting in the holster...you've already drawn and are in a ready (high?) position

At 7-10 yards, you should be able to place your shots into 2"...that is why I don't use sights that cover where I want the shot to go

Start in a ready position not pointing at the hostage at 7-10 yards
... Par time of 1.5 seconds to start and then down to 1 second.

With .25 sec reaction time, all you're doing it bringing the sights up and pressing the trigger. Even at 1sec, you have over half a second to get the shot off.

If it was for real, you would have the additional .25sec because you'd be initiating the action

[ramzar]

With .25 sec reaction time, all you're doing it bringing the sights up and pressing the trigger. Even at 1sec, you have over half a second to get the shot off.

If it was for real, you would have the additional .25sec because you'd be initiating the action

Yes you only need about 3/4 of a second. However, the slightest imperfection specially for a right-handed shooter aiming at the right hostage taker will bring the round into the hostage. Once you get a good rhythm and feel the aiming area actually seems to be quite big. Kind of like when basketball players say that the hoop looks huge. Your primary aiming point is the exposed eye of the hostage taker.

You can further the exercise by changing the hostage taker after the buzzer. Tougher still is from holster but realistically you'll be in high (muzzle up 45 degrees and front sight just below your eyes) or low ready (may be even SUL) but certainly not pointing the muzzle at the hostage area. Low ready seems to be more "calming" for the hostage taker. After all, your primary aim is actually to defuse the situation.

[9mmepiphany]

Back when I practiced such things for real (meaning there was actually a high likelihood of it happening), the shooting officer would indicate when they were ready (code word) and the hostage officer would initiate the action (by dropping)

A visual cue, is a lot harder to react to than an audible one...adds about .25sec

[SG29736]

Making the shot on a stationary target is one thing. Wouldn't take much movement by the hostage taker and hostage to change the outcome. Glad it's such a small chance I'd ever have to attempt it for real. Mark

[ramzar]

Back when I practiced such things for real (meaning there was actually a high likelihood of it happening), the shooting officer would indicate when they were ready (code word) and the hostage officer would initiate the action (by dropping)

A visual cue, is a lot harder to react to than an audible one...adds about .25sec

In the case of the incident I mentioned, the hostage taker made the mistake of popping completely behind the hostage and then popped back in to the same spot without looking for the officer who had his gun drawn all that time in front of him in low ready with hammer cocked.

By the way, this exercise works great in static/square ranges since you're not drawing and you're not shooting more than a round a second.

[lehn20]

We use these

http://www.letargets.com/estylez_ps.aspx?searchmode=keyword&searchkeyword=tftt

[ramzar]

We use these

http://www.letargets.com/estylez_ps....chkeyword=tftt

I've shot those too in Max Joseph's classes at TFTT but they're too easy for hostage taker exercises due to the full face of the hostage taker.

[gatesbox]

We use these

http://www.letargets.com/estylez_ps....chkeyword=tftt

I don't know why I find those targets to be about the most disturbing I have ever scene. "teenage male with hostage" "teenage with pipe bomb". Has anyone done any psychological research on training wit photo realistic targets? Seems like it may condition a visual que to shoot kids that look like Justin Beber (I got know problem with that).

[Clee]

Used these at CSAT:


He sets them up a variety of ways such as side ways right and sideway left. That way its a thinking man's target, you need to consider offset (if using a rifle) and shot placement. The bullet can go through the target and enter the hostage (look at the upper right target). His daughter is the model so don't miss like I did once. But I blame that on "Speed" I just did what Keanu says to Jeff Bridges, "shot the hostage."

LE targets used to sell them but I don't see it on the site anymore, maybe I missed it.

[ramzar]

Used these at CSAT:


He sets them up a variety of ways such as side ways right and sideway left. That way its a thinking man's target, you need to consider offset (if using a rifle) and shot placement. The bullet can go through the target and enter the hostage (look at the upper right target). His daughter is the model so don't miss like I did once. But I blame that on "Speed" I just did what Keanu says to Jeff Bridges, "shot the hostage."

LE targets used to sell them but I don't see it on the site anymore, maybe I missed it.

I like those targets. Well thought out. I better get to one of Paul Howe's classes before he retires. He has already scaled back as he was saying in his latest newsletter.

Those targets are still at LE Targets - CSAT.

By the way, that was Jeff Daniels.