Learning the Fast Draw, Part 5

[@darwingodwin]

I watched this with my 84 year old grandfather! This is what makes KZbin Rock...

[@ChrisGordan]

LOL! No, NEITHER of us will ever approach what Bob has done and continues to do. As a full time professional with MANY world records, he's an American treasure both as a shooter and as an entertainer. In his own unique way, Bob will go down in history along with many of the great exhibition shooters of the past. The rest of us need never be embarassed however- I'd bet that Bob would agree that those who simply love the sport for its own sake, need not compete with anyone but ourselves.

[@jgreystoke]

You are a wonderful teacher Christopher. Thank you for the great vids.

[@ChrisGordan]

Some find the Bisley grip to be better for precision shooting- it's certainly more comfortable with hard kickers (.44mag and above). For quick point shooting and fast hammer manipulation, the original "plowhandle" works better. Given that the Bisley was designed for target shooting, I'd call it a definite success.

[@swf91856]

Thanks for this 5 part video series on the fast draw. I am 58 years old and have been shooting Steel Challenge and Ruger Rimfire for the past 3 years. I am now venturing into the Cowboy Fast Draw and your videos have inspired me to take on this new challenge. Thanks again.

[@codyburmester3699]

Thank you, Mr Gordan. Very informative. The way you not only explain the how but, also the why. Everything starts to come into perspective. Thanks again.

[@ilubCHRISTsomach]

You explain things so well, thank you for the videos!

[@whatever-id6cw]

Thank you MR Gordon. The videos you have made help't me with my speed and hitting my target. Thank's again and good shooting.

[@spmmatt]

these vids have helped alot. i dont own a nice revolver, but i own double/single action .40S&W Astra A-100 semi-auto. these vids have helped me draw that faster and helped me improve my grip on the gun. thank you alot

[@Slidewinder]

Chris, Thanks so much for posting these video's, I studied your first video countless times, then you came out with these, they have been incredibly helpful! I cant wait to start practicing. You have a great narrative voice, and if you should consider doing more videos if you ever have the time.

[@linstad]

This series really breaks down the physics in a way that is understandable. Thank you for taking the time to make them.

[@mauwalker]

You know, this video has answered a question in my mind. I was trained in a law enforcement combat revolver course years ago with heavy .357 DA revolvers, i.e. Colt Model "I" (Trooper/Python) or "N" frame S&W. Since then, I've needed a thumb-break holster placed up high on my waist to have any sort of speed or accuracy in qualifying. Watching this showed me why-the thumb break forces me to put my hand (small with long fingers) in the right place! Great videos.

[@Texicles]

Thanks for these fantastic videos. I've never been a wheel gun guy, but this has actually given me some food for thought and possible improvements for my technique with drawing my autos from the hip.

[@nolanhistory77]

MAAN!.. your/he's las twirl at the end is amazing,and of course awsome, show us how u did it slowly.

[@tjodalv44]

Well done! Thanks for these videos! I just got a single action revolver because I want to start fast draw as a hobby and am looking forward to using these videos to get started right. I also really like your gun spinning from the first video and want to learn some of those techniques as well!

[@connorlsmbent7078]

Excellent teaching, and no ego in the way. . Well done! Thanks pal.

[@aphdmansco]

Although I'm not into Cowboy Shooting I enjoyed watching your series. Good instructional technique and you're a little too modest about your skills.

[@fmike15]

I don't know if you still read the comments but for a video instruction, it was the best I have seen counting ANY instruction vid. I just got my first Cimarron and I can't wait to practice. Thank you

[@ComicalCowboy1911]

You are a very good teacher! You make the quickdraw seem so easy with the best techniques that one can apply. Thank you for your very instructive videos about this fine art! I've learned and obtained a lot from this! =) 5 stars!

[@ChrisGordan]

With the fastest "pinch and roll" technique, I'd like to be at or under 10 feet. At that distance, Howard Darby can hit an apple with a wax bullet, faster than the fastest draw that I demonstrated. I'm simply not that good at hipshooting past 15' or so. Others can do better, but when the target gets to 20', I'm slowing WAY down from what you saw here, and probably using the sights if I need to hit precisely. All of that can add up to a half of a second or more for me.

[@ChromeArty]

This guy is the man!!! I'm not even in CAS yet, but this guy has an awesome teaching style..you just want to shake his hand and blow off some LC with him:)

[@ChrisGordan]

The classic book, "Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting", by Ed McGivern covers the subjects quite thoroughly. My description above is simply the most "distilled" version of basic hipshooting concepts that I could come up with. LOL. Seriously, though- anyone with any interest in the subject should have that book in their shooting library.

[@marsukaivelee]

hi and thanks for wery god tips on fastdraw. im 54 yo gunowner from finland and i have traning fastdraw allmoust a year now and thanks to your tips i got my time down from0.42sek to 0.28-31sek. and im wery happy with that time. beaghouse its make me one of the 10 fastest gun in finland. so big thanks to you

[@ZippoVarga]

Chris, I have the 5.5 inch 45 Vaquero in polished stainless with faux ivory grips and I LOVE the balance and heft of the gun. I also have a Colt Frontier Scout 22lr that is my pride and joy as far as a spinner goes. Your tutorial is excellent and I encourage you to continue, as you seem to enjoy teaching your art to others. I have to watch your videos in a mirror though, because of being a South Paw. Kudos!

[@djosephj]

Great info. Superb instruction and the spinning move to holster your gun was unique and quite a nice touch. BTW nice basses!

[@joemiroballi5835]

Just learning. Best video around to learn the basics. Really a good teacher. Thanks!

[@NickPech]

First off, you are a wonderful teacher and I (like the rest that have watched this series) very much appreciate you taking the time to pass on your knowledge. I am getting ready to buy a Uberti (college student on a budget and from what I know they are a fairly well made colt clone), My question is what I would need to do to that gun to make it fast draw ready. I'm also curious to know how to do the fan and shoot technique with the off hand.Thanks for everything.

[@jimsmith5756]

Great video! best explanation and instructions I have seen.

[@daytonafreakboy]

very good dissection of the mechanics! very fine job off using verbal skills in descriptions and analogies to illustrate concepts behind actions, principles behind those actions - for the purpose of making your point by point case for correct technique.. 5 stars, brilliant work my friend.. communication skills were well polished, and knowledge of the subject material very impressive and absolutely beyond reproach! DFB thank you for sharing insights and tips DFB

[@steelgila]

Great videos Chris. Most generous and instructive, now I see the technology and techniques that evolved with the designs. But how do they learn that gun spinning stuff.\? My finger isn't strong enough to support the pistol's weight. It must involve staying somewhere around that balance point you spoke of.

[@hogdoc357]

I too, love your instructional presentation. I would love to see you produce videos teaching the "other" methods: two-handed slip thumbing and slap cocking. Thanks!

[@daytonafreakboy]

beautiful technique and... you are a natural born teacher also. well done sir.. thank you for posting

[@lail118]

I enjoyed watching your whole series. That's great martial arts you're doing there.

[@joshuarugg8499]

I liked the flare there, nice little quick twirl before holstering, I liked that lol

[@ChrisGordan]

@marsukaivelee Excellent!! You're now EASILY beating my fastest thumbing shots at the 8' balloon :-)) It's remarkable that you've shaved a whole 1/10th or more. As I mentioned in the video, with clean and efficient technique, there's absolutely no reason that folks can't go as fast or faster than I. I have no ego about any of this stuff. I just like to pass on what I've learned, and it feels great to hear that I was able to help you take it to the next level.

[@ChrisGordan]

GREAT question! Wish I had the space to answer it fully. In a nutshell, you get good at hip shooting, then draw and fire slowly, and work it up. The real trick is finding your natural aiming point. Once you do, it doesn't matter if you miss by six feet initially. Move your feet/body to dial it in on the target...NEVER move the gun hand independant of the body once you're in your hipshooting position. You must always be in YOUR most natural position for it to be consistant. Hope that helps :-)

[@024217697]

Dear Christopher: Your videos toughed me a lot! better then most of what is on the net... I instruct for many year now & want to compliment your perception of learning method & the progression scale . very well done. thank you. Yuval, Tel Aviv.

[@danebrewer10]

nice videoes- I live in the UK where we can only own black powder revolvers and long barrel revolvers, but as I said all good stuff- also the hat's pretty cool...

[@MRrwmac]

Old video I just watched for the first time, but man o man what a good series of lessons! Really makes me want to get a revolver instead of using a MAC 10. Thanks so much for the great lesson!!

[@chrisstockdale2667]

All absolutely perfect. Thanks!!

[@hackman1911]

Damn, that was a wicked fast spin at 1:07. Forget the draw, I practicing that!

[@snarlingrabiddog5150]

I'd love to see a video about your holster and why you chose it. I have several of Alfonso's rigs and Ojala as well. I love that the holster always stays open with the inside plate. I believe those two chrome circular button/fastener hardware just above the holster is the same as the swivel on vintage patrolman's swivel holsters. Never mind, just found it :)

[@dearbrummus]

All five...good stuff. New to SASS and this is very helpful, thanks.

[@gigasusanin]

Thanks a lot! I am just starting interesting in this theme, so Your video were very nice for me. With regards from Latvia.

[@marcusg7752]

Fantastic videos!!! Congrats!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@ChrisGordan]

I am a professional musician here in Las Vegas and work with many different people. Shooting/fast draw is just one of my hobbies :-)

[@johnringo2872]

wow, ur a good teacher. do most quick draw artists have the hammers modified or do most just work with their guns the was they come 'out of the box'...?

[@JC-mx1mk]

Thank you for all your training, very helpful. In this video, toward the end, I like the way you put the gun in its holster. Can you teach us that?

[@MyS10Rocks]

Sorry I'm so late with the comment, but I missed every draw because I blinked! Excellent video series, thanks for the tips, now out to practice!

[@joracer1]

I did what you said on here Chris about 8 years ago and got to .395 on shot timer, but consistently in the low .4's under cfda rules. But you forgot one thing... after about 2000 draws the blister where your thumb hits the hammer will be the worst one you ever had. I put it down for a while 5 year ago but still have a callous there. But you are a great teacher, just revisiting these old videos.... thanks.

[@Lipo]

Thanks for posting these informative videos. I really enjoyed it!

[@HarryStone]

Great videos. Thanks very much for your effort. I'm starting with a 5.5" Blackhawk until I get a Vaquero, but there's nothing wrong with a little strength training.

[@farmerallis]

Good videos man, thanks for posting them. Now I just need to get my hand on a New Vaquero.

[@terrybandit1]

Vry gud to watch Your videos and i am looking forward to practicing. Mny tnx. Terry.

[@StriderCX]

Absolutely awesome... watched all five parts! Thanks so much! I don't own a revolver (I've shot a few), mostly because I'm too young lol. I totally want to get into revolver drawing as I get older. Also I was wondering, can you use real world drawing... well, in the real world? I mean non-holster cocking. Would you ever carry your revolver as your standard side arm and actually draw with it in a defense situation? Such as if four guys approached you on a street without the best intentions?

[@ChrisGordan]

Take a look at the crossdraw in my video, "Fun with the Single Action Colt" . I've found this the most comfortable way to carry (especially with a backpack), and since we're talking live ammo now, "fast draw" techniques are out. When you watch the vid, notice how you don't draw the gun forward, you pull across your body, grasp with the left hand, and use the left thumb to cock, AFTER the gun is pointed toward the target. It's safe, accurate, practical, and can be done plenty fast enough.

[@ChrisGordan]

@TJgrebdnul - Yes, this series is about one-handed thumbing. Munden uses fanning for his fastest draws, but can thumb with the best of 'em, of course. The other methods are slap-cocking and two handed slip-thumbing.

[@KhanSeb]

Thanks for your videos, they were very instructive. Don't you want to do a spining gun video ? That would be cool ^^

[@ChrisGordan]

Sure ya can...as long as it's big and close! LOL. Seriously though, that technique is used with black powder blanks for balloon shooting, as well as close-in shooting with wax bullets.

[@davidg7901]

Hi Christopher, Your video's are an eye opener. Could you please recommend a brand of holster and belt for use with a Colt or other single action? Also, shouild it be possible to obtain your speed with a longer barrel? Many thanks, David Green, Toronto, Canada.

[@scotthamp384]

That firing from the hip is how the late Bob Munden was able to be the fastest quick draw artist in history

[@jasonhall2041]

Hi Christopher, I hope all is well. Thank you for the video.

[@johnmarcotte7219]

Hey Christopher thanks a bunch for making this vid, Im just gettin into Cowboy Fast Draw competition and I’m going to put your “pinch n roll” technique into use ...John

[@ChrisGordan]

I don't think that he "Pinch and Roll" as I call it, can be used in CFD. I seem to remember a rule that prohibits "dump draws", where the gun is fired with the muzzle behind the front edge of the holster, but you'd have to check on that. Frankly, I was never able to hit consistently with that method beyond 10' , so the 21' target in CFD (although large), seems to require a deliberate move toward the target. The traditional draw works better.

[@johnmarcotte7219]

You’re right! So with some ‘on the fly’ adjustments I used that technique making sure the muzzle was past the holster. The way you explained it just worked well for me ,shooting some .5s the first time out . More importantly just had a helluva good time.

[@Kamal_AL-Hinai]

thank you for the series, it is helpful. there's a nice trick that i saw in Call of Juarez: Gunslinger that Silas Greaves( the main character) after drawing and shooting, he spin his gun in a very nice way. then he puts the gun on the holster. i hope to see this action in one of your video. :D

[@temizim]

Excellent instructional videos

[@xkopp375]

Brilliant video sir. Well done. I would like to ask if you noticed the parallels between what you are doing physically and what the mechanics of the gun are and how they correlate. That is, you are cocking your arm back - just like the hammer; then you are centering your balance - just like the pistol; then you are projecting a forward force - just like the bullet. The similarities of the shooter's and the gun's motions is really amazing. Could you please give your thoughts on this?

[@TJgrebdnul]

@ChrisGordan Interesting! Thank you for your reply. I just recently have entered the realm and terminology of the fast draw and am not familiar with the different kinds. You wouldn't happen to be planning on some more instructional videos showing the different methods would you?

[@tcubbedge]

Great tutorial. Thanks!

[@StantheGunman]

Excellent session!

[@MrCampinggear]

thanks for the great tips, i found them to be very imformitive

[@MikeE381]

Very helpfull videos!! Thanks for posting!

[@mrfamous333]

Sounds like a plan! I was looking at Bob Munden's site, but he charges a lot more for stuff that i might not ever need. I doubt I'll ever be able to fan as fast as him, but never say never, eh?

[@DaveL111]

You should come to a WFFA contest and see what you can do. Dave Livingston, 2006 Mens B World Champion.

[@ChrisGordan]

@JCW80 I've handled the birdshead a couple of times, but don't have any other experience. Spinning would be about balance, but fastdraw would seem to favor the traditional "plowhandle" grip. How 'bout this: if I were trying to conceal a .45 SA, and using real world techniques, I'd seriously consider the birdshead in a crossdraw holster.

[@TheVirtuoso883]

This last technique is what bob munden does, pretty incredible

[@eleftedg]

This is sooooooooooo cool! Thank you. How about a some gun spinning videos?

[@countzero5150]

This is an old video I know but do you still do fast draw and general western shooting?

[@jasonmartin5154]

Wish I would've have send these vids. Before I I started shooting be C.D.F.A.; saved me time and money!!

[@TheVirtuoso883]

are you referring to where he starts spinning his revolver to show off and back spins it back into the holster?

[@colinblake24]

Great explanation TO THIS DAY!

[@ohgaryo]

this was some good information..i used to do quick draw, back then i let my gun hang low, almost at arms length down.what do you think about this gunslinger style.also i would allow someone to hold a cocked revolver on me, i would tell them to pull the trigger if they thought i was going to draw..i could draw and fire before they could react..have you ever done this trick .thanks, you have my respect.keep helping us.. gary hinson

[@thomasmcshane6223]

Great job !

[@TheVirtuoso883]

Then regarding where he holsters it, its very easily possible its just a back roll into the holster with practise its possible even chris gordan does it if you watch his fun with the single action colt

[@TheAfterPipe]

Chris! Loved the video! I know pretty much nothing, though, about guns and stuff and was wondering what type of holster you would recommend for this type of sport?

[@krrrruptidsoless]

Nice instructional dude.

[@timmmax]

Wow. This is good stuff. That looks like one of Alfonso's rigs (Hollywood) from way back. I dug through the closet and found mine for the old 22 peacemaker and had to strap it on. Guess what? I'm a little larger around the waist now...go figure. I managed to get the last link to work and it all came back. Kinda like riding a bike. Question is, if I were to get back into it, is the old peacemaker 22 going to work or should I invest in a true .45?

[@TJgrebdnul]

I just found your videos (you have a great instructional style) while I was looking at fast draws. Of course I came across Bob Munden, and he uses (or at least it looks like he's using) his non dominant to aid in the cocking. Is this just a different technique then the one you are demonstrating?

[@sanukichan]

Thanks I liked, very instructive!

[@bigdogralph]

Great series of Video Clips! You were very informative and detailed. I do have a question though: What do you think of the Bisley handle? It was supposed to be an improvement to the classic handle with alterations made to the hammer and trigger. I understand comfort level and practicality are all relative to the shooter, but what are your impressions on the Bisley configuration? Was it an improvement or a failure? Thanks in advance and keep up the vids!!!

[@kurnous34]

Chris, Gotta say I loved the vids. Short simple and informative. There is one question I have for you (and sorry if someone already asked this) I've noticed there are two styles of handles for single action revolvers. One being the style you demo-ed and the other, I believe its called a "birdshead grip." Is there a particular reason to why one model is chosen over the other? Or is it a matter of personal preferance and feel?

[@stevsticks]

'lo there! Would the 2 draw methods you used work with a kirk partick handle bar doc rig? It's kinda like a Mexican loop holster in softness and texture, but angles like a fast draw rig.

[@tjmooremusic]

exellent series ☆☆☆☆☆

[@JCW80]

Chris, Wonderful instruction!!! I'm thinking about buying a Uberti Cattleman, but I'm having trouble deciding between the classic handle and the bird's head handle. Have you used the bird's head style much? Do you think one is clearly superior when practicing fast draw & gun spinning/tricks? I imagine I'll spend a lot more time practicing that, than actually shooting. Thanks for your input!

[@claeslundin9542]

I agree top notch. Where are you in america in texas? How long aproximatley does it take from scratch to something to pretty good?

[@willraven7]

Wher can I get the awesome leather rig Sir?? Looks better than someof the Kirkpatrick stuff that just has a latigo leg tie...Thanks!!

[@ChrisGordan]

Actually, I'm not particularly fast with EITHER hand...I've just got reasonably clean technique. I have been working with my left hand and a 2 gun rig recently when time permits. As to hitting, most of my actual shooting is DA wheelguns and live ammo, and I enjoy shooting charcoal tossed in the air. (and down to bottlecaps occasionally) Does that answer your question? Bob Munden is a full time professional- if we stuck to thumbing, I'd turn in a respectable performance, but still lose! LOL

[@ChrisGordan]

@steelgila >>It must involve staying somewhere around that balance point you spoke of.

[@johnharris8191]

Do you or have you ever faced opponents using blanks? I did for years at Ghost Town in The Sky in Maggie Valley, NC. 10 shows a day, 7 days a week for 6 months out of the year.

[@SlickVega]

thanks for making these vids!

[@clearwater707]

Would all of these concepts work with a longer and a stiffer hammer ... I've been wanting to do it with my 1851 navy but I think it might be the wrong gun to practice with.