Start Shooting Better Episode 6: El Presidente

Start Shooting Better is back! This episode features one of the oldest fighting pistol drills in existence: El Presidente. This is one of the tests Col. Jeff Cooper used to evaluate his students back in the early days of Gunsite Academy and it's still a popular drill today.
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[@LYLEWOLD]

"... to throw my reload on the ground." _It's a bold strategy Cotton, let's see if it pays off for em_ gotta love teachable moments.

[@shanequigley7552]

Lyle W dodge, duck ,dip dive and dodge

[@heeebeeegeeebeee]

haha!

[@kylewood8327]

Awesome response to a muck-up.

[@soccer2themax]

Great humility here. Excellent work guys.

[@drain_001]

Thank you for the quality videos and reminding me that there is still humility, humor and sanity at some ranges out there. Keep up the good work and I'll keep buying ammo from LG :)

[@jimmorrison306]

Everybody - except the USPSA shooter - turned to the left. I was just going to comment that most right handed shooters turn to the right. That might be a little faster. This drill (USPSA classifier) may be overdone, but it is one of my favs.

[@dawg141]

The first couple of times I ran the El Presidente it was UGLY! Great video!

[@khannooniansingh1360]

Seamus

[@ReticentSparrow]

Mad respect. Throwing your reload on the ground is like ending someone rightly in a sword duel. As in unscrewing your pommel and throwing it at the scallywag.

[@davidkatz1503]

Daniel Wood T h e m e m e i s l e a k i n g Good to see another skallagrim fan around these parts.

[@ctdvargas]

is this from lindybeige?

[@brthgo54]

I appreciate your integrity and the self-deprecating humor. Another good video from LGA!

[@72codeman]

Dudes like Ricky bobby in front of the camera, doesn’t know what to do with his hands

[@bobkin611]

I didn't even notice til I read this comment lol Pretty much tho

[@AVERT-]

Thanks guys .. honestly is lost in these times

[@CDOES]

You got that right. Its good to see people being honest.

[@hogue3666]

Nice job on that speed loader!

[@virusinstall9658]

the professional run looks like a machine

[@LuckyGunner]

Yep, she's good. There are some USPSA GMs who can do it in 4 seconds.

[@FUNshoot]

Fun Fact: Cooper's original scoring procedure was to use to multiply the resulting factor (points/seconds) by 50/3. This made the recommended par (60 points in 10 seconds) score 100. A factor of 7.2 (considered first rate back in the 1960s/1970s when first implemented) scores 120. Annette Evans at a factor of 8.36 scores 139.33.

[@machinegreen1413]

Love this series. The honesty is absolutely a critical part of the learning curve. That's the meat and potatoes. It's appreciated guys. Great stuff.

[@roykiefer7713]

It’s wonderful that you “play it straight,” but I’m also humbled because your not-so-great runs are approximately what I currently (at 71) strive to achieve (often failing appreciably).

[@BallisticRadio]

Roy Kiefer I’ll just be thrilled to still be at it then. I’d say of the two of us, you’ve set the bar higher my friend.

[@roykiefer7713]

@Ballistic Radio: I do NOT deserve your kudos, but I thank you; they make my day.

[@mozzberg590]

This drill with a box of ammo, 3 targets, holster and mag pouch is as good a range session as you can have.

[@Anmeteor9663]

Oh how I miss El Prezi. Was a weekly fave back in the day when we were still allowed handguns in UK. Just is not the same with airsoft and no reload, even if it is thrown on the ground!

[@ColtCommander45]

Apprecitate how you did this. You guys are keeping gun training real.

[@azvoltman7335]

Thanks for showing yourselves shooting like the rest of us...........

[@BallisticRadio]

Azvoltman we all have good days and bad days. 🤷‍♀️

[@ravendon]

It's called Honesty, which Honorable people practice. You guys are great, there's nothing to be ashamed of. It's refreshing.

[@josemariaalipio449]

I watch way too many of your videos that I recognized "the Best Revolver in the World."

[@bodhi47]

Really getting a lot out of the shoot better videos. Thanks for being real and honest.

[@matthewwebb2709]

Hey Chris thanks for the lesson! I would appreciate it if you could show us some carbine drills. Just got my first AR-15 and I’m wondering what are the best ways to train. Thanks man!

[@failure2flinch876]

yup i do postal matches and EVERYONE on those are jerry michilak!

[@jons6834]

Throwing your reload on the ground is the shooting equivalent to a mic drop.

[@zabimaru404]

Wow, the shooter at the end is ICE COLD. Amazing.

[@charitybull]

I love you guys. Thanks for your candor. We are all better for your honesty when it comes to advice.

[@bobwampler3387]

I love these series of training that you have presented. Keep them coming if you can.

[@mobilemechmantim773]

I'll tell you what, I respect the honesty here. AND, I still would not want to be any 1 of the targets you guys shot. Just saying...

[@thomasmoorman5328]

Great Video but you guys need to learn to turn into your gun not away. One its faster and easier to get on target two its safer for others on the range because your less likely to break the 180.

[@nebulousJames12345]

Is the 2020 version of this the same thing but fire no bullets? anyone know par?

[@ditzylemmon5094]

Going back through these. Great stuff. I love your honesty. Shooting is a martial pursuit, perfection is never achieved. Enjoy the ride.

[@82lowe36id]

Gracias! Keep them coming!

[@EatonEditing]

Where do folks find ranges to do these sorts of drills. The ranges near me that I'm aware of don't allow anything remotely similar to this sort of practice.

[@allforrock4]

Eaton Editing unfortunately that's the challenge. I'm in the same boat. The only way I found is to make friends with someone with some private property in a rural area.

[@EatonEditing]

allforrock4 challenging indeed.

[@nrbrown5985]

Look for a conservation club to join. I found one near me last year and joined this year. I'm excited to get out and run real drills.

[@TheFordtough25]

Thanks for another solid video all!! Honesty is hard to find these days, appreciate it!

[@jackgreenstalk777]

Being honest with yourself is so important to get better at anything

[@jacobdeem8187]

That's cause you got lady hips

[@vgamedude12]

lmao lost it at the asian girl tearing it up at the end. What a machine

[@Questionable_Talent]

I'm a hit or miss kind of guy. If I hit the man sized targets, try to speed it up. If I miss the man sized targets, slow down until I hit consistently, then speed up.

[@gebeme11]

I mostly agree. For speed drills, I use a standard 8.5"x11" sheet of paper with a 2" square printed in the center as the bullseye. I'll aim for the square, but as long as I hit the paper, I figure that's close enough to "center mass" I don't get too down on myself. If I miss the paper and only hit the backing cardboard, I'd consider that to be a "wounding hit" and probably insufficient to force a badguy to stop being bad. AKA: not good enough.

[@jamiesloan5902]

I run the Vice Presidente a lot. Same drill as this, without the turn. I prefer to use 9" paper plates for targets, and only count "hits". I like to engage the targets L-R from the draw, then R-L after the reload. I'll even change that up sometimes, and do the reverse order. This drill covers almost everything. I love it!! I averaged a 6.43 yesterday, but I had some fails also, because of misses.

[@paulbetz3325]

Like the shooting video

[@Defossion1]

Not criticizing, but this video is a good example of why it's important to "stay in the fight." Even after his reload went to the ground, had he picked it up quickly and stayed with the drill, his time would likely have been as good or even better than his first run. Props to him though for allowing his fumble to be posted on the internet. Respect!

[@wolfpack4694]

Great video. Lads, may i suggest another way to look at those IDPA scores. Think of it like a golf score. Yes, there are the unbelievable.0001% but it’s about individual improvement of an individual score. The way i figure, it’s ultimately about round accuracy in a short period of time. Full stop.

[@nathangilbert7774]

Good drill guys I’ll have to try this one. I can afford to shoot 3 times a week and get better because i’ve ordered countless cases of tula 9mm and tula .30 carbine for dirt cheap from you guys. My CZ SP01 loves the stuff (Granted I do have an extended firing pin) and using trash ammo is good to practice with because it can help you train for malfunctions. even with good ammo your slide could always bump something in an unfamiliar environment. Thanks for having cheap ammo.

[@Mr.Duckie34]

See the problem is I’ve only done the drill once in my life and I got like 15 seconds or something I don’t really remember, But I will never get a chance to work on it again because I can’t find places like that to go shoot. Everywhere I go now pretty much don’t even let you draw from the damn holster anymore. I literally do not know where I could go to do stuff like that. I live in Dallas Texas and the only places around me I can find are indoor ranges that charge $20 an hour.

[@winstonsmiths2449]

I was an application software instructor for a few years. I used the software for years in military and civilian life. You actually learn more when inadvertent mistakes happen. You needed to be able to figure out why stuff was not working.

[@BabyMissions]

I like your thumbnails that include other contributors. Makes the channel feel more open and inclusive. Keep it up.

[@brandanb9735]

Mad props on running El Pres with a wheelgun. I've do so on few occasions with my 686, its immensely satisfying when done well.

[@bushwhackedonvhs]

How hard do you reckon this would be with a S&W Model 57 or 58, given the increased recoil with magnum calibers?

[@tiredofyou495]

Awesome video

[@jamiesloan5902]

I write down my times for every drill, during a practice session. I'm like you... I even write down the blooper times. It hurts my final average for the day, but it's realistic.

[@soarabove337]

Props for being legitimate. Plus - as you say - learn where you can be better. Again: props. No sweat.

[@kylewood8327]

Nice to see someone running a revolver and not making any excuses when things don’t go as planned. Great video guys...

[@damienrotter491]

Honesty. Dude looked embarrassed. But bravo to him

[@watsisname3299]

I always teach to overhand reach over the slide to release. I know a one handed release is good to practice but finding the slide release under stress may be hard to do unless practiced a lot. Just a thought. My Taurus has 3 similar levers that under stress I have mistaken the slide release for the takedown or safety. Very well done video and a great drill to practice.

[@chassoto]

I asked my wife if she wanted to practice the El Presidente with me and she slammed the door on me.

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thanks! I can hardly wait! But I have to...

[@therond.patron4959]

Again another competition shooter not reloading to slide lock. I guess that's okay but however I want to slide lock because that's how it's going to be in the real world.

[@brassmule]

Are you commenting on the right video? I know this comment is 2 years old, but both semi auto shooters reloaded on slide lock as the drill requires for both attempts.

[@echofoxtrotwhiskey1595]

That’s because the gun never ran dry. She just performed a mag exchange.

[@oklahomahank2378]

She is not racking the slide, so that’s not really the way I learned this drill. Just as an aside, way back in the 1990s I saw some competition guns that did not slide lock. They could be locked back, but didn’t lock open on the magazine lip. They were designed that way. It made no sense to me, but I have seen it. Now, I have not shot a USPSA match in many years, so I am not saying they do that now, or that the shooter here is doing that. Fads come and go.

[@kyiyumi]

Thanks for a great series of videos and the integrity to show how things as they really were and not as you wished them to be presented. This series left me with plenty of ideas to take to the range and the enthusiasm to get out and go there.

[@dbwell9779]

When are you going to do the 10mm ballistic test?

[@stotzmitchell]

I just want to take a moment and thank you guys!!! For not going (Rated Red) on us

[@hardtarget2359]

I like these training drill videos! Excellent Content!

[@jamiesloan5902]

I love this drill, but I usually run the Vice Presidente. It's exactly the same, but without the turn. I'll typically penalize myself 1.0sec for a miss. This encourages me to run it "clean". My times average around 6.5. My little "drill book" has over 60 drills written down in it. This is one of my standards. I'm a drill junkie!!!! Good job guys. I appreciate the honesty. I also write my screw up times down, when I'm training. Like you said... You need to practice recovering from your mistakes. Oh, and don't think that I'm trying to brag. I've managed to build my own shooting range, so I get to practice 2-4 days a week. I plan on going out TODAY. It's supposed to be 60 degrees outside. lol

[@brassmule]

I like to shoot the El Mozambique Presidente version, where after the reload you put 1 or 2 shots to the head instead of the body.

[@Saddlegait45]

Great video! Thanks for keeping it real.

[@ToxicallyMasculinelol]

man i wish i knew how to make a tactical judgment call

[@CFairNH]

These are great videos!! "Throw that mag a them". Love it!

[@MPGunther1]

Thank you for your honest and informative video

[@graftedtheband]

Professional shooter did a tactical reload instead of slidelock/emergency. Is this normally allowed in El Presidente?

[@brassmule]

Two shooters had semi-autos and both did the correct slide lock emergency reloads as per the drill on both takes. I'm not sure where you are seeing differently. They did pivot in the wrong direction, however, which is the biggest problem with their slow times on target.

[@graftedtheband]

@@brassmule I was making reference to their professional shooter friend who runs the drill at the very end. Go to the 6:33 mark. I’m pretty sure she never ran the gun dry.

[@brassmule]

@@graftedtheband Gotcha! I stopped watching before she appeared so I had not noticed her. She definitely did not run the drill correctly.

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

@@graftedthebandProfessional shooter? More like a “professional they/them” far left nutter.

[@chadjordan9382]

That haircut though.

[@somedude3766]

All good, she can "afford" to be different, go girl!

[@GodschildinNC]

Love to see the old drills are still around! Chris, if you open the cylinder and put the ejector rod in your Left palm, with your fingers around the frame, squeeze with the muzzle up. Doing that motion frees your Right to get the speed loader at the same time. Muzzle down and reload. You just shaved half a second off.

[@LuckyGunner]

That's called the FBI reload. It can be faster, but you also have a much greater chance of leaving shells stuck in the chamber. Works great with moon clip guns, though.

[@Wesley196148]

The Smith Brothers of shooting.

[@eddybedder2865]

Practice practice practice!!!

[@vladimirkharms492]

she shooting 10mm?

[@Bob-eo3gf]

Nice shooting thanks for taking the time to spread some more knowledge our way. Have to ask were you shooting the S&W Combat 66.

[@LuckyGunner]

Yes

[@jeremiafrias]

I've seen this drill before and most performers were actually making their first shot one handed while turning into the direction towards that dominant hand not towards the left when you're right handed. I love the series, actually i will practice them all

[@brassmule]

That's right, Jeremia. I didn't notice it until I watched Melody run her drill, and then went back and realized both other shooters did the same thing. All three of them are right handed shooters, but were pivoting on their LEFT foot, which increases your draw time since you cannot draw as early into the pivot and still keep the muzzle under the 180. That added a lot of time to their draw and I think it also makes getting the sights lined up for the first shot more difficult. A right handed shooter will pivot on their RIGHT foot, and begin the draw almost immediately.

[@therond.patron4959]

That was real funny

[@ClumsyBirb]

What in the world is in that thumbnail

[@pauliewalnuts1949]

for sure no bueno at my range

[@arthurcarstens]

If you are doing the drills using a 45acp, are you supposed to add any extra time to the par times?

[@LuckyGunner]

Nope. In fact, the drill was originally used by shooters who ran .45 ACP 1911s almost exclusively, so that's what the 10 second par is based on.

[@arthurcarstens]

Lucky Gunner Ammo okay thanks. will continue to work on it

[@shootinbruin3614]

@@arthurcarstens A 3.79 second El Prez with a .45 ACP 1911. Something we can all aspire to: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npzaooeljL-La7c

[@metasoft0221]

Thank you.

[@jedeo299]

What revolver did you use ?

[@LuckyGunner]

The Best Revolver in the World

[@roykiefer7713]

@Lucky Gunner Ammo: 😏😏😏. Well, doubtless for Chris Baker; however, I’m not entirely certain a few others (e.g., SP-101, GP-100, 586/686, 27/627, Python, etc.) might not give the three-inch K Frame a run for its money.

[@TheFordtough25]

Model 66 3" if I remember correctly! Lol

[@this-is-not-a-channel-]

A 2004 3-inch K-frame SW Model 66-6 (Modded Apex trigger, bobbed hammer, fibre optic sights)

[@milol9314]

Huh? I thought the El Prez was from competition gear and at 5 yards??

[@jessegpresley]

MO IL lol no. Colonel Jeff Cooper invented it as a drill for Guatemalan presidential security before there was such a thing as USPSA or IDPA.

[@LuckyGunner]

Mmmmmm, nope

[@nateperryshootingsports6201]

@efred22 Not helping

[@akinnyz]

As it was shown at the end of the video, you guys were turning the wrong way. Righty’s should turn to the right. This helps you avoid breaking the 180 when drawing (which neither of you did) but also makes drawing earlier an option without breaking 180. (I’m sure this has been stated but I didn’t want to skim all the comments lol)

[@Kevin-kb8gj]

John, you're a little chubby, we see it, it's ok, we don't care. Hell, I'm chubby too. There is no need to keep holding your elbows out like a chicken that's trying to learn to fly. Just relax brother, you'll look normal.

[@LuckyGunner]

Ya'll really find some weird stuff to criticize.

[@Kevin-kb8gj]

I'm not criticizing. I'm trying to help dude relax a little. He's not even that chubby but he's calling attention to it by his movements.

[@OrangeAmped]

While the mag drop is funny, in the real world you will have an adrenaline dump and might fumble like that. It's actually a pretty good illustration of why a second backup mag might be a good idea...

[@Paelorian]

For self-defense training the only thing that matters is shots on target in the fastest time possible. In real life there's no penalty for a miss other than one less round in the magazine and the time it takes to get off another shot. You can't miss fast enough to succeed. I believe time penalties for misses are probably generally detrimental. They are of course useful if trying to encourage slower shooting. Since people under stress tend to shoot too quickly rather than too slowly, encouraging slower shooting is often appropriate in training. But we mustn't ever lose sight that our goal is to incapacitate a threat as quickly as possible when lives are in danger, not to never miss. If there's only a second to stop a threat getting shots on target is more important than avoiding errant rounds. Although if you're missing then you need to slow down in order to get shots on target faster, so the goals can be complimentary. But we should be encouraging shooting as fast as you can possibly hit the target. Since misses mean fewer hits, it's self-regulating. What we don't want is people shooting too fast or too slow for their level of skill.

[@BallisticRadio]

Paelorian all the misses end up, somewhere...

[@smolkafilip]

But unless you are shooting a reactive traget like a steel popper you may not know whether you hit at all let alone where exactly it went. That is why you just go through the drill and then score it with time penalties for misses. You cannot shoot a paper target until it goes down or runs away because paper targets don't do that.

[@Disirregardless]

Uh, thank you! Every round that leaves your muzzle has a life attached to it.. . and your name . . . and a lawyer. Round accountability is LITERALLY of life and death importance.

[@Paelorian]

William Sack Not flinging shots willy-nilly and endangering others is important. If the attacker is, for example, on a crowd then it may be imperative to account for every round. But realistically, you're unlikely to be attacked in broad daylight out in the open at Disneyland. In the most likely scenario your life is in extreme danger and surviving is much more pressing than avoiding what are often hypothetical bystanders (like if a building is beyond the target). Shooting may present a slight but potentially grievous risk to bystanders but you are shooting because if you don't you or someone else will likely die. So win. I didn't say miss. I said you can't miss fast enough to win a gunfight. Don't miss. Missing means wasted time you don't have and a liability. But go as fast as you can, right up to the edge of your ability to still have good shot placement, because you'd only be shooting to save a life and split seconds could mean life or death. Shooting accurately is an important skill but for self-defense the most important is stopping the threat as quickly as possible. Most self-defense situations will demand that shooting technique.

[@Disirregardless]

Less typing. Less assuming. Less caffeine. Fewer words. More thinking. More Listening. More training.

[@bludmakesgrassgrow]

Revolvers suck

[@gebeme11]

I have one and I like it. But if you have to give someone bonus points just to keep up...