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Recently I had the opportunity to discuss with a few individuals the merits of hip shots at close proximity.  The people I was talking to were from a large gamut of professions and interests and included firearms instructors, reporters, students, and enthusiasts.  The main question was regarding my personal opinion about the "hip shot" when in close proximity.

Let me also state in advance, that I have personally taught this skill in the past.  But...in all honesty and practicality, I am a firm believer that one will never have the opportunity to truly execute this skill.

Let's break it down into the physiology and psychology of the skill.

From a technical standpoint, presenting a handgun requires the following steps:

1. Addressing the holster, this includes: accessing it (uncovering concealment), asserting a positive grip, and manipulating any kind of retention device that may be present.
2. Clearing the holster by drawing the handgun.
3. Orienteering the handgun towards the target.
4. Aiming (whether by using point-shoot mechanisms or sighted shooting).
5. Firing.

Every event that requires one to present a handgun is most likely a stressful, dynamic, and fast evolving incident that will cause one to lose performance ability to some extent.  The close proximity hip shot assumes that an assailant is literally "on you".  The chances of you being able to perform the above mentioned sequence while addressing a violent attack is slim to none.  Not to say it is impossible, but probably not the most realistic.  The way I have seen it done would most likely have the shooter strike at the paper target or cover his head as if addressing an assailant in extreme close proximity, and then drawing and firing from the hip.  Do you truly believe that it would be that simple when someone violently attacks you?

A better approach, at least in my mind, is to prioritize threats.  When being attacked at close range a better approach may be to utilize violence to create space.  Space equals time.  Time that can and should be used to introduce the handgun.  Often times the introduction of the handgun prematurely may result in handgun retention issues, failure to effectively utilize said handgun (i.e. missing the target and/or introducing malfunctions), and the risk of losing sight of the opponent while being focused on the handgun thus failing to see other risks that may cost one his/her life.  Once the handgun has been introduced, you can use your regular combat shooting style to address the threat without being dependent on the hip-shot.

Hip shots are fun and cool to execute.  No doubt about that.  And when striking at a paper target and then shooting it, it seems to have merit.  Reality is that the paper target is not actively attacking you, stressing you out, or otherwise going for your gun.  Put those variables in context and you may realize that drawing your handgun at that point in time may not be the best option.

In the event that your handgun was already in hand when attacked at close proximity, don't forget that you cannot always discharge the weapon.  Tactically, you may have a poor backdrop (other people for example), so you may want to use that handgun as a blunt object, once again creating space and time to better your position and re-engage the target as needed.

Some food for thought.

Stay safe,
BK Blankchtein
Masada Tactical Protective Services