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EspañolMODERN TECHNIQUE OF THE PISTOL
(Redirected from The Modern Technique of the Pistol)
'The Modern Technique of the Pistol' is a method of use of the pistol for self-defense. The Modern Technique uses a two-handed grip of the pistol, which brings the pistol to eye-level, so that the sights may be used to aim the pistol at one's assailant. Prior to the development of the Modern Technique, it was generally accepted that unsighted fire holding the pistol at the level of the hip, called "point shooting", was the best method of self-defense with a pistol. This was because it was assumed to be the fastest method of shooting. During the development of the Modern Technique, competition between the two techniques proved this assumption to be false.
The origins of the Modern Technique begin in 1959 when Jeff Cooper established the "Bear Valley Gunslingers" at Big Bear Lake, California. Over several years the Gunslingers evolved into the "South West Combat Pistol League" ("SWCPL") known officially as the South West Pistol League ("SWPL") as the word "Combat" offended the then California Secretary of State.[1]
The objective of the SWCPL was to inject realism into pistol shooting competition and thus develop the best methods of using a pistol for self-defense.
The competitions held at the Big Bear "Leatherslaps" were designed to represent situations which had occurred or would occur in real life.
Critics of the Modern Technique and its components point out that some elements of the Modern Technique existed before Jeff Cooper codified them. For example there are a few photographs of shooters predating World War II showing shooters using the Weaver stance. While individual shooters such as these may have used individual components of what would become the Modern Technique, what would not happen until the advent of the Modern Technique was the testing of the different techniques, the determination of the most advantageous techniques by comparison in realistic simulations and the codification of the assembled techniques in to a doctrine. This is the difference between pistol shooting before the Modern Technique and after the Modern Technique.
Jeff Cooper lists advances in pistol-craft prior to the Modern Technique[2] :
★ The work of William Fairbairn and Eric Sykes in Shanghai Municipal Police during the Twenties and Thirties.
★ The FBI 'Practical Pistol Course' of the Thirties, which consisted of timed shooting at seven, twenty-five, fifty and sixty yards holding the pistol in the strong hand, and then the weak hand. This was a great improvement over the basic bullseye shooting taught previously.
★ Jeff Cooper's own work in conjunction with Taft on the 'Advanced Military Combat Pistol Course' in 1948, which was incorporated in to an Army Field Manual.
It was not until the advent of the Modern Technique that a complete doctrine was determined and made express.
During the competitions at Big Bear, six competitors consistently dominated competition and these men became known as the Combat Masters:[3] Jack Weaver, Ray Chapman, Elden Carl, Thell Reed, John Plähn and Jeff Cooper. The Combat Masters were titled as such because if they competed, they would take the first six places. If only one of them competed, ordinarily, he would be the winner.
Those members of the SWCPL instrumental in the development of the new technique were:[4]
Jack Weaver, who invented the new two-handed "Weaver Stance". Eldon Carl and Ray Chapman refined the stance in competition and John Plähn codified it. It was Jeff Cooper who then promulgated the new technique.[2] The new technique was called "The Modern Technique" and used sighted fire at eye level from a two-handed grip with the body in the Weaver Stance.
Combat Master John Plähn (John Plahn), who possessed a Ph.D in physical education, filmed the Combat Masters in action to analyze what their winning techniques had in common.[6] This resulted in the selection of the most efficient methods of motion used during shooting being selected and designed into the Modern Technique of the Pistol.3
★ Jack Weaver was a Los Angeles sheriff's deputy, now retired.
★ Elden Carl went on to become involved in off-road motorcycling
★ Ray Chapman won the annual SWCPL Championship in 1964, 1967 and 1970 and in 1975 won the first IPSC World Shoot. He provided instruction in the Modern Technique at the Chapman Academy, at Green Valley Club, Columbia, Missouri, which he founded in 1979, and was a consultant to the movie industry.
★ Thell Reed, who became a consultant to the movie industry, as well as armorer, stuntman and extra. Thell Reed at IMDB.
★ John Plähn
Others significant in the SWCPL were:
★ Leonard Knight finished second in the first IPSC US National Championship in 1977.
★ Bob Munden finished in second place in 1958 SWCPL and went on become the world's fastest gun. He developed a career performing, competing, teaching fast draw as well as specialist gunsmithing and has appeared on television shows in many countries.
★ Al Nichols
★ Bruce Nelson, an LEO in Southern California working in narcotics. He was present at the formation of IPSC and formed the Holster Committee along with Michael Harries.
★ Michael Harries, who invented the "Harries Technique" of flashlight manipulation for use with a pistol, as well as becoming an instructor at Gunsite.
★ Jim Zubiena, who appeared in a famous scene in an episode of "Miami Vice", at IMDB.
Jeff Cooper went on to codify and promulgate the Modern Technique in his work subsequent to the Big Bear Leatherslaps. He travelled the world providing training in the Modern Technique to security teams such as those protecting heads of state, prominent politicians and wealthy individuals.
In 1976 Jeff Cooper founded the "American Pistol Institute" ("API") at Gunsite Ranch in Yavapai County, Arizona, just north of Paulden with the objective of providing training in the Modern Technique to a larger audience of military personnel, law enforcement officers and citizens.
The American Pistol Institute is frequently referred to as "Gunsite".
There were several courses of instruction in the use of the pistol offered, with numerical titles similar to college qualifications, such as 250, 499, 599. Later, courses of instruction in the use of the rifle were offered, and were numbered 270, 570.
In May of 1976 Jeff Cooper was present at the conference which founded the International Practical Shooting Confederation
(IPSC) and thence served as the first IPSC president. In subsequent decades IPSC drifted from practical pistol shooting toward pistol shooting games and lost its relevance to self-defence.[7][8]
In 1992 Jeff Cooper sold the American Pistol Institute.
Under the new owner the instruction drifted from that of the Modern Technique as taught by Jeff Cooper, both in content and quality and the school was not well regarded.[9][10][11][12] Jeff Cooper dissociated himself from the school.
During this time Jeff Cooper held classes occasionally at the National Rifle Association Whittington Center in New Mexico and other locations.[13]
To distinguish between the two schools, graduates of the American Pistol Institute as it was owned by Jeff Cooper refer to this institution as "Orange Gunsite" and to the subsequent operation as "Grey Gunsite". This because when the school was sold, the color scheme was changed from the original color of orange to grey.[14]
On December 10th, 1999, the school was sold to a new owner, Buzz Mills, himself a graduate of Orange Gunsite, whereupon it was renamed "Gunsite Academy".[15] The instruction at the school returned to that of the Modern Technique as taught by Jeff Cooper[16]. Jeff Cooper once more associated himself with the school although he took no part in instruction, having retired. Furthermore, a number of instructors who had been instructors under Jeff Cooper at Orange Gunsite returned to instruct at the school.
In addition to the Modern Technique being taught at "Gunsite Academy", a number of former staff of Orange Gunsite offer instruction in the Modern Technique from other facilities, namely:
★ Louis Awerbuck, former chief rangemaster, Orange Gunsite, at Yavapai Firearms Academy
★ John Bowman, former instructor, Orange Gunsite, at "The Site".
★ Randy Cain, former rangemaster, Orange Gunsite, at Cumberland Tactics
★ Eric Ching at Defensive Pistolcraft.
★ Jack Furr, former rangemaster, Orange Gunsite, at Southern Exposure.
★ Erick Gelhaus at 10-8 Consulting.
★ Ken Hackathorn, former instructor, Orange Gunsite, at Mid West Training Group.
★ Dave Harris, former rangemaster, Orange Gunsite, at Gunsite Academy.
★ Ed Head, former rangemaster, Orange Gunsite, at Gunsite Academy.
★ Bill Jeans, former head of operations, Orange Gunsite, at Morrigan Consulting.
★ Jerry McCown, former rangemaster, Orange Gunsite, at Gunsite Academy and Glendale Community College Law Enforcement Training Academy.
★ Greg Morrison, former instructor and operations manager, Orange Gunsite (and co-author of "The Modern Technique of the Pistol") at ILEETA.
★ Robert Reed, former adjunct instructor, Orange Gunsite, at Gunsite Academy.
★ Clint Smith, former operations manager, Orange Gunsite, at Thunder Ranch.
★ Ed Stock, former rangemaster, Orange Gunsite, at Gunsite Academy.
★ Giles Stock, former adjunct instructor, Orange Gunsite, at Gunsite Academy and the Hornady Academy.
★ Chuck Taylor, former instructor and operations manager, Orange Gunsite, at the American Small Arms Academy.
★ Cory Trapp, former instructor, Orange Gunsite, at Gunsite Academy.
★ Dennis Tueller, former instructor, Orange Gunsite, and inventor of the Tueller Drill, at PPSC .
Jeff Cooper stated that there were a number of individuals who had achieved such proficiency in the Modern Technique and in the use of firearms that they be termed "Shooting Masters".[17] He listed them as:[18]
★ John Gannaway
★ Louis Awerbuck
★ John Pepper
★ Pat Rogers
★ Clint Smith
★ The Stock brothers
★ Larry Mudgett
★ Tom Russell
★ Marc Heim
★ Michel Röthlisberger
Of these Shooting Masters, the following offer instruction in the Modern Technique:
★ Louis Awerbuck at Yavapai Firearms Academy.
★ Larry Mudgett at Southern Exposure , ITTS and Gunsite Academy.
★ Michel Röthlisberger at Gunsite Academy.
★ Pat Rogers at E.A.G. Tactical.
★ Tom Russell at Texas CHL .
★ Clint Smith at Thunder Ranch.
★ Ed Stock at Gunsite Academy.
★ Giles Stock at Gunsite Academy and the Hornady Academy.
Point Shooting
1. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol 3 No 8 June 1995 paragraph 2
2. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol 7 No 4 March 1999 paragraph 2
3. Shotluck, , Jeff, Cooper, Wisdom Publishing, 2006,
4. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol 3 No 8 June 1995 paragraph 8
5. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol 7 No 4 March 1999 paragraph 2
6. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol 2 No. 1 January 1994 paragraph 6
7. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 7 No 14 December 1999 paragraph 14
8. Wilson, Jim 2006. "IPSC And IDPA Give Shooters A Choice". Shooting Times : Paragraph 7
9. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 11, No. 8 July 2003 paragraph 14
10. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol 7 No 11 October 1999 paragraph 19
11. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 2, No. 85 May 1994 paragraph 21
12. Spaulding, Dave 2006. "Fast Target Access At Gunsite". Handguns Magazine: Paragraph 10
13. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol 2 No5 May 1994 paragraph 6
14. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 2 No. 85 May 1994 paragraph 21
15. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 7 No. 11 October 1999 paragraph 5
16. Mason, Ed (September 2000). "The New Gunsite". S.W.A.T. Magazine
17. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 11 No. 11 September 2003 paragraph 2
18. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 13 No. 6 June 2005 paragraph 10
19. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 11, No. 8 July 2003 paragraph 14
★ The SWPCL competitions
★ A photograph of the The Combat Masters
::Left to right are Ray Chapman, Elden Carl, Thell Reed, Jeff Cooper, Jack Weaver.
::The patch on Ray Chapman's shoulder displays the motto of the SWCPL, "DVC" which stands for "Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas" ("Accuracy, Force, Speed")
::The original print of this photograph hangs in a gunshop in Denver.
★ Website and email list for Gunsite Alumni www.molonlabe.net
::The email list was originally for graduates of Orange Gunsite and the Gunsite Academy but will now admit graduates of Grey Gunsite and a limited number of other categories of alumni.[9]
'The Modern Technique of the Pistol' is a method of use of the pistol for self-defense. The Modern Technique uses a two-handed grip of the pistol, which brings the pistol to eye-level, so that the sights may be used to aim the pistol at one's assailant. Prior to the development of the Modern Technique, it was generally accepted that unsighted fire holding the pistol at the level of the hip, called "point shooting", was the best method of self-defense with a pistol. This was because it was assumed to be the fastest method of shooting. During the development of the Modern Technique, competition between the two techniques proved this assumption to be false.
Origins of the Modern Technique
The origins of the Modern Technique begin in 1959 when Jeff Cooper established the "Bear Valley Gunslingers" at Big Bear Lake, California. Over several years the Gunslingers evolved into the "South West Combat Pistol League" ("SWCPL") known officially as the South West Pistol League ("SWPL") as the word "Combat" offended the then California Secretary of State.[1]
The objective of the SWCPL was to inject realism into pistol shooting competition and thus develop the best methods of using a pistol for self-defense.
The competitions held at the Big Bear "Leatherslaps" were designed to represent situations which had occurred or would occur in real life.
Critics of the Modern Technique and its components point out that some elements of the Modern Technique existed before Jeff Cooper codified them. For example there are a few photographs of shooters predating World War II showing shooters using the Weaver stance. While individual shooters such as these may have used individual components of what would become the Modern Technique, what would not happen until the advent of the Modern Technique was the testing of the different techniques, the determination of the most advantageous techniques by comparison in realistic simulations and the codification of the assembled techniques in to a doctrine. This is the difference between pistol shooting before the Modern Technique and after the Modern Technique.
Jeff Cooper lists advances in pistol-craft prior to the Modern Technique[2] :
★ The work of William Fairbairn and Eric Sykes in Shanghai Municipal Police during the Twenties and Thirties.
★ The FBI 'Practical Pistol Course' of the Thirties, which consisted of timed shooting at seven, twenty-five, fifty and sixty yards holding the pistol in the strong hand, and then the weak hand. This was a great improvement over the basic bullseye shooting taught previously.
★ Jeff Cooper's own work in conjunction with Taft on the 'Advanced Military Combat Pistol Course' in 1948, which was incorporated in to an Army Field Manual.
It was not until the advent of the Modern Technique that a complete doctrine was determined and made express.
During the competitions at Big Bear, six competitors consistently dominated competition and these men became known as the Combat Masters:[3] Jack Weaver, Ray Chapman, Elden Carl, Thell Reed, John Plähn and Jeff Cooper. The Combat Masters were titled as such because if they competed, they would take the first six places. If only one of them competed, ordinarily, he would be the winner.
Those members of the SWCPL instrumental in the development of the new technique were:[4]
Jack Weaver, who invented the new two-handed "Weaver Stance". Eldon Carl and Ray Chapman refined the stance in competition and John Plähn codified it. It was Jeff Cooper who then promulgated the new technique.[2] The new technique was called "The Modern Technique" and used sighted fire at eye level from a two-handed grip with the body in the Weaver Stance.
Combat Master John Plähn (John Plahn), who possessed a Ph.D in physical education, filmed the Combat Masters in action to analyze what their winning techniques had in common.[6] This resulted in the selection of the most efficient methods of motion used during shooting being selected and designed into the Modern Technique of the Pistol.3
★ Jack Weaver was a Los Angeles sheriff's deputy, now retired.
★ Elden Carl went on to become involved in off-road motorcycling
★ Ray Chapman won the annual SWCPL Championship in 1964, 1967 and 1970 and in 1975 won the first IPSC World Shoot. He provided instruction in the Modern Technique at the Chapman Academy, at Green Valley Club, Columbia, Missouri, which he founded in 1979, and was a consultant to the movie industry.
★ Thell Reed, who became a consultant to the movie industry, as well as armorer, stuntman and extra. Thell Reed at IMDB.
★ John Plähn
Others significant in the SWCPL were:
★ Leonard Knight finished second in the first IPSC US National Championship in 1977.
★ Bob Munden finished in second place in 1958 SWCPL and went on become the world's fastest gun. He developed a career performing, competing, teaching fast draw as well as specialist gunsmithing and has appeared on television shows in many countries.
★ Al Nichols
★ Bruce Nelson, an LEO in Southern California working in narcotics. He was present at the formation of IPSC and formed the Holster Committee along with Michael Harries.
★ Michael Harries, who invented the "Harries Technique" of flashlight manipulation for use with a pistol, as well as becoming an instructor at Gunsite.
★ Jim Zubiena, who appeared in a famous scene in an episode of "Miami Vice", at IMDB.
Founding of the American Pistol Institute at Gunsite Ranch ("Orange Gunsite")
Jeff Cooper went on to codify and promulgate the Modern Technique in his work subsequent to the Big Bear Leatherslaps. He travelled the world providing training in the Modern Technique to security teams such as those protecting heads of state, prominent politicians and wealthy individuals.
In 1976 Jeff Cooper founded the "American Pistol Institute" ("API") at Gunsite Ranch in Yavapai County, Arizona, just north of Paulden with the objective of providing training in the Modern Technique to a larger audience of military personnel, law enforcement officers and citizens.
The American Pistol Institute is frequently referred to as "Gunsite".
There were several courses of instruction in the use of the pistol offered, with numerical titles similar to college qualifications, such as 250, 499, 599. Later, courses of instruction in the use of the rifle were offered, and were numbered 270, 570.
International Practical Shooting Confederation - IPSC
In May of 1976 Jeff Cooper was present at the conference which founded the International Practical Shooting Confederation
(IPSC) and thence served as the first IPSC president. In subsequent decades IPSC drifted from practical pistol shooting toward pistol shooting games and lost its relevance to self-defence.[7][8]
American Pistol Institute becomes "Gunsite Training Center" ("Grey Gunsite")
In 1992 Jeff Cooper sold the American Pistol Institute.
Under the new owner the instruction drifted from that of the Modern Technique as taught by Jeff Cooper, both in content and quality and the school was not well regarded.[9][10][11][12] Jeff Cooper dissociated himself from the school.
During this time Jeff Cooper held classes occasionally at the National Rifle Association Whittington Center in New Mexico and other locations.[13]
To distinguish between the two schools, graduates of the American Pistol Institute as it was owned by Jeff Cooper refer to this institution as "Orange Gunsite" and to the subsequent operation as "Grey Gunsite". This because when the school was sold, the color scheme was changed from the original color of orange to grey.[14]
Grey Gunsite becomes Gunsite Academy
On December 10th, 1999, the school was sold to a new owner, Buzz Mills, himself a graduate of Orange Gunsite, whereupon it was renamed "Gunsite Academy".[15] The instruction at the school returned to that of the Modern Technique as taught by Jeff Cooper[16]. Jeff Cooper once more associated himself with the school although he took no part in instruction, having retired. Furthermore, a number of instructors who had been instructors under Jeff Cooper at Orange Gunsite returned to instruct at the school.
In addition to the Modern Technique being taught at "Gunsite Academy", a number of former staff of Orange Gunsite offer instruction in the Modern Technique from other facilities, namely:
★ Louis Awerbuck, former chief rangemaster, Orange Gunsite, at Yavapai Firearms Academy
★ John Bowman, former instructor, Orange Gunsite, at "The Site".
★ Randy Cain, former rangemaster, Orange Gunsite, at Cumberland Tactics
★ Eric Ching at Defensive Pistolcraft.
★ Jack Furr, former rangemaster, Orange Gunsite, at Southern Exposure.
★ Erick Gelhaus at 10-8 Consulting.
★ Ken Hackathorn, former instructor, Orange Gunsite, at Mid West Training Group.
★ Dave Harris, former rangemaster, Orange Gunsite, at Gunsite Academy.
★ Ed Head, former rangemaster, Orange Gunsite, at Gunsite Academy.
★ Bill Jeans, former head of operations, Orange Gunsite, at Morrigan Consulting.
★ Jerry McCown, former rangemaster, Orange Gunsite, at Gunsite Academy and Glendale Community College Law Enforcement Training Academy.
★ Greg Morrison, former instructor and operations manager, Orange Gunsite (and co-author of "The Modern Technique of the Pistol") at ILEETA.
★ Robert Reed, former adjunct instructor, Orange Gunsite, at Gunsite Academy.
★ Clint Smith, former operations manager, Orange Gunsite, at Thunder Ranch.
★ Ed Stock, former rangemaster, Orange Gunsite, at Gunsite Academy.
★ Giles Stock, former adjunct instructor, Orange Gunsite, at Gunsite Academy and the Hornady Academy.
★ Chuck Taylor, former instructor and operations manager, Orange Gunsite, at the American Small Arms Academy.
★ Cory Trapp, former instructor, Orange Gunsite, at Gunsite Academy.
★ Dennis Tueller, former instructor, Orange Gunsite, and inventor of the Tueller Drill, at PPSC .
The Shooting Masters
Jeff Cooper stated that there were a number of individuals who had achieved such proficiency in the Modern Technique and in the use of firearms that they be termed "Shooting Masters".[17] He listed them as:[18]
★ John Gannaway
★ Louis Awerbuck
★ John Pepper
★ Pat Rogers
★ Clint Smith
★ The Stock brothers
★ Larry Mudgett
★ Tom Russell
★ Marc Heim
★ Michel Röthlisberger
Of these Shooting Masters, the following offer instruction in the Modern Technique:
★ Louis Awerbuck at Yavapai Firearms Academy.
★ Larry Mudgett at Southern Exposure , ITTS and Gunsite Academy.
★ Michel Röthlisberger at Gunsite Academy.
★ Pat Rogers at E.A.G. Tactical.
★ Tom Russell at Texas CHL .
★ Clint Smith at Thunder Ranch.
★ Ed Stock at Gunsite Academy.
★ Giles Stock at Gunsite Academy and the Hornady Academy.
See also
Point Shooting
Footnotes
1. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol 3 No 8 June 1995 paragraph 2
2. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol 7 No 4 March 1999 paragraph 2
3. Shotluck, , Jeff, Cooper, Wisdom Publishing, 2006,
4. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol 3 No 8 June 1995 paragraph 8
5. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol 7 No 4 March 1999 paragraph 2
6. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol 2 No. 1 January 1994 paragraph 6
7. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 7 No 14 December 1999 paragraph 14
8. Wilson, Jim 2006. "IPSC And IDPA Give Shooters A Choice". Shooting Times : Paragraph 7
9. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 11, No. 8 July 2003 paragraph 14
10. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol 7 No 11 October 1999 paragraph 19
11. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 2, No. 85 May 1994 paragraph 21
12. Spaulding, Dave 2006. "Fast Target Access At Gunsite". Handguns Magazine: Paragraph 10
13. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol 2 No5 May 1994 paragraph 6
14. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 2 No. 85 May 1994 paragraph 21
15. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 7 No. 11 October 1999 paragraph 5
16. Mason, Ed (September 2000). "The New Gunsite". S.W.A.T. Magazine
17. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 11 No. 11 September 2003 paragraph 2
18. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 13 No. 6 June 2005 paragraph 10
19. Jeff Cooper's Commentaries Vol. 11, No. 8 July 2003 paragraph 14
External links
★ The SWPCL competitions
★ A photograph of the The Combat Masters
::Left to right are Ray Chapman, Elden Carl, Thell Reed, Jeff Cooper, Jack Weaver.
::The patch on Ray Chapman's shoulder displays the motto of the SWCPL, "DVC" which stands for "Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas" ("Accuracy, Force, Speed")
::The original print of this photograph hangs in a gunshop in Denver.
★ Website and email list for Gunsite Alumni www.molonlabe.net
::The email list was originally for graduates of Orange Gunsite and the Gunsite Academy but will now admit graduates of Grey Gunsite and a limited number of other categories of alumni.[9]
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