{"id":2688,"date":"2024-11-03T22:25:36","date_gmt":"2024-11-03T22:25:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2688"},"modified":"2024-11-03T22:25:36","modified_gmt":"2024-11-03T22:25:36","slug":"shooting-from-cover-the-key-to-gunfight-survival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=2688","title":{"rendered":"Shooting from Cover \u2014 The Key to Gunfight Survival?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"player-inline-wrapper no-margin-top\">\n<div class=\"video-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<iframe class=\"player-inline\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/456554515?h=c7115778ed&amp;api=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"byline\">By <a class=\"byline-author ajax-home\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/author\/gunspot\/\">GunSpot<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>In today\u2019s article the author covers an important part of surviving a deadly force confrontation: the proper use of cover. Learning how to shoot from cover is an important part of defensive firearm training. This article will introduce you to concepts like cover and concealment and shooting around barricades. However, it is not a replacement for professional training. We encourage you to seek out quality training to effectively build your combat shooting skills.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"dropcap\">H<\/span>ollywood movies and video games often have exciting shootout scenes between the bad guys and the good guys. Situations involving shooting from cover almost always come up in these scenes and, as you can probably guess, they usually don\u2019t do it correctly.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">If you find yourself in an unavoidable conflict, do you have the skills to survive a\u00a0gunfight?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Naturally, when bullets start flying your base human survival instinct is going to tell you to get behind something, if for no other reason than to hide. If you ever find yourself unavoidably in this situation, you want to use adequate cover and understand how to effectively return fire.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seek Quality Firearms Instruction<\/h2>\n<p>To do this, I got with chief instructor Grant LaVelle from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maxlifex.com\/\">Maximum Life Expectancy<\/a> to teach us some shooting from cover skills he acquired through a long career as a SWAT team member in a law enforcement agency. In the video, Grant used his <a class=\"ajax-article\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/springfield-xd-m-elite-4-5-tactical-osp-9mm-review\/\">Springfield XD-M Elite Tactical OSP<\/a> semi-automatic pistol outfitted with a U.S. Optics DRS 2.0E red dot sight.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1317\" height=\"1009\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-2.jpg\" alt=\"As shown in this image, shooting behind cover helps to protect your body, vital organs and head in a gunfight. Police officers are trained on the best use of cover and you should also use cover for protection and not accidentally expose yourself.\" class=\"wp-image-13662\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-2.jpg 1317w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-2-800x613.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-2-400x306.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-2-768x588.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1317px) 100vw, 1317px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The proper or incorrect use of cover can mean the difference between life and\u00a0death.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Admittedly, we will also briefly touch on the topic of room clearing in this as well, since they go hand in hand. In particular we will be talking about firing from cover with a handgun in both the video above and this article. In a later installment, we will also cover the particulars of using a rifle platform.<\/p>\n<p>As Grant explains, one of the key fundamentals to shooting from cover is keeping a stand-off distance from the cover you are using. While this helps you to be light and quick, the big advantage is you will be able to return fire without revealing too much of your body to the threat.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-3.jpg\" alt=\"One of the best gunfight tactics is to use cover as shown here. You want to minimize the danger of incoming rounds from enemy fire. Likewise you want to minimize the possibility of ricochet off of hard objects to enhance your likelihood of survival. \" class=\"wp-image-13663\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-3.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-3-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-3-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-3-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In the video, Grant touches on the importance of \u201cslicing the pie\u201d when emerging from\u00a0cover.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>With a stand-off distance, you can actually rotate just your top half out just enough to fire downrange. This will keep your femoral artery behind cover, which is good because obviously the more vitals we can keep behind cover the better our chances of survival.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Do You Shoot from Behind Cover?<\/h2>\n<p>When our favorite action heroes fire from cover, they often hug the wall and flip out facing the room to deliver perfectly placed shots on the threat or threats. In the real world, that is not what you want to do to stay alive. You instead want to keep a stand-off distance and then use a clearing method called \u201cSlicing The Pie.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-4.jpg\" alt=\"One of the most important rules of how to win a gun fight is to use cover to stop the bullets fired by an attacker. \" class=\"wp-image-13664\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-4.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-4-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-4-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-4-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Giving yourself space back from your cover area is an often overlooked \u2014 yet incredibly important\u00a0\u2014\u00a0tactic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In this method, you will methodically reveal yourself to just one sliver of the room at a time. This lets you focus on small portions of a room instead of busting in there like Rambo, because the chances are you don\u2019t have a M60 as your sidearm (get Grant\u2019s thoughts on <a class=\"ajax-article\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/shooting-the-mighty-m60\/\">shooting the M60 here<\/a>). You will most likely have a smaller compact gun. So, it\u2019s best to take it slow and safe as long as you have the element of surprise on your side.<\/p>\n<div class=\"newsletter inline\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: none;\" class=\"logo-tal-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/themes\/thearmorylife\/img\/logo-tal-tm-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Live The Armory Life.<\/strong> The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our <a class=\"ajax-giveaways\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/giveaways\/\"><strong>monthly gun\u00a0giveaways!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>If you keep your distance and only view into a room or around a corner by \u201cslicing the pie,\u201d your odds are much better at neutralizing a threat and walking away safely from the conflict.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-5.jpg\" alt=\"In this photo, the author demonstrates the correct and incorrect way of using cover. Make sure you get your body behind cover and only expose the minimum amount of your body needed to accurately return fire.\" class=\"wp-image-13665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-5.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-5-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-5-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/article-firing-from-cover-pistol-tactics-5-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Watch the video above to get Grant\u2019s tips on how to properly use\u00a0cover.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts on Shooting From Cover<\/h2>\n<p>Find a practice piece to use as cover in your training drills and give this a try. It\u2019s almost a certainty that if you have to engage a target, you will be around real-world obstacles like doorways, cars, corners, etc. So, practice, practice and practice.<\/p>\n<p><em>Editor\u2019s Note: This article was written by Dylan Casey and Grant LaVelle and shared with us by <\/em>GunSpot.com<em>.\u00a0Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in and discuss this article and much more!<\/em><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"heading heading-forum-thread hide-share\"><span>Join the Discussion<\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"forum-thread-button-wrapper hide-share\"><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/forum\/threads\/4328\/\">Go to forum thread<\/a><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"heading heading-featured hide-share\"><span>Featured in this video<\/span><\/h5>\n<section class=\"featured hide-share grid-three\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-xdm \" href=\"https:\/\/www.springfield-armory.com\/xd-series-handguns\/xd-m-elite-handguns\/xd-m-elite-45-osp-threaded-9mm-handgun\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-9mm\">9<sup>mm<\/sup><\/span><\/span>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/XDMET9459BHCOSP.png\" alt=\"XD-M\u00ae Elite 4.5&quot; OSP\u2122 Threaded\"\/>&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>XD-M\u00ae <span>Elite 4.5&#8243; OSP\u2122 Threaded<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-other \" href=\"https:\/\/www.usoptics.com\/buy-now\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-\"\/><\/span>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"margin-top: .75rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/product-us-optics-drs-20-enhanced.jpg\" alt=\"U.S. Optics DRS 2.0 Enhanced\"\/>&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>U.S. Optics <span>DRS 2.0 Enhanced<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-other \" href=\"https:\/\/www.maxlifex.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-\"\/><\/span>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"margin-top: 2rem; margin-bottom: 3.55rem;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/product-maximum-life-expectancy.png\" alt=\"Maximum Life Expectancy \"\/>&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>Maximum Life Expectancy <\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/shooting-from-cover\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By GunSpot In today\u2019s article the author covers an important part of surviving a deadly force confrontation: the proper use of cover. Learning how to shoot from cover is an important part of defensive firearm training. This article will introduce you to concepts like cover and concealment and shooting around barricades. However, it is not [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2689,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2688","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2688"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2688\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2689"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}