In the world of concealed carry, you’ll hear a lot about drawing.
Drawing is the act of removing your firearm from the holster and getting it on target. For concealed carry and defensive shooting, being able to safely, competently, and even swiftly draw your firearm can be an unbeatable skill. Drawing sounds simple but requires some serious practice to become fast and safe. A lot of training revolves around drawing quickly, which is undoubtedly a critical skill. However, what about a stealthy draw?
A stealthy draw sounds odd but can be just as valuable as a fast draw. Being able to draw quietly, quickly, and confidently can be a very valuable skill. Today we are going to discuss the stealthy draw in-depth and explore the why and how of a stealthy draw.
Why the Stealthy Draw
One of the most valuable advantages a concealed carrier has is surprise. The element of surprise is the main reason I choose concealed carry over open carry. Being able to go from unharmed schlub to armed defender gives you a serious advantage over criminals, crooks, and violent attackers.
A quick draw allows you to rapidly engage a known attacker before their OODA loop can register your action. That’s great. It’s valuable and should be a skill you build. A stealthy draw allows you to draw without being noticed and retain the element of surprise until you actually aim and fire the shot.
A stealthy draw can be valuable for a few reasons. First, you may be in a situation leading to violence. You might be outnumbered and outgunned, but the situation is quickly deteriorating. The first act of violence might not have occurred, and an overt draw might not be justified.
However, once the attack occurs, the situation may occur too quickly for the quickest of draws. A stealthy draw allows you to draw the weapon drawn and ready, which will narrow your reaction gap if violence occurs.
You may find yourself in a situation where an event occurs that allows for the legal use of deadly force, like an armed robbery in a store. The crook’s focus is on the cashier. Most states allow you to exercise deadly force in this event.
However, you might not have the capability to take a shot or have not decided if you are going to take a shot. If possible, a stealthy draw allows you to prepare and be ready for the event. A stealthy draw makes it easy to prepare to take a shot when one appears. In this event, an overt draw might cause unwanted attention from the attacker.
How To Draw With Stealth
First and foremost, the stealth draw doesn’t always mean a slow draw. Moving quickly without drawing attention is entirely possible. The big issue with the stealthy draw is the attention of the aggressor. The main goal of the stealthy draw is simply not to attract attention.
One of the key skills necessary to avoid attention is the ability to draw with a single hand. This can be tricky when you have a thousand reps of gripping and ripping your concealment garment and gun at near the same time.
Another skill involves being able to draw while keeping your eyes on the threat. You should be able to draw quietly, with a single hand, without breaking your view of the threat or the direction of the threat—practice drawing with as little noise and abrupt movement as possible. Keep your firing hand close to the body and the movements deliberate and purposeful.
Concealed carriers mastering the stealthy draw should do so in a variety of positions. From the standing, sitting, kneeling, and even on the move. You should practice drawing carefully and quietly with as little movement as possible—work on drawing with as little movement as possible while focusing on a simulated threat.
I use a timer with par time. My goal isn’t to beat the part-time, though. When I press the button on my timer, I begin my draw, being as stealthy as possible. When the timer reaches the end of the par time, it will beep. This beep signals me to shoot at the simulated threat. It’s a simple drill I practice in a few different positions with my carry rig and typical cover garments.
Going Ninja
A stealthy draw extends the element of surprise to the point where the gun sits in your hand. This can shave off at least a second from your reaction gap, and that second can save lives. In some situations, a stealthy draw allows you to draw without the violent offender ever noticing and gives you more than a second’s worth of edge.
The stealthy draw is fairly easy to learn and practice. It’s a lot easier to master than the sub-second draw you’re likely shooting for. So between those speedy draws, practice drawing quietly, purposefully, and with as little movement as possible.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine gunner who served with 2nd Bn 2nd Marines for 5 years. He deployed in 2009 to Afghanistan and again in 2011 with the 22nd MEU(SOC) during a record-setting 11 months at sea. Travis has trained with the Romanian Army, the Spanish Marines, the Emirate Marines, and the Afghan National Army.
He serves as an NRA-certified pistol instructor and pursues a variety of firearms-based hobbies.
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