I’ve been studying disarming and its corollary science, preventing the disarm, since I was quite young. Master instructor Jim Lindell certified me in his method of handgun retention, known variously as the Lindell Method, the National Law Enforcement Training Center Method, and the Kansas City method, in the late 1970s. He certified me as an instructor in the system in 1980 and as a trainer of other instructors in it in 1990 and I continue to teach it.
It’s not just about “grappling for guns”: it’s also about holsters designed to resist snatch attempts, and guns which can be made at least somewhat proprietary to their users. I was recently reminded of this article I wrote on the topic several years ago in GUNS magazine, where I’ve proudly served as the handgun columnist since the late ‘70s.
By the way, the officer mentioned in the article whose life was saved when the perp who got his 1911 .45 auto away from him and tried to kill him but couldn’t, Wayne Dobbs, has since retired from a distinguished career in law enforcement and become an outstanding instructor in armed self-defense.
I’d been trained in the PPCP/PPCT (been a long time) system when Mas exposed me to the Lindell system. I went back on my own dime/time and got certified as an instructor. It’s definitely the superior system.
That said, no system is the entire solution to the issue. You have to be able to use situationally appropriate extra aids to help you. “Improvise, adapt and overcome” is more than a line in a movie.
Also, the snatch resistant holster has to be one you can readily use in all situations you’re likely (or maybe also less likely) to encounter. Like being able to operate them while wearing gloves. I’ve been leery of mechanical locks ever since I watched a guy with a welding grinder cut the hinge on a clam shell holster after the release failed. Yeah, there’s a story, but this isn’t the time or place.
I remember reading that article when it first came out, Mas, so a good refresher. When I carry my S&W 40c (which has the 1911 safety), I pair it with the DeSantis Facilitator and am very happy with this arrangement, night sights also. Is the Safariland 701still made?
Not sure, but Safariland does have some concealable holsters with extra security.
I’ve taken your handgun retention lessons at MAG 80 and Tom and Diane’s handgun retention seminars at Firearms Academy more than once and I keep getting better at it. I pass some of that knowledge to my church security team as well. Excellent tools at bad breath range. Thanks for all you and FAS do to help us help ourselves.
Thanks for your teaching these retention and disarming techniques to armed citizens, Mas.
Wayne is one of the best instructors out there – he is an excellent coach, a great shooter and a true teacher. His courses dealing with the practical ramifications of Rules 2 and 4 are innovative and challenging, requiring a bunch of ‘thinking with a gun in your hand’. Those in the eastern US can catch his Rule 4 Defensive Pistol course at the FPF range in Culpeper, VA, in May this coming year. I’m already signed up.
yeah, even with work gloves, my hands ached after the MAGa 80 class in disarming and firearm retention…
epstein didn’t kill himself…
What a timely article, with Live Oak MAG 120 just around the corner. Every time we get to assist you in the 80 and 120 classes this all becomes just a little more instinctual for me. As you have said many times, “he who teaches learns.” Anyone who carries a gun should learn this discipline.
I probably don’t need to remind this audience, but if you have a holster with a snatch-resistant feature you need to practice drawing enough that it doesn’t resist your snatch when you need it.
OR……don’t get into a bad situation tactically to even allow this. It’s like those that teach “ground fighting”. If you ended up on the ground, you have made multiple tactical errors beforehand to put you there. Yes, it is possible also.
Definite issue for me especially now that I am old, slow, and weak. Not being LE, I always carry concealed. If someone detects the gun and tries a snatch, plan is to tie him up long enough to deploy the OC carried weak side. That gives me a non-lethal option as well for situations where shooting is inappropriate.
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