{"id":4756,"date":"2022-03-01T08:56:25","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T08:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ammoman.com\/blog\/?p=4756"},"modified":"2022-02-04T20:57:36","modified_gmt":"2022-02-04T20:57:36","slug":"how-to-shoot-controlled-pairs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ammoman.com\/blog\/how-to-shoot-controlled-pairs\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Shoot Controlled Pairs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shooting Controlled Pairs\u00a0<\/span><\/h1>\n

A defensive pistol is easy to carry discreetly, but at a cost. However, the fact that a defensive pistol is easy to carry means that it is compromised when it comes to firepower. A smaller gun means smaller, less powerful ammunition, and that means a reduced chance of stopping a threat with just one shot. In this case, sending more rounds downrange is probably the answer. Those rounds need to hit the target in order to be effective, which is why firearms trainers like to train their students to shoot controlled pairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Simply put, shooting controlled pairs means shooting two rounds as fast as possible, but each round has its own separate sight picture. We\u2019ll go into each step in this process in more detail, but let\u2019s start with talking about what we mean by \u201csight picture.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Controlled Pairs = Two Controlled Shots<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sight picture is composed of three things: How your front and rear sights are aligned with each other, where those sights are pointing on the target, and how long you need to look at them before you take the shot. The front sight of your pistol should be centered left and right in between the notches of the rear sight. This is called sight alignment. Lining up those sights on the target and directing your focus to the front sight is the step in the process. Having the sights on-target is beneficial for obvious reasons. Front sight focus, however, is important because the front sight is the closest part of the gun to the muzzle, where the bullet leaves the gun. Seeing the movement of the front sight before, during and after the shot is fired is an essential part of learning to shoot controlled pairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"controlled<\/a>

Two hits in the center-chest, but not on top of each other. This is where you want to be.<\/p><\/div>\n

Which brings us to our third point about sight picture: How long you need to stare at that front sight before you take the shot. To successfully shoot both shots in a controlled pair, you need to keep your attention on the front sight for as long as it takes to make the shot. This is called a <\/span>flash sight picture<\/span><\/a>. You see the sights and you verify they\u2019re on target, but you don\u2019t dwell on those sights for any longer than it takes to make a smooth trigger press and send a round downrange.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Two Sight Pictures, Two Shots<\/span><\/h3>\n
\"Too<\/a>

One of these is a good hit, the other isn’t. Slow down and see the sights with both shots.<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s that second sight picture which sets controlled pairs apart from two-shot techniques. A \u201cdouble-tap\u201d or \u201cHammer,\u201d as it is called at <\/span>Gunsite<\/span><\/a>, is a good example of this. Simply put, a double tap is two shots with one sight picture. This may be an effective way to get rounds on-target quickly at close ranges, but at longer distances or on smaller targets, having that second sight picture can make the difference between a good hit and a missed shot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Now that we\u2019ve figured out what you need to see, let\u2019s talk about what you need to do in order to shoot controlled pairs. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>You also need a smooth trigger press for each shot in addition to a separate and distinct sight picture on the target. Any tendency towards <\/span>jerking the trigger<\/span><\/a> is going to show up at this point. You want two distinct sight pictures when shooting controlled pairs, but you also want two perfect trigger presses as well. Rounds that miss the target because your sights weren\u2019t aligned or because you yanked the gun off-target while pressing the trigger are not going to stop the threat. Even worse, they can hit an innocent bystander, leaving you exposed to all sorts of emotional and legal issues. Don\u2019t \u201cpanic fire.\u201d When done right, shooting controlled pairs should go like this:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n