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Gallery
1 of 1
Reach
The left hand is kept close to the body, out of the way.
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Contact
Contact is made and, as the gun is withdrawn, the trigger finger remains outside the trigger guard and holster.
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Clear
As the gun clears leather, the trigger finger still rests on the frame, away from guard.
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Pivot
As the hand pivots the gun toward the target, the trigger finger aids in bringing the muzzle on target.
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Support
The support hand comes up to the gun at eye level and the support hand’s thumb cocks the hammer. The trigger finger enters the trigger guard as the sight picture is obtained, and the gun is fired.
Defensive gun use is defined by uncertainty. You don’t know when it will happen, how far away the threat will be, how many threats you will face or what position you will be in when it begins.
In 2025, Turkish manufacturer Derya Arms opened a new facility in Florida, enabling the company to produce a number of new products domestically, such as its new OBone suppressor.
The cycle of operation is the mechanical sequence of events that it takes to fire one shot out of a firearm. If one of those steps fails to take place as designed, there is an interruption in the cycle of operation and the gun stops firing.
The Colt Model 1911 pistol and its derivatives are among the most iconic military handguns ever made. But in 2026, does the M1911 still hold up as a quality defensive arm?