Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Why Bother With A Shot Timer?

Heck, with the odds being what they are, he doesn't even need a gun unless he is a "sportsman," and then he only needs a "sporting" firearm. I think there is an advocacy group that touts the same principle.

I am so slow all I need is a hour glass for a shot timer....maybe a sun dial would be better

Yep I have a friend I nick named ...........................you guessed it "crackshot". He said the bullet through the cheek wasn't as bad as the cleaning....

I see plenty of comments in support of using a timer where the poster equates gaming with combat performance. Col Cooper must be rolling over in his grave.

It is helpful to time drawing from concealment to first shot so that one understands just how long it takes to get the roscoe into action. And the timer adds a little stress. But quick-draw is gaming mentality partially spawned by 50's Hollywood movie fakery and has little place in combat IMHO.

Lots of folks carry concealed nowadays and they do need to practice bringing their weapon to bear without shooting themselves, bystanders, etc. And a little stress created by a timer can help work out the kinks.

I have a fire extinguisher in each of my vehicles. I saw a guy by the side of the road in about 1985 with his beautiful classic muscle car's engine on fire, and a bunch of people just standing around helpless watching this gorgeous car as it was reduced to scrap metal in less than 2 minutes.

I stopped trying to figure out how many of us civilian drivers have to put out car fires at that time and decided I'd better A) start carrying fire extinguishers in my vehicles and B) know how to use them.

There's a big difference between learning "quick-draw" as a competitive sport, and learning how to draw your personal defensive pistol for a rapid presentation in a defensive scenario. The problem is that most CCW carriers have never really tested themselves in the latter skill.

And that's the beauty of having your very own personal shot timer. You can test your skills and equipment and work on improving them on your own time, without engaging in shooting contests that have a competitive aspect if that bothers you.

It's not about competing against another good guy. It's all about making yourself ready for the Bad Guy.

That's all I'm saying here, and all I've been saying since the OP. In my opinion, every self-aware and self-critical defensive shooter should have a shot timer and use it. It's like balancing your checkbook or changing the batteries in your home's smoke detectors.

Since this thread was an expansion on the mouse gun thread, I'm waiting for a front pocket guy to post times from a sitting position.

Now there is something I know how to use! I have used the mine on 3 vehicles and those people were darn glad I had one. Prior to that I watched a motorhome burn down to the frame.

Well here's where we are going to disagree. Unless you are in the cop business, your "defensive scenario" should be to get your butt out of there. If you are drawing your weapon, it should be because you've determined that somebody needs to die. Anything less will get you killed.

Nope. You'll get killed in a hurry if you think you can magically react to a surprise situation. That's the reason situational awareness is taught. IMHO, if you're relying on your ninja reflexes - you're toast. The average person carrying concealed MUST use their brain first and foremost otherwise their pop gun is of no use. Quick draw is a gamer's method of getting killed.

I think the timer is useful to help us realize how slow we are, and then hopefully we will use our heads first to get us out of dangerous situations.

I was asking our resident feminist.


Travis

I think timing yourself, or using a heart rate monitor when you run is only for competitive sport. It was spawned in the 70's.



Travis

Only in the woods or at the range.

Yup, that's me guilty as charged.

Oh.


Travis

I don't believe I've ever written, said, or implied that situational awareness is not the first priority.



Well, I tried to answer that, but you either can't or won't understand my point, so I'm done discussing this with you.

CCP? Check.

Milt Sparks leather? Check.

$1,300.00 1911? Check.

Timer? Ummm... I don't need that. They cost a whopping $89.00.


Travis

89 bucks?
That's like one box of 45 ACP these days?

Buy a Dillon. But then you'll need a chronograph.

Or, you can be one of those reloaders that reload without a chronograph. It will go well with your timer deficiency...


Travis