Concealed Carry Pistol On The Ground Drill

Concealed carry drill overview and real-world context

The video focuses on concealed carry practice that goes beyond ideal, upright shooting scenarios. The instructor explains that many real defensive encounters, as seen in surveillance and dash cam footage, are chaotic and imperfect. Previous drills emphasized close proximity to the target, striking, creating distance, drawing, firing, and reholstering to become familiar with the firearm, holster, and clothing. This session keeps that foundation but adds a new element: shooting from the back. The goal is to confirm the ability to clear clothing, access the concealed pistol, and fire accurately even after being knocked down, injured, or otherwise forced off the feet. The emphasis is on realistic preparation rather than assuming a perfect stance or environment during a concealed carry incident.

Clothing, holster setup, and dry fire preparation

Before shooting, the instructor dry fires to verify that the day’s clothing does not interfere with accessing the pistol. The outfit is typical everyday wear: a lighter jacket, a button-up shirt over an undershirt, jeans, and a hat or beanie. The pistol is carried in an appendix inside-the-waistband holster from Alpha Omega Kydex Holsters. Stretch-style Wrangler jeans are preferred because they accommodate the holster without feeling restrictive. Snap-button shirts are highlighted as useful because they can be quickly opened under stress, reducing the chance of buttons blocking access to the gun. The instructor notes that this is the same type of clothing setup used when going out in public, reinforcing the importance of practicing with actual carry gear rather than range-only attire.

Warm-up close-proximity strike and draw drills

The warm-up consists of close-proximity drills that combine empty-hand strikes with a concealed draw. The shooter starts near the target, verbally de-escalating, then delivers a strike to create distance before drawing. The sequence is two shots to the body and one to the head. Footwork mirrors a fighting stance, with a lead foot forward for movement or kicking and a strong rear foot for bracing and recoil management. A key question is whether using the non-dominant hand for both the initial strike and garment clearing slows the draw. The drill is run with different strike hands to see how that affects speed and efficiency. The pistol used is a Sig P365, carried concealed, and the focus is on getting the threat away from the shooter and loved ones at very close range.

Timing comparisons with dominant vs non-dominant strikes

Several timed runs compare striking with the non-dominant hand versus the dominant hand while drawing the Sig P365. When striking with the non-dominant hand and then clearing the garment with that same hand, the shooter notes potential delays and grip issues. One early run yields three hits in 2.28 seconds, with the head shot slightly off but acceptable at that distance. Switching to a dominant-hand strike while the non-dominant hand simultaneously clears the shirt produces a 2.24-second run, though the grip feels initially sloppy. Repeating the non-dominant-hand strike drill results in a faster 2.13-second time. A final run with a dominant-hand punch and coordinated garment clear comes in at 1.86 seconds for three hits, which the shooter considers a solid sub-two-second performance and a good warm-up benchmark.

Transition to on-the-back concealed carry drill

After the standing warm-up, the focus shifts to shooting from the back to simulate being knocked down or otherwise forced to the ground. A Savior Equipment shooting mat is laid out because the range is muddy from recent snow and rain. The steel target is repositioned, and the cardboard target is left on the ground. The drill is straightforward: take a few steps back, fall onto the back, draw from the appendix holster, and fire three shots on target. A shot timer is used, but the instructor notes that exact times are less important here than confirming the ability to access and run the gun from this compromised position. The goal is to maintain control, clear clothing, and get accurate hits while flat on the back, mirroring a potential real-world defensive scenario.

Grounded shooting reps and safety considerations

Multiple repetitions are run from the back. On the first attempt, the shooter steps back, falls, draws, and fires three shots in 3.79 seconds, then safely reholsters. The timer serves mainly as a threat indicator rather than a strict performance metric. On the second run, the process is repeated with a time of 4.01 seconds and one miss, reinforcing that accuracy still matters even when speed is not the primary focus. A third run includes four shots to ensure at least three solid hits, recorded at 3.43 seconds. Throughout, the snap-button shirt again proves useful for quickly clearing the garment while lying down. The drill is described as both a useful concealed carry exercise and physically demanding practice that highlights the challenges of drawing and shooting from a grounded position.

Reviewing footage, leg placement, and muzzle discipline

The instructor reviews recorded footage to identify mistakes and refine technique, recommending that shooters film their own practice for the same reason. One issue noticed is leg placement while on the ground. The shooter wants the legs positioned so the muzzle never crosses a knee or lower leg, avoiding the risk of shooting a kneecap or other part of the body. At the same time, the legs should remain usable for bracing or kicking if an attacker tries to close distance on the ground. Digging the heels in helps maintain stability and leverage. The main safety takeaway is to keep the muzzle clear of the body and ensure all rounds go into the intended target, even when working from unconventional or compromised positions.

Dry fire recommendations and closing thoughts

In closing, the instructor notes that the difference between standing and shooting from the back is not as large as it might seem, because the chest and sternum remain generally aligned with the target. The key is maintaining a flat position that still allows a clean draw from the appendix holster. Shooters are encouraged to practice this drill as dry fire at home, without live ammunition, to confirm they can access the gun efficiently and safely when on their back. Emphasis is placed on accuracy, muzzle awareness, and avoiding self-injury, such as shooting a knee while drawing or firing. The instructor invites feedback and suggests future variations, including kneeling positions and shooting from behind cover, to continue building realistic concealed carry skills.