We all love action movies and chances are you’ve probably seen the movie John Wick and maybe the sequel John Wick: Chapter 2 as well. Posted on 05/22/2018 4:56:04 AM PDT by w1n1
We all love action movies and chances are you’ve probably seen the movie John Wick and maybe the sequel John Wick: Chapter 2 as well.
The action in these movies are very cool to watch, the choreograph is well designed. The credit goes to Taran Butler, the man who trained Keanu Reeves to tactical shoot that looks impressive in the movie.
We also learned that filming has begun on the third (final?) chapter in the series, and that got us thinking about the films, particularly the shooting techniques that were used in them.
Now, for those of you who haven’t seen the film, or read articles on it, the directors, stunt coordinators, and the actors themselves all went out of their way to make the stunts and gun handling in the film as accurate as possible to real life.
In other words some of them actually went through similar tactical shooting courses.
So what you're probably wondering is what this article is all about.
In the above picture you see Keanu tilting his gun to the side like that, its not for Hollywood cool looks, but is actually a real shooting technique created by law enforcement trainer Paul Castle.
Before his untimely death due to cancer in 2011, Castle developed what he called the Center Axis Relock (CAR) system as an alternative to modern weaver and isosceles stances.
So we’ve established that its a real thing, and not simply movie stuff, but is it worth learning?
Lets take a Peek - Why Center Axis Relock was Created
Most self-defense scenarios happen at very close range, in confined spaces, usually within 8-10 feet, or less.
The problem with moving in a confined space in a traditional stance is that you have the gun way out in front of you, as taught in the Weaver or Isoceles. This gives you very poor leverage in the event someone gets their hands on your gun. Read the rest of this John Wick Center Axis Relock story here.
I shoot a modified Weaver when shooting slow for pinpoint accuracy. I shot isosceles when I shot in action shoots(those days are over). I don’t think I’ll learn this new MTV way. It offends my sensibilities.
Any word on valid lightsaber techniques from Star Wars? About as realistic as John Wick.
Prior to the first of many AFG deployments, i underwent training through Blackwater, SIG SCI and ITPS and all of them taught normal weapon handling courses along with a modified close hold technique for movement in and around tight corners and buildings.
There was no angular holding method, the gun was still 90 degrees to the ground, but the holding skills were designed to keep the weapon close to the body, whether it be a pistol or a snubbed M-4.
Some of the best training I have ever received and, by the Grace of God, never had to use in the field. Although with the current situation in America, I still might get the opportunity to use those skills.
Does the training include a dental plan? When the slide slams into your teef, it’s gotta hurt.
Dad trained me bullseye style. What the Marines and NYPD taught him in the 40s, 50s. I self taught myself the Weaver stance from reading books.… Isosceles seemed faster in action shooting.
I too am glad to have never had to use any of it in anger. But as you say we must be prepared. America is in flux.
Used both the Weaver and Isosceles stances when on the firing line and shot expert throughout my Marine Corps career. The CAR technique is part of the tools set for tactical firing and is quite sound. It holds the weapon in the natural line of the arm instead of artificially keeping a 90 degree to the deck position. Also keeping the weapon closer to the shooters core gives more strength then the extended, which provides more control. The last time I was on the firing line, the course of fire was derived from years of combat observation and was probably the best training with a handgun I had ever gone through and mimicked the CAR technique considerably in the draw and close hold position.
Everything new is ...old. Speed rock, modified weaver( kind of this one mentioned), turret, isosceles, all adapted as needed for CQB. Having watched a Wick film, I recommend shooters everywhere DO NOT TRY the underarm, behind the back, around the body theatrics as seen on screen. Remember- trade space for time, time for precision and precision for fight stopping.
Learn to avoid CQ situations, you are not on a blue screen theater set with virtual add-ins of flash and sound and real bullets really do not care whose flesh they really tears.
Always remember- “do not cover any part of your body with your muzzle”- if in a lethal situation, there may be more than enough muzzles covering you already.
If you really want to learn how to apply fires to targets at CQ ranges, think like a boxer- but instead of closing with your opponent to strike, move off line and away to cover while your strong and off side (weak) hands cover the opponent with your firearm. Distance is your friend.
Also, remember that your recoiling slide will hurt you if you do not know where it is in any near-body firing technique. Know where to keep your off side hand/arm when firing from adapted one hand positions.- It belongs folded up against your off side with hand on chest, or reaching for contact with cover or some supporting object as you move offline to cover, worst case it is pushing an assailant away while you are responding with your strong hand or providing a fresh mag for an emergency reload or a tactical reload ( since you have wisely moved to cover and have time, during a tactical pause, hopefully.
Finally, “Front sight, Front sight, Press” repeat as needed, observe your flanks and six, preferably all from cover.
It is a movie ( and therefore not real or useful for anything other than amusement -”without thought”), even if Reeves learnt a few real world skills.
Yeah, so unrealistic! Like all the bad guys are going to be wearing red shirts on the same night and line up waiting for their buddy in front of them to get double-tapped before they step in. C’mon, who would believe THAT!.... And if you are the bad guy and have the hero, beaten and bloodied and tied to a chair in an abandoned warehouse with intentions of killing him... Just do it. Statistics on IMDB show that taking the time to explain your evil schemes to the good guy before you kill him never ends well...
Oh, also, I was watching John Wick on TV and they had brief interviews with the actors and directors at the commercial breaks. And there is a reason all the bad guy henchmen were wearing red shirts in the big shoot’em up scene. A shout out to Star Trek.
Ross Seyfried 1981 IPSC World Champion
Amen to that, brother. When in the military, I fractured the bone that protrudes off the outside of the wrist (the triquetrum, IIRC) with a 1911 slide doing drills in which we presented and fired from condition zero. Pulling the pistol from the holster, rotating the pistol at the hip, racking the slide as the gun was punched forward, and double tapping the target from the hip while making space. All I remember is pulling the trigger and my entire hand going numb, before the pain set in.
Well, sorry to spoil it, but that is the “original” version of “bump-fire” in action. Do not try it unless you are really brave, and then only with a two round mag.... pistola’s tend to have very high cyclic rates!
I personally have no idea if it works...., plus, I like my off side hand and arm just as they are.
Mr. Reeves is quite competent at 3 Gun. He was very well trained.
Both movies are quite good. Both Mrs. L and I enjoyed them.
“John Wick II. THEY KILLED HIS HAMSTER!l”
L
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