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To: neverdem
Maybe some of the younger freepers don't know Jeff Cooper, so in my humble way I'll try to pass on my recollections of the man.

His achievement's are legion and if I miss any, please chime in!

Jeff Cooper is probably best known as the father of the modern combat pistol technique that he developed in the 70's.

He single handedly propelled long dead interest in the .45 ACP Colt Model of 1911 to it's current popularity. He pioneered and proved the value of a decisive caliber handgun that was still compact and controllable. He proved the value of using two hands to control the weapon and using the sights to get the quickest and most accurate hits on a target. He invented the "double tap". Always firing twice to insure a solid hit and to make up for the inadequacy of any handgun cartridge.

Before this "revelation" police, military and civilians shot with one hand in either a outstretched dueling stance or the always amusing "FBI crouch" accompanied by one handed hip shooting. Most people used revolvers with low velocity wadcutter ammo for practice and didn't practice quick tactical reloads. Use of movement and cover was seldom practiced.

He proved in thousands of International Practical Shooting Confederation matches that his techniques prevailed. Two hands, two eyes and never lose the front sight.

An early classic course of fire was the "El Presidente". Twelve shots at three targets in twelve seconds from a draw.

Jeff's motto was Diligenta Vis Celebratis or Speed Power and Accuracy.

DVC Colonel Cooper and Godspeed!
20 posted on 09/26/2006 4:47:22 PM PDT by Milwaukee_Guy (Don't hit them between the eyes. Hit them right -in- the eyes!)
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To: Milwaukee_Guy

cooper bump


21 posted on 09/26/2006 5:02:41 PM PDT by SauronOfMordor (A planned society is most appealing to those with the arrogance to think they will be the planners)
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To: Milwaukee_Guy
"He proved the value of using two hands to control the weapon and using the sights to get the quickest and most accurate hits on a target. He invented the "double tap". Always firing twice.. Before this "revelation" police, military and civilians shot with one hand in either a outstretched dueling stance or the always amusing "FBI crouch" accompanied by one handed hip shooting."

I well remember the "one handed stance" in military pistol training in the 1960s-I thought it was useless then (especially with a .45) and was delighted when the military started training using Cooper's now common sense two-handed point and shoot method for control.

There is no doubt in my mind that Cooper's advocacy and teachings saved thousands of LEO, military and citizen's lives over the years,

R.I.P. Jeff.

34 posted on 09/26/2006 9:33:58 PM PDT by spectre
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