TACTICS
See the Hands
The mission is not just to get on target fast. The mission is to see, assess, decide, and act correctly.
Speed has long been emphasized in firearms training, but the goal is not simply to fire the fastest shot — it's to make the correct decision. A ready position should balance rapid engagement with the ability to continuously assess the suspect's hands, body language, and developing threat.
Studies using instrumented firearms drills have shown that modern depressed muzzle and traditional low-ready positions provide nearly the same response time as remaining on target — the time difference is measured in only hundredths of a second. Maintaining better visual access to the suspect's hands may substantially reduce the likelihood of a mistake-of-fact shooting.
Mistake-of-Fact Shooting Research
A randomized simulator study involving 313 active law enforcement officers found significant differences in mistake-of-fact shooting rates by ready position:
| Position | Mistake-of-Fact Rate | Relative Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Low Ready | 30% | Lowest |
| High Ready | Just over 50% | ~1.7× higher than Low Ready |
| Aimed / On Target | ~62–64% | More than 2× higher than Low Ready |
A modern low-ready (or depressed muzzle) position keeps the buttstock in the shoulder while lowering the muzzle just enough to maintain an unobstructed view of the suspect's hands and waistline. Because the rifle remains mounted, only a small upward movement is required to engage if deadly force becomes necessary.
"The fastest shot is worthless if you couldn't see the suspect's hands. A modern low-ready position sacrifices only a few hundredths of a second while improving the officer's ability to identify threats and make legally defensible decisions."