double tap

I have heard the term double tap referred to in regard to single action revolvers. What does it mean? Does it also apply to autos?

'Double tap' has nothing to do with the gun you use. It is practice of shooting anyone you have to shoot with two fast, aimed shots. The notion is that you are making damned sure you are shooting them lethally and won't have to deal with them again. There are different points of view about whether it is worth the time if you are facing multiple opponents. Another school of thought is the 'two to the body, one to the head' notion. Some of the elite Hostage Rescue Teams are apparently taught to head-shoot their opponents for instant stops, but they get a hell of a lot more practice than most of the rest of us.

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Double tap is usually how someone is trained to use a firearm in self defense. You fire two shots or double tap the threat. Now pause and look around and see if there are any more threats including the one you just shot, make sure they are no longer a threat. If there are any other threats or if the one you just shot is still a threat you double tap the threat again. You repeat this action until there are no longer any threats to your life.

Bruce

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I always took double tapping to mean , 2 quick shots as fast as possible on target, autos, double action revolvers, single action revolvers ?,(pull trigger fan hammer back pull trigger) I bet Bob Munden could even double tap a bolt action rifle. FWIW Bob M

Dear Jim: Yes, it does apply to semi autos. The techniques for defensive use of the pistol defined by Jeff Cooper call for two quick shots per target as a form of insurance. The classic standard exercise is to place 3 silhouette targets 1 meter apart, 10 meters down range. Starting with a loaded pistol in the holster, the shooter draws and fires two quick shots at each of the 3 targets, then reloads, then repeats. Total time for a good shooter is 10 to 12 seconds with an M1911 type pistol. For the very best, its closer to 5 seconds, you have to see it to believe it. Accuracy is paramount, power is secondary and speed is last in importants. In other words if you can't hit the A zone (approx 6X8' at 10 meters with both shots of the double tap, you are going too fast and need more practice. - CW

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# There are different points of view about # whether it is worth the time if you are facing multiple opponents.

I heard this described as 'boarding house' rules: nobody gets seconds until everybody has firsts.

I'm not trained enough to have an opinion.

I would post in reply to the origional question, but I can't.

Why are you learning to double tap? Is this for 'practial' shooting or self-defense?

Do you really want to learn the 'hammer' technique? Shooting two shots as quick as you can pull the trigger only lining up the sights for the first shot?

'Hammering' should probably not be done at distances farther than 7 yards. Out farther than that and you'll at least have to use the front sight.

No matter what, you'll need to hold on tight. Sounds wrong to a bullseye shooter, but it works much better for rapid fire. You'll have to experiment, but I do better when holding on tight enough to leave checkering impressions on my right hand. Pushing the trigger guard up with the left hand, forcing the beavertail into my my right hand seems to help too.

I grew up with the notion that double tapping meant shooting the first shot by aiming, and snapping off a quick second shot by instinct. But everybody on here references two aimed shots. When I was in high school I could fire two shots into a target at 30 yards with about a quarter second gap between shots and about an inch between the holes. Nowdays I would seriously be pushing it to get the second shot on the paper at 10 yards. I was simply shooting a lot every day then, and using a 10' barrell Ruger Mark II, an easy gun for that sort of thing. I know the long barrel is not for everybody, but I really love that gun for long distance .22 shooting, hunting, etc. I can't hit a pop can at 120 yards reliably on the first shot with any other pistols I have, but I used to with that one.