#75 Retention Shooting Part 2
About this video
McPhee discusses retention shooting and close-quarters combat decision-making in part two of a series with Greg Thompson. He covers the legal and tactical considerations of using force, positioning strategies, weapon selection at various distances, and the importance of managing threats after engagement. McPhee emphasizes environmental awareness, non-verbal threat assessment, and the integration of firearms, knife work, and combatives training.
Key takeaways
- McPhee argues that environment dictates tactical decisions and that shooters must be able to articulate their reasoning for using force in legal terms, not just survival instincts
- McPhee teaches that retention shooting only works effectively within about three feet and requires proper hand positioning and distance management to prevent weapon disarming
- McPhee emphasizes that threat management continues after initial engagement—threats must be controlled, searched, and monitored as they may have support elements or additional weapons
- McPhee recommends using airsoft and simunitions training to safely practice retention scenarios, and advocates for footwork and positioning principles borrowed from boxing and grappling to create distance or control
- McPhee stresses the importance of reading non-verbal cues, body positioning, and micro-gestures to detect threats early, and notes that movement during engagement is more survivable than remaining stationary
Episode details: published September 8, 2020 · 722 views · 52:13 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. McPhee’s service stories are his own accounts, attributed to him — not independently verified. His tactical and firearms instruction is his doctrine, presented as his teaching — not legal or safety advice from Self Growth Videos.
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