So what, exactly, is a " double tap"?

E

echo3mike

New member
I've had an H&K USP 9mm for about three months and have taken it to the local range a number of times now. It shoots very well, better than I can, at least, (although I can still hit a 3X5 card at ten yards). I've read Marcinko's "Rogue Warrior", (O.K. ...self admitted wannabe), and some other items that mention something called a "double tap", which I assume implies two rounds fired in rapid succession. I can't seem to be able to perform this act at an adequate speed without having to recover from the recoil of my first round.

Anyone have an explaination? Advice? Comments about over ambition?
 
You got it right... just two controlled shots in rapid succession.

Ben

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Almost Online IM: BenK911
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"Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target"
http://ben.gunsnet.net
 
Experienced TFL'ers may want to check my terminology. A "Controlled Pair" consists of two quick shots, both aimed with the sights. A "Double Tap" consists of one quick sigted shot followed by another quick UNSIGHTED shot when the weapon has recovered from recoil.
 
I use the "fire 'til empty" technique.


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"all my ammo is wildly fired ammo"
 
I consider it a pair of extremely rapid shots, controlling the recoil rather than recovering from it. A vertical pair bout three inches apart at ten yards works for me.

Sam...all my shots are aimed, some better than others.
 
I'm sure it depends on whom you are talking to, but in formal instruction, a double tap is two aimed shots fired as quickly as possible. The distance between the hits should be capable of being covered by a closed fist, if not, you've fired too fast.

A "hammer" is an aimed shot followed by a second shot as soon as possible.

BAM-BAM versus BABAM.
 
I guess a lot pends on whatcha called aimed. I have watched beemerb put five out of his model 36 fast enough that the sound was almost continuous. His Sig 220 is a tad slower cause the pistol action won't cycle that fast. Either way, all shots in fist sized hole.

Sam...I have drawn and dumped 5 COM before my cane flattened on the ground.
 
Bang Bang! I like the mag tap also.

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"Are You Gonna Bark All Day Little Doggie, Or Are You Gonna Bite?"
 
Hummmm, I thought a double tap was what most kitchen sinks have.

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Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"
 
The difference between a double tap, controlled pair and a hammer kind of depends on who you are and the yardage. At five yards they are all about the same thing with proper grip and balance. A decent shooter can watch the sights lift off the target recover and fire again with sights in about .15 seconds.
 
I'm with WESHOOT2,

BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM

..out already :D Boy, I love 9mm!

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God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"
 
KaMaKaZee,

Wrongo!

I'm more a BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM / (get different gun) BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM / (get different gun - assess threat) (repeat application of projectiles OR dial 911) (sit - light up - think of my family)

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
Double tap is a term Jeff Cooper despises which came from IPSC and equals the hammer, 2 shots, one sight picture. " We do not tap our adversaries, we hammer them." The hammer is employed at close range. As the range opens we use the controlled pair.One sight picture,2 shots=the hammer. 2 shots each preceded by a sight picture=the controlled pair.
 
The idea for only two quick shots is that one is likely to not stop your attacker, while two gives you a decent chance. After the second shot, you need to determine if your target is still a threat. If so, the 3rd shot should be aimed carefully at his head.

It's simply of matter of what you would consider excessive. Should you pull your gun and empty the mag on anyone attacking you? That's up to you. Every time I see the police shoot on TV (news or other "real tv" program), the police fire off AT LEAST 5 shots in 5 seconds. I guess that's a "septuple tap."
 
Double taps are, I believe, two rapid shots using a very rough and dirty sight picture for both. Controlled pairs are two aimed shots fired as rapidly as you can acquire and get a good sight picture. Hammers are one aimed shot and an immediate followup shot in the same general direction.

As for me, I never use the sights. I train like I'll fight:

1. scream "oh. sh!t!"
2. dump in my pants
3. shoot over my shoulder as I run like hell

:)
 
I guess I have been doing it wrong. For me the double tap was two rapid shots. The first aimed, the second during the recoil. You aim center mass, fire, and pull the trigger again on the way up. I always thought 2 was the magic number, because depending on the gun, you run out of body on the way up. But the machine guns with burst fire always put out 3, so I could be wrong.
 
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