Students of the defensive handgun should be familiar with two triangular concepts codified by Gunsite Academy founder Jeff Cooper. They’re important because they’re a prerequisite to the application of a semi-automatic handgun in an effective and efficient manner during a self-defense situation. Often, the unknowing believe that because they’re a good shot or have had some training, they’re good to go. The truth is that true proficiency comes from being able to understand and execute each element of this double triad guideline.
The first triad is the Gunsite and IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation) motto, “Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas”—Latin for accuracy, power and speed. It’s often represented as simply, “DVC.” The other is the Combat Triad that represents the desired balance of mindset, marksmanship and gun handling. Together, they represent the totality of the proper application of the semi-automatic defensive handgun. And, combined, they’re also best described as “weaponcraft.”
THE DVC TRIAD
The unique thing about the DVC Triad is that it doesn’t represent an equilateral triangle. In other
