Center Axis Relock is a shooting

Shooting

Shooting is the act or process of firing rifles, shotguns or other projectile weapons such as bows or crossbows. Even the firing of artillery, rockets and missiles can be called shooting. A person who specializes in shooting is a marksman...

 system invented by Paul Castle.

The CAR system features a bladed stance (the shooter's weak-side shoulder facing the target), a close-to-body firearm hold, and sighted or non-sighted fire

Point shooting

Point shooting, also called threat focused shooting, is a method of shooting a firearm that relies on a shooter's instinctive reactions, kinematics, and the use of biomechanics that can be employed effectively in life-threatening emergencies to quickly engage close targets.This method of shooting...

 as the situation dictates. This differs from other shooting styles such as the Weaver

Weaver stance

The Weaver stance is a popular technique for firing handguns. It was developed by Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Jack Weaver during freestyle pistol competition in Southern California during the late 1950s.- Description :...

 which feature a more squared stance (i.e. facing the target directly) with the pistol held far out in front of the face and some form of sighted fire.

The CAR system is primarily intended for semi-automatic pistol shooting, although it can also be used with shotguns, rifles, submachineguns, baton

Baton

Baton may refer to:In stick-like objects:*Baton , a short thin stick used for directing a musical performance*Baton, a type of club **Baton *Baton , an object transferred by runners in a relay race...

s, Taser

Taser

A Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscular incapacitation" and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption technology"...

s and OC sprays

Pepper spray

Pepper spray, also known as OC spray , OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears...

.

Description

The most notable feature of the CAR system is its unique firing stance. There are four positions that are taught, each of which is used based on how far the target is from the shooter, as well as various tactical considerations for the situation. All firing positions are based on a "bladed" stance, or more commonly referred to in the Law Enforcement world as the "Field Interview Stance" to which means the shooter stands at a 90 degree angle to their target, with their non-dominant arm's shoulder facing the target. In addition, all four positions involve keeping the firearm very close to the torso compared to other shooting stances, and in all but one, the weapon is held canted slightly to one side,(approximately 30-45 degrees) rather than vertically. The system also employs the technique of using the opposite eye of the gun hand, (left hand right eye and vice versa).The four individual positions are described as follows:

• High - Despite its name, this is actually the "lowest" position. The weapon is held cradled close, but not immediately next to, the chest at the centerline axis (hence the name of the system) and pointed at the target, with the dominant arm held at a 90 degree angle across the torso. The non-dominant forearm crosses the torso under the weapon's barrel and the hand grasps the shooting hand, with the upper arm held against the shooter's side (and out of the muzzle's line of fire). Advantages to this position are that the weapon is easy to retain if an enemy tries to grab for it, the weapon can be held for long periods with less fatigue, it looks less aggressive and more defensive to an opponent, and the close position of the arms to the torso can offset the effects of stress. This position is designed for Close Quarters Battle
  Close quarters battle
  Close quarters combat or close quarters battle is a type of fighting in which small units engage the enemy with personal weapons at very short range, potentially to the point of hand-to-hand combat or fighting with hand weapons such as swords or knives...
  
  . It can be unsafe as, without caution, adequate self-awareness and body positioning, there is a risk of shooting oneself in the non-dominant bicep, and, as the system was geared towards the use of semi-automatic pistols, some types of firearm such as large caliber revolvers should not be used in this position due to the muzzle- or cylinder-blast potentially causing injury. However, with proper training and guidance from a certified Master Instructor virtually any handhely weapon system can be utilized safely and accurately with extreme controlability.
• Combat High - This position is a "low ready" stance, and it used for cautious observation rather than directed shooting. The weapon is held with both hands up near the face, roughly 6-9 inches from and below the dominant eye with both eyes open in order to keep a clear view of the environment and to maintain situational awareness. The weapon is kept canted at roughly 30-45 degrees to the non-dominant eye to naturally fall in line with the position of shooting arm (holding it completely vertical would uncomfortably bend the wrist and not allow for proper recoil absorbtion). The non-dominant hand wraps over the shooting hand to stabilize the grip, with the non-dominant elbow kept down and near the shooter's side, though not touching it.
• Extended - Similar to "Combat High," except the weapon is held forward, approximately 11-13 inches from the eyes and the sights are in the shooter's focal zone. The elbow of the shooting arm is lifted to about jaw level and the non-dominant arm is kept in line with the torso. This is the most common shooting position, and is based on several principles. First, the smaller distance between the sights and the eyes allows a wider view of the environment; stances with the sights out farther cause the eyes to focus in a single spot. Second, the position of the arms, if properly executed, causes the recoil to be absorbed straight backwards instead of up, down or sideways, thus allowing faster repeated shots while keeping on target. This position is intended to be used for shorter ranges, about 2-10 yards.
• Apogee - A further progression from "Extended", the weapon is held even further from the eyes with the arms extend in a position similar to a Weaver stance
  Weaver stance
  The Weaver stance is a popular technique for firing handguns. It was developed by Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Jack Weaver during freestyle pistol competition in Southern California during the late 1950s.- Description :...
  
  , except the weapon is still held canted to one side in line with the wrist and arm, and the body is still in a "bladed" stance. This is designed for longer range, controlled shooting.

In popular culture

The C.A.R. System is the gun fighting system used by Sam Fisher and other playable agents in the video game Splinter Cell: Conviction

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction is an action-adventure stealth game, developed by Ubisoft Montreal. Key members of the Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas team, such as creative director Maxime Béland, also worked on the game...

.

The C.A.R. System is seen being utilized by Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of The Patriots

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

is a video game developed by Kojima Productions for the PlayStation 3 console. The game was directed by Hideo Kojima and made its worldwide release on June 12, 2008, ten years after the release of Metal Gear Solid and twenty years after the North American release of Metal Gear.Guns of the Patriots...

, most notably while equipped with his AK-102 and SOPMOD

SOPMOD

The Special Operations Peculiar MODification kit is an accessory system for the M4A1 carbine and FN SCAR Mk 16/17 used by USSOCOM...

It appears that C.A.R is the shooting style used by the members of the fictional Strategic Response Unit (SRU) in the CTV series Flashpoint

Flashpoint (TV series)

Flashpoint is a Canadian police drama television series that debuted on July 11, 2008, on CTV in Canada and ran on CBS in the United States for its first three and a half seasons. In 2011, Ion Television began airing new episodes of the series in the United States...

.

The C.A.R. System is used to illustrate the perk The Way of the Canaanite in Fallout: New Vegas

Fallout: New Vegas

Fallout: New Vegas is a first person action role-playing video game in the Fallout series developed by Obsidian Entertainment, and published by Bethesda Softworks. The game is based in a post-apocalyptic environment in and around Las Vegas, Nevada...

add-on Honest Heart.

External links

• Sabre Tactical Group - Paul Castle's Military/Law Enforcement training school
• IPD Systems - Paul Castle's civilian training school
• CAR System basics
• ICPS METHOD Israeli Combative Pistolcraft