Originally Posted by
SoCalDep
From my perspective, they both fill a “niche”, and both have advantages and disadvantages compared to each other.
First, I think we need to define why those techniques exist in the first place, and put them in their proper perspective compared to actual “ready positions”, as I don’t consider them “ready positions”.
In my mind there are two “ideal” places for a handgun being used (ie: searching, barricading, detaining, etc.). The first “ideal” is secured in a holster. This is the safest place the pistol can be and where the pistol should be if a threat is not expected/present. If a threat is expected, the “ideal” is a ready position (low ready, compressed ready, or all the other terms that describe those positions where the muzzle is oriented toward a threat area) that allows minimal time between being able to fire while allowing appropriate situational awareness. Visual obstructions and available space can and often will determine the appropriate ready position to use. Both the SUL and Safety Circle fail in what I’ve defined above compared to low or compressed ready. The muzzle is purposefully diverted far from the threat and in an awkward position. Both are poor choices from a weapon-retention standpoint and both present safety and muzzle awareness issues that we will discuss in a second.
Of course, “ideal” rarely exists independent of the “not ideal”, and that’s where these diverted muzzle techniques come into play. When the handgun is appropriately out of the holster in a high-risk situation yet the user is moving around people who don’t deserve a muzzle being pointed at them, one needs to do “something” to divert the muzzle from the ready position. The question is then what techniques are more appropriate for the situation. Here’s where we get the temple-index, SUL, Safety Circle, and the numerous other positions depending on small details, terminology, or to get deep in the weeds the use of handguns, long-guns, or consistency with both.
In short, diverted muzzle techniques should be used in situations when the pistol must be out of the holster but the user is moving around innocent/uninvolved persons or things or where there’s no good place to point the muzzle.
I used the SUL a fair bit when making entries with several deputies or during felony traffic stops when I had to re-position. Looking back now, in most of those cases I should simply have holstered.
In the event of those fleeting moments where we momentarily divert the muzzle as we say, move around a partner to gain a safer or more appropriate position, which technique is best?
The SUL offers the advantage of a physical “index” against the body which (in theory) allows one to maintain muzzle discipline without having to look at the pistol. On the other hand it is complicated and awkward for many, resulting in poor technique, especially for those introduced to the technique too early in overall skill development. I’ve seen lots of people muzzle their own hands and body or fail to bring the muzzle straight in front and almost straight down. Particularly when turning the muzzle ends up being oriented far to the side and potentially in unsafe directions.
The Safety Circle is a much simpler technique in execution and in my mind probably better for most, but has it’s own drawbacks. First, it is horrible for weapon retention as the handgun is held awkwardly and held out away from the body ready to be grabbed or impacted. There is no physical index so in some ways more care must be taken to avoid muzzling one’s own body or others, but the simplicity makes this a gray area compared to SUL. I know many will say SUL is a “technique” as part of the overall “safety circle” concept but I prefer to separate them because there are such distinct differences in skill development to properly employ them.
Both of these techniques and others (temple-index, etc) serve the momentary purpose of diverting the muzzle to avoid covering things we don’t wish to destroy or pay for. At least one or the other should be learned and practiced by those who may potentially use a handgun in “social situations”. Both techniques are frequently done wrong (SUL more than the other) and both techniques are VERY often applied inappropriately as ready positions or when the handgun should simply be holstered.
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