Difference between a double tap and a controlled pair?

Can anyone explain?

Thanks.

Same, Same IMO..

Controlled Pair: A term that is used to describe 2 shots fired in rapid succession. It is distinguishable from a double tap by the fact that the second shot is fired after the shooter has obtained a second sight picture.

Controlled Pair: Aquire sights, trigger press, reaquire sights, trigger press.
Double Tap: Aquire sights, press, press.
Two Round Burst: Set your select fire weapon to full auto, press trigger long enough for two shots then release.

If this helped don't thank me, thank the USMC CQB program, they taught it to me.

I was always told it was the same thing and the Army changed the term due to the negitive reputation that "double tap" got. Anyone else hear/taught the same?

This. I've also heard the term "hammer pair" used in place of double tap.

Current Marine Corps doctrine, divides "double taps" into controlled pair and hammer pairs.

One of our ex-11B guys told me that they were told to never use the term "double tap" but to use "controlled pairs" instead so as to further distance themselves from possible UCMJ action when conducting AARs after going out on patrol.

It is a sad day indeed when the guys outside the wire have to worry about career damage when trading lead with insurgents.

The hammer is 2 shots with 2 sight pictures.

Controlled pairs are 2 shots with 3 sight pictures.

I actually divide them into three, but for practical terms, two makes the most sense.

Controlled Pair: Sight picture, squeeze, recover to target, sight picture, squeeze, recover to target, sight picture, evaluate if further rounds are needed.
Intermediate Pair: Sight pictures, squeeze, recover, squeeze (no 2nd sight picture), recover, sight picture, evaluate if further rounds are needed
Hammer Pair: Sight picture, squeeze, squeeze, recover, sight picture, evaluate if further rounds are needed.

The first and last make the most sense. For qualification where I have limited time to engage at close range, intermediate pairs work well, and for quick-succession hits on targets between 25-75m the intermediate pair or controlled pair makes the most sense.

Thanks for the replies all.

This

Hammer pair: sight picture, fire, fire, sight picture
Controlled pair sight picture, fire, sight picture, fire, sight picture

Excellent explanation(s).

Yup.

Most shooters forget the last sight picture.

Double Tap is a generic term that has been used for many different variations of the same theme.

That is also one of the reasons why using terms like "Hammered pair" or 'Controlled Pair" are preferable as they are more specific.

Here's a pretty good article explaining the Double tap.

http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=2052&cid=12

I got reamed by an instructor for that. I would not just forget the site picture, but actually safety the rifle. The instructor wanted me to reacquire the first target (lookign over or through the sites), say one dead MF, reacquire any other targets, sayggn 2 dead MFs, 3 dead MFs, etc, before dropping the muzzle. Oh, yeah, he had electronic muffs, so he expected to really hear the chant.

Repeated 100 times in a weekend, you will break the habit.

This was an important lesson for me in developing a bad skill with the best of intentions.

It is real easy to forget the last sight picture during training, most folks think "I fired my two shots, so I can relax." all you end up doing is developing a bad habit. some situations will require more shots than what you are used to, so practice getting sights back on target and ensure target is down.

agree:
Hammer pair/dbl tap = one sight picture, two shots, sight picture
controlled pair = sight picture, shot, sight picture, shot, sight picture

I don't like the entire classic definition of hammer and controlled pairs.

We should have a sight picture for each and every shot. We should only shoot quickly enough as sight picture dictates. Shooter skill and distance will dictate these factors.

This

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