Abner Miranda And The Temple Index Of Doom

High Speed Low Drag Youtube operators don’t like comments questioning their techniques.

Tactical-Threat-Scan

From Abner Miranda himself, in the comments on the post where I made fun of his Derpy Exaggerated Tactical Threat Scan:

Gentlemen, please look into “Temple Index.” There is a very valid reason why placing the pistol to the side of your head is used. Instead of explaining it here I urge all of you, so cavalier in your comments, to look it up for yourselves. Moreover, I urge all of you to get off your computers and get to some training to learn why this new technique is what it is. New techniques are usually hard to understand. The first time I saw temple index was at a Sentinel Concepts Low Light Vehicle CQB course. The vid is posted if you want to see the technique being used. It was taught to us by Will Petty (look him up). When he showed the technique I actually said “what is that?” I was then shown why, who, what, when, and where. I was then able to apply it properly. I’m still kind of iffy on if I’m going to adopt it full force. However, the point of this posting is to get all of you to realize that sitting behind your computers mocking people does no one any good. Get out there and train guys, learn this stuff for yourselves. BTW this right here is why I lock down the comments and embedding of my vids. It’s not that I fear comments or challenges it’s that I only discuss TTP’s and accept challenges from flesh and blood men who are standing in front of me on the range. Stop hiding behind your online names and get on the range where your performance with your weapon of choice can be judged by your peers.

Gentlemen, have a great day.

-Abner Miranda

——-

Let me start off my saying LOLOLOL.  Ok now that I got that out of the way, I did actually just google “Temple Index” and a variety of other temple index related searches with shooting terms in them and couldn’t come up with anything.  Must be on such a low operational tier that not even the internet knows about it yet… that advanced.  Maybe it will leak someday in a wikileaks / snowden type thing.

Sentinel-Concepts-Derp-ScanHe actually has a video up on YouTube of the Sentinel Concepts Low Light Vehicle CQB course he was referring to.  At least one high derp scan in that (2:24 pictured left).  No forward rolls, or notch hats though don’t get your hopes too high.

Can someone please explain why the temple index of doom (high derp scan) is good?

Thoughts?


Comments

71 responses to “Abner Miranda And The Temple Index Of Doom”

  1. “I only discuss TTP’s and accept challenges from flesh and blood men who are standing in front of me on the range.” That’s cute, Abner. Want to know what works on a real two-way range, IE not your backyard? Fire superiority, teamwork, suppression, and movement. I’ve been there bud, and this stuff wont help you.

    Honestly though, if you want to index your face that’s great man, you do you. Lets be real though- you’re still a dude in his backyard indexing his face, complaining when people laugh at you on the internet.

    1. “Lets be real though- you’re still a dude in his backyard indexing his face” Hahaha, oh man, I lost it and laughed breakfast burrito all over my keyboard (yeah I’m chairborne now as a defense contractor). Well played 11B, I concur.

  2. Benjamin Blatt Avatar
    Benjamin Blatt

    So, if I understand correctly, his method involves discharging a firearm multiple times and then placing said firearm against his head? How is his face not just a mass of burn marks?

  3. This is what I found on the subject:

    http://www.breachbangclear.com/patrol-vehicle-cqb-instructor-course/
    http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?4360-Flashlight-Techniques/page3
    https://www.facebook.com/sentinelconcepts/posts/1410472979216398
    http://www.recoilweb.com/aar-sentinel-concepts-vehicle-low-light-cqb-43205.html

    Now, there are 2 “temple index” methods mentioned in those threads. One is holding your flashlight against your head so that it points with your eyes. The other is what Abner is doing. I see the merit in using it while exiting a vehicle, but I still think it’s ridiculous.

  4. Seen at Graham Combat. Best seen at the 2:45 Mark but also several Times in the whole Video. Guy knows what he´s doing…

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7Qm2mHQ_Ok

  5. “Stop hiding behind your online names and get on the range where your performance with your weapon of choice can be judged by your peers.”

    You mean like IDPA or USPSA? Enough of this tactical athlete dress up thing that you do. You’re spewing forum nonsense and maneuvers that’s are created and propagated by middle aged men who have more money than sense and like to watch war movies. Your use of a camelback says it all. You’re on your own range 100 yards from the house. You don’t need a tactical hydration pack. You’re being a fool, and you know it. You could roll with it, monetize the channel of derp and laugh at the ad revenue as it stacks up. But, you’re a chickenshit who doesn’t want comments, questions, or criticism.

    So, where the next IDPA or USPSA match. People who shun competition are always frauds and more talk than action.

    1. So full of winning! I think you’d get booted from either match for pointing your muzzle straight up (180 rule applies to up and down too). I’d LOVE to see some of these hack frauds show up at a USPSA or 3GN match.

      I don’t know why you’d pull your muzzle out of your line of sight while scanning for threats, thus dramatically increasing your reaction time. Then again, I haven’t operated in years, and don’t play tactical dress up.

      1. You have this confused. The temple index technique idea wasn’t thought up for 3 gun or uspsa or other games. It’s technique is used for real world applications when moving around people, in vehicles, and other tight places. But then again I’m sure you are aware of that since you are so busy winning 3 gun and uspsa matches.

        1. Johnnyishootstuff Avatar
          Johnnyishootstuff

          Oh yes, the real world argument. Do you mean the real world where a sales manager operates? This shit is more tactical foolery that subscribes to my Kung fu is better than your Kung fu. Oh, and yes, I have been out winning my division at idpa.

          Defensive shooting comes down to a few basics: recognizing a threat, get on target quickly, finding and using cover, and putting distance between you and the threat. The rest of this crap is just dress up fantasy of and adult living out his A-team dreams.

          1. I think you are on to something here. ;)

          2. yeah because god forbid people actually train for the true intention behind the 2nd amendment…

            Nope, cant have any of that. They’re just “wannabes”. The real “pros” are in competitions with strict rules and one way ranges LOL.

            (in case you didn’t get my snark, the real world argument is perfectly valid. you whine about kung fu, but you IDPA types are the most damned by association).

            1. overkill556x45 Avatar
              overkill556x45

              What two way range do you practice on? Every range I’ve ever trained or competed on–even 360 degree ranges were one way.

              competition makes you better at the fundamentals of shooting. I’ll be the first to admit it’s a game. Competition is the cheapest and best way for Joe Gun Owner to polish his skills. Not everyone can take a week off work and plunk down a grand to go see Abner and learn to put a loaded gun to their heads.

              1. Competition has its purposes indeed, I wont dispute that. But its competition. I dont see competitors “competing” with the weapons and gear they would use during a hypothetical situation warranting 2nd amendment solutions to overall problems (which IS the point in the big picture). They generally compete with competition-centric firearms and gear, and that is the problem I have.

                But I WILL give credit where credit is due. At least competition shooters are dry firing and then shooting live rounds (with improvement to their skills) rather than just rushing to the ammunition shipment dates of the week, putting their credited AR15 in the safe, and buying shit to make them feel better without training. So many gun owners are gear-centric without the skillset behind it and it drives me nuckin futs.

                “two way range” was supposed to say 360 degree range, but I had a moment of lucidity. Thats what I meant to say.

                And im not trying to defend this by any means, ill add. I just…dont get it. Whatever. There are better instructors out there without katering to the likes of Yeager, Cory whatever, and this. I do have to agree with your mcdojo argument; it is logical and sound, and ive drawn to the same conclusions. Every renaissance has its fair share of frauds and fools that are parted with their money.

          3. FakeInternetName Avatar
            FakeInternetName

            That’s it, eh?

            No use of force, combatives, trajectories, unsafe directions, etc?

            Your arrogance is matched only by your ignorance, bud.

        2. Two tours in RC East Afghanistan as infantry. Considerable combat experience on the second go-round. Number of times I put a gun to my head: 0.

          And I did just win a 3 gun match over the weekend, so thanks.

          1. It’s cool, I can say that I have done so and so and cool stuff as well from behind my keyboard also. But really I’m sitting here eating Cheetos and watching porn. But I won the Idpa match last week as well and the 3 gun!!!

            1. Johnnyishootstuff Avatar
              Johnnyishootstuff

              The difference is, I have a channel full of match video posted. So while taking about winning is fun, it’s better to show what winning looks like. I don’t expect you to watch them or anything like that. Go back to your Cheetos.

  6. Saying “I learned it in a class” is really meaningless. Anyone can hang out a shingle and say “firearms training inside” Here’s something I wrote a while back, but it’s more than relevant today.

    If you’re old enough to have good memories of the 1980’s you’ll remember the dojo and martial arts wars that went on. About the same time as the Karate Kid movie was released, there was a massive surge in number of dojos that opened as well as all the new so called martial arts disciplines that popped up. It really became a “my karate is better than your karate” circular argument. Most of these pop up McDojos were run by charlatans looking to quickly cash in on a crazy.

    I think we’re seeing the same thing today in the firearms training business.

    Everyday I see a new firearms training center or academy opening up and teaching questionable things. One thing these firearms trainers share with the former karate teachers is that they’re all teaching “systems” and things with no practical application for most firearms owners.

    Here are some tips for vetting a potential firearms instructor.

    1. A special forces resume. This is the number one fraud in the firearms training business. There are too many of these guys out there lying about what they did in the past. Always ask to see a DD-214 from anyone making these claims. Someone that’s legit will produce the DD-214 right away, a fraud will give you the run around and make excuses.

    2. Ask to see a copy of their professional liability insurance. A quality instructor will have insurance and a legitimate business. The frauds will form an LLC and think that will shield them from all liability for any issues that may arise in a class they are teaching.

    3. Ask to see their own firearms training record. What classes have they taken? Who did they take the classes with? Has any organization certified them? Beware, there are some fake organizations out there selling instructor certifications for $40 to look like they’re part of a legitimate training organization (the same thing went on in the 80’s dojo wars).

    4. Do they require prerequisites before they let you take one of their classes? If they’re teaching basic firearms safety class then nothing should be required. If they’re teaching advanced firearms techniques they should require that participants show prior formal training or demonstrated skills such as USPSA or IDPA classification. Instructors that will just let anyone show up with a new pistol or AR and shoot on the move or practice room clearing are neither safe nor professional.

    5. Watch out for the training ladder. Some instructors will tell you that you have to take their handgun 01 class before you can take their handgun 02 class and you have to have both of them before you take take the elite international handgun operator class they offer. They do this to get you to keep coming back or force you into taking all their classes if you’re just interested in one class. (This was another common 80’s dojo trick)

    6. What are they teaching you? Shooting from moving vehicles sure sounds cool, but is it practical? Clearing rooms is another fun thing, but not too practical. Many of the questionable instructors will teach dangerous techniques that are nothing more than dancing with guns (Google: American Defensive Enterprises). A quality instructor will teach recognized fundamentals and then work on making you more accurate and faster.

    7. “The System”. Just like the 80’s, there are all kinds of instructors teaching a proprietary firearms fighting system. This is nothing more than rex-quan-do (Napoleon Dynamite fans will get the reference) bullshit designed to sound cool and elite. (Google “Hammerfour” to see how this scam works – tactical training from people with no LEO/MIL or firearms background – the internet may have put this group down for the count)

    8. The instructor bashes competitive shooting or says things like the the streets are not like competition. Remember, competition gave us the Weaver stance as well as the modern isosceles. Competition pushes people to excel and pushes them to innovate. If it doesn’t work in competition it sure as heck won’t work in the streets under stress. Instructors who are afraid to put their skills to the test in competition usually know what would happen if they did – an thus why they bash and avoid.

    9. The tactifool. Watch out for the combat bearded digicam wearing buzz term talking guys. These guys think basics, safety, and fundamentals are less important than gear, how you look, and how you sound.

    10. Magpul on steroids. Keep an eye out for the guys who watched the Magpul DVDs and then decided to do everything faster, harder, and more accentuated. He really has no idea why he’s teaching it, what use it has, but he knows it looks badass.

    1. ZBalentine Avatar

      I love you. Full homo. You hit it right on all points.

      If your chosen McDojo/McShooting school doesn’t acknowledge competitive shooting as a primary focus, then they are just bullshitting you for business. Outside of CCW/L education, these fuckers are just pushing tactical LARPing. Which is generally indicative of their own piss poor education and skill sets (see RT with C&E).

      1. Grindstone Avatar

        I always saw RT as just a way for C to tell the Internet “Look at what I get to bang!”

        1. RT is a sad story. Both of them had good on screen personalities, and thriving channel, and a growing business. The weathered the initial trolls went on the attack when they first appeared, and they kept at it. He didn’t need to lie. His lies didn’t improve his teaching abilities or personality.

    2. heavyfire7537 Avatar
      heavyfire7537

      Awesome!!!

  7. Uh I think I have actually heard of this for LEO types. I think the rationale was it’s useful for when you’re in physical contact with a suspect and trying to control them with your other hand and you don’t want to use deadly force. It keeps the gun in a consistent spot that is good for retention since you can see a grab attempt coming better?

    I could be bullshitting that though. No idea where I saw/read that.

    1. rogue_rager Avatar
      rogue_rager

      I think your right, but this BS quickly went away because it is being taught now that it is alot more dangerous because the suspect has more strength using chest, back and gravity to pull your weapon down, take it or simply keep up in the air thus making it useless. Also it is next to you dome a bad place for a discharge during a fight. Back to old school of quickly reholester in a good level 3 or retention holster and keeping gun side away as best you can.

  8. Now I feel like a fool… A quick lazy-butt google search of Abner shows he works for INFORCE, which makes sense to me now. At first I thought he was just REALLY enthusiastic about this weapons light, but now I see this is just marketing, hence why comments are disabled and why everything spoken sounds like a product brochure.

  9. “Temple index” can be used when exiting a vehicle or if you’re stacked up and carrying a shield (!). Other than that I don’t see the reason for using it

    1. Yeah, exactly. Petty teaches it for exiting a vehicle. It’s trained as the lesser evil compared to sweeping bystanders and pointing at your crotch. Abner in his wisdom has decided to hold the firearm close to his skull on all occasions.

      1. rogue_rager Avatar
        rogue_rager

        Now that makes sense. Still the latest from the Army predeployement combatives ( with weapons retention) and GAPOST has tabooed carrying any weapon with muzzle skyward or elevated above shoulder height.

  10. SittingDown Avatar
    SittingDown

    Ignore all facts and obey Lord Abner or you shall be assimilated.

  11. Maybe he just got confused and temple index is a light technique. Then I might use it.

  12. Red_Shark7 Avatar

    Has this guy heard of workspace. This made my day…. just because you google “temple indexing” and see dudes doing it doesn’t make it a legitimate technique to teach. I could be speaking out of turn and this guy might be teaching vehicle exit procedures, but shouldn’t you be DOING that from a vehicle. First thing taught with pistols….workspace, and work the center out. When you “temple index” all you do is add another movement to a multi movement process of draw aim engage reload engage. JohnnyIShootStuff hit the nail on the head with the rest. Too many dudes wearing tacticool gear with the beard in hopes of being more “operator-ish”.

  13. I have a bullfrog who serves as an amphibious operator. He uses the Cloacal Index – don’t bother looking it up, it’s only available on a Needs to Know basis. If Abner is interested he can appear in person at a nearby lily pad.

  14. When you choose the forum (in this case YouTube and the Internet in general) you’re stuck with defending what you do and say in that forum. If you only want “challenges” to be in person then you should only speak in person.

    Anyway I’m off to invent some “technique” that CoD kiddies will think looks cool then BS a justification. You can’t tell me I’m wrong either because you just don’t understand.

  15. Good reply Abner! Stock just rose as a professional. I’d never use that non-ready/scan position but good reply to the masses. Be nice if other cave-men instructors had half the class.

  16. SittingDown Avatar
    SittingDown

    Dude needs to lose about 40lbs and change his name to Duke. Then he won’t need to temple index, he can just hit the dirt and use the snake ball bag index. Slithering at mach 1 across the ground will really f*ck with their heads. Then the tangos won’t be able to shoot for shit and will be so busy trying to locate their target that it’s all over. Also, the raptor index works the same way. Just watch Jurassic Park. Even a highly skilled hunter with Doctari level operational experiences wearing Banana Republic “Ray Mears wang visibility index of 10” shorts wasn’t a match for millions of years of instinct.

    Abner needs to find a better partner to train with. Dammit, Steve!
    http://youtu.be/wHOog45llUU

  17. Ohhhhh! Maybe instead of firing warning shot at your own feet to be super tactical, the new thing will be to fire right next to your head!!!

  18. Ponklemoose Avatar
    Ponklemoose

    I think we should all index a pistol on one temple and a flashlight on the other, because peripheral vision can be so distracting.

  19. What a fucking queer.

  20. The comments being made by people who have clue of the why how’s when and what’s are funny as hell thd guys who say I have been combat and have never done it are even better.
    The people spouting off about a ttp that has been around for a long time in some places. But yet has now seen some mainstream attention. Should learn the context of it

    1. Johnnyishootstuff Avatar
      Johnnyishootstuff

      You mean the context where a salesmen play dress up and runs around his property playing live fire CoD?

  21. Some days I don’t like ENDO, some days I do. Today, I sooooo do. This whole thing is hilarious.

  22. This needs a cool name. I suggest that his long gun technique be called the Greater Abner and this this pistol technique henceforth be referred to as the Little Abner.

    1. Lolol thank you, I knew it would be worth reading all these comments!

    2. I was going to suggest calling the pistol on the head technique “The Unicorn”

    3. FakeInternetName Avatar
      FakeInternetName

      So…. It shouldn’t be called high port?

      Hm.

  23. Grindstone Avatar

    “However, the point of this posting is to get all of you to realize that sitting behind your computers mocking people does no one any good. Get out there and train guys, learn this stuff for yourselves.”

    Oh, go fuck yourself.

  24. No the content of the guys actually teaching it and the guys using it and the whys behind it and the when

  25. Chuck Finley Avatar
    Chuck Finley

    Looks like a phone

  26. treestump Avatar

    Not gonna lie, i’m here for the comments. Nothing better than coming home from the gym, having a tasty adult beverage and some choice tobacco, and heading over to endo, to watch the comments tear someone’s soul out of their chest. Beats tv any day of the week. Keep it up guys!

    1. +1 – Hit the nail right on the head!

  27. SittingDown Avatar
    SittingDown

    ‘Little Abner’ – To the tune of “Little Sister” by Elvis The King Presley (RIP)

    Little Abner, don’t you
    Little Abner, don’t you

    Little Abner, don’t you
    Temple index once or twice
    Then say it’s very nice
    And then you run and gun

    Little Abner, don’t you do
    Temple index to block out the sun

    Well, temple index is your style Abner
    And it looks like a show
    Abner eats too much candy, along came Jim Yeager
    And they snuck right out the door

    Little Abner, don’t you
    Little Abner, don’t you

    Little Abner, don’t you
    Temple Index once or twice
    Then say it’s very nice
    And then you run and gun

    Little Abner, don’t you do
    What James Yeager done

    Little Abner, don’t you
    Little Abner, don’t you

    Temple Index your gun…

    1. Did you just come up with that? It should be a post of its own…

  28. Too high speed for a lowly Soldier like me. Can’t believe they aren’t teaching us this in MOUT training.

  29. I’m totally in awe of all the scholarly comments here.
    However ….
    when I teach the “Introduction to USPSA” class at my home range, the first person I see using the “Temple Index” technique, I will say to myself:
    “Self, this guy is a complete Aardvark who has been watching the wrong UTUBE videos” and send him home to watch his television and point his frigging gun in any direction he finds most pleasing. But I hope he doesn’t have upstairs neighbors.

    Gun in the holster? You always know where it is .. the same place it was the last time you drew it. Gun in the hand? Pointed downrange and toward a safe backstop.

    Gun in the air?

    You’re out of here, and don’t let the screen door bump you on your way out. It’s not pointed where it can do any good, but it can do a lot of not-good; is this “Miami Vice”?

    Wish I could dream up a similarly inane technique to sell classes as an instructor. But then, I would be embarrassed to put it on the Internet. Unless I could make a LOT of money out of it!

    Liked the videos, though. Any time you get to shoot a lot of holes in a Prius is “a good day at the range”!

  30. Lol. You candy assess didn’t know about temple index?

    Shit son, back when I was a SEAL and graduated from BUDS at Benning I got seconded to the SAS to teach their new CQB school. On account of I’m so fucking hardcore. (Says that right in my personnel file, Master Chief Gwolf, Status: Fucking Hardcore.)

    Anyway, right before I sent those Limeys into the Iranian embassy op (that’s short for operation for you non-operators) I came up with the temple index in order that they wouldn’t sweep any hostages while clearing rooms and kicking tango ass. Been a staple of the most tier 1, elite operator schools ever since.

    They call it the Gwolf Shuffle. Temple index and scoop up the nearest female hostage by the ass cheek, followed by Australian rappel out the window. Done and done. It’s Miller time! (That’s a type of beer for you non-operator types).

    Well, now you know. And like we used to say in the SEALs, Semper-Fi!

    Derp.

  31. Someone needs to nut punch this dweeb when he’s indexed.

  32. Whether temple index is legit or not I still prefer mouth index. You just bite down on the barrel and you can quickly have both hands free to engage in hand to hand combat if needed.

    1. Pirate index FTW.

  33. We need to put this dude in touch with that Israeli Combat Derp fellow.

    1. We certainly put him in touch with his feelings.

      ;-)

      1. ENDO-Mike Avatar

        11B habit from the sandbox.

  34. I have no idea where it originated, I’ve heard the OSS in WWII among others, but a variation was hugely popular in the 1970s TV culture. After the introduction of the Modern Technique on a widespread basis in the early 80s, it was even nicknamed “The Sabrina” after one of Charlie’s Angels. You’ll see it alot on Magnum P.I.

    1. The “Sabrina” became popular in Hollywood since it allowed the actor/actress to show off the gun in a dramatic photogenic pose.

      1. Yup, you got it. :)

  35. Okay? so what is the context of this method? “why”? (and he should have explained this in his response, although im sure its “proprietary” /rolls eyes/)

  36. The only place it makes sense to me is a vehicle dismount. That being said, I don’t subscribe to one of anything, much less only one ready position, one method of sight alignment, etc., etc.

  37. Food for thought from those who actually know what they’re talking about –

    http://www.tridentconcepts.com/not-another-ready-position/

  38. >> Stop hiding behind your online names and get on the range where your performance with your weapon of choice can be judged by your peers.

    You mean like formal competitive shooting?

    I’d like to know where these tactical derp clowns are having their performance judged by anyone.

  39. C. T. Freeman Avatar
    C. T. Freeman

    i was just in a lenghty discussion on FB about this. When I questioned the practicality of putting a loaded weapon alongside my head, he reverted to name-calling. That should be an indicator of the validity.

  40. AsianJedi Avatar

    Those with legitimate questions about the history of the “Gun Up” position AKA Temple Index should reach out directly to Steve Graham (https://www.facebook.com/grahamcombat), Steve Fisher and William Petty (https://www.facebook.com/sentinelconcepts), or Jeff Gonzales (https://www.facebook.com/TridentConcepts). They will explain that this position has been in existence for a very long time. Jeff (former SEAL) in the article already posted above states that this position has been the preferred ready position for Naval Special Warfare since the ’90s. Steve Fisher often uses a photo (below) clearly showing a Secret Service agent using the gun up position during the Reagan assassination attempt in 1981. So while the name might be new, the position is not. Just my .02 regarding the position.

    [IMG]http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c29/asianjedi/ReaganTempleIndex_zpsdf60c3ba.jpg[/IMG]

  41. i was just in a lenghty discussion on FB about this. When I questioned the practicality of putting a loaded weapon alongside my head, he reverted to name-calling. That should be an indicator of the validity.