I always like to check my recollections against the references as possible, so this evening I checked the definative text on the subject, COOPER ON HANDGUNS. On page 122, in the chapter entitled Practical Pistol Competition, Cooper describes "The Concealed Carry Course". In the overview he notes "The defensive pistol is very often carried concealed and any shooter who wears it thus should learn how"...."the following course of fire is to be shot only from concealment..."
Cooper's description of Stage 3 goes "Stage 3: ("El Presidente")--One 12-shot string at ten meters, on three targets placed three meters apart, in ten seconds. Starting position is standing, hands shoulder high, back to the targets. On signal, the shooter pivots and draws simultaneously, fires twice at each target, reloads, and fires twice more at each target. The shooter must reload after six shots, regardless of magazine capacity."
Cooper also did an article entitled EL PRESIDENTE in the Jan/Feb 1979 issue of American Handgunner. In this piece, Cooper notes that, "The shooter stands with his back to the targets, opposite the center. His pistol is holstered and safe and his hands may be held any way except 'cocked'. He wears clothing that conceals the fact that he is armed." As to the target spacing, Coopers notes, "Three standard silhouettes (now I.P.S.C. 'Option' targets) are placed at ten meters distance, three meters apart."
It would appear that between 1974 (COOPER ON HANDGUNS) and 1979 (the cited AH article), Cooper decided that starting hand position wasn't critical. However, the target spacing requirement remains the same 3 meters.
I've shot ostensible "El Presidentes" in many different competitions over the years. Seldom have I ever seen the target spacing requirement adhered to (they did at Gunsite...imagine that!). As a matter of fact, the illustrations accompanying the cited AH article showed a target set-up that had the targets much too close together. To which Cooper comments, "These targets are not placed the specified three meters apart, but that hardly matters. If they had been the time might have been 8.4, and who would notice?"
So, if the guru himself won't sweat the small details, neither will I. However, I thought the group might enjoy the above quotations from Jeff Cooper, inventor of the El Presidente.
Rosco
[This message has been edited by Rosco Benson (edited 03-20-2001).]