[Texas Tass]

Recently at the range with a deputy friend, she suggested I try shooting with my left hand (am right-handed). Surprise, I was fairly accurate with my left. My question: is there any benefit to becoming equally proficient with both left and right hands or is this just a 'parlor trick' to further frighten co-workers and friends?

Tass

[Zeke Menuar]

I am left-handed, sort of. I write left, bat right, shoot a rifle right handed and shoot a pistol left handed. Strange weird combo.

I can shoot with my right hand better than most righties can shoot with the left. Not quite as accurate, not quite as fast but pretty good nonetheless.\

The tactical guys will tell you that if you are in a firefight and lose your strong hand it pays to be able to be competent with the weak hand. Good advice.

In the house and in the car I can envision times when it just isn't feasable to switch to the left-hand if the gun is closer to the right. I practice from time to time with the right just to be sure I can still hit the target.

ZM

[MICHAEL T]

What if your arm is out of action due to what ever. Should always practice with both. I belive you should practice shooting one handed also . You may not always be able to assume the proper 2 hand hold or stance . The range is nice but its not real life. What if some one comes at you and you have a child in your arms sleeping or other wise. in a parking lot, apt hallway,stairs :what:

[P95Carry]

I am very righty - but IMO it is essential that everyone becomes reasonably proficient in weak hand useage. No ''ifs'' and no ''buts'' ... one day it might be all that saves your butt.

[Guy B. Meredith]

Above comments on being ambidextrous are valid. For this reason most competition requires weak hand shooting.

I am a bit of a contrarian so I use my weak eye with weak hand so I don't have to do exaggerated postions, cant, etc. Works okay in target practice with two hand grip, but haven't mastered the art of one hand weak side shooting for competition.

[9mmepiphany]

with a little practice you migt be surprised to find that you can shoot pretty well with your off hand. you'll have the tendency to try to do everything correctly before squeezing off your shot...when was the last time you honestly did that while firing with your strong hand.

here's one for you: rob leatham is a natural lefty who taught himself to shoot righthanded for competition

[PaleRyder]

I agree about shooting with the other hand, and I agree with shooting one handed.
In fact, I think it's much more important to learn to shoot one-handed than two. I'd guess the majority of self-defense situations are going to require it.

[charby]

I think you should be somewhat proficent or at least practiced with your not so dominat hand. As mentioned before you never know when you might injure your dominant hand and you need to use a firearm. Hand in slammed in car door or being cut by glass comes to mind.

Charby

[BluesBear]

Being able to shoot with either hand is a good thing.

But make sure that you also practice loading with your off hand too.

Since I severely injured my left arm in my fall. I now have to do almost all of my shooting with my right hand.

Good thing I practiced with both hands for all of those years.

[Texas Tass]

I just heard that the range officer (correct term?) wants to know when my friend and I will be back...seems he thinks I show potential! :eek: He gave me the basics of shooting one-handed, but that was after 2 hours, so stamina was a bit of an issue. I plan to head back out for more instruction next week. BTW, the new pachmayr grips helped tremendously with the recoil.

Thanks for all the advice. It's nice to have a source to go to for those questions others seem to think you should already have the answers to!

Hope this rain stops soon!

Tass in Houston