So what stance do you use when shooting handguns?

I tried the isosceles for awhile but couldn't get comfortable with it and reverted back to the modified weaver.

Isosceles felt unnatural and uncomfortable.

For a distance shot out more than about 25 feet. For at a closer distance I use Cener Axis Relock positions./stances. I think they are better suited for CQB.

For a long time I used the Weaver stance, then I got into Cowboy Action Shooting and then started shooting Duelist (one handed), then Gun Fighter (a gun in each hand) then Double Duelist (one handed but right and left side guns shot with right and left hands) and then one day years later I realized my shooting techniques were all messed up.

Currently I use a kind of Modern Weaver with a more Isosceles arm formation, ala Jerry Miculek. AND just yesterday I decided that wasn’t working for me because I followed Jerry’s advise on gripping the gun with a death grip and after 200 rounds of 9mm my wrists and elbows weren’t happy.

My problem is too many injuries over the years and bad habits learned in CAS I feel like a contortionist trying to adapt to standard shooting styles.
Regardless, I am revamping my style, yet again.

There is no "1 stance". I fire from multiple static positions, as well as moving in multiple directions, and drills using available cover. I even fire from kneeling, prone, and seated (vehicle and restaurant table type scenarios) and laying on my back and side. These drills are when my S&W M&P 22 really becomes useful.

Interesting article. Modified weaver for me.

Chapman for "see, acquire, bang" type shooting. For "aim small, miss small" shooting it's a Chapman/isosceles hybrid. i.e. both elbows locked and strong side foot dropped back a bit.

Rule3 said:

But if I am in Miami I use the "Caine" stance. With Sunglasses!

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That is critical. I hope that before speaking you remember to remove them with a grandiose motion and then gaze pensively to the side for a moment.

I grew up in the 80s/90s with Mel, Bruce, Segal etc... so I of course use the weaver. I tuck my left elbow more than usual...probably a lethal weapon thing. Some of these new stance look like some sort of super model James Bond credit sequence from the old days.

Real men shoot single haned most of the time like Harry Callahan or Paul Kersey only using a supporting hand for longer distances. I can pull that off with single actions but not so great with a heavier double action.

My favorite looking stance is the WW2 sidways, single handed, off hand on hip stance. It looks more like an archery stance than shooting....beautiful. I practice mostly single handed both right and left these days. I teach my sons relaxed weaver...for now. I put a lot of emphasis on distancing the feet and weight distribution being heavily forward. The are young though and can limp wrist semi autos. Revolvers I teach them WW2 style.

Weaver with thumb over grip.

Somewhere between Weaver and Chapman. I only lock my strong side elbow fully when looking for my highest precision. But I usually keep it almost straight.

When I'm doing holster work from a squared stance (where I don't shift my feet upon the draw), I angle my shoulders by pivoting at the hips, bending the weak side knee forward and inward, and pushing my weight over it, rolling my shoulders and leaning forward slightly, whilst keeping the strong side knee straight. It doesn't offer the rigid form of the boxer's stance, but it's better than standing legs straight and feet parallel. It results in my center of mass dropping forwards, and towards my non-dominant side slightly.

I should probably focus on changing my foot position during the draw stroke, but I just never have.

Rule3 said:

don't just look at the pretty woman.

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Dang it, you said "Don't think about a Pink Elephant" . . . []

Old enough to have gone through all the various shades of "Weaver" and most of them "stuck" in one way or another. But, no one single way. Tactical pistol classes further tweaked those.

C'est la vie. Vive l'difference!

My own, I go with feels good for me....

I don't believe there is any one right stance. The weaver stance is quite useful if the situation requires quick directional changes as when the exact location of the threat is unknown. OTH, it's very awkward if the the threat is in front of you and you're engaging "taking the fight to him". With the typical Weaver stance you are essentially sideways (somewhat) to the target. I find it much harder to run sideways than forward.
Wouldn't life be grand if every conceivable situation could be handled by a "one size fits all" gun/caliber/ammo/technique? Of course we wouldn't have much to discuss.

Chapman with the heavies.

In combat shooting I tend to use a modified Weaver, where I blade towards the target, step to the left, and drop down a little. A mix of the different styles I was trained in.

Things changed during 40 years on the job. lol

I don't really try to settle in to a specific stance as far as foot placement, but I do try to keep my head, arms, hands etc as repeatable as possible.

My feet usually end up similar to a batting stance, about halfway through a swing, front foot flat on the ground, rear up on the ball of my foot. Hips are closed, so my body isn't square with whatever I'm shooting at, but torso turned about 45 degrees with strong side arm locked straight. Not exactly like any of the stances shown.
I'm gonna call it the "One gun stance" since I prefer to have only one gun pointed at the target.

I tried the Weaver stance many years ago, as it had been popularized by Jeff Cooper. However, I found that Power Isosceles Stance simply allowed me to be a lot more accurate.

When it's time to get down, I "get down" like Jelly Bryce.

I do it cause I ain't no Jelly Bean.

I can still get down like that, I just can't get back up.

Caplock said:

I can still get down like that, I just can't get back up.

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As long as the other guy cant either, you'll be OK.

Weaver stance, I finish my shooting session with 20 rounds strong hand and 20 weak hand.

Contender pistol -weaver
Everything else? Bullseye stance.

Same here.

EMC45 said:

Neat writeup. I was gonna say a mix of Weaver and Isosceles before going over the article, but Chapman sums it up.

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