Bullseye stance question (bad shoulder)

[larryw]

I compete in an informal Bullseye league. Because of shoulder problems, the other shooters allow me to shoot the league two handed. Today, I shot fifty rounds one-handed in the standard Bullseye style and am unable to raise my arm right now.

What I found is my shooting in the standard bullseye stance was pretty good (high 70s), but hurt like heck. When I shifted around so I could hold the gun one-handed without the pain (i.e. one-handed Weaver stance), my stability and shooting greatly suffered (sure, its fine for COM at 25 feet, but 10-ring at 25 yards is another issue, didn't break 65). At that point I was done and it will probably be a few days before I can try again.

My doc tells me that surgery and a couple months in a sling will solve the problem, but that's not going to happen.

So, will I be wasting my time trying to get good scores shooting a one-handed Weaver, or is there a good reason why one-handed Bullseye shooting is done in that postion?

 

[Old Fuff]

I don't think that a "one-handed Weaver" stance is going to work. I presume you are shooting a .22 pistol. If this isn't the case ignore my suggestions.

You might try a modification of a stance used by some Silhouette shooters. Stand sideways to the target and press your arm against your body for support with the elbow down toward the hip. Bend the arm into a "V" shape and then sharply bend your wrist so the gun is horizontal. BE SURE THE PISTOL ISN'T SO CLOSE YOU GET HIT IN THE FOREHEAD BY THE SLIDE.

Since the rear sight is so close to your eye you may want to go to some kind of peep sight or even an optical one.

Sorry about that shoulder. I hope this (or some other suggestion) works.

 

[larryw]

Old Fuff, thanks for the suggestion; I'll give it a try. This would be for both 22 and 45, but should be able to keep the 45's slide out of my noggin.

I had someone else suggest shooting from the other side (akin to learning how to shoot all over again, but challenges are always fun). My primary concern here is regarding eye dominance; I'm left handed and very left-eye dominant and wonder if that will cause too many problems. Any thoughts there?

thanks!
Larry

 

[Old Fuff]

If necessary tilt the gun to the left and take a 5:00 hold rather then the normal 6:00 when shooting right-handed and using the left eye. I have the same problem of sorts. My left eye is the master, but I'm right-handed.

Also try putting a black blinder or patch over the right lens of your shooting glasses while shooting right handed and see what happens.

I knew a National Champion who won the National Championships shooting right-handed. After a serious injury to his hand he switched, learned to shoot left-handed, and later won another National. It can be done, but you have to work at it.

 

[Crazy]

Just a couple of thoughts from a bullseye shooter.

You are not allowed to support the shooting arm in any way, turning sideways and resting the arm against the body is no different that using two hands.

The bullseye stance is based on the individuals' natural point of aim. The gun should return to the same position after recoil with a minimum of muscle tension.

There is nothing wrong with using two hands in an informal league if that's all you can do. It's better to have people shooting to their abilities than exclude them.

Crazy

 

[Old Fuff]

Crazy:

You are correct so far as an able-bodied person is concerned. However the NRA will make special exceptions for disabled persons. Contact them for details and procedures.

 

[Steve Smith]

Old Fuff and Crazy are both right.

I would suggest you first contact your doctor and get a signed letter from him describing your condition. Then contact the NRA and CMP and request a waiver for an alternative position (you will need to specify the particulars in detail) and attach the letter from your doctor.

Alternatively, learn to shoot with the other hand.

 

[Grump]

I shot an action pistol/IPSC-style match with my off hand while the strong arm was in a cast one year. It wasn't so bad. In fact, trying bullseye with my weak hand showed I was steadier on thumb-cocking the revolver for timed and rapid.

Sounds like your strong shoulder isn't up to it, whether you're at the traditional 45-degree off of centerline, the bad "duelling" stance 90 degrees off of center, square on, or even with your shoulder 45 (+?) degrees back from the target.

I think the rule of disability accomodations is generally-one handed if you have any hand available, then on to other options. In rifle, inability to shoot prone gets you the right to shoot that stage sitting, kneeling or standing. Can't shoot sitting, you can do it kneeling or standing. You go to the next-most-difficult position. Don't remember what NRA Competitions Division does if you can't shoot standing, though.

I'd recommend just using the other hand. Few sports are worth making old injuries worse.

 

[larryw]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions guys.

I hadn't considered competing in Bullseye until pushed into it by some friends about a year ago; I'm really enjoying it, but, informal league or not, I don't like having a "*" next to my score.

For the time being, I'm going to keep posting scores shot two-handed and spend most of my pistol time practicing the Bullseye stance weak-handed. I hope that by summer time I'll be shooting at a level to compete in the sanctioned events that my club runs.

Thanks again,
LW