Handgun shooting stances

[gym]

I use a modified weaver, But it depends on what gun I am shooting more than sticking to one stance. I also learned on snubbie, and use one hand almost as good and better with revolvers up to 357. After a few rounds I would grab it with both hands, But it's the fastest way to get a shot off sometimes, especially if someone pops up on your weak side. Why pivot the entire body if you can get off the first hit with one hand while readjusting for a follow up.
You never see those cowboy movies with a guy shooting with 2 hands.I recieved an email from one of the popular guns for sale sites on this yesterday. It said what most here say, but the well known shooter who was hosting it also said his stance is a modified version of the ISO, So whatever works best for you is what you should use.As we age we adapt to different forms because of back, shoulder and knee problems, I used to bend a lot more than I do now, and keep my head down lower also, But age and eyesight has caused adjustments to be made.I can't see the target and the sights, so it's the sights I am concerned with, as long as I see a target moving, and I can get the front sight on it, I am good.
Someone should make a system that beeps like in a fighter plane when you are "locked on". I found the link, look where it says videos, there are several on Grip, Stance etc,
http://video.galleryofguns.com/Default.aspx
There are over 80 videos linked to that site, so you can spend all night there.

 

[Doghandler]

I don't know what you would call the stance I use. Full extension gives me fits. It introduces tension that starts in my shoulders, and transfers all the way down to my trigger finger, transfers too much recoil into my strong hand and translates into less than acceptable accuracy and slower follow ups.

pendennis has mentioned swinging a baseball bat in post #37. Yes, swinging a baseball bat is a learned behavior but let's face it, some of us have a natural knack for it while others don't, same with any endeavor including shooting.

My first exposure to handguns was through my Uncle when I was around 10 yrs. old. He was an old school bulls eye shooter so it was all one handed with off hand on hip for him. His first instruction to me was don't shoot like I do. You shoot with both hands like this and he proceeded to show me the two handed grip.

So there I am with this big S&W .357, hardly able to reach the DA trigger, arms fully extended, shoulders and head tilted back to counter that heavy lever out in front of my body. Sounds not so untypical for a first timer, yes?

OK, more instructions. "Shoulders and head forward." Man, now I can hardly control that heavy lever out in front of me. The feet knees and butt positions came naturally once I got my head and shoulders forward. I can't remember exactly how or when but at some point I spontaneously realized that if I cocked my elbows a little I had way better control of the gun and it didn't feel so heavy.

There are harder questions to answer. Like what is the best stance to use while protecting the plate with a baseball bat? :banghead:

 

[mesonsdad]

I feel that the tactical advantages and overall ergonomic comfort of the weaver stance is far superior to the isosceles version. First - the weaver stance reduces the potential target area for an adversary; the relaxed feel also lends itself to the all-important ability to incorporate a FLASHLIGHT into the equation, which i believe is a CRITICAL advantage in any nighttime encounter. Lastly, it really depends on your own particular body type and comfort - if the isosceles is effective and comfortable - go for it!! As for me, weaver's wobble but they don't go down!!

 

[9mmepiphany]

the relaxed feel also lends itself to the all-important ability to incorporate a FLASHLIGHT into the equation, which i believe is a CRITICAL advantage in any nighttime encounter.

I'm not clear if you are confused or if you just aren't aware of the Rogers/Surefire flashlight technique, which is usually used with the Isosceles...which happens to be the currently preferred to the older Harries for it's lower fatigue factor.

The original Weaver does not present a smaller target and the defining property of the Weaver is it's tension