one handed shooting technique for disabled shooter...

[marksman13]

A buddy of mine lost his arm in Iraq in 2006. He's adapted extremely well. He even bow hunts with a compound bow utilizing a bite tab. Now he's looking at a job as a federal wild life agent. Problem is, he has to qualify on a combat course. He has to perform tactical relads, rapid reloads and weapon malfunction drills. He has a hook on the prosthesis of his right hand. He shoots some and has discovered that he tends to push his rounds to the right. He had his sights adjusted to shoot point of aim for him. Do you guys have any advice for him on the reloads and other one handed tactics. Any videos or books I should recommend? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[bratch]

Good discussion from a few days ago

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=594562

 

[Shadow 7D]

There is a Youtube of a guy without any hands rocking a 1911 with is feet, I say this to point out that there are a number of ways it can be done
there is a technique for cocking a pistol one handed (usually used as a malfunctions drill) that involves using your armpit, BUT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE SHOT THEMSELVES AND DIED doing it.

If the weapon is locked to the rear he can either catch the port on the side of the table to sling shot it, or just depress the slide lock and she should be fine, as for malfuntions, it might be wise to do a NY reload
I.E. drop the gun and pull your backup.

In qualifying, in accordance with ADA, he is ENTITLED to REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
such as allowing him to draw a backup firearm instead of a 'tactical reload' or having an instructor work with him to develop alternative methods AND the addition time to do them, or have it as a Pass/Fail instead of timed.

If they refuse to test him due to his disability, he should immediately contact his local congressman and the agencies Equal Opportunity Employment commission. Quite frankly it would be cheaper to hire him and use him as a tour guide or something than settle a discrimination case.
AND that is something else he needs to make sure doesn't happen, because the department will often try something like that, instead of putting him in the position he wants or was hired for.

 

[marksman13]

Shadow7D, he's pretty well connected to the outfit he is applying for. The guy that offered him the job actually lost an arm in Vietnam. They actually want to use his 40+ year career with Federal Wildlife Services as a case study in my friend's attempt to be hired for this job.

We are all just looking for ways to help him prove he can get Federal LEO training. We also realize that once he is accepted and passes the course, the techniques he uses now will serve him throughout his career, and could very well save his life. Thanks for the info, and I will pass your cautions on to him as well.

 

[Shadow 7D]

LEO's are trained EVERY DAY, ALL over this nation in one handed drills, as they are trained to FIGHT even with a hand or arm disabled. The methods are out there, I would contact your local police department or training agency (usually staties if the local doesn't run their own academy) and ask them to either work with him (sometimes they will cause he's a disabled vet) or recommend someone who is up to date with current training methods.

 

[Al Thompson]

That thread Bratch posted has lots of good points. One concept I had has been reinforced after watching a bunch of silly You-Tube vids. Using the holster as the "base" for for one handed reloads and malfunction clearance seems much better, especially for folks with only one hand.

Example - one vid had a guy kneel down to trap his handgun behind his knee. Ten inches away was a perfectly fine Safariland drop leg holster. Why not use what's available?

 

[bratch]

One concept I had has been reinforced after watching a bunch of silly You-Tube vids. Using the holster as the "base" for for one handed reloads and malfunction clearance seems much better, especially for folks with only one hand.

Example - one vid had a guy kneel down to trap his handgun behind his knee. Ten inches away was a perfectly fine Safariland drop leg holster. Why not use what's available?

As always this is situational.

For an LEO with an open duty rig this is a very valid option, for the CCWer on the street this becomes a bit more challenging as they have to clear cover, reholster, get to a mag pouch, possibly clear cover again, reload and get back in the game. This seems like a lot of steps for someone with only one hand.

Another point to consider is gear layout. I have moved everything to front centerline and it is much easier to work with one handed than traditional 3 and 9 o'clock lay outs.

If possible try and seek out competent training, I spent 8 hours in a Mike Seeklander class doing nothing but one handed drills. I later had a WHO FTE in an IDPA match and executed a perfect TRB without thinking about it. I don't think I would have been able to do it so smoothly with out the class.

 

[ripp]

catch the rear sight on the outside vertical seam of pants leg to cycle the action. Naturally, if it has an exposed hammer, thumb cock it first, to lessen the force needed to cycle the slide. If he really wants to, he can learn to switch master eyes, too. I did it by lying in bed, dryfiring at a blank white ceiling, so there are no distractions, just the sights, nice and clear, and no worries about an ND hitting anyone, either.

If the gun is a full length model, the slide can be cycled by catching the recoil spring plug area against a hard surface, even the sole of your shoe, and shoving the gun forward. If it has a full length recoil spring guide, it can be cycled (with big hands) by gripping the slide with the fingers over its top,while the thumb wraps around the underside of the rear tang of frame. When you let go of this grip, the gun 'jumps" in your hand, you have to "re-catch" it in midair. The reload is not at all hard with one hand, if the gun has a slidelock. Simply turn it butt forward and butt up, tuck between knees to hold it, or return it to the rig.

 

[Averageman]

Al, not everyone will have that neat drop leg holster, but for the most part; they will have a knee.
Bratch is right; Gear layout is also a factor and probobly a lot more than most people would guess. accessing the magazine on your weak side could become an exersize in futility.

 

[Dnaltrop]

I have Ehlers-Danlos hypermobility disorder, horrible hips, loose jaw-sockets, fingers that can bend like noodles. and 3 pins holding my left arm in.

Lefty has almost no external rotation , and likes to sublux (partially dislocate) at the slightest touch. Righty I've somehow managed to keep in decent shape. Even BB riflles cause enough of an impact to my shoulder capsules to be not worth extended use.

I purchased a Schofield replica for the ease of 1 handed loading, just tuck under the arm after breaking the gun, and drop the speed loader in. It was a great weapon for Cavalry while controlling the reins with one hand.

For semi automatics, I regularly practice operating the slide of my weapon with my boot heel, the top of my wallet, or an (already abused ) workbench.

Last round fired, action open, drop mag, invert gun, placing firmly between the knees ( you'll find the sweet spot with practice) right arm back to the mag pouch, drop new mag, slap, release slide, ready to rock.

From empty chamber, drop mag, replace as above, whip back, catch the top of the leather sticking from the top of my wallet, boot heel etc. ( I carry a chained, tall wallet)

If you have the strength in your legs, you could probably push forward to rack the slide while still between your knees, but I prefer to have my pistol pointed at the earth for drills. even with snap caps.

Good luck to your friend, Hopefully he's as Ornery as he sounds. People like to over-help people like us... and once you lose an action or ability, it's hell to get it back.