Question.

[LawDog]

KaceCoyotes' thread got me to thinking: does anyone else here use their non-dominant hand to work the controls on their auto-pistols?

I can't reach the controls on most full-size pistols without shifting my grip, and I don't favour shifting my pistol around in a sweaty grip during high-adrenaline moments, I started using my non-dominant thumb to hit the magazine release and slide release drung combat shooting.

Anyone else out there doing this?

LawDog

 

[Double Naught Spy]

For my 1911, I found that I could reach the mag release without changing my shooting grip hardly at all when I changed over to thin grips.

Otherwise, I will sometimes use the non-dominant thumb to drop the slide on a combat reload.

 

[griz]

It never occured to me to try it but I think I will. For my hands the 1911 is just long enough to require a grip shift to hit the mag release. If it wasn't so close to blasphemy I would wonder why J.M.B. didn't think of a better way.

 

[ID_shooting]

I have rather short fingers but a prefference for full-size guns, 1911s and 92fs.

I trained for and practice the same method you described, strong hand never leaves shooting possition, all acctuations take place with my weak hand. A modified-weaver grip usually works well in this fassion.

Hit the mag realease as my weak hand is sliding down the grip and "catch" the mag for tactical reloads. Insert the fresh mag and hit the slide release as I re-grip the frame.

Works real slick after some practice.

 

[R.H. Lee]

Yep, all the time. Use my left thumb on the slide release of both a 1911 and CZ75B.

 

[yorec]

No.

But then again - I can reach. Will have to try it with a bigger gun...

 

[NMshooter]

No, but I have friends that do.

Not everyone has hands big enough to properly appreciate the Glock 20/21.

 

[RyanM]

I thought JMB designed it so you were supposed to hit the mag release and slide lock lever with the support hand thumb? I'll have to dig up that PDF of an old Field Manual I have somewheres on this computer.

 

[Ryder]

I used to use my left thumb when loading mags but switched over to the slingshot technique. It allows me to have the gun pointed toward the target at the moment the bullet seats. When using the slidestop as a slide release my point at the moment the bullet seats is more of a raised pistol.

The slingshot thing took some figuring out. There's more to it than most people let on. Nice thing about using the lever is that it is more fool proof.

 

[dav]

Simple answer, yes, I use both hands for the controls.

But every range trip for me includes single handed operation of my 1911. Well, not loading the mags, but inserting one, releasing slide, firing to slide lock and removing mag.

I do this with each hand (neither well). But while shooting with both hands I use 'em both.

 

[Old NFO]

KaceCoyotes' thread got me to thinking: does anyone else here use their non-dominant hand to work the controls on their auto-pistols?

Oh dang, now you're gonna make me think... be right back... Nope- The Glocks, Kahr and 1911 I use my dominant (right) hand for all controls. I can basically reach everything with the thumb.

Now this is interesting, in my non-dominant (left) hand, I may be screwing up safety wise- I'm coming out of the standard grip, reaching around with the thumb to get to the slide release (and safety on the 1911) and using my trgger finger for the magazine release, leaving only my middle finger and ring finger holding the pistol... Where the heck did I pick that up???
jim

 

[P95Carry]

Until my SW99 - it was always the ''natural'' way but - the decocker on the Smith does work easier by using weak thumb ... still familiarizing with this gun's ergonomics.

 

[geekWithA.45]

OK, heres the drill.

I'm a lefty (not a leftIST, damnit....), but that's sorta irrelevant to my technique, as I've had the mag releases reversed.

The fastest way to drop a mag from a two handed shooting grip is align the thumb with the mag release.

WITHOUT altering the grip to reach the release with the thumb, reach around the FRONT of the trigger guard with one or more fingers of the support hand.

RELAX your gun grip SLIGHTLY, and PULL the trigger guard, (and therefore the gun) towards the thumb, such that the motion releases the mag.

Let it drop. It's more important to have a fully charged gun than retain empty or partially charged mags. Retrieve mags if possible later.

As the mag drops, the support hand immediately and smoothly sweeps to the mag carrier, and withdraws the mag grasped by all but the index finger of the support hand. The butt of the mag should be seated in the heel of the hand.

The index finger should be touching the tip of the first round in the mag. This is tactile feedback to confirm that the mag is oriented correctly.

Smoothly slap the puppy home, as hard as needed, but no harder.

The heel of the hand remains connected to the butt of the magazine. PIVOT the hand so you can wrap your fingers over the top REAR portion of the slide.

GRASP, pull smartly towards your shoulder, and COMPLETELY release the slide.

SWEEP the support hand forward, repivot, and re-assume the two handed shooting grip.

 

[Smoke]

If I'm shooting with a two hand grip: off hand hits the slide release. That's the only thing I do with my non-dominant hand.

Smoke

 

[Maxinquaye]

No. On most of my auto pistols I can reach all controls with my dominant thumb.

Been trying to train myself to cock the hammer when sooting SA on my revos with the left thumb forever now...can't seem to get it to take.

 

[DMF]

I use my support hand alot. I use it to decock. I slingshot my slide (gross motor skills). However I hit the mag release with my shooting hand thumb. While the empty is being ejected the support hand is getting the new mag, so the shooting hand must be used to drop the mag.

Just my 2 cents. YMMV.

 

[TonyB]

I'm a lefty too...so with my Glock 17 I use my off hand to drop the mag.How ever I use my trigger finger on the slide release....When I had my Taurus pt99 and Combat commander,I used my off hand to disengage the ambi-safety.......it's a right handed world,and I have smallish hands(and arthritis in both hands)....adapt and overcome....

 

[Don Gwinn]

Yup. Works, too.

 

[LiquidTension]

I can reach all of the controls on my pistols with my dominant hand. The only thing that gives me trouble is engaging the safety on my MkII, sometimes I use my left hand for that.

Of course, rifles are a different story.

 

[Art Eatman]

Fairly long hands/fingers. I use the strongside thumb on the mag release on my 1911. I do turn the pistol a bit off-target during the first motions in reloading. As the mag "goes home", I'm already moving back on target.

In a standing position, with practice, it's not all that difficult to fire a shot, reload and then fire a shot in one second.

Art

 

[sm]

No

Art's post mirrors myself.

I'm right handed, I have tried, played with, releasing the slide with left hand....I quit doing so. I keep practicing what I have always done, and count shots to keep from going to slidelock.

 

[c_yeager]

I was taught to always use the offhand to operate the controlls. With a two-handed grip the offhand is always there anyways and I find that it is a little easier. I also don't have to worry about accidently dropping the magazine while firing. Even if I wanted to operate the controlls with my shooting hand I can't reach them very well on most guns (mute point when you carry a wheelgun anyways).

 

[Art Eatman]

Several things come to mind from reflection on this. I'm limiting my comments to the 1911.

If you use the left thumb to press the mag release, you're delaying the time for the left hand to reach for a fresh mag. I was taught that the left hand should be moving toward the fresh mag as the right thumb is pressing the release.

This all works fine for standing or kneeling. If the shooter is prone, it could be more difficult for him to keep the pistol vertical so that gravity could do its work on the empty/near-empty mag.

Which segues into "tuning" one's magazines so they fall freely upon release. I've done minor tapping with a hammer, or used a belt-sander to ensure this free fall...And I imagine all here know about beveling the entrance to the magazine well.

Still, the size and shape of one's hands will affect which method of reloading is more suitable for a particular individual.

Art

 

[mbs357]

I can't operate the slide release on this Llama (Like a small 1911) without moving my whole right hand a LOT...it really sucks. Absolutely have to use the left hand if I want to be comfortable.

 

[SapperLeader]

I operate the majority of controls with the hand holding the handgun, but to reach the slide release I might twist the gun slightly to reach it with my thumb.