Should one handed shooting be your primary technique?

[DMK]

Since applying for my NC CCL, I've been reviewing my equipment and technique needs. A few things have occurred to me:

One, in most cases a handgun may not be the preferable method of self defense due to it being a deadly weapon. Although it certainly needs to be available for immediate deployment for when it does become the preferred method of self defense.

Two, there are many defensive tools available to civilians. Some of these may be best deployed before, during and after use of a handgun.

So as a civilian carrying a gun, you have to be able to manipulate the gun at the same time as a flashlight, OC spray, a cell phone, a knife, a baton, a fist, or etc. Perhaps you may even get into a situation where you need to defend yourself while behind the wheel of a car.

It seems to me that a one handed pistol technique is often dismissed today as almost prehistoric in nature now that we've been taught the much more stable Weaver and Chapman techniques. One handed shooting was something that was taught way back when military officers had to wield a pistol and a sword while perhaps mounted on a horse. Hmm, doesn't that type of muti-tool, multi-task managment requirement sound familiar?

Granted, many train and practice both strong and weak hand for use in emergencies, but I'm suggesting practicing one handed pistol shooting as a primary method, preferably along with the use of tools in the other hand and that two handed techniques should be relegated to secondary practice.

If statistically, most self defense situations happen within 10 yards or less, why not?

 

[BigG]

I think you got a good point. At least you are thinking for yourself and that's a good start. Many just copy some authority figure without thinking through why they are doing what they're doing.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Should one-handed shooting be your primary shooting technique for handguns? YES, if you are a person with only one hand.

You should be able to manipulate your firearm one-handed, no doubt, but you would be extremely naive in not using two hands if the opportunity was available to you.

The reason why one-handed shooting is seen a somewhat prehistoric is because one-handed techniques were most common in the past and a lot of people really sucked at shooting one-handed and took longer to train. Then some genius realized that if X amount of support can be provided by one hand while shooting, you can get double that support if you use two hands to hold the gun. If you take a look at the old FBI technique, military, and compeition shooting, those folks are often doing zilch with their off hand.

I will tell you what, I am not going to be holding a cell phone in my off hand and calling 911 if I am involved in a gun fight. Calling 911 is a non-immediate need. The immediate need is controlling the gun to use it as effectively as possible.

 

[DMK]

You should be able to manipulate your firearm one-handed, no doubt, but you would be extremely naive in not using two hands if the opportunity was available to you.

I agree with that. I am not suggesting that you do not practice a two handed grip, only that you do not make it your primary technique. If it is broad daylight and somebody pulls a knife out, lunging at me from 15 feet away, I'm sidestepping, assuming a weaver stance and firing PDQ.

I am also not suggesting that you shoot while talking on the phone. It's bad enough that people drive with a phone in one hand. However, if you have pulled your gun and the attacker is now complacent, you may need to call 911 while holding your weapon ready. Suppose the attacker decides that now is a good time to pull his backup gun or his unseen accomplice enters the scene while you are distracted?

I can also see situations where you have a can of OC spray in one hand or it is dark and you have your favorite Tac light in your left hand. Perhaps you have two attackers, one is unarmed at contact distance while his buddy decides to reach for his gun from 10 yards away.

And of course, there is always defending yourself from an automobile. It's difficult to use a two handed technique inside a vehicle. Of course, use the vehicle itself to escape or as a weapon if necessary, but that might not be an option if you are blocked in or the vehicle is disabled.

 

[BigG]

This one didn't come with the optional extra handle.

 

[pax]

Granted, many train and practice both strong and weak hand for use in emergencies, but I'm suggesting practicing one handed pistol shooting as a primary method, preferably along with the use of tools in the other hand and that two handed techniques should be relegated to secondary practice.

I think you'd be better served to practice throwing down your less-lethal option when it doesn't work.

If statistically, most self defense situations happen within 10 yards or less, why not?

Because statistically, two-handed shooters are more likely to hit what they're aiming at. People miss often enough in a deadly force encounter. Why make it any harder than it needs be?

pax

 

[10-Ring]

Yes, knowing how to shoot strong hand (or weak hand) only is a very important skill & devoting some practice time to it is also important but being able to steady your gun & increase your chances of hitting your target w/ a support hand is equally important.

 

[Baba Louie]

http://www.gutterfighting.org/files/shooting_to_live.pdf

These guys seem to think so, tho' they do also show a couple of two hand gun (one of which is kinda funny in a wrist grabbing sense), but if it works, don't knock it.

Of course since this is Oooold information, it's probably not valid in today's 21st century world.

Adios

 

[sm]

Perhaps you have two attackers, one is unarmed at contact distance while his buddy decides to reach for his gun from 10 yards away.

Ok, now is as good as time as any, since I've been asked numerous times before. Recall I mentioned I arrived home and found myself faced with a BG? I also said entry was gained from breaking a rear window , and my other comment was, action was quicker than reaction? Here goes...

It had been one of those long days , tired, hungry, and I had stopped at the liquor store for scotch. Package in weak ( left hand) I unlock my door with right step in 2 steps and WHOA, I have a revolver in my face!! I dropped the Chivas, it breaks, his eyes are watching the scotch and he steps back to avoid dropped package, breakage I guess, my weakhand forcefully grabs revolver and I hear his finger in trigger guard breaking over his screams, the gun disharges and grazes his left shoulder. He hits the floor, I have his gun, and 2nd BG runs in with a shotgun, my 1911 is already out , safety snicked off and I'm yelling drop it or I drop you!!

He sees his buddy writhing in pain , blood, and is frozen, the shotgun has been dropped to waist level. I yell again, "that gun is getting dropped either one of two ways, either you do it now, or you do it after I kill you" Clunk- his hands are up. I get him to pick up phone and call a number (LEO buddy), he holds phone toward my position I yell out to get over ASAP! Gunshot alerts neighbors ... the shotgun is kicked toward me. LEO buddy walks in with shotgun because neighbor inform they heard a shot and I holster my 1911 , and cover with his shotgun, while he cuffs and calls for b/u.

Yeah, I shoot two handed, I practice one-handed...strong and weak hand draw and fire, might come in handy again.

Thats the short of it, colorful language deleted.

 

[Paul Gomez]

While I am a big proponent of being able to shoot with either hand, I think that most people will develop a greater level of skill, more quickly, utilizing both hands. After competancy with both hands is obtained, one hand work should begin.

Realize that with most assaults occuring within 5M, you will most likely fire from some sort of one hand indexed position to deal with those, but if you have the space to extend the gun and bring it to eye level, you have the space to use both hands. These close contact firing positions are generally one-handed, but they are not at all like firing from eye level with one or both hands.

I've trained one-hand shooting (with both hands) a fair amount, but never realized that I did an inordinate amount of it until I began receiving feedback from other instructors. Generally, 25% of my practice is two handed from eye level, 25% is close contact work and the remaining 50% is one hand only from eye level (25% right hand, 25% left hand).

I also try and attend at least one class a year and shoot it 'backwards' (I'm righthanded. I shoot the class lefthanded.)

Regardless of how you train to shoot the pistol, you need to train the integration of armed and unarmed skills. If you attempt to access a tool, any tool, in the face of a close range aggressive assault, you are planning to fail if you are not integrating unarmed techniques to buy you the time and/or distance to access the tools.

 

[MPFreeman]

I always dryfire my 1911 with only one hand. First the strong hand, then the weak hand, then a bunch w/ weaver.

I can only think of a few situations when I would draw a weapon if I'm by myself. As I can run pretty fast and can get away from trouble. However, if my little boys are with me, I'll more than likely have to carry at least one of them, and draw my weapon with (hopefully) my strong hand.

Does any one practice while holding about 25lbs of potatos or something while shooting one handed? Just to simulate holding a kid.

Shooting in self-defenseive situations while holding a child could be really wild, especially if the kid is kicking and crying and going wild. Which he/she will go crazy after the first shot and seeing the concern and fear on the parent's face.

My thinking is that if you are a parent of small children, and carry a weapon for personal protection, learning to shoot well with one hand is a definite must.

 

[P95Carry]

Pretty much all been said but I will reiterate ... that i consider it necessary ..... no, MANDATORY ......... to train yourself for all methods. Two handed is by far the best IMO but ... the chances of injury or incapacitation to either hand must be considered.

Thus ....... train hard with two hands (primary yes) but .. train often also with single hand ... strong and weak. You MUST be able to connect with target even if accuracy suffers some.

 

[Sludge]

Well Dave, I think two handed shooting and one handed shooting is important. I view one handed only as an index type of shooting for the most part though. If I have room.. im going to be using two hands. It gives me better recoil control, quicker follow up shots and much less probability of a miss. My only thoughts for one handed shooting are for retention stances where I cant extend the gun, and if I were wounded. If I can use both hands, I intend to if I have the room. You mentioned having a less than lethal item in the weak hand. Well, unless its dark and I need a flash light, its gonna go when the gun comes to the party. If OC has failed, and I am confronted with a lethal situation that has me drawing the gun and I am not as I mentioned earlier, in a retention situation... im going to drop the less than lethal item and grip the gun.

Something you didnt mention that I think is as important as one handed technique is MOVEMENT. Shooting on the move is something ya really need. You need to be moving in a bad situation. You cant be rooted to the ground. You cant provide the BG a stationary target. By the same token he isnt likely to give you a stationary target either. So ... if you have the chance, I think its great if you can have some practice at moving targets. Then try them while you are on the move and they are on the move. If you havent ever had the chance to do that.. its a very eye opening experience. It makes ya pay attention to all the fundamentals.. sight picture, grip, trigger control...

Night fire/low light drills are a must too. The BGs love the dark and you are going to be forced to play their game.

Just some thoughts..

 

[HadEmAll]

I don't do it much, but like to fire all my semi-auto's one-handed a magazine full with each hand periodically, to make sure they function ok fired like that.

 

[El Tejon]

I'm with my brother (MPFreeman). Who has 3 hands???

In doing Sims and the like, I have seen A LOT of one handed shooting from people with many more hours than me. The other hand may be busy--pushing, holding attacker back, opening door, holding torch, running like a little girl, on the ground, etc.

No one can guarantee you a rose garden or that you will have both hands in a fight. One reason why I carry on both sides of body.

This may be semantics, but I believe that one handed shooting is mandatory to know, but should not be the "primary" shooting platform.

 

[sm]

MPFreeman,
Some friends and I have set up 'what ifs" in which we had to shoot and maintain the weighted "dummy" was a child. , Been a while, but we used weights and sizes from 15-45#.

I/we did put ears on a Lab pup ~ 25#, holding as child I managed as described one "decent" shot. Safety was critical and when lab wanted down -down he went! Pup was fine, no problem with shots, just didn't like being held , and playing a part.

Interesting , glad I tried it.

 

[Brian Williams]

We havn't heard from C.R. Sam yet, I would love to have some of his training on film so we could see some really different antics like dropping cane while falling and drawing w/ weak hand. No pun or joke intended I realize that I am geting old and I have way to many back problems that even shooting a shotgun or my 1894c in 357 can ruin my week if I twist wrong.

I try strong, weak hand from sitting, laying and many others cause I never know where UGLY BAD GUY is coming from.

 

[danbh]

I agree with you. When my wife and I go the the range 25% of what I shoot is with one hand and also with the weak hand. If I was in a car I would have to use the weak hand as both of us are left handed. Single handed the left is better but I have no problem with the right.<p> A very good point however many people I talk to never practice with just one hand..

 

[dwestfall]

If you think that you're going to be shooting one-handed, do you still carry a .40 or .45? I have found that I can shoot accurately enough one-handed, but recoil control and therefore shot-to-shot speed is greatly diminished shooting one-handed, especially with anything >9mm.

 

[DMK]

If you think that you're going to be shooting one-handed, do you still carry a .40 or .45?

Yes, 1911 Govt. model. Actually, I think it's very comfortable to shoot one handed. The gun was actually designed for it.

 

[El Tejon]

dwest, it depends, but you knew I'd say that.

A big, ol' gummit model shooting mild ammo is far easier to shoot than something made of Ti (gun rag letters for "hot seller") with a spicy load. Practice--which is silly, because I thought that mere possession was enough.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

Developing skill in strong hand only shooting will come in handy if you have to strike or parry with your support hand in a CQF situation, or if you use a flashlight.

 

[george_co]

Did 2 Handed Shooting come w/Vests?

My question and comment regarding this is: Did the 2 handed shooting styles for police really come into vogue when the police started getting bullet resistent vests?

With 2 handed shooting in a classic weaver stance your protected chest is directed at the bad guy. If you were shooting one handed with your side to the BG the weakest part of the protective vest is toward the BG and you are much more vulnerable. So with a weaver stance you get a protected front facing the BG, and better stability and accuracy.

However, as a civilian without a vest I have long debated whether or not one handed shooting (as I did when I shot bullseye) with my side pointed towards the threat (like the old sarge in I Once Was A Soldier) is better than facing the threat with my chest fully exposed providing a much larger target. The trade off being that one handed shooting can be less accurate than two handed shooting.

Also, when pointing your side towards the threat if struck by a bullet the bullet would have more of a chance to hit something vital since it is going through more of your body than when facing the threat, and providing a debilitating blow ie:going through both lungs instead of just one.

And finally, the fact that if I were to ever get into a situation where I am in a fight how much of this would all go out the window in the heat of the moment I would just react.

Just my 2 cents worth and probably worth less than half of that.

Be Safe!
George

 

[BigG]

Just take a look at ole Jelly Bryce: he never put the other mitt on his S&W 357 Magnum. Neither did Ed McGivern, IIRC. Oh, I forgot. Those guys don't count with the newly enlightened.

 

[Jeff White]

george_co,

I think two handed shooting started years before the advent of concealable body armor. Actually in a true weaver stance where you step back 10 inches with your strong side foot, you expose the unarmored area on your side to incoming fire. Many instructors teach a fighting stance that is more akin to an isosolies in that your are square to the taret. This allows you to take advantage of the best coverage provided by your body armor.

And finally, the fact that if I were to ever get into a situation where I am in a fight how much of this would all go out the window in the heat of the moment I would just react.

This is absolutely correct. Which is why you need to wargame the scenarios out in your mind and then practice them. You will just react. So you train so that when you just react, it's in a safe manner.

Jeff