One handed pistol shooting

BAC · April 18th, 2008, 02:42 PM

I have a confession to make: I really suck at one-handed pistol shooting.

When I first shot the Glock 17 in a more training manner than range plinking manner, I fooled around with one-handed shooting only a little. I was comfortable I could hit the silhouette at 9 yards so I was content. Now that I'm becoming more involved in practicing with my own handgun, a full-size 1911, I'm noticing a very different outcome when I try to shoot one-handed.

My primary problem is sight alignment; I can't hold the sights steady worth a damn. Two hands and I'm rock solid, but one hand and it feels incredibly awkward. As I type this, I've been dry firing the gun for the last ten minutes, trying to figure out a way to get "on target" quickly using only one-hand, and I'm positive there is some way to train myself to do better holding the pistol steady with one hand (short of holding a weight out in one hand for a couple minutes at a time as a form of exercise, that is). Thin I might be, but I certainly don't see myself as weak, which is why this bugs me to no end.

The reason I'm concerned about one-handed shooting, specifically, is because I can very easily envision a situation where one would be required to use only one hand: if you take a fall and injure a hand, if you are trying to ward off an attacker with one hand, if you're already holding something in one hand, etc. Or if, like me, you just happen to sprain a wrist by being stupid while exercising.

Does anyone have any suggestions for ways to improve one-handed shooting? Drills, exercises, general tips?

-B

pgrass101 · April 18th, 2008, 02:52 PM

I point shoot at ranges of less than 10-15 meters. I use a two handed stance, but I use some of the basic's taught here

Shooting to Live written by Sykes and Fairbarin almost 100 years ago.

It's a PDF so print it out and read it, practice and then see if you can find a class somewhere.

MilitaryPower · April 18th, 2008, 02:55 PM

I have the same problem, so feedback is appreciated. I usually carry my Walther PPS as my BUG on my weak side, so I practice with my left hand only sometimes (sometimes switching it over to my right to both) and holy crap! I tilt the gun in about 15 degrees so I can see the sights better, but the recoil to the high right is crazy.

DCJS Instructor · April 18th, 2008, 03:46 PM

Team-

Some tips that may help!

1.Canting the weapon slightly (5-10 degrees) No more than that!

2.Keep weight biased forward on the balls of the feet.

3.Secure the non-firing arm by tucking it against the torso to
prevent it from causing a pendulum effect.

4. Keep the hand that is shooting high in the back strap with a firm grip.

5. Breath while you are shooting.

Hope this helps! if you have specific questions shoot me a PM.

Tom Perroni

BAC · April 18th, 2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgrass101

I point shoot at ranges of less than 10-15 meters. I use a two handed stance, but I use some of the basic's taught here

Shooting to Live written by Sykes and Fairbarin almost 100 years ago.

It's a PDF so print it out and read it, practice and then see if you can find a class somewhere.

Interesting material. Much of it is outdated, bu I can see how it was "cutting edge" at the time (early 40s). I'll try out the hand positioning and see how it does this weekend at the range.

-B

Blackhawk6 · April 18th, 2008, 04:57 PM

A few other tips:

1. Apply slightly more pressure with the middle finger of the shooting hand than you normally would.

2. Place your firing-side foot forward. This will require you to step forward with the firing-side foot or step back with the non-firing-side foot. Practice both.

3. Index your chin with the firing-side shoulder. It should be similar to the cheek-stock weld you would use if firing a rifle.

4. Keep the firing arm straight, but not locked.

5. In my experience, canting the gun helps get a good first round hit. However, keeping the gun vertical allows faster subsequent hits and, with a little effort, can deliver a first round hit as quickly/accurately as canting the gun.

My dry-fire program includes 25 repetitions from the ready, both strong and weak hand, and 10 repetitions from the holster, strong-hand only.

Live-fire drills that are beneficial:

1. One round from the ready, strong-hand only (1 sec. par time)

2. One round from the ready, weak-hand only (1 sec. par time)

3. One round from the holster, strong-hand only (1.5 sec par time)

4. Transition Drill: Two rounds from the ready, strong-hand only, transition gun to weak hand, two rounds weak-hand only (4.5 sec par time)

Rhome · April 18th, 2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCJS Instructor

Team-

Some tips that may help!

1.Canting the weapon slightly (5-10 degrees) No more than that!

2.Keep weight biased forward on the balls of the feet.

3.Secure the non-firing arm by tucking it against the torso to
prevent it from causing a pendulum effect.

4. Keep the hand that is shooting high in the back strap with a firm grip.

5. Breath while you are shooting.

Hope this helps! if you have specific questions shoot me a PM.

Tom Perroni

+1
Works for me both strong hand and week hand.

Sweatnbullets · April 18th, 2008, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAC

Interesting material. Much of it is outdated, bu I can see how it was "cutting edge" at the time (early 40s). I'll try out the hand positioning and see how it does this weekend at the range.

-B

Correction,

Some of it is outdated. These guys knew more about gunfighting than most of the trainers alive today.

They studied 666 gunfights over a twelve year period. These guys knew their stuff! I read that book at least once a year. The amount of quality information in this little book is simply astounding. This stuff is making a huge comeback now that we are back at war.

What was old, is new again.

LongRider · April 19th, 2008, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAC

Does anyone have any suggestions for ways to improve one-handed shooting? Drills, exercises, general tips?

Are you consistently missing to the right left high low or are you all over the place? Do you have a laser? They help you see what it is you are doing. It is best if you have an observer while you shoot because you will not see the laser movement as well as another person focused on just the dot. You may want to sight the laser so that the dot is right in front of your front sight so that you really do not see it while you use your sights, because some folks get distracted trying to keep the dot rock steady. Using a laser in conjunction with iron sights to aim gets you into some bad habits, IMO. Lasers are not intended to be used like that, but that is a whole different topic. In this case you are not using it to sight at all. It is to help the observer to see what is going on as you squeeze the trigger.

DCJS Instructor · April 19th, 2008, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAC

I have a confession to make: I really suck at one-handed pistol shooting.

When I first shot the Glock 17 in a more training manner than range plinking manner, I fooled around with one-handed shooting only a little. I was comfortable I could hit the silhouette at 9 yards so I was content. Now that I'm becoming more involved in practicing with my own handgun, a full-size 1911, I'm noticing a very different outcome when I try to shoot one-handed.

My primary problem is sight alignment; I can't hold the sights steady worth a damn. Two hands and I'm rock solid, but one hand and it feels incredibly awkward. As I type this, I've been dry firing the gun for the last ten minutes, trying to figure out a way to get "on target" quickly using only one-hand, and I'm positive there is some way to train myself to do better holding the pistol steady with one hand (short of holding a weight out in one hand for a couple minutes at a time as a form of exercise, that is). Thin I might be, but I certainly don't see myself as weak, which is why this bugs me to no end.

The reason I'm concerned about one-handed shooting, specifically, is because I can very easily envision a situation where one would be required to use only one hand: if you take a fall and injure a hand, if you are trying to ward off an attacker with one hand, if you're already holding something in one hand, etc. Or if, like me, you just happen to sprain a wrist by being stupid while exercising.

Does anyone have any suggestions for ways to improve one-handed shooting? Drills, exercises, general tips?

-B

B-

I am not sure if this will work for you....However I will be holding a Basic Pistol Course (1 day) & Advanced Handgun Course (2 days) in May you are welcome to come to either or both for FREE if you write an AAR about the class. I am also able to help with lodging.

Shot me a PM ( No pun intended)

Tom Perroni

April 18th, 2008, 02:42 PM	#1
BAC Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 990	One handed pistol shooting I have a confession to make: I really suck at one-handed pistol shooting. When I first shot the Glock 17 in a more training manner than range plinking manner, I fooled around with one-handed shooting only a little. I was comfortable I could hit the silhouette at 9 yards so I was content. Now that I'm becoming more involved in practicing with my own handgun, a full-size 1911, I'm noticing a very different outcome when I try to shoot one-handed. My primary problem is sight alignment; I can't hold the sights steady worth a damn. Two hands and I'm rock solid, but one hand and it feels incredibly awkward. As I type this, I've been dry firing the gun for the last ten minutes, trying to figure out a way to get "on target" quickly using only one-hand, and I'm positive there is some way to train myself to do better holding the pistol steady with one hand (short of holding a weight out in one hand for a couple minutes at a time as a form of exercise, that is). Thin I might be, but I certainly don't see myself as weak, which is why this bugs me to no end. The reason I'm concerned about one-handed shooting, specifically, is because I can very easily envision a situation where one would be required to use only one hand: if you take a fall and injure a hand, if you are trying to ward off an attacker with one hand, if you're already holding something in one hand, etc. Or if, like me, you just happen to sprain a wrist by being stupid while exercising. Does anyone have any suggestions for ways to improve one-handed shooting? Drills, exercises, general tips? -B

April 18th, 2008, 02:52 PM	#2
pgrass101 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 5,514	I point shoot at ranges of less than 10-15 meters. I use a two handed stance, but I use some of the basic's taught here Shooting to Live written by Sykes and Fairbarin almost 100 years ago. It's a PDF so print it out and read it, practice and then see if you can find a class somewhere. __________________ Noli nothis permittere te terere I refuse to compromise my morality for another mans greed.

April 18th, 2008, 02:55 PM	#3
MilitaryPower Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: southwest Florida Posts: 559	I have the same problem, so feedback is appreciated. I usually carry my Walther PPS as my BUG on my weak side, so I practice with my left hand only sometimes (sometimes switching it over to my right to both) and holy crap! I tilt the gun in about 15 degrees so I can see the sights better, but the recoil to the high right is crazy. __________________ http://www.mp-pistol.com S&W M&P .40, M&P 15A Walther P22, PPS 9mm Gun control can be blamed in part for allowing 9/11 to happen. "Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum" (Latin)- "If you want peace, prepare for war".

April 18th, 2008, 03:46 PM	#4
DCJS Instructor Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CONUS Posts: 173	One - Handed Pistol Shooting Team- Some tips that may help! 1.Canting the weapon slightly (5-10 degrees) No more than that! 2.Keep weight biased forward on the balls of the feet. 3.Secure the non-firing arm by tucking it against the torso to prevent it from causing a pendulum effect. 4. Keep the hand that is shooting high in the back strap with a firm grip. 5. Breath while you are shooting. Hope this helps! if you have specific questions shoot me a PM. Tom Perroni

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April 18th, 2008, 04:57 PM	#6
Blackhawk6 Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Southeast Posts: 370	A few other tips: 1. Apply slightly more pressure with the middle finger of the shooting hand than you normally would. 2. Place your firing-side foot forward. This will require you to step forward with the firing-side foot or step back with the non-firing-side foot. Practice both. 3. Index your chin with the firing-side shoulder. It should be similar to the cheek-stock weld you would use if firing a rifle. 4. Keep the firing arm straight, but not locked. 5. In my experience, canting the gun helps get a good first round hit. However, keeping the gun vertical allows faster subsequent hits and, with a little effort, can deliver a first round hit as quickly/accurately as canting the gun. My dry-fire program includes 25 repetitions from the ready, both strong and weak hand, and 10 repetitions from the holster, strong-hand only. Live-fire drills that are beneficial: 1. One round from the ready, strong-hand only (1 sec. par time) 2. One round from the ready, weak-hand only (1 sec. par time) 3. One round from the holster, strong-hand only (1.5 sec par time) 4. Transition Drill: Two rounds from the ready, strong-hand only, transition gun to weak hand, two rounds weak-hand only (4.5 sec par time)