Weak hand draw.

[shootthesheet]

It is slow. That is why I started carrying my BUG weak side. It is still slower than strong side but, better than trying to reach across my body.

[badkarma56]

I carry strong-side hip/right-handed IWB at 4:00, so a weak-handed draw would be difficult and slightly unsafe due to the potential muzzle sweep...hopefully, I'll never need to resort to this in a defense situation.

Hi BK,

There have been two posts now expressing concerns of "covering" ones self (or potentially doing so) when drawing weak hand from the strong side... or perhaps sweeping others.

What am I missing?

If the weapon is properly drawn...the muzzle will remain pointed at the ground until it clears your body and a good grip can be achieved.

I hope it doesn't sound as if I am "correcting" anyone here, (I am here to learn), its just that I don't understand what part of a weak hand draw presents a covering issue.

Hey Flintknapper, sorry for the long delay in responding...I haven't checked this thread for quite a while!

For me, the muzzle sweep concern arises due to two factors: (1) the position of my IWB (inside the waistband) rig, and (2) the general awkwardness of a weak-handed draw from my strong-side IWB position (i.e., not nearly enough "muscle memory" accrued with this method to be proficient).

In order to draw with my weak hand, I'd have to reach across my back with my left hand and execute a "palm out" (i.e., palm of the hand facing away from the body) draw with the weapon. Recall that my holster is on my strong-side at approximately the 4:00 position. The rig also places the weapon at a slight forward cant.

This is an unusual exercise given the fact that I normally establish a "palm in" (i.e., palm of the hand facing the body) combat/initial grip on the weapon with my strong hand. Establishing a weak-handed "palm out" initial grip and presenting the weapon, from either an IWB or SOB (small of the back) holster, is not recommended. The reason for this is that people tend to sweep either themselves or bystanders with their weapon's muzzle when drawing with a "palm out" grip.

To envision this, imagine drawing a weapon from the small of your back, or from your hip, with a "palm out" grip (some SOB rigs are designed with this grip in-mind)...pretty awkward, huh! Your arm's natural motion will tend to bring the muzzle over some part of the body prior to final presentation on-the-target...this is not good particularly if you're in a high-stress encounter! Usually, people who carry this way sweep their lower back/spine, kidney area, and/or hip whenever they draw. Well, in order to draw my weapon weak-handed (with my current setup), this is exactly what I'd have to execute. A "palm in" grip avoids this issue because the natural locomotion of the arm allows for a safer and more controlled draw.

It's kind of difficult to explain via a post, but I hope I've been clear with my explanation.

[nitrogen]

I answerede 6-9 seconds, but I should probably add this proviso. If i'm only carrying my main weapon, I can't reach it. This would be if I was just going out to the store, or for an hour or so.

In a worst case scenario, I could get at it with some contortion, or considering my main hand wasn't totally disabled, I could probably pull it out of my holster and then grab it with my other hand.

If i'm going out for longer than that, I'd have my BUG on me, which I can reach with my weak hand.

[flintknapper]

I carry strong-side hip/right-handed IWB at 4:00, so a weak-handed draw would be difficult and slightly unsafe due to the potential muzzle sweep...hopefully, I'll never need to resort to this in a defense situation.

Hi BK,

There have been two posts now expressing concerns of "covering" ones self (or potentially doing so) when drawing weak hand from the strong side... or perhaps sweeping others.

What am I missing?

If the weapon is properly drawn...the muzzle will remain pointed at the ground until it clears your body and a good grip can be achieved.

I hope it doesn't sound as if I am "correcting" anyone here, (I am here to learn), its just that I don't understand what part of a weak hand draw presents a covering issue.

Hey Flintknapper, sorry for the long delay in responding...I haven't checked this thread for quite a while!

For me, the muzzle sweep concern arises due to two factors: (1) the position of my IWB (inside the waistband) rig, and (2) the general awkwardness of a weak-handed draw from my strong-side IWB position (i.e., not nearly enough "muscle memory" accrued with this method to be proficient).

In order to draw with my weak hand, I'd have to reach across my back with my left hand and execute a "palm out" (i.e., palm of the hand facing away from the body) draw with the weapon. Recall that my holster is on my strong-side at approximately the 4:00 position. The rig also places the weapon at a slight forward cant.

This is an unusual exercise given the fact that I normally establish a "palm in" (i.e., palm of the hand facing the body) combat/initial grip on the weapon with my strong hand. Establishing a weak-handed "palm out" initial grip and presenting the weapon, from either an IWB or SOB (small of the back) holster, is not recommended. The reason for this is that people tend to sweep either themselves or bystanders with their weapon's muzzle when drawing with a "palm out" grip.

To envision this, imagine drawing a weapon from the small of your back, or from your hip, with a "palm out" grip (some SOB rigs are designed with this grip in-mind)...pretty awkward, huh! Your arm's natural motion will tend to bring the muzzle over some part of the body prior to final presentation on-the-target...this is not good particularly if you're in a high-stress encounter! Usually, people who carry this way sweep their lower back/spine, kidney area, and/or hip whenever they draw. Well, in order to draw my weapon weak-handed (with my current setup), this is exactly what I'd have to execute. A "palm in" grip avoids this issue because the natural locomotion of the arm allows for a safer and more controlled draw.

It's kind of difficult to explain via a post, but I hope I've been clear with my explanation.

Hi BK,

Thanks for the response.

I think I am more confused now than before (but its probably me).

Are you saying that you are reaching behind your back with your "palm in" to access your weapon (still in its normal position strong side)?

[stevie_d_64]

Flint...I'm still spinning circles...And looking like an idiot...Thanks!!!

Wife Unit says you brought out the best in me...Which isn't much I guess...

I know...I know...Shut up Steve!!!

[hi-power]

Flint...I'm still spinning circles...And looking like an idiot...Thanks!!!

Wife Unit says you brought out the best in me...Which isn't much I guess...

Hee-hee!

[flintknapper]

Flint...I'm still spinning circles...And looking like an idiot...Thanks!!!

Wife Unit says you brought out the best in me...Which isn't much I guess...

Hee-hee!

And.......Tee-Hee-hee!

[badkarma56]

Hi BK,

Thanks for the response.

I think I am more confused now than before (but its probably me).

Are you saying that you are reaching behind your back with your "palm in" to access your weapon (still in its normal position strong side)?

LOL, Flintknapper! I know, it's a little difficult to convey this point with words...demonstrating the issue visually is much easier and quicker!

The main point is that my current setup (strong-side IWB holster/4:00 strong-side position) allows me to grasp and draw my weapon "palm in" (palm facing the body) with great control and safety.

Attempting a weak-handed draw from my current setup would force me to reach backward with my left hand, extend it across my back to my strong-side hip, and grasp/draw the weapon with a "palm out" grip. Next, I'd have to bring the weapon back across to my weak-side in order to present the gun. This is inherently awkward and tricky for me, and doesn't allow for the same degree of control.

I'll make ya' a deal, if you and I ever meet in person, I'll buy you a cold one (i.e., Dr. Pepper ) and show you exactly what I'm describing. It'll take like 30 seconds to fully demonstrate.

[flintknapper]

Hi BK,

Thanks for the response.

I think I am more confused now than before (but its probably me).

Are you saying that you are reaching behind your back with your "palm in" to access your weapon (still in its normal position strong side)?

LOL, Flintknapper! I know, it's a little difficult to convey this point with words...demonstrating the issue visually is much easier and quicker!

The main point is that my current setup (strong-side IWB holster/4:00 strong-side position) allows me to grasp and draw my weapon "palm in" (palm facing the body) with great control and safety.

Attempting a weak-handed draw from my current setup would force me to reach backward with my left hand, extend it across my back to my strong-side hip, and grasp/draw the weapon with a "palm out" grip. Next, I'd have to bring the weapon back across to my weak-side in order to present the gun. This is inherently awkward and tricky for me, and doesn't allow for the same degree of control.

I'll make ya' a deal, if you and I ever meet in person, I'll buy you a cold one (i.e., Dr. Pepper ) and show you exactly what I'm describing. It'll take like 30 seconds to fully demonstrate.

O.K., I'm with you now!

Yes, its awkward (even impossible for some). Of course, I am not recommending it as your usual mode for drawing your weapon. I am simply inviting everyone to examine the issue of having to draw weak hand only if injured.

Thanks for your insight.

[flintknapper]

age_ranger's recent thread "Strong hand injured", caused me to resurrect this one.

As mentioned before in this thread, you may be forced to temporarily carry in a different location than normal, or draw with your weak hand from your strong side if injured.

With that in mind....we would all do well to devote a small amount of time practicing drawing and shooting with the weak hand ONLY.

From time to time....I will have a group of shooters come out to my place and practice various tactical techniques that they may not be allowed to practice elsewhere.

Drawing, shooting, reloading, clearing malfunctions, etc.....weak hand ONLY...is challenging when compared to using both hands.

Sheer habit and "muscle memory" causes many to reach with their strong hand during these exercises. To cure that, I have made up several "crippled hands" that each shooter must wear.









At one time... I would tether a shooter's wrist to their belt loop with a string and snap (easy and cheap), but we had one fellow fall while moving to cover and it wasn't too pretty watching him try to catch himself with one hand so close to his body (my bad). Made up the crippled hands right after that.

Also, in one of the photos is the egg timer I use for the "3 Minute Cop" demonstration.

I hope no one ever has to use their weapon to defend themselves (especially weak hand), but it doesn't hurt to train a little... just in case.