Ever try shooting off-handed?

[atxgun]

I'm right handed so I've generally had that hand wrapped around the pistol and my left hand wrapped around the right. Doing some draw and dry fire exercises it occurred to me to try it the other way around.

Now I'm by no means ambidextrous but as far as this exercise went it seemed to feel pretty smooth and natural. And on the exercises where I would have to draw and rack the slide before taking aim that actually seemed easier since I was pulling with my strong arm. Definitely going to try shooting like this next time out I'm to see how I fair.

Of course this is something that is going to vary from person to person but was curious to other's experiences shooting off handed. How did it go? About the same or horribly off?

[seamusTX]

I used to do it, when I used to shoot regularly.

I was less accurate and slower with my off or weak hand.

I suppose that if I had practiced enough, I would have improved. I'm lazy.

It's a good idea to try whatever unusual positions your range allows you to practice: shooting one-handed from either hand, shooting from concealment, sitting down, prone, lying on one side. You never know when you might find yourself in such a position in real life.

- Jim

[LittleGun]

Part of my training is shooting with the weak hand. When I began, I could barely hit the target with my weak hand. Now I'm much better. My weak hand my never be as good as my strong hand, but I could use it to defend myself if my strong hand gets injured.

[NcongruNt]

Yes. I practice one-handed, both handed, and with my weak side as primary in both positions. How good I am shooting weak-handed depends on the gun. Interestingly enough, I have found that for some reason I am better shooting my PA-63 one-handed with my left hand (I'm right-handed) than I am with my right.

I agree with what SeamusTX posted above. If your range will allow it, try to shoot from as many different positions as possible. If it's possible, I recommend attending Forum Day. There are lots of clinics that will teach you firing from lots of positions, moving and shooting, and lots of useful stuff. I took a lot of what I learned and incorporated it into my regular practice at the range.

[atxgun]

My range won't care if I shoot one handed, two handed or sideways gansta style. No drawing from holster though. It's also your standard indoor range so prone isn't really an option.

[Crossfire]

I shoot handguns equally well with either hand, but I can't shoot a long gun left-handed to save my life. Which is kinda interesting, since I actually am left-handed.

I didn't get this way by choice. After an unfortunate incident where I squished my trigger finger by slamming a car door on it, I learned that it was VERY important to be able to shoot with the off hand. And I found out that, with a little practice, it wasn't all that hard.

[stroo]

I regularly practice both hands and single handed left and right. I don't shoot nearly as well left handed but still good enough.

[Lodge2004]

I am very comfortable shooting with either hand, however; it did not come naturally. The first few times at the range felt VERY unnatural.

This is one skill that is relatively easy to train off the range, it just takes time. Get a Bluegun and spend some hours doing transitions from one hand to the other, two-handed firing, single-handed, cornering, malfunction drills, etc... Confirm your training at the range.

[OverEasy]

I'm right handed, left eye dominant and have some nerve damage in my neck that affects my right hand. Shooting with a two handed grip I actually get tighter groups when I'm using the left hand on the trigger.

Last time I went to the range I tried some one hand shooting. HO boy, I need some practice on that!! I need to start squeezing that grip exerciser and working with a weight. I couldn't hold on target with either hand. We're talking about 2 foot groups at 25'. Time to round up the snap caps.

I forget that I might only have ONE hand if I ever need to use my gun. I've concentrated on the; "bend the knees, face the target, pull up to the chest, get the two handed grip, push the gun out, aquire the front sight and squeeze." drill almost totally, with both hands.

Now I need the one handed practice. I started out as a target shooter. Standing at a right angle to the target, one handed, off hand stuffed in back pocket. But that was years ago.

Regards, OE

[Purplehood]

I too am right-handed with left-eye dominant. I finally got up the nerve after years of shooting to actually fire right-handed using my left-eye, and got nice tight groups for once (I used to suck with the pistol shooting right-eyed, but shot expert with the Rifle).
I do not anticipate trying this with a rifle.

[AEA]

I too am right handed, right eye dominant.

I once shot a Kimber Eclipse left handed (single handed) using my left eye and hit the bullseye at 25 yards! One single shot = one bullseye!

I didn't try it again!

[Purplehood]

Incredible~!

[WildBill]

I started out as a target shooter. Standing at a right angle to the target, one handed, off hand stuffed in back pocket. But that was years ago. Regards, OE

I started the same way and still have a tendency to do so. In fact, I shot my CHL qualification that way. I practice shooting with my "off-hand" once in a while, on the off chance that my shooting hand/arm is incapacitated.

[CWOOD]

.

You have touched on an important topic...that of getting skilled with the firearm you carry for a variety of conditions.

I shoot IDPA as often as work schedule permits.

I got interested after I had gotten my CHL. About the time of the first renewal. I got to thinking that if I was going to be carrying this thing around ALL the time, it might be a good idea to improve my skills. I compete with my carry pistol. It is a Glock 30, a subcompact 45ACP which is not the ideal competition gun. However, in the long run my main competion is with myself.

There are many aspects of IDPA which can directly relate to a tactical situation. For example, shooting with weak hand, shooting from cover, shooting on the move and/or shooting at a moving target, choosing between threat and non-threat targets, reloading under stress, are all things which frequently appear in the IDPA scenerios. Another useful to practice is failure drills...where your weapon doesn't fire due to inert round, stovepipe, mag failure or whatever. I don't have them frequently, but it is good practice for the one time in an emergency when it might happen. It also helps build skill and confidence in making fast accurate shots at close quarters distances. You will also learn a lot about safety with a weapon.

Don't get me wrong, IDPA is a game with guns...we keep score and count time. It is not tactical training. It IS, however, excellent practice for certain important skills like those mentioned above. I highly recommend that you attend a match or two to see how it works and the types of things they do and how you might make use of it as a skill builder. You will see some really remarkable shooters and some fairly new shooters who are not as skilled. I will promise you that if you try it you will be amazed how much you will have improved after six months or a year.

Also, it is a LOT of fun and is a place where you can associate with a great group of folks.

[particle]

I shot one-handed with my XD .40 about a month ago. It was my first time shooting that way. Let's just say I was glad there wasn't really anyone else around... I felt like a goof - thinking to myself "what the heck do I do with my other hand...?" When I squeezed the trigger while shooting right-handed (I'm right-handed), I got good groups, and was more consistent than normal... When I shot left handed, I thought the gun was going to fly out of my hand!! Very awkward...

Not sure I'm ready to try that exercise again with my 1911 .45 anytime soon... At least, not until I work on my grip strength.