Interesting discovery at the range recently...

[The Annoyed Man]

I went shooting last weekend with my son at the Elm Fork range in Dallas, and I made an interesting discovery about myself. It seems that I shoot better one handed, with more control, than I do with a two handed stance. I never knew that. I've just always shot my pistols with a two handed grip. In fact, I think that the only reason I did that was because that's how my friends taught me to shoot a pistol back when I made my first trip to a range many years ago.

I've watched other guys shoot one handed, but I always thought to myself that, surely, it must not be as stable or as controllable as a two handed grip, so I never bothered with it. Last weekend, I just tried it out for grins, and whaddayaknow? I like it better! Since then, I've been trying analyze why this would be so. The only thing I can come up with is that has to do with my aging eyes having a harder time picking up the sights.

With my bi-focals on I can't seem to pickup the sights very well when shooting two handed. The pistol seems to be just inside the distance from my eyes where things appear a tad blurry, and the "reading" area of the lenses are too small and low down in the frame to be useful when shooting. I have to tilt my head back too far to conveniently be able to do it. However, when I switch to my reading glasses, I can usually see the sights more clearly with a two handed grip. Unfortunately, in the real world, I'm always wearing my bifocals unless I'm reading a book, or at a computer screen. I think that what's happening when I switch to a one handed grip is that I am extending the pistol out just a little bit further, bringing the sights into range for the upper part of my bifocal lenses, which is what I'm looking through most of the time every day. It also has the advantage of making both the target, and what's behind it, easier for me to see and process.

I can still shoot adequately two handed if I have to - I did pass my CHL qualification this way - but it seems to me like I might be able to get my gun into play more quickly and accurately for a first shot if I learn to rely first on a one handed grip. Heaven forbid I should ever actually have to do it, I can always follow up from a two handed stance if the situation calls for it.

Has this happened to anyone else, and are there any specific reasons why I should avoid defaulting to a one handed grip on my gun? The only downside I can think of is that, for me, it probably would mess up my ability to double tap unless I switch to two hands.

What do you guys think?

[melkor41]

The farther out you hold the gun in a close quarters gun fight, the easier it is to have it taken away from you. Other than that, i think you should shoot what feels best.

[WildBill]

Many years ago I was taught to shoot pistol one-handed. That was the way all bullseye target shooters were taught to shoot. I don't remember anyone shooting two-handed except for women or children who didn't have the strength to hold it with one hand. I shot my CHL qualification one-handed. I still shoot my target 22s one-handed. I also shoot my target 1911s 45ACP and 38SPL one-handed.

I think it was in the 70s when the gun magazines started promoting the "Weaver Stance" that is started to become popular. Other people probably have differing opinions and memories, but those are my recollections.

A friend who has a son serving in Afghanistan tells me that his training with his 1911 is to get three rounds off one-handed until his gun gets up to eye level and establishes his two-handed grip.

That said, I shoot two-handed, because it gives me a more positive grip and greater stability and control. Or course, I would shoot one-handed in a self defensive situation if it was necessary do to injury or expediency.

[The Annoyed Man]

The farther out you hold the gun in a close quarters gun fight, the easier it is to have it taken away from you.

I've certainly considered that, which is partly why I'm putting it out there for criticism. I guess the question is, will I have enough presence of mind to draw the weapon in closer when sticking it out there risks having it taken away? I like to think that I would, but in the heat of battle?.... ...and of course, if he's close enough to take it away as I'm drawing it, then I haven't studied the masters enough yet. I watched this youtube video of Gabe Suarez just the other day, in which he demonstrates some very close quarters one handed pistol techniques. I'm not nearly as mobile as I used to be, but I'm not a complete cripple either. I had a fair amount of martial arts training in the past, and although I'm not as good as I used to be, I do remember a lot of it. And even without the extra pounds, I'm a normally burly guy and I've never been afraid of mixing it up on the inside - which plays to my strengths - so I guess that, as long as I was alert to the possibility of having it taken away, maybe a one handed stance might work?

I'd appreciate any other comments.

[WildBill]

The farther out you hold the gun in a close quarters gun fight, the easier it is to have it taken away from you.

I've certainly considered that, which is partly why I'm putting it out there for criticism. I guess the question is, will I have enough presence of mind to draw the weapon in closer when sticking it out there risks having it taken away? I like to think that I would, but in the heat of battle?....

Shooting from retention is one of the many drills taught and practiced in the NRA PPOH course. I recommend practicing these drills.

[seamusTX]

The Weaver stance caught on with bullseye shooters in the late 1950s because the shooters who used it won.

It is possible to do it wrong. Your hands can fight one another. There are about a million words about it on the web.

- Jim

[CompVest]

Personally I shoot better with an unsupported grip because I concentrate more on my front sight. I don't shoot unsupported as much as I do supported therefore I am more relaxed with the supported grip.

[stroo]

I shoot most accurately two-handed, almost as accurately right one-hand and a lot worse, left one-handed. I practice each because Murphy exists and either hand might be disabled in some way that I will have to shoot with the other hand. My choice however would be two-handed.

[WildBill]

The Weaver stance caught on with bullseye shooters in the late 1950s because the shooters who used it won.- Jim

Bullseye competition has never allowed two-handed shooting.

[Crossfire]

If you can't find a comfortable distance between the top and bottom of your bifocals, then it's time to go to progressive lenses. Takes a little adjustment period, but well worth it.

[austin]

The farther out you hold the gun in a close quarters gun fight, the easier it is to have it taken away from you.

I've certainly considered that, which is partly why I'm putting it out there for criticism. I guess the question is, will I have enough presence of mind to draw the weapon in closer when sticking it out there risks having it taken away? I like to think that I would, but in the heat of battle?.... ...and of course, if he's close enough to take it away as I'm drawing it, then I haven't studied the masters enough yet. I watched this youtube video of Gabe Suarez just the other day, in which he demonstrates some very close quarters one handed pistol techniques. I'm not nearly as mobile as I used to be, but I'm not a complete cripple either. I had a fair amount of martial arts training in the past, and although I'm not as good as I used to be, I do remember a lot of it. And even without the extra pounds, I'm a normally burly guy and I've never been afraid of mixing it up on the inside - which plays to my strengths - so I guess that, as long as I was alert to the possibility of having it taken away, maybe a one handed stance might work?

I'd appreciate any other comments.

You are a lot better off breaking to the right or left if someone has a gun or knife on you rather than standing there and duking it out. Once you incorporate dyanamic movement, then one-handed point shooting follows.

Gabe's CDs are great.

[DoubleActionCHL]

There are quite a few advantages to shooting one handed, especially from concealment. In many cases, you can retrieve your weapon, acquire your target and fire much faster with one hand. Many 'concealed carry' instructors push the one-handed 'punch' method of getting the first shot off. Also, your own target profile is about 40% less when shooting one-handed because you can position your body so your right (or left) shoulder is pointed toward your target; your body and shooting arm are in alignment, reducing your profile.

Downsides? As someone said, weapon retention; it's much easier for an assailant to strip away your weapon when you have it extended and in only one hand. For most people, the one-handed grip isn't as stable. While the first shot may be dead on, follow up shots will likely be more off-target than they would using a firm two-handed grip.

I generally suggest that students stick with what they're good at. A solid, predictable weaver or tactical stance is preferable to a shaky one-handed stance, and vice versa. It's certainly not a bad idea to practice drawing and shooting one-handed. You'll want to have many techniques in your arsenal, because no single grip, stance or method is perfect for every situation.

[The Annoyed Man]

If you can't find a comfortable distance between the top and bottom of your bifocals, then it's time to go to progressive lenses. Takes a little adjustment period, but well worth it.

I'm an idiot... ....I actually wear progressives, not actual bifocals. I always call them "bifocals" because I can't keep up with all that modrun turminowlowgee. I think that the problem is that the portion that is the sweet spot for reading distances on these lenses is fairly small and low down on the lens. This is actually fine for day to day use. It's good enough for brief reading, like a menu or something like that, and perfect for driving and other daily tasks where I need the upper part of the lens (to correct a slight astigmatism). The real problem is that the lenses are not that big, so neither is the transition zone between reading and non-reading. I really only use my reading glasses for books and computers. I should probably invest in different size frames when I get a new prescription.

Sorry about that.

[The Annoyed Man]

You are a lot better off breaking to the right or left if someone has a gun or knife on you rather than standing there and duking it out. Once you incorporate dyanamic movement, then one-handed point shooting follows.

Oh I agree. I'm just saying that if it came down to my not having any choice about duking it out, I wouldn't panic because the idea of it doesn't freak me out.

Bill, you'll be glad to know that I checked out an NRA PPOH course in Fort Worth after reading your suggestion. I think I'll probably take it.

[WildBill]

Bill, you'll be glad to know that I checked out an NRA PPOH course in Fort Worth after reading your suggestion. I think I'll probably take it.

I would suggest this class to any forum member.