Weak Hand and Backup Carry

[K5GU]

I'm planning a regimen for training exercises (for myself) to improve my weak hand drawing and shooting. In other words, I would simulate openly carrying the primary handgun, and then drawing a backup using my weak hand in a situation where the primary either fails, or my strong hand becomes disabled for some reason.

I'm thinking dry fire training to get used to it, and then live fire at the range.

Any tips out there? Thanks!

[The Wall]

Weak hand live firing is great to practice. Live fire draw and fire I wouldn't do myself. Why take the risk. Dry fire draw and fire for that part would be good enough for something you will probably never have to do. Muscle memory for the draw doesn't care if there's a live round in the chamber or not. If you ever catch yourself dry firing on the draw you'll be glad you were empty or using snap caps. Obviously this is my opinion, and more than likely others will differ.

[K5GU]

Weak hand live firing is great to practice. Live fire draw and fire I wouldn't do myself. Why take the risk. Dry fire draw and fire for that part would be good enough for something you will probably never have to do. Muscle memory for the draw doesn't care if there's a live round in the chamber or not. If you ever catch yourself dry firing on the draw you'll be glad you were empty or using snap caps. Obviously this is my opinion, and more than likely others will differ.

You make very good points. More prudent to do weak hand draw practice with snaps or laser fire. I will still need to live fire practice with the weak hand, but from a stance instead of from a draw.
Thanks!

[TVGuy]

Support hand only draw and shoot from a strong side hip holster is not difficult and not dangerous if you do it properly. I spent much of last weekend doing it in live fire drills.

It's also very important to practice. If you are in the unlucky and unlikely event of a gunfight, there is a good chance you might get shot as well. Dry fire only is not enough.

[oljames3]

Dry fire only is not enough.

Building muscle memory through dry firing is an important aspect of training. I spent 30+ years training artillerymen. We did lots of dry firing. However, live firing is essential. I told my soldiers that until they came to love feeling the concussion of the gun's firing in their chest; until they knew the joy of riding the beast during recoil; until the smell of burning propellant was a sweet aroma, they were not artillerymen.

The challenge is in developing training which is as close to "real world" as possible while still maintaining an acceptable level of safety. I'm training my sons to be confident in their abilities, yet aware of their limitations. "A man's got to know his limitations." Harry Callahan.

[mr1337]

Weak hand live firing is great to practice. Live fire draw and fire I wouldn't do myself. Why take the risk. Dry fire draw and fire for that part would be good enough for something you will probably never have to do. Muscle memory for the draw doesn't care if there's a live round in the chamber or not. If you ever catch yourself dry firing on the draw you'll be glad you were empty or using snap caps. Obviously this is my opinion, and more than likely others will differ.

I think it's absolutely something you should start dry first, at the very least. Develop the good habits without risk to yourself, then escalate your skill by going live fire once you are confident in your abilities.

I do think firing with your weak hand is essential, even if you only draw with the gun dry. By firing it, you're getting a feel of the recoil impulse and how to get back on target with your weak hand. That's something you can't do dry.

[TVGuy]

Weak hand live firing is great to practice. Live fire draw and fire I wouldn't do myself. Why take the risk. Dry fire draw and fire for that part would be good enough for something you will probably never have to do. Muscle memory for the draw doesn't care if there's a live round in the chamber or not. If you ever catch yourself dry firing on the draw you'll be glad you were empty or using snap caps. Obviously this is my opinion, and more than likely others will differ.

I think it's absolutely something you should start dry first, at the very least. Develop the good habits without risk to yourself, then escalate your skill by going live fire once you are confident in your abilities.

I do think firing with your weak hand is essential, even if you only draw with the gun dry. By firing it, you're getting a feel of the recoil impulse and how to get back on target with your weak hand. That's something you can't do dry.

I never said not to dry fire and I agree that's how you should start, but dry fire alone is not sufficient.

[The Wall]

Just to maybe clarify a little. I don't think it's safe to practice the draw and fire with live ammo. I'm not saying don't ever live fire. That would be ridiculous.
If you're going draw and fire with live ammo make sure you've practiced 1000 plus times dry before going to live ammo. If during your dry draw and fire practice you mess up once start the count over again. You will eventually mess up. IMHO

[winters]

Being a lefty myself I an naturally used to using my right hand for a lot of things. I actually shoot better with my right hand. Unfortunatly I haven't learned to be comfortable shooting rifles righty; most of it because im not used to using my right eye to aim. I shoot hand guns with both eyes open.

I carry 2 guns in my car at all times. My walther pps 9mm for small and compact and glock 17 for additional capacity. Along with a the big 32 round mag for it.