Hand Injury

[NE450No2]

Not wanting to HiJack another thread, I have a hand injury story.

At the time my Dept would not let you carry a semiauto.
I was carrying a Mod 25-2 in 45 ACP.
I was working an off duty job in the parking lot, at a Mexican bar.

When across the street, there was a shooting. So I ran over and grabbed the shooter, gun drawn, who began resisting. He had thrown his gun into a convertable driven my a Latin Female that sped off. So not wanting to hit him wioth my beloved Mod 25-2, I quickly holstered and then wacked him a time or three, HARD.

He was cuffed, arrested, and I think I might have broken a bone in my right hand.
It hurt BAD, to shoot a revolver or a semiauto...
At that time the Mod 25-2 was my Primary, my No2 was a LW Commander carried in my left Uniform pocket...

I was also shooting in IPSC matches on indoor ranges twice a week.

So I borrowed a left hand holster from a left handed buddy, and for around 3 or 4 months I shot left handed. Funny thing was, my times were longer, but my hits were better...

I also, for the same time period, when on duty,I went to my No2 out of my left front pocket, anytime I needed to "display, or shoot, when on Duty.

Eventually my right hand healed, and everything went back to Normal...

I had learned a lesson, from then on I just Pistol Whipped the bad guy...

Worked every time...

 

[kraigwy]

I got shot in the right hand (don't ask). Being right handed I was in a bind. I practice like heck to be able to draw and shoot my Model 28 with my left hand........from my regular right hand holster by reaching around.

One night before shift my Sgt noticed my still bandanged hand and the service revolver on my right hip and asked it I could draw the gun.

I turned to a (safe) wall and showed him. He sent me to property to get a left handed holseter. I got fairly good shooting left handed.

That was in 1977, every since I've keep up my weak hand shooting PLUS I stress for cops to do most of their practice with one hand.

Think about it, in police work you seldom have both hands free, you always have a flash light, ticket book, door knob........something.

I'm retired now, but I can shoot my 642 better with one hand then two.

Practice with both hands, but one at a time.

 

[Chuck1217]

I've been practicing a lot one-handed, both hands lately. Several reaons, arthritis, trigger-fingers on both hands- makes it hard to make a fist when it flares up- another reason is if I have to lean out from a wall from the left side- you know, to keep from exposing my entire body to the BG. Lefty is a long road for me, but using my right hand, one handed, I've gotten pretty good. I gotta get the left hand going good before ammo goes any higher!

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Long time gone, after a fall and a separated shoulder, I ended up with one of those 'strap your arm to your body' slings entrapping my right arm. I changed my personally-owned UM-84 green holster from right-hand draw to left hand draw and moved it to the left side of my pistol belt. About six weeks later, the docs decided I didn't need surgery and took that doggoned gizmo off me. Everything went back to the way it was, except that since then I practice from both sides with both hands and one had at a time.

ECS

 

[Goldstar225]

Several years ago I had to convince a man to go to jail resulting in a broken right hand. Since I was a K-9 Officer I continued to work the street with my cast on for 6 weeks. I also went to a left hand holster. I shot the department qualification course with a 440/500 down from my normal 490/500 including reloads, weak hand only.

 

[Chuck1217]

Bad when some folks need that much convincing, isn't it. Glad I don't do that job- sincerely appreciate those who do.

 

[7tenz]

I did a search and came up with this thread, and instead decided to resurrect it since it's not that old.

Last Friday evening I walked out of the office, yaking on a bluetooth and waved to a co-workers family. I didn't negotiate a drop-off and went down on my knees and screwed up my right elbow and left knee. I'm on the mend, even tried riding my bicycle Sunday, but that proved to be too much too soon, so Ihave to lay back for a while. I can type now, a few days ago it was hunt-and-peck with my left hand. Also got a lot of free time on my hands, both the good and bad one.

I haven't tried, but I don't think I can shoot with the right hand. Just want to re-emphasize to practice with the non-dominant side, you might need it.

I think I made it worse by trying to put on the brakes during the fall. My head was going for the front fender of their suv and I didn't want to put a big dent in it.

 

[keith44spl]

Was in a building clearing training exercise one time...I need to lead out of a door way to my right,
so I switched the simunition pistol to my left hand.

Instructor asked,"Which hand do you shoot with?"

My answer,"Both."

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[photoman]

I spend about 25% of my range time with my non-dominant (left) hand. There is a lot of statistical data out there showing the high probability of getting shot in your gun hand. Being able to shoot with your other hand (and having access to a backup gun with your other hand) is a life saving skill.

 

[David Sinko]

I do a lot of shooting with my non-dominant left hand simply because I think it's a vital skill. Last year I actually shot a higher qualification score with my left hand than I did with the right, which was far better than the vast majority of the department could ever do with the dominant hand. Dry firing tens of thousands of snaps a year really does help.

Dave Sinko

 

[TACC1]

Since joining this Forum, I realize the need to be
able to use either hand. Since I'm about as agile as
a three-legged hippo, running away isn't an option.
I'll just be happy to hobble away.
Thanks for all the real-world examples. TACC1

 

[P&R Fan]

I carry my 340PD in my left side pocket. I'm right handed. I figger if I ever need a BUG, it will possibly be necessary to use my left hand. It ain't fun shooting that thing left handed, but I'll bet gunfights aren't fun either.

You can train the non-dominant hand to do almost anything. I started playing racquetball in my mid 30s. Immediately developed a case of tennis elbow. Was having so much fun I didn't want to stop playing so I started playing left handed. The guy I play started the game at the same time, so neither of us were any good, but he's always been better than me, mostly because he's too dang tall and has the wing span of a 747. I got so I could actually beat him occasionally, and he played with his dominant right hand.
If you take the time to practice, you can train the non-dominant hand to do things fairly well.
Jim

 

[Sebago Son]

So I wanna know about the Latin Female, the tossed pistola and her Convertable Car!...

 

[Kanewpadle]

Many years ago when I was much younger and much more stupid, I took a job as a door man at a California night club.

During a routine check of the bathrooms (stupid stuff happened in there), I walked in on a drug transaction. One guy immediately produced a knife. I instinctively put my hands up. He swung upwards towards me and I thought he missed.

He didn't. I never felt a thing until I saw blood. By then the other four bouncers showed up along with an off duty cop who frequented the place.

Three bad guys were given nice steel bracelets and recieved a hasty escort to jail.

After 14 stitches, I had to explain to my supervisor why I couldn't work and what happened. See, I wasn't a cop. I was in the military.

Three things happened. I quit the job. I learned to use my left hand for a while. And I learned never to underestimate a guy with a knife.

 

[NE450No2]

So I wanna know about the Latin Female, the tossed pistola and her Convertable Car!...

She was HOT [I like Latin Females], the handgun was a cheap 22 LR revolver, and it was a pretty nice convertable.

The shooter went to the hospital, for several days, then to jail, the Hot Latino female went to jail, the car went to the pound, and the handgun went to the property room.

The shot citizen survived.

Since he was a local at the bar, and the shooter was an outsider, and we [the Police] cought the offender, the regular customers of the bar "liked us a lot"... I was single at the time, and there were a lot of HOT Latino Femalesthat came to that place...

My right hand eventually healed.

From then on, I hit people in the head with my handgun, HARD...

Only when absolutely necessary, of course.

 

[Sebago Son]

A Hot Latina on the wrong side of the law, a Fast Convertible, a Wounded Cop and a Cheap .22. Somebody call Sip... Throw in a carton of smokes and a case of Johnny Walker and I think that you have the makin's of a pretty good screen play or a very long weekend!

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Had to happen. I was clearing brush around the home place and felt like I hit a live wire with my right hand on the outside of my pinky. Seems my sawing disturbed some wasps, and one of the *******s stung me right through my work glove. Half my hand is swollen, and I can't close my ring and little fingers not to mention still hurting three hours later after icing it for 20 minutes and taking an antihistamine.

Not wanting to depend solely on a J-frame as I go about this evening, I dug an old Uncle Mike's SideBet holster out of my stash, moved the thumb break, and threaded it on to the left side of my belt. I'm back in business with my 3 inch S&W Model 13 riding on my left hip! So far, I can still handle speedloaders with my right hand, but if this thing doesn't stop swelling, my reload will be interesting or one-handed NY with my S&W Model 37 or Taurus 85SSUL.

Did I mention that this hurts?

ECS

 

[elm_creek_smith]

A bit more than 24 hours since I was stung, and while my hand looks a little like Mickey's glove, I can use it. The Model 13-3 moved back to strong side in a Don Hume H715M S.O. for the gun show.

I'm not worried about going to work in the morning trying to handle my Model 686-6, now.

ECS

 

[The Big D]

As occurred in a few posts, above, I busted my right (way dominant) hand on the head of a heroin addict who was in a methadone program. It was on a bright and sunny Easter Sunday and likely amused/appalled passers by as most surely didn't expect to happen upon a LEO in a wild fistfight in the median strip. But I digess...

In a hard splint for 6 weeks; wrap for 3. NO work permitted.

Carried M60 IWB in left handed holster borrowed from a pal.

Gun use was the least of my worries; as all of you who are" dominant handed" will acknowledge.

Be safe.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

You back using your dominant hand, yet, Big D?

I guess a couple of wasp stings pale next to a busted hand...

ECS