BIGDOC
US Veteran
Just a quick question...I shoot a .357 and a .44 when I got to the range, but I always use two hands...how many people use one hand targeting ?
One hand ?
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bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
I shoot one-handed a bit, just to practice for emergencys.
You should at least spend "some time" practicing being able to hit your target one handed...and with both weak and strong...just in case you ever were put in a situation of not being able to use both hands........
joe44va
Member
Occasionally shoot one handed, both strong and week side, just to see if I can do it.
mrrick
Member
Now I'm shooting one handed almost all the time. In a real life defensive situation, you probably are only going to have enough time for one handed shooting.
BIGDOC,
Most of my handgun shooting is done one handed.
When I shoot NRA 2700 3 gun bullseye matches (22, CF, & 45) each handgun is fired one handed (strong hand) in slow fire, timed fire, and rapid fire stages. In this game, I shoot revolvers for the 22 and CF stages, and these are fired single action.
When I shoot PPC matches, there are designated stages that must be fired one handed, with either the strong hand or the weak hand. In PPC, all revolver shooting is done double action.
Unless I am shooting a steel dueling tree or bowling pins, all of my handgun shooting is done predominantly one handed.
Most of my handgun shooting is done one handed.
When I shoot NRA 2700 3 gun bullseye matches (22, CF, & 45) each handgun is fired one handed (strong hand) in slow fire, timed fire, and rapid fire stages. In this game, I shoot revolvers for the 22 and CF stages, and these are fired single action.
When I shoot PPC matches, there are designated stages that must be fired one handed, with either the strong hand or the weak hand. In PPC, all revolver shooting is done double action.
Unless I am shooting a steel dueling tree or bowling pins, all of my handgun shooting is done predominantly one handed.
Arc Angel
Member
Until I was about 35 years old, there were no two-handed pistol competitions. All of the pistol matches were target, 'postals'; and these targets were largely fired with the predominant use of the gun (or, 'strong') hand.
The first time I attended a two-handed IPSC competition I was with Frank Behlert (Austin's youngest son); and the moment I tried the, 'two-handed thing' the whole event seemed like a, 'piece of cake' to do.
In the years since I've learned to limit my one-handed pistol shooting, mostly, to targets at and inside 7 1/2 yards. In fact, out to 5 yards I don't even use the sights, and fire on pure instinct alone. (I never miss!)
Know what? After years of doing these things, I'm, also, able to work effectively, out of the holster with one hand and no sights; and I'm able to consistently hit 12 x 12 inch squares all the way out to 15, or more, yards.
My best advice? Learn to use a pistol with one hand, first; and it'll teach you skills that will keep you: fast, flexible, and accurate throughout the rest of your life. So much so that whenever you switch back to the predominant use of two-hands, using a pistol will seem ridiculously easy!
The first time I attended a two-handed IPSC competition I was with Frank Behlert (Austin's youngest son); and the moment I tried the, 'two-handed thing' the whole event seemed like a, 'piece of cake' to do.
In the years since I've learned to limit my one-handed pistol shooting, mostly, to targets at and inside 7 1/2 yards. In fact, out to 5 yards I don't even use the sights, and fire on pure instinct alone. (I never miss!)
Know what? After years of doing these things, I'm, also, able to work effectively, out of the holster with one hand and no sights; and I'm able to consistently hit 12 x 12 inch squares all the way out to 15, or more, yards.
My best advice? Learn to use a pistol with one hand, first; and it'll teach you skills that will keep you: fast, flexible, and accurate throughout the rest of your life. So much so that whenever you switch back to the predominant use of two-hands, using a pistol will seem ridiculously easy!
For Bullseye at 25 and 50yds, one hand shooting is obligatory.
For IHMSA standing classes, two work well, but Freestyle positions except for "Flop" have the off hand supporting the head whilst the firearm generally is also supported by the side of the leg or similar.
Plus there's all the "run and gun" one hand (strong/and or weak side) stages. Not doing much of that any more, though.
But as I get older, I find it's easier to see the sights of short barreled handguns using just the one hand. So it's actually easier to get good hits that way! But I've been shooting one handed from both sides for over thirty years. (Had to learn to shoot RH in the '80s to assist sighting in pistols for other folk on account that was part of the job description at the time.)
For IHMSA standing classes, two work well, but Freestyle positions except for "Flop" have the off hand supporting the head whilst the firearm generally is also supported by the side of the leg or similar.
Plus there's all the "run and gun" one hand (strong/and or weak side) stages. Not doing much of that any more, though.
But as I get older, I find it's easier to see the sights of short barreled handguns using just the one hand. So it's actually easier to get good hits that way! But I've been shooting one handed from both sides for over thirty years. (Had to learn to shoot RH in the '80s to assist sighting in pistols for other folk on account that was part of the job description at the time.)
Longhorn1986
Member
I do one box drills with each of the pistols/revolvers I brought to the range that day. 10 rounds two handed, 10 rounds strong side one handed, 10 rounds weak side one handed. 10 rounds draw & double tap two handed and then 10 rounds of whatever I feel I need more practice at (usually weak hand or shooting from a draw).
I actually prefer shooting my SAA one handed. Seems more natural.
I actually prefer shooting my SAA one handed. Seems more natural.
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Joe in SC
US Veteran
I enjoy watching the average or smaller guy shoot the 44 mag one handed. Not so much the single actions because they tend to roll "up"" in one's hand during recoil. Them model 29's and other double actions tend to come back as well as up.
Back in 1974/75 my slightly built father in law just had to shoot my 29-2. The ammo was hot Remington 240's (iirc). I noticed he was holding with only his right hand so I warned him he should use both hands. Nothing doing, his mind was made up so I just stepped back to observe.
He set one off. What happened next was totally unexpected. As the revolver was reeling up and back in recoil, he fired a second round unintentionally, double action. That model 29 really went into "after burner" mode and flew back with that big ole target hammer whacking him squarely between his eyes! Blood squirted everywhere and ran like a water tap off the end of his nose. Proper first aid was rendered.
In the after math, Pop's couldn't recall pulling the trigger double action. I think he pulled as a reaction to the recoil of the first round being out of control. In other words I believe he tightened his grip in an attempt to keep the gun out of his face and in doing so tightened the trigger finger also.
Some years later I heard of a indoor range employee firing a customers 50 caliber Desert Eagle with one hand. Supposedly the gun recoiled and the shooter did the same thing as Pop's, pulling the trigger again. This time the outcome was tragic as the gun was back under his chin!
I really don't enjoy folk's being hurt, especially with firearms. The point is: Be careful and think about what you're doing when handling handguns with power on the level of a 44 mag and up!!!
Back in 1974/75 my slightly built father in law just had to shoot my 29-2. The ammo was hot Remington 240's (iirc). I noticed he was holding with only his right hand so I warned him he should use both hands. Nothing doing, his mind was made up so I just stepped back to observe.
He set one off. What happened next was totally unexpected. As the revolver was reeling up and back in recoil, he fired a second round unintentionally, double action. That model 29 really went into "after burner" mode and flew back with that big ole target hammer whacking him squarely between his eyes! Blood squirted everywhere and ran like a water tap off the end of his nose. Proper first aid was rendered.
In the after math, Pop's couldn't recall pulling the trigger double action. I think he pulled as a reaction to the recoil of the first round being out of control. In other words I believe he tightened his grip in an attempt to keep the gun out of his face and in doing so tightened the trigger finger also.
Some years later I heard of a indoor range employee firing a customers 50 caliber Desert Eagle with one hand. Supposedly the gun recoiled and the shooter did the same thing as Pop's, pulling the trigger again. This time the outcome was tragic as the gun was back under his chin!
I really don't enjoy folk's being hurt, especially with firearms. The point is: Be careful and think about what you're doing when handling handguns with power on the level of a 44 mag and up!!!
GavinLee
Member
I shoot all handguns one handed. As I started shooting bullseye in the early 70's I have just continued to shoot one handed. I like the sight picture better and it just feels more natural. I am 70 and have no trouble with my 29 and my in laws FA 454 Casull. The hardest one for me is my son's Dessert Eagle .50AE. I think it is the shape of the grip.
Longhorn1986
Member
I probably should mention that my one box drills include my 60-9 using full .357 rounds. Anticipate and inure yourself to the recoil and it's no big deal.
I mix it up all the time. Single action, double action. Close range, medium, far. Standing, sitting, bench rest, no bench rest. Rapid fire , slow fire. Left hand, right hand. Light loads, heavy loads. Revolver, pistol. S&W, Colt. Dominant eye, non-dominant eye.
AR-15, AKM, FAL. Bolt action and pump. Scope and open sights. Standing, sitting, prone.
AR-15, AKM, FAL. Bolt action and pump. Scope and open sights. Standing, sitting, prone.
mrrick
Member
Here's a video of one handed shooting
Moment a woman rushes out of bed and opens fire on three armed burglars who broke into her home - shooting one dead
She's shooting one handed so she can hold her phone in the other.
Georgia woman rushes out of bed and opens fire on three armed burglars | Daily Mail Online
Moment a woman rushes out of bed and opens fire on three armed burglars who broke into her home - shooting one dead
She's shooting one handed so she can hold her phone in the other.
Georgia woman rushes out of bed and opens fire on three armed burglars | Daily Mail Online
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Lee's Landing Billy
Member
29s held lightly will double! The improvement stopped this but it was common to see it before. Under excessive movement from being held lightly it allowed the bolt to not lock and the movement of the gun would rotate the cylinder and the hammer would bounce and set off the next one by. I have seen this at least a half dozen times. Always with new 44 mag shooters.
fredj338
Member
I used to shoot CAS in Duelist div, one handed. I am shooting idpa now so only shoot one handed occasionally in a match or practice. Shooting one handed is a fine skill but all are better off putting both hands on the gun.
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Cruizer Bill
Member
I am a bullseye shooter and shoot a K22, K38 and Model 25 all with iron sights. I also have a Model 625-6 with Aimpoint Micro I enjoy shooting. All bullseye shooting is done with one hand. Slow fire is at 50 yards, timed and rapid at 25 yards. It is SO MUCH fun!!! Give it a try, it's great!
Kenelz
Member
If Colt wanted it to be used with two hands, he would have put two handles on it.
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