What works best for you, Isosceles or Weaver?

[P&R Fan]

About 25 years ago I took Police Science and in the handguns course, shooting 4" M10s, they taught me a stance I'd never heard of in a lifetime of shooting, the Weaver. I immediately took to it and have used it exclusively ever since. I've tried Isosceles, but for me it's unnatural.
Today a friend and I went to the range with a bunch of handguns and he brought his 15 year old son. He tried out my Glock 23 (after shooting some revolvers) and his shots were vertically strung to the right. I asked him if he was gripping it firmly and he said yes. He was using a form of the Isosceles stance. I showed him the Weaver and asked him to try it. What a difference! All shots in the 9 and 10 ring, right in the center. When he looked he had a huge grin, it was like the light went on, that was all he needed, a slight adjustment, and he shot great.
Anybody else ever have an experience like that? A poor shooter shoots great with just a small adjustment in hold and stance.
Jim

 

[C/O]

I use isosceles for point shooting and weaver for sight shooting. Isosceles is more for reactive shooting where the idea is to go for center mass.

 

[Badkarma 1]

Isosceles for me as well. I found it allows me to engage targets to the left and right faster than Weaver does. Dale

 

[ContinentalOp]

Most of my training has been with Weaver in one form or another. I've also used Isoceles. I found it depends on the gun I'm shooting. With my Glock 23 I tend to do my best using the Isoceles stance. With my revolvers, which I do most of my shooting with, I tend to do my best using the Weaver stance. For some reason the Glock/Weaver combo just doesn't work for me, even though Weaver worked well for me with other semi-autos I've shot.

I should also mention that I'm right-handed/left-eye dominant, so my Weaver stance may look a little odd (I think). My right arm is straight, my left elbow is bent down with an unlocked shoulder, and I bend slightly forward at the waist while bladed off with my head turned (not tilted) to the right. However, I have rapid-fired 4 rounds into one tiny ragged hole at 10 feet using this stance, so I think it works well for me.

 

[NFrameFred]

Weaver for slow and deliberate, isosceles for reactive and speed shooting. When I first started I was taught to use Weaver and thought it would be hard to switch back and forth, but after a few thousand rounds it became natural.

I still see a lot of folks who must have watched too many old movies using "cup and saucer", a totally useless technique if there ever was one.

 

[WC145]

I use a Weaver style stance - it's comfortable, I shoot fast and accurately from it, and it's basically the same postion that I shoot long guns from and fight from.

 

[7shooter]

I shoot revolvers better with the Weaver and gravitate toward a modified isosceles when shooting full size autos. Most of the time i don't really think about what stance I'm using.

 

[8th SPS USAF]

Weaver

I like Weaver. Works for me.

 

[cmort666]

99% of my handgun shooting is one handed bullseye.

On those rare occasions when I shoot two handed, I use modified Chapman.

 

[deralte]

Then the old man comes along, although I have used the Weaver and other stances, I still primarily use a one handed stance for all shooting. If you ever have to engage some BG with your gun you will probably also use the one handed stance. No time for long decisions.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Problem with the Isosclese stance is that it exposes your testeclese to enemy fire. We've been over this before

 

[sigp220.45]

I learned on the Weaver stance, and never saw a reason to switch. I qualified Friday and was the only one still shooting that way.

Also, apparently you're supposed to swing your gun left and right before holstering.

 

[jlrhiner]

I use an isoletic weaver when I'm outdrawing guys who already have their guns on me.

 

[jrd1976]

Weaver stance works best for me.

........ "cup and saucer", a totally useless technique if there ever was one.

What is a cup and saucer technique or stance?

I still use this hold for J frames and 380's. This is the most comfortable hold for me on a small gun.

I'm open to suggestions.

 

[AZretired]

I learned on the Weaver stance, and never saw a reason to switch. I qualified Friday and was the only one still shooting that way.

Also, apparently you're supposed to swing your gun left and right before holstering.

I shoot Weaver also, never could get comfortable with the isoceles.

BTW swinging left and right is now taught basically to break the tunnel vision you supposedlyget during a shooting incident and you should be looking for other targets.

 

[Nightowl]

Weaver. Have been doing it too long to change. Both have advantages in different circumstances, i think, and I notice that virtually all the worlds best shooters use the isoceles in their matches. The Weaver just feels more stable to me.

 

[sjmjax]

I didn't know there was a name for it. I learned and shoot what was to me a practical and common sense stance and hold.

Had to "google" the various stances mentioned to put a name to it..

Turns out I'm a "Chapman".

 

[Navy96]

I learned to shoot in the Navy, and was taught both weaver and isosceles. weaver for the range and isosceles for tactical. i was told that isosceles is taught to square your body up to the treat, because that is where your body armor is. the weaver exposes your vitals.

 

[rte148]

I eventually settled into the modified Weaver (Chapman), as it helps correct my cross-dominance naturally.

Though recently, for shiggles, I'll run a couple of mags worth with a center axis relock. I'm in the woods with no one to see and point or get kicked out or the range. (btw: this is with a Sigma, and I've never had a FTE).

 

[Maximumbob54]

I was also trained in the Navy. We were shown how to turn sideways to minimize our profile, shoot from the prone position with the cheek on the bicep muscle like shooting a rifle, and something of a modified weaver for shooting behind cover while standing. Then we also did the kneeling and sitting positions. Since most of our handgun training revolves around sentry posts we were supposed to keep an open mind on how to defend ourselves and our post. Most of it focused on shooting from cover or concealment for obvious reasons, but we were taught what we could pull from memory. But I always shoot best when using the basic weaver stance and when I instruct a new shooter that is what I show them. It also helps the best with any kind of recoil and movement so I don’t see why you would want much else unless you are only competition shooting. But like anything else in life, YMMV.