Weak hand shooting

[The Marshal]

Reading the thread on stance, which I found informative thank you, made me think of weak hand shooting.
What is the 'proper' way to practice this? Do you use the weak eye as well? Ha!
One handed?

~Bill

[propellerhead]

I try to shoot at least 10 rounds from my weak (left) hand each trip to the range. I still use my strong eye (right).

[longtooth]

Good practice prop. My practice is right hand = right eye. Left hand = left eye. That is for everyone. Takes a long time but continual practice will make for 2 strong sides. Getting closer but not there yet.

[txinvestigator]

Good practice prop. My practice is right hand = right eye. Left hand = left eye. That is for everyone. Takes a long time but continual practice will make for 2 strong sides. Getting closer but not there yet.

That is true.

But I use the dominant eye.

I also have a series of pics for drawing the weapon with the weak hand. When IN have more time I'll post them.

[longtooth]

I confess that I may not be "average" here as I am in most other cases. From a child I was taught to use both hands rather than favor one. Using tools or writing or anything in between. Eyesite has been exceptional & my right eye does not really DOMINATE like most other folks experience & especially those who struggle with the strong hand & weak eye dominance problem. What works keep practicing.

I want to see the weak hand draw.

[MoJo]

Right now I'm "weak hand only." I am recovering from carpal tunnel surgery and was told not to shoot anything larger than a .22 strong handed for six weeks. I shoot pretty well weak handed and have a couple of left hand holsters for a couple of my carry guns.

I shoot left (weak) hand right (dominant) eye as that was the way I was taught as a kid.

[longtooth]

This could be a very good training time. I don't want the surgery but what you are doing is times upon times better than staying home whinning because I can't go shoot. This could be the "most improved" area of your PD training in many yrs. Get well soon & use the time as wisely as you are.

[therooster]

i dont have a weak hand...

when i shoot support hand only (that would be my left hand), i use my left eye. its not right or wrong, its just what works for me. you can use whatever eye works best for you. try both techniques... and when i say try, i mean try it for a few thousand rounds.

while we are on the topic of offhand shooting; i have learned a simple method to help my accuracy greatly. for a long time i followed what most people did - and what some people advise - when shooting offhand, and that is to cant the gun inward just a bit. some people say they feel comfortable doing it this way, however i was never very accurate shooting this way. i found that if i held the gun strait up and down (like its supposed to be) i was 100% more accurate, but it was not comfortable. i'll take accuracy over comfort anyday.

[jbirds1210]

Does this inward cant prevent some people's weapons from twisting in their hand?

When I shoot with my weak, or left hand.......the follow up shot is always SLOW because my gun tends to twist badly to the right in my hand.

[therooster]

twisting? i dont know what you mean. how can it twist?

recoil is like electricity, it always wants to take the path of least resistance.

[longtooth]

for a long time i followed what most people did - and what some people advise - when shooting offhand, and that is to cant the gun inward just a bit. some people say they feel comfortable doing it this way, however i was never very accurate shooting this way. i found that if i held the gun strait up and down (like its supposed to be) i was 100% more accurate, but it was not comfortable. i'll take accuracy over comfort anyday.

I never heard it said that off hand should be canted inward. Glad I have not read much. +100 on the accuracy over comfort.

[HOSSISFREE]

When I go to the range, I primarily shoot my Primary carry weapon with my strong (right) hand, but do fire some with my weak (left). With my right, I shoot rather well. With my left (right/dominant eye), I am happy to get all rounds within a 10" center mass at 3-7 yards. That tells me that if during a gunfight my right hand is injured, I can carry on with my left. I am not going to lay my weapon down because of one bad hand.

While at the range, I primarily shoot my BUG with my left hand and right (strong) eye. I have done so enough that I shoot my BUG as well with my left as with my right. It took a good while to get that way, but I believe it's necessary.

Hoss

[jbirds1210]

Perhaps twisting is not the best way to explain it. Your example about electricity makes a great deal of sense to me.

My gun tends to lean far to the right after a shot from my weak hand. I do not have this problem with my strong hand. Perhaps I need to get some hand workout tools I am going to look like one of those guys from the 80's with the little spring tool for hand strength!

Thanks for the pointers...I have been shooting my entire life at a target 7-25 yards away from me, just standing there shooting. With the exception of some limited training, this is really all I know....This Saturday will be my first IDPA shoot and I am both excited and nervous about it. I know that this will open alot of doors for me and let me know what I need to practice.

It will also expose me to the right people to teach me these lessons! I hope they can put up with all of the questions out at PSC! Take care.
Jason

[longtooth]

I have never been there but I will say they will take all the time to teach & show you that it takes for you to learn.

[therooster]

This Saturday will be my first IDPA shoot and I am both excited and nervous about it.

best advice i can give you.... take your time, make your hits.