What Stance do you shoot from

[Texasdoc]

I was Asked today what Stance I use and this got me thinking what do I use. I was Trained to use the weaver but now I think I use a Modified version of it like Jeff Cooper does.



300shooter

[jimlongley]

I tried them all, and modified works the best for me.

[ShootingStar]

I don't mean to open a can of worms, I'm just trying to take my own advise. Which is as follows: "Be willing to change anything and everything if there is a better way".

Everyone in IPSC, that I know of, uses Isosceles. Why not list the benefts of both techniques? I can't honestly comment on Weaver as I have not used it since I first started shooting IPSC. I can, however, throw a few of my thoughts on Isosceles out there and see where it leads.

1). If your eye dominence changes it's easy to align the new dominent eye to the sights. Brian Enos mentioned this as he has recently had this problem. He said that it has taken very little adjustment to change eyes.

2). This one will be up for debate. It's more natural, at least for me, to extend both arms streight out. Maybe this is why I caught my self going into Isosceles when I used to use Weaver. At least when I wasn't thinking about it.

3). This one may be viewed as subjective, but my arms work like shock absorbers bleading off the recoil better. With Weaver, your arm is straight and the recoil goes back into your body shaking the beegeevers out of you.

Well, if that doesn't start an argument, nothing will. All kidding aside, I would like to see an honest discussion on this and other topics.

[flintknapper]

You left out modified Isosceles.

I shoot all of them depending upon the circumstance.

Primarily, I shoot some form of "Weaver", because I believe it to be more versatile.

I will check back here after work. I suspect this topic will generate much discussion. I will be happy to submit my own opinions, but don't have the time to do so now.

There are many Pro's and Con's, some are universally true, others depend upon the physical characteristics of the shooter, and the dynamics of the situation at hand.

I'll be back.

[longtooth]

Shootingstar, I doubt anyone here will be argumentative. You guys that shoot IPSC are not training for anyone shooting back at you or trying to stab you. I and I think most of the guys who registered as Mod. Weaver spend our time making sure that if we have to draw & fire our weapon that we can hug our wife as soon as it is over with out getting a lot of blood on her dress. I shoot targets out to 35 yds for pinpoint bulls eye accuracy on occasion. The vast, vast, vast, majority of my practice time is spent drawing my every day carry weapon from my every day holster wearing my every day street clothes, shooting, hunting cover, one hand, changing to weak hand, reloading from my every day leather mag carrier, w/ my every day mags...I like flintknapper have to get going. We all need to check back after work because what flintknapper will have to say will be worth learning & applying. Especially young or new shooters. I look to learn a lot this afternoon. (so teach me my friend )

[stevie_d_64]

When I have time to think about it, and I am practicing...

I do the Weaver, or a "Steve" modification thereof...

My signature says a lot...

[txinvestigator]

I chose modified, but what I actually use is what we simply call a combat stance.

It is similar to your long gun shooting and fighting stance.

I also practice shooting from both knees, one knee, prone, supine, on my side, and weak handed.

[stevie_d_64]

If I were to get technical about it, I would venture a thought out there that a Mod Weaver/Weaver stance affords you the ability to maintain a good balance and a chance to move more effectively from a position where you have discharged your weapon in a stress-fire situation...Without really thinking about it...

Firing "square on" a target or threat in my opinion does not afford you a "good" start to move laterally to a threat or target to present less of a target for them...

I'm of course, strictly speaking from a personal viewpoint...I would prefer not to give a threat any chance to think of getting one-up on me for any reason...I would prefer to make it as unfair a deal for them as possible...

Does this mean I do not subscribe to "Isosceles"??? No...There's balance there if you do not intend to move much (laterally)...

But sure, if you're quick enough anything can be done...

Just my opinion...

[ElGato]

I use both depending where or what I am shooting, I am most accurate from the modified Weaver.
Charles recently showed me a way to move that will help regardless of which stance.

65 and learn something every day!

Tomcat

[stevie_d_64]

I use both depending where or what I am shooting, I am most accurate from the modified Weaver.
Charles recently showed me a way to move that will help regardless of which stance.

65 and learn something every day!

Tomcat

I've seen Charles move...Its like watching Fred Astaire with a .45

Poetry...

[Charles L. Cotton]

I use both depending where or what I am shooting, I am most accurate from the modified Weaver.
Charles recently showed me a way to move that will help regardless of which stance.

65 and learn something every day!

Tomcat

I've seen Charles move...Its like watching Fred Astaire with a .45

Poetry...

Where was I to send the check?

Chas.

[DiverDn]

Where's the I don't know button? I've never had any formal training on stances so I don't know which one I use.

Perhaps someone could post a description of the three different stances so that I could match what I do to one of them.
DD

[txinvestigator]

Isosceles




Weaver


Modified weaver



combat stance... Best pic I could find. In it, the weak side foot is forward, and the legs are about shoulders width apart. Just as you would stand to fight.

[DiverDn]

Thanks,

After looking at these pictures I shoot more of the Isosceles or a variation of it.
DD

[ShootingStar]

Longtooth, I like your reply. I can tell you're a real smart feller. Obviously, survival is at the top of your list as it is mine.

While I am coming more from an IPSC perspective, I get the impression that you think shooters using an Isosceles stance are not as fast as someone using a Weaver. If this is the case, I would have to suggest that you watch some of the better IPSC shooters as they are very fast and prove that you can shoot pretty fast on the move with Isosceles stance. Just which stance is the fastest is something I’m hoping someone else can settle. Hopefully, there are shooters who shoot both IPSC and IDPA who can jump in. I must admit to some bias towards Isosceles as I have not seen anyone shoot fast in any other stance. Mostly because that’s what everyone uses in the kind of shooting I do.

I think creating common ground is a good way to substantiate what would actually work best in a given situation. In this case, it seems like knowing all three of the major stances could be valuable.

txinvestigator: Great pictures, they are worth a thousand words each and will help make this a better learning experience.