How often do you shoot weakside and how much does it effect your accuracy? - Page 2

markj · March 18, 2008, 01:15 PM

Wasnt Wild Bill a guy could hit 2 targets at the same time using both hands?
Training gets it......

nemoaz · March 22, 2008, 04:01 AM

It's hard to over-emphasize the need to practice weak-handed (or one-handed) shooting. Don't forget tactics to reload, clear jams, and unholster one-handed. During my various simunition training sessions, it was reinforced quite well that, if you are hit during a gunfight, you will often take hits in the hands and forearms.

Dilligaf · March 22, 2008, 07:23 AM

I guess I am one of the lucky few who can shoot equally as well with both hands. Sure, it takes some practice for me to stay as sharp with my off hand as I am with my strong hand, but I spend a full 1/2 of each session shooting lefty to make sure there are no issues.

As a lad I was truly ambidextrous but went through a plate glass window and sliced through all the tendons on the inside of my left wrist. Took months of exercises and therapy before my left hand was really working well again, and I haven't been able to write or do really fine motor skills as well with that hand since. These days I write right handed, am left eye dominant and can kick as well with either foot.

pax · March 22, 2008, 10:09 AM

A couple years ago, one friend of mine had surgery on her wrist and another friend was in a rollover ATV accident and shattered his wrist. Both of these folks carry regularly.

The ATV guy had practiced regularly with one handed shooting. He also regularly practiced "as if" he was a lefty, using two hands. So once the initial fog from the injury and drugs cleared up, we went up to the range. He quickly ran through the basic manipulations, smiled, and was good to go on carrying as always.

The wrist surgery gal wasn't prepared. She'd never done one-handed manipulations before, although she had at least shot one-handed a few times. She'd also never practiced "as if" she was a lefty. She spent several very long and tiring sessions on the range trying to get up to speed with one-handed work. It was frustrating and very difficult for her. Eventually she was good to go, but it was a really steep learning curve. Later, as she healed up, there came a day when her injured wrist was healed enough that she could have been shooting two-handed as a lefty -- but she'd never really practiced as a lefty, and knew none of the basic manipulations from mirror image. So she had even more work to do and more to learn.

It's just a LOT easier to learn these things in advance of needing them, when you are not rushed for time or hazy from pain.

pax

shep854 · April 3, 2008, 09:50 PM

I try to give equal practice to left, right, and both hands. I am not quite as accurate with my left, but it will get the job done.

March 22, 2008, 10:09 AM	#29
pax Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2000 Location: In a state of flux Posts: 7,520	A couple years ago, one friend of mine had surgery on her wrist and another friend was in a rollover ATV accident and shattered his wrist. Both of these folks carry regularly. The ATV guy had practiced regularly with one handed shooting. He also regularly practiced "as if" he was a lefty, using two hands. So once the initial fog from the injury and drugs cleared up, we went up to the range. He quickly ran through the basic manipulations, smiled, and was good to go on carrying as always. The wrist surgery gal wasn't prepared. She'd never done one-handed manipulations before, although she had at least shot one-handed a few times. She'd also never practiced "as if" she was a lefty. She spent several very long and tiring sessions on the range trying to get up to speed with one-handed work. It was frustrating and very difficult for her. Eventually she was good to go, but it was a really steep learning curve. Later, as she healed up, there came a day when her injured wrist was healed enough that she could have been shooting two-handed as a lefty -- but she'd never really practiced as a lefty, and knew none of the basic manipulations from mirror image. So she had even more work to do and more to learn. It's just a LOT easier to learn these things in advance of needing them, when you are not rushed for time or hazy from pain. pax __________________ Kathy Jackson My personal website: Cornered Cat

April 3, 2008, 09:50 PM	#30
shep854 Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: Birmingham AL Posts: 632	I try to give equal practice to left, right, and both hands. I am not quite as accurate with my left, but it will get the job done. __________________ Powder smoke- The Smell of FREEDOM! I don't shoot to kill; I shoot to live. Registration? NEVER!!

March 18, 2008, 01:15 PM	#26
markj Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2005 Location: Crescent Iowa Posts: 2,971	Wasnt Wild Bill a guy could hit 2 targets at the same time using both hands? Training gets it......

March 22, 2008, 04:01 AM	#27
nemoaz Junior member Join Date: May 4, 2007 Location: Meechigan Posts: 492	It's hard to over-emphasize the need to practice weak-handed (or one-handed) shooting. Don't forget tactics to reload, clear jams, and unholster one-handed. During my various simunition training sessions, it was reinforced quite well that, if you are hit during a gunfight, you will often take hits in the hands and forearms.

March 22, 2008, 07:23 AM	#28
Dilligaf Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2005 Posts: 157	I guess I am one of the lucky few who can shoot equally as well with both hands. Sure, it takes some practice for me to stay as sharp with my off hand as I am with my strong hand, but I spend a full 1/2 of each session shooting lefty to make sure there are no issues. As a lad I was truly ambidextrous but went through a plate glass window and sliced through all the tendons on the inside of my left wrist. Took months of exercises and therapy before my left hand was really working well again, and I haven't been able to write or do really fine motor skills as well with that hand since. These days I write right handed, am left eye dominant and can kick as well with either foot.