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Old April 11, 2013, 08:45 PM   #1
chrisintexas
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handguns that are easier to shoot with only 1 hand?

What handguns would be easier to shoot with only 1 hand. Thanks.
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Old April 11, 2013, 08:57 PM   #2
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Easier in what respect? Easier to make a quick follow-up shot? Easier to shoot a tight group?
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Old April 11, 2013, 08:58 PM   #3
chrisintexas
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both..thanks..
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Old April 11, 2013, 09:21 PM   #4
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Ruger Vaquero or Blackhawk with the shorter (4 5/8"~5 1/2") barrel, similar Single Actions with good actions.

S&W Model 586 with 4" barrel and combat stocks.

Colt Python and/or Officers Model Match, for stand-up bullseye target shooting.

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Old April 11, 2013, 09:31 PM   #5
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.25ACP and .32ACP subcompact single-actions such as a Beretta 950 Jetfire, and .22LR, .32 S&W, or .32 S&W Long small-frame revolvers such as a S&W .32 Hand Ejector. The grips of these guns are so small that it's hard to put my support hand anywhere, but they have so little recoil that I find it to be superfluous.
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Old April 11, 2013, 09:32 PM   #6
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Agree with Mr. Wright, given the terms - a single action revolver, followed by the Python. Can't speak to the other revolvers, but trust Mr. Wright!

Personal choice for an auto-loader would be, and is, a 1911 with a nice crisp trigger.
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Old April 11, 2013, 11:44 PM   #7
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I don't know if you were looking for specific caliber, but the easiest for me to shoot and make quick follow ups is my Ruger Mk III.
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Old April 12, 2013, 01:30 AM   #8
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Kind of subjective. The same things that make it easier to shoot with two hands apply for one hand.

The heavier the better, up till it is no longer comfortable to hold.
The lighter cartridge the better, as long as it's powerful enough for the task.

Depending on barrel length I'm comfortable with a gun that weighs about 45oz. There aren't many normal cartridges that will require two hands with a gun that heavy.

A 6" S&W M-617 hardly moves with standard .22lr rounds.
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Old April 12, 2013, 04:09 AM   #9
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That's easy Chris, one pistol that comes to mind is one that I shoot in 50M Free Pistol matches.

It is the Morini 84E; because of the hand enveloping grip; (See it here):

http://www.morini.ch/product_det.php?id=7

It's really hard to hold with two hands. I guess that goes for all pistols with

an anatomical or wrap around grip. These grips are designed for single-handed

offhand match shooting. Most modern 50M (Free) pistols have the

wrap around grip; such pistols are made by Hammerli, Morini and Pardini.

Tony
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Old April 12, 2013, 07:49 AM   #10
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Any of them if you practice shooting with one hand.
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Old April 12, 2013, 08:51 AM   #11
Jim Watson
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Agree with Paw, although a single shot free pistol is kind of extreme.

Look at what the NRA and ISU bullseye shooters use, they HAVE to shoot accurately with one hand.
In the USA, Ruger Mk II, S&W M41, High Standard .22s; S&W M52, Clark Conversion, S&W M14, Colt Officer's Model Match .38s, Gold Cup and various custom accurized .45s.
In Europe, Walther, Haemmerli, Pardini, etc. Mostly in .22, some in .32. A very few 9mms like Sig P210 and X-Five, Pardini.
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Old April 12, 2013, 09:21 AM   #12
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It's more about technique than the gun.
The stance, the grip, the trigger pull make far more difference than the gun itself.
Watch the videos from the major matches, to see how effectively the competitors shoot one handed - even when switching from strong to weak hand.
Pardon the broken record, but:
The gun is the least of it.
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Old April 12, 2013, 11:45 AM   #13
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I would think that the ideal handgun for your specifications would be a .22 LR or .32 caliber revolver with a six inch barrel.
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Old April 12, 2013, 12:51 PM   #14
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For accuracy and quick follow up, negligible recoil and good gun balance favor lower calibers like the .32s with 4"-6" barrels. .22s might be even better.
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Old April 12, 2013, 02:20 PM   #15
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I'd think the only handgun that would be easier to shoot with one hand, would be one with a grip/frame designed to accommodate only one hand, like free pistols. Tiny pocket pistols are also one-handed. Anything with enough room for two hands will be easier to shoot with two.
Practice exclusively with one hand, and you'll probably eventually shoot everything better with that one.
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Old April 12, 2013, 02:41 PM   #16
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Comfortable grips, a grip frame that fits the shooter's hand, loads that are in keeping with the shooter's ability. As example, S&W factory grips, either service or target do not fit me at all, even firing 38 WCS out of a N-frame with S&W factory grips is uncomfortable for me. Put a set of Herret's or Pachmayrs on and I can shoot all day. My S&W M-659 is too much for people who wear less than a Size L glove.
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Old April 12, 2013, 03:19 PM   #17
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Most single action revolvers are pretty easy to shoot one handed. The 1851 and 1860 Colts are perfect for one handed shooting.
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Old April 13, 2013, 04:50 AM   #18
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Just wondering what your purpose for single handed shooting would be? Some sort of shooting sport? Just training for defense? Some kind of physical issue where you can only shoot one handed?

I practice shooting one handed with my strong hand for defensive purposes...in a semi id think a single stack or .22 would be easiest.
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Old April 13, 2013, 09:09 AM   #19
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Davidsoc said:
Quote:
Just wondering what your purpose for single handed shooting would be? Some sort of shooting sport? Just training for defense? Some kind of physical issue where you can only shoot one handed?
I've had numerous occassions in which I shot one handed. One time I had a shotgun in my other hand and was too close to a squirrel for a shotgun blast.

Another time I had a string of fish and was standing in the midst of a herd of cottonmouths. My last shot, of three, was between my feet.

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Old April 16, 2013, 05:02 AM   #20
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One

Quote:
I'd think the only handgun that would be easier to shoot with one hand, would be one with a grip/frame designed to accommodate only one hand, like free pistols. Tiny pocket pistols are also one-handed. Anything with enough room for two hands will be easier to shoot with two.
Practice exclusively with one hand, and you'll probably eventually shoot everything better with that one.
There is a lot of truth in that last line. After years of Bullseye shooting, I find that I shoot more accurately wuth one hand than two.
Which way is easier is more a function of quality of practice than type of firearm.
That being said...the aforementioned "free pistols" are engineered so that they become as much a part of the hand as possible. The guns are designed so that the bore lines up with the bones of the forearm and aiming the gun is literally like pointing the finger. And a two ounce trigger helps a bit (once you get used to it).
An old Pardini:

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Old April 16, 2013, 09:17 AM   #21
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"What handguns would be easier to shoot with only 1 hand." [chrisinTexas]

Ahoy Chris,

I have large hands, the following handguns work for me, like pointing a sixth finger:

Colt Automatic 25ACP
Walther PPK 32ACP
Sig P238 .380ACP
Russian Makarov PM 9mm Mak
Sig P239 slightly easier with 10 round mag extension 9mm para
Walther PPS, 9mm para
S&W J-frame 2" snubby, any model 38spl
Sig P229 40S&W
Charter Arms Tiger 44spl
S&W Night Guard 44spl
S&W 29 with 3" barrel 44Magnum
S&W 22-4 45ACP
S&W Night Guard 45ACP
Springfield Armory 1911A1 Micro 3" barrel 45ACP
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Old April 17, 2013, 11:31 AM   #22
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Guns with grips made to fit the hand.



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Old April 17, 2013, 12:18 PM   #23
temmi
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The 1911

That is how I learned to shoot one

and

It still works

Snake
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Old April 17, 2013, 01:09 PM   #24
RickB
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But is it EASIER to shoot with one hand? I have a Colt .25, and I can't really figure out how to hold it with two hands, so it is easier to shoot with one, but a 1911, with plenty of room for both hands, is generally going to be easier to shoot with two. We should also define "shoot"; is that one shot, no time pressure, only ultimate accuracy counts? Or, is that five seconds to make five hits?
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Old April 17, 2013, 03:32 PM   #25
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I would say the Sig 232. Fits my hand perfectly and is a natural pointer.
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