Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire 2014 East Texas Gathering

Leighton,

Wow, I guess that makes me 'real'. I can't imagine why or who would say that shooting a pistol with both hands is counter-productive. Counter-productive to what? Holding a pistol steady while attempting to connect with a target 200-1,000 yards away? I suppose it depends on the shooting discipline one is engaged in, but as Curdog4570 mentioned, that may be Bullseye shooting. Having never shot Bullseye, I can't tell you why they shoot as they do unless for rule compliance. Combat shooting may be another but when I shoot aerial targets, I use both hands and do so whenever I can.

I don't always shoot with just one hand, but when I do, I find that putting my off hand in my pocket is a convenient place for it. Having one hand dangling about while the other is trying to keep the pistol steady is counter-productive, to me anyway.

As far as shooting the L500 with one hand goes, I'm hanging onto my nuts with one hand while waiting for the nasty thing to go off in the other. Just kidding.

Shooting is physically demanding as many may know, but it wasn't until a few years back when I started getting out of shape that it became apparent to me. Having shot heavy handguns (revolvers in .405 Win, .458 Win Mag, 50-90 Sharps, et al.) and rifles up to .600 Overkill for two days, I became painfully aware of the fact that I was sore from the hair roots in the top of my head, to the foot prints on the soles of my feet.

Holding an object of several pounds weight parallel to the ground with one hand at arms length isn't natural or something done on a regular basis. The use of both hands facilitates not only holding the weight, but holding the weight steady. Exercising with 2-5lb dumbbells held as one would shoot a pistol, starting with holding the arm parallel and bringing the weight to the nose, then back, will go far in developing the strength needed to hold the pistol up and may also help steady the hand. We are more used to pulling objects closer to us than pushing them away. Using weights in this manner should help in controlling the pistol from coming back at a too rapid rate and leaving a mark.

As Gene also mentioned, shooting a heavy pistol with both hands doesn't necessarily help in controlling a heavy recoiling pistol. While some may bean their gourd with the front sight, I think that may have more to do with folks unfamiliar with heavy recoil believing they can control the pistol better with both hands. It's a mind set one has to develop, that when the hammer falls, all hell breaks loose and the only option is to hang on. Sort of like slipping up behind a wildcat and grabbing it by the neck. You might think you know what's coming, but don't get the full appreciation of what actually happens until you close your hand on the neck.

The pistols mentioned above are heavy alone, and when loaded with 5 rounds of 500 gr.+ bullets crowd in another half pound or so just in ammo. It's more about supporting the physical weight of the pistol than using both hands in an attempt to control the recoil as the photos below show. A firm grip and strong arm are most important in mitigating injury. You can't control recoil, but you can learn to roll with the flow.



This is a BFR in 50-90 Sharps with I believe a 10� barrel (built by the fellow in the lower left foreground, owned by the chap with his hand on my back). It's heavy, and while likely shootable with one hand, the weight dictates the use of both hands. I'm sure there are others who are able to shoot said pistol with one hand, and I probably could if I tried, but shooting a target at 200 yards with something this heavy makes it difficult at best to hold steady.



This is pretty much full recoil. Note where my belly and hat brim are in relation to the post in the background in the first photo relative to the second. Also note my left hand. It isn't doing much help in controlling recoil. That beast sets you back. I was told those loads were 515 gr. bullets launched at ~1,400fps. I overshot the target the first round as it shot flatter than I expected. Not so on the second go 'round. That bullet hits with authority at 200 yards.

While most of what I've written has to do with heavy recoil, the same principles apply to pistols with little recoil if for no other reason than the development of strength required to hold a pistol steady at arms length for extended periods of time. Using one hand or two is to me nothing more than a matter of preference, ability, what you're shooting, what you're shooting at, and where you are.

Different disciplines require different firearms, techniques, and skill sets. I like to shoot big guns at far off targets for the most part, but have competed in various games over the years, so this is directed more toward what I do than what others may do, but it works for me most of the time.

Shooting to me is akin to welding in some ways, at least for me. If one is out of position in either discipline, the results may not be what was expected or wanted. Get comfortable. Use one hand, both hands, or a rest if necessary. Use or do what works for you. If anyone notices when I shoot aerial targets, I spend time moving sticks, pebbles, or whatever from under my feet and getting into position prior to tossing targets into the air.

One item I haven't touched on is the pistol itself. It should be obvious and go without saying that you have to have a handgun that shoots well. I have found few handguns the past 30 years that don't shoot at least reasonably well given they are from a decent manufacturer and aren't asked to something they aren't meant to do (is that a contradiction in terms?). Does that mean they all shoot well? Not necessarily, but many are accurate as well as difficult to shoot well. I've seen an imported .25 ACP that would be classified as �junk�, with a groove for sights, a one or so inch barrel and a miserable trigger, hit liter soda bottles at 100 yards. I couldn't do it every shot, but hit close enough that I wouldn't want to be standing at the end of a football field while I was shooting at me. However, it is a most difficult pistol to shoot. A Beretta of the same caliber doesn't shoot so well, but I haven't taken much time with it either. I've heard that Taurus Trackers aren't the best guns out there, but I've seen one that will do what most others can't.

In my experience, a lot of autoloaders are difficult to shoot (unless of course they are custom or have otherwise been worked on) due to a number of items, including trigger pull, sights, and grips. Short barrels aren't any less accurate, just harder to shoot due again in part to sights (or lack of), short sight radius, and trigger pull.

Well, I could go on and on, but this is getting too long, so I guess I'd better quit for now.

Take everything I've said with a grain of salt and check it all out yourself. No doubt there are those that will disagree. I'm not wrong, nor are they, just different experiences, techniques, and points of view. I do what works for me and you should as well. Even if it means using both hands.

David