Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Off (literally, OFF) -hand shooting.......

Now that the FLIP ain't gonna be prez, I figgered it was time to go to the local indoor range for some handgun practice.. But, after some discussion here a couple months ago I thought I better get a lot more used to shooting with the off hand..

So, last Friday I headed to Bill's Gun Range in Hudson early in the day, they put me on a line with only one other shooter in that section and I unpacked a few goodies. Put up a new target, ran it out to the 7 yard line and loaded up a couple magazines of .22lr for the Ruger SR22.. Quite honestly I was surprised that I actually did rather well - using my right hand only w/o any two-handed grip.. All shells hit the target, although most were right-of-center by about 3 inches and spread a bit..

I gotta do more of that - and with everything from the 22 up to the .45ACP so as to get comfy with the fact that I can then use either hand with some degree of accuracy..

I highly recommend the practice - as I know most do so who use handguns in situations where things can go south in a hurry..

Nevermind "situations...". I was glad that I practiced shooting with my weak hand long before injuring my strong hand in the shop. Wish I had done more. Now,and for the foreseeable future, all my shooting is "off hand".

Along with that range practice, you might consider having both lefty and righty holsters on hand. I was glad I did.

Good point.. RH holsters are a dime a dozen.. But us lefties gotta order 'em special..

You hear it, you'll forget. You read it, you'll remember. You experience it, you'll understand.

I realize everyone doesn't have a range facility to shoot in and around vehicles, cover, etc. Practice movement, weapon transition, etc. But for whatever facility you have, and within whatever rules that apply. Managing your gear effectively when you simulate losing use of a strong side arm, to include accessing your TQ and self aid, is something that should be worked into your training.

Just like all the hunters who imagine the use of their gear from the comfort of a couch in the den, suddenly what worked so well from the comfort at home, falls all apart and is a disaster when actually hunting afield. I see this all the time, someone who does not train for when things go bad. Put them under stress, give them a simulated hit losing use of a hand, and then watch the wheels fall off their machine as they cannot function. Add to this ball and dummy drills, and watch most valuable time slip away as the person is completely lost.

Train for this, and it becomes second nature. You will quickly learn what does and what does not work to stay effective.

I butchered that, I hear..I see..I do thing. But it made my point.

That's not entirely true, come to think of it. Last time out, I was actually able to shoot with the injured hand (for the first time since March) - but getting the gun in hand and getting the grip adjusted is still a problem that will be with me a long time. So, my "strong hand injured" practice is now going to include shooting with the already injured hand. For now, I carry on the weak side because I can access the gun and fire the first accurate shot much quicker from there. But it's no longer impossible for me to practice shooting with either hand.

I'll confess that I don't practice support side shooting as much as I should.

In related news, my cousin recently FUBAR'd his right shoulder to the point he sold all of his right handed holsters, bought lefties, and is now training his new dominant side.

The local range ran a GSSF indoor match (3 sessions over 3 months) this summer where it was all single hand shooting. 3 and 5 yards non-dominant hand only, then 7, 10, and 15 yards strong hand only. Turns out that's a lot easier with a .22 than with a Glock, but it was a fun challenge and good practice. I did manage to shoot two 500 straight scores, mainly because I recognized how much I needed to practice and did a lot of dry fire to improve my shooting.

FLIP?

this thread needs that youtube video of the guy crawling all over and under his tacoma and shooting. too lazy to find it.

Great idea!

Felonious Liar In Pantsuits.

That's a lot classier than what I've been calling him.

Her.

I did not learn to shoot a handgun until I practiced Bullseye with a 22. Only way to learn IHMO.

DING!

I was implying that Hillary stands to piss. The current clown probably sits down.