Gonna be left handed for a while.

[Lt. G]

I recently tore my right bicep/bicep tendon. My sawbones said that I will not be able to use my right arm for anything, (no lifting, riding motorcycles, and of no shooting, for about three months.

My trouble is that I am right handed and I don't do enough weak handed drills . I have a CWP and carry daily. I have taken a variety of handguns down to range to practice. Those without ambi safety were quickly eleminated.

My problem is that only HALF of my shots hit the target. I stand sideways, (left foot forward) left arm straight, elbow and wrist locked. I am due to get cut within 1 to 2 weeks, any suggestions on how to get more rounds on target would be much appreciated. I know, I know practice, practice, practice,( that's how I got to Carnagie Hall, < grin>).
Thanx, Lt. G

 

[Gameface]

Sorry about the injury.

Obviously you’re not going to be nearly as good with your off hand, especially if you don’t practice much. I’d move the target a lot closer and lower my expectations. Overall this will probably make you a better than average off hand shooter, so there’s a little bright side.

Gameface

 

[shep854]

Back to the basics; take your time, grip, sight picture, press trigger. Repeat A LOT.
It will come to you.

When you recover, it will do you in good stead. Of course, then you will have to get up to speed with your NEW weak hand.

 

[JohnKSa]

First of all, if I were you I would limit my carry to revolvers until you have two hands again.

Second, your shooting problems probably relate more to shooting one-handed than left-handed.

Do a lot of dry firing.

 

[pauli]

can you shoot across yoru body and lean your left arm on your right, or is it really really not supposed to be used?

 

[treeprof]

I dealt w/the same thing after some shoulder surgery a fews yrs ago, but transitioning wasn't as bad; I'm left handed for abt 75% of fine motor control stuff and ambi for pretty much all else so lefty came easily. It became obvious real quicly, tho just how unwieldy some guns were shootihg weak hand only.

One thing, if you're rt eye dominant, canting the gun to the rt slightly (not gangsta style, but abt 15-25 degrees) facilitates good sight alignment. Also, canting the gun lets you avoid the sideways target stance and use one w/the left foot forward but only slightly bladed - sorta the mirror image of how you shoot rt hand.

Empty hand exercises where you squeeze your last 3 fingers hard against your palm or thumb pad and work only the trigger/index finger will start helping you to isolate movement to that digit only. Extend you arm doing it if you can. Doing this exercise while gripping the steering wheel w/the last 3 fingers is something you can do while driving.

Practice eating, etc, w/your left hand to facilitate improved dexterity.

Good luck.

 

[Lt. G]

First of, thanks for all the replies, I'll will use them.

Pauli, The Doc states no pressure on the surgery arm at all for at least 1 month , then it's off to physical rehab for the rest of the time,
Thanx, Lt. G

 

[Chugach]

also, start small caliber (.22 LR) and work up. Gives you one less variable to work on...

 

[Lt. G]

Treeprof, I've already started the everyday exercises with the left hand. Bad news..... I'm really sorry with my left hand doing just basic things.
Good new..... I'm losing weight, (can't keep the food on the impliments of destruction, (fork, spoon). the joy of slip on shoes,(can't tie my shoes). and giving the guys at the department a laugh when I put my department shorts on backward!! I can't wait to start training with 4 bladed razor!!!
(shredded meat !!!). Gotta get an electric.
Lt. G

 

[Kaz_67]

Sorry to hear it, I went through the same thing for 8 weeks a few years ago. I carried J frame .38 most of the time. Sometimes I would carry my wife's G26 when she'd give it up. Like the others have said, practice a bunch and keep it close up for a while. It was easier than learning to brush my teeth or zip my fly left handed. One more tip for ya, don't go out for a steak dinner or you'll have to sit there like a kid while your wife cuts it up for you.

 

[HSMITH]

It boils down to practice. Train your left side as you would train a newby.

I am right handed and right eye dominant and know what you mean about not being able to eat left handed, but I shoot just as well left handed and can use my left eye with relative ease. Actually I am just a bit more accurate left handed but a hair slower in rapid fire drills and such. It took concerted effort to develop the skill to shoot left handed but I think it is a valuable skill.

Start slow and close, and work at it. It will come easier than you think.

 

[Lt. G]

Thank you everybody for all the ideas and useful info, (I forgot about the whole dominant eye thing!!!) I do prefer an auto but I'll drag some of my smaller wheel guns down to the range for an afternoon of fun and frolic, (gonna miss my Hipowers <sigh>). I just gotta do it.

Kaz_67, Since my last bride and I have parted ways, guess I'm stuck with "ye olde" heartattack sandwich, aka a hamburger which is alot better than a tofu burger!!! (just kiddin' all vegans, but let me put on my bunker gear before you Flame me). Gotta go double ace wrap the arm, then it's off to fight fires and save babies. My crew has all sorts of great nicknames for me, but I can't mention even half of them. After all this is," The High Road".
Thanx, Lt. G

 

[treeprof]

I remember when I could tie my own shoes again - I was quite proud!

 

[Third_Rail]

Ouch. Not fun.

Over my lifetime, I've broken both wrists, both arms, sprained both ankles, dislocated both shoulders, and have had stiches really close to my right eye.

And I'm not yet 18.

I've tried firing pistols left handed, and it's HARD to even hold it up so I can sight, but it seemed easiest to me to have my hand resting on something, and be sitting or crouching, depending on your circumstances.

Either way, I can now sight a pistol and be in minute of pie plate with either hand.