I'm losing my dominant hand...

[tacmedicp94]

...for about 4 months. Long story short, I tore a ligament in my right (dominant) wrist and will have surgery on June 8th. 3 months in a cast and probably 1 month PT to regain my strength. So I have to learn to use my left hand for everything. I plan to continue carrying so I've started training to use my left hand to shoot. I've practiced off hand shooting before, but this takes it to another level. I have ordered a left handed holster and am waiting on it to arrive so I can start practicing the draw. I plan on using my Ruger LCR because it's the only pistol I own that has a CTG laser, so at least I won't have to worry about using my dominant eye to aim and shoot with my non-dominant hand. I see lots of dry firing and range trips in the next three weeks. I've also ordered a speed loader so I won't have to try and use my Bianchi strips one handed. I think I've about got it covered, but was wondering if anyone has any other ideas/drills to suggest.

I'm only going to need the holster for 3-4 months, so if there are any lefties that read this and would like a lightly used DeSantis Inside heat holster for a Ruger LCR let me know and I'll send it to you when I'm done using it. I've also talked to the surgeon and he is perfectly OK with molding my cast/fingers to one one of my rocks glasses so at least I can still hold my whiskey with my right hand.

Adam

 

[MaterDei]

Get well soon! When I was in college I lost the use of my dominant hand for almost 9 months. Learned to write pretty well left handed.

 

[axxxel]

I predict that you will be surprised by how well you'll do with your "weak" hand after practice. Good luck!

 

[Malamute]

Had shoulder surgery and was slow recovering. I used one of the factory cheapo glock holsters, it was great, as they are ambidextrous. I wasn't concerned about which eye I used, more concerned about having to reload, so the 15 shooter got the nod over a revolver. Had the holster rigged on the sling strap for a while. I don't live in town, so it wasnt a social issue.

Changing mags in a self loader one handed is much easier than using a speed loader. Eject empty mag, drop slide closed, holster gun, insert new mag, draw, rack slide with rear sight on belt.

The weird little plastic magazine loaders glock gives with the guns are workable mostly one handed also.

I wouldn't get rid of the holster just yet, its a good idea to have a spare offhand holster around in event of a sprain or any other injury that may befall you and limit right hand use.

 

[old lady new shooter]

Re using your right eye to shoot with your left hand, maybe my experience will help you: The first time I tried shooting left-handed I also thought it would feel more natural to use my left eye. That shot landed at the top of the outermost edge of the bullseye. (I don't mean the outermost edge of the middle, I mean the outermost edge of the whole thing.) So for the rest of the shots I used the right eye and managed approximately the same accuracy as one-handed with the right hand. Further practice over time helped it stop feeling "unnatural".

 

[old lady new shooter]

I wouldn't get rid of the holster just yet, its a good idea to have a spare offhand holster around in event of a sprain or any other injury that may befall you and limit right hand use.

First of all, I hope you are better by now!

Secondly, I actually decided that I want to get a left-handed holster and learn to draw from it... I think I could probably draw fast enough to make a second gun on the left side a faster way to increase capacity than trying to reload.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I think the last time I had to switch to my "weak" left hand, it had fewer bad shooting habits than my "strong hand"--pulling the gun off target as I pulled the trigger, "heeling" in anticipation of recoil. I may test that next range session.

Wish you a speedy recovery.

(ADDED: if I am carrying a long gun in the field and carry a handgun, it is convenient to carry the handgun on the "off" side; I have a left hand holster for that purpose.)

 

[tacmedicp94]

Thanks for the replies everybody. My thinking is that since I only have about 3 weeks to train for this, it would be easier to just be able to put a red dot on the target and concentrate on a long smooth trigger pull. I can continue to train once I have the cast of course, but I would like to be as prepared as possible from the onset. I am about as far from ambidextrous as you can get and have no fine motor skills what so ever with my left hand. When I go to the range I'll take along some of my smaller semi auto's and see how well I do aiming and shooting those with my left hand.

Changing mags in a self loader one handed is much easier than using a speed loader. Eject empty mag, drop slide closed, holster gun, insert new mag, draw, rack slide with rear sight on belt.

I hadn't really thought of this. I'll have to try them both and see which one works better for me. I also need to make sure that my left hand is able to manipulate the mag release etc without trouble. Either way its going to take some getting used to.

Thanks Again,
Adam

 

[Bo]

I had botched surgery in January, on my right hand replacing the first 2 knuckles due to arthritis. I still can't make a fist.
I went to the range 2 days ago, shot better with my 9mm RO than my 45 RO. Couldn't keep a firm grip due to recoil of the 45.
Unfortunately 45 is my favorite caliber. I have way more 45's than 9mm's.
Been practicing shooting left handed due to the fact, I can get a better grip. I wouldn't say I'm a crack shot but, I could hit a bad guy if necessary.
Going to see another doctor next week for a redo on the surgery. Hope they can get it right this time.
Moral of this story, it doesn't hurt to practice with your off hand!

 

[blarby]

If your right hand is unavailable , doing a useful reload with a revolver and speedloader is out. Mostly. That's going to be extremely tricky with a left opening revolver, and a useless right hand. You might actually be better with the strips !

To simulate the cast, wrap your right hand in duct tape.

Make sure you limit your finger lateral movement.

I too suggest an autoloader.