Shooting for one-armed folks

[Nitrogen]

I have a friend of mine that i'm slowly working on the gun-hate.
She's got a major issue though; she's only got one arm. She lost everything below the shoulder as a kid.

I'm wondering if any of you more experienced folk have any pointers for techniques that someone with only one arm can use to shoot handguns or rifles?

Naturally one handed shooting isn't a big deal, but I can't figure out how she could function an autoloader. (If anyone has an idea for THIS, it'd be golden)

If anyone else has any pointers, i'd be very interested to hear them.

 

[AntiqueCollector]

Revolver would be easiest. But, with a semi, I'm thinking she'll need to figure out a way to hold the gun with the one hand and use another object (table, tree, whatever) to position the end of the slide against so pushing the gun will make the slide go back. Does this make sense or not? I don't think I'd use a body part like a foot to do it though, just for safety's sake...though maybe holding the gun carefully between her legs or knees and using her hand to rack the slide could work in a pinch but probably wouldn't be the greatest idea. For defense I think she should stick with revolvers, a top break at that for easy loading/ejecting.

 

[Car Knocker]

The correctly shaped rear sight on a slide can be snagged on the edge of a belt, a jeans pocket or the edge of a shoe sole and racked. The grip can also be pinched on the inside of the knee joint to hold the frame while the slide is racked (pinching the slide instead gives access to insert a new magazine).

 

[BADUNAME15]

Nitro,

Any quality firearms trainer should be able to spend some time with her and get her up to speed. Trainer her would be the same as teaching survival shooting, that covers how to continue a gun fight should you loose the use of one or your arms or hands. They teach reloading, clearing malfunctions and so on.

Believe it or not we had a one armed security officer come through our armed class and not only did he complete the class, he excelled.

Good luck, PM me if you are unable to find an instructor, I will make some calls.

 

[pax]

Any quality firearms trainer should be able to spend some time with her and get her up to speed.

Good post.

Where there's a will, there's a way.

I know (by reputation and one casual meeting) a police officer missing his right arm who quite competently runs a 12-gauge pump, semiauto pistols, and revolvers better than most two-handed folks can do it.

Running a firearm one-handed, including the basic manipulations, is not difficult. But learning how to do it can be dangerous if you do not have a competent, experienced instructor who can teach you how to do it safely.

Call around and find that instructor. Don't try to work it out on your own -- the skills are not complicated, but it's really better to have someone show you how, and watch for danger spots as you learn, than it is to try to reinvent the wheel on your own.

Good luck to both of you.

pax

 

[Trebor]

I worked with a one-handed student extensively last year. There are many "wounded officer" one-handed techniques that can be used to operate both revolvers and semi-auto's. As Pax said though, it's best that she work with an instructor familiar with these techniques as if done improperly they can be dangerous.

 

[critter]

You might look into one of the 'old style' top break wheelguns as an option.
Seemed to work good in the old west while riding and holding the reins in one hand.

 

[DonGlock26]

I ran through basic training for the combat pistol in my head, and the problem with the semi-auto is going to be clearing jams. For HD, I'd use a 4" .38/.357 revolver with a snubby back-up. For CCW, 2 snubbies should be all that is needed.

This revolver along with a flashlight with a pressure pad on the grip would allow her to use a light with her revolver.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=15706&isFirearm=Y

 

[chipperi]

My wifes cousin has one hand she does alright with a revolver, for automatics she prefers something like the Beretta small caliber guns that the barrel flips up to load the first round.

 

[pax]

I ran through basic training for the combat pistol in my head, and the problem with the semi-auto is going to be clearing jams.

Beg to differ -- Loading, unloading, and clearing jams on a semi-auto are really quite simple one-handed. Not particularly difficult, but the skills do have to be taught with safety in mind.

pax

 

[RichardB]

"I have a friend of mine that i'm slowly working on the gun-hate."

If this is your starting point, unless she is a competetive athlete recommend she start out with a da revolver.

Her current attitude towards guns might could cause her to use any difficulties in handling an automatic as a reason to drop out. Start out easy.

If she is successful with the revolver, then she can decide when to branch out to other firearms.

 

[DonGlock26]

Beg to differ -- Loading, unloading, and clearing jams on a semi-auto are really quite simple one-handed. Not particularly difficult, but the skills do have to be taught with safety in mind.


She's going to clear a double feed jam in combat with one arm?

 

[pax]

She's going to clear a double feed jam in combat with one arm?

Nope, she's going to run like a striped-butt ape and get behind cover as quick as she can.

(Seriously: it's been done. Woman police officer a few years back did a one-handed reload under fire to win a gunfight, got some major award subsequently & hit national news. Could look it up if you doubt.)

pax

 

[chipperi]

I was just goofing around and I can rack the slide on my G17 1 handed. But I have huge hands and it wasn't quick.

 

[yongxingfreesty]

8shot .357magnum revolver. other then that, always keep one loaded in the chamber for quick access.

 

[R12GS]

Revolver as other have said. I hope you don't plan to teach her to ride dirt bikes next though.

 

[Nitrogen]

Thanks for your tips, folks. I'll start her out on a revolver, and then transition to the semiauto. As long as there's techniques for her to learn to use one, she'll figure 'em out; she's quite the sparkplug when she sinks her teeth into something new.

 

[Zoogster]

Well if they want them to own an auto themselves I would take it a step further than how most of us would operate them with one hand on occasion and actualy weld a small hook on the slide for that purpose. I am thinking the side would be best as that would not interfere with the sight picture.

That way the hook can quickly be used on a piece of clothing or other item to rack the slide without the precision or tedious effort one does not have time for in a firefight. Hook, rack, bang. Without the hand ever having to leave the grip.

I am not saying it is not already possible one handed, I practice that myself. I just think someone with a permanent 100% single handed (not even another elbow to use) operation could benefit from a flat metal hook (on thier own firearm, not the one you are teaching them with.

Muzzle control is obviously still important so the hook would be best designed so the muzzle is pointed away from the body when it is engaged.

 

[doc2rn]

Nitrogen, I find a laser grip to be immensly helpful to the impared. Also stick to the lighter stuff.

 

[outofbattery]

I hope you don't plan to teach her to ride dirt bikes next though.

I actually know 2 one armed riders and a 3rd that has no use of his right arm.Where there's a will!!!