Weak Hand Shooting: Wasteful Pursuits?

[Mad Magyar]

I contend that if the need ever arises, you’ll be just as focused, equally stressed and handicapped if you never practiced the drill in the first place. BTW, a nice waste of time & ammunition. Street research indicates that a LEO in deadly danger will keep the gun in his strong hand even when shooting around a left corner; he will use the weak hand only when the strong one is shot away (so remote it’s non-statistical), making the supported weak-hand position a joke… For the CCW holder: infinitesimal inconsequential. Even proponents of revising competitive pistol shoots want to eliminate off-hand shooting.
So, why is it being taught by these gun training sites to Mr. CCW? For one reason, it makes the participant think he’s really getting his money’s worth. A nice time-filler along with some other wasteful pursuits: tactical reloads; ridiculous shooting drills like lying prone backside, groveling around the dirt, ad nauseam that I will fully expand on later posts…. It’s nonsense! Some of the antics being taught as street readiness are premeditated fraud to inspire false bravado in the guise of confidence building.
So please, enough about a strong or off-hand being hacked by a machete and the nonsense that you need to be equally adept with both hands….It’s pure fantasy…..:banghead:

 

[10-Ring]

A few years ago I hurt my strong arm that prevented me from shooting for a while. When I finally missed shooting enough, I taught myself to shoot w/ my weak hand / arm. I think the reason to learn how it practicality and to provide me more options just in case.

 

[Damien45]

Off Hand Shooting is a good thing to practice. There are a lot of mechanics involved, including comfort of off hand, eye dominance and stance. I realize that John Q CCW may never do CQB but it can happen. There are a lot of places that cover/concealment on your weak side is the only option. One could say that is being parinoid, but the same can be said of all of us who shoot scenerios.

I would ask this, is shooting the only thing you practice? Do you practice draws, FTF, FTE, use snap caps to simulate FTF? Are these non important skills also?

In conclusion, it is your life, practice what you want to save it. I will practice what I want to save mine and others.

 

[the naked prophet]

You should definitely practice with your weak hand. I generally only practice one-handed with my left, because I figure the only time in a real situation that I'm going to be shooting left-handed is when my right hand is either injured or otherwise occupied.

If someone unexpectedly attacks you, do you think you're likely to, say, grab the guy's knife wrist with your right hand? Do you let him go so you can draw, or do you draw your BUG with your left hand and shoot him while you're holding his knife arm?

 

[longeyes]

Thanks for reminding me to practice more with WH. Good idea to mix in some of that every time at the range. I usually shoot two-handed and strong-handed, seem to avoid WH. Obviously, it's not nearly as much fun watching my shots go "astray."

 

[mrcpu]

I would agree that becoming as proficient weak-handed as strong handed is probably subject to the law of diminishing returns.

But even if 99 times out of a hundred, it isn't used, at least some basic familiarity with it for that 1 is good.

For me personally, while I do lots of things both handed, musical instruments and such, typing, etc, where I've never considered my weak hand at a disadvantage, I cannot believe how awful I am shooting weak-handed.

So I practice with it a little bit, mainly to assuage my wounded pride.

And when all is said and done, my gun, my money, my ammo, within safety limits, I'll do what I want, much as your are free to do the same.

 

[Pepper46]

Off hand shooting

You cite all the studies, and statictics, but you give no refrence to where they can be found, or who did the studies. To quote from your post,
"Street research indicates that a LEO in deadly danger will keep the gun in his strong hand even when shooting around a left corner; he will use the weak hand only when the strong one is shot away (so remote it’s non-statistical), making the supported weak-hand position a joke… For the CCW holder: infinitesimal inconsequential. Even proponents of revising competitive pistol shoots want to eliminate off-hand shooting."

I have never been a proponent "Street Research", as it is usually one persons opinion based on something that they have little or no knowledge of the situation or the circumstances surrounding the event.

Off hand shooting has been taught to LEO's for as long as I have been involved, and as with anything that requires coordination and muscle memory
it must be practiced and implemented on a reqular basis, shooting with the off hand once or twice a year won't get the job done. It must be practiced and be part of a reqular parctice routine.

The average CCW holder must be taught these methods, and be given ample oppprtunity to paractice and perfect it. How they choose to implement it into their practice routine, is a matter that they will have to decide for themselves.
I don't think a blanket "It's a waste of time and ammo". is an opinion that would have to apply to the author.

 

[Onmilo]

I know of an Illinois State Police Officer who took a bullet to his strong arm.
He was able to pick up his sidearm weak side and effectively return fire against the bad guy who shot him, ending the shootout and killing the bad guy.
Reason enough for me to waste ammunition enough to become proficient with my weak side ability.
As a side note, after you waste enough ammunition, you get really, really good with your weak side ability.

 

[Waywatcher]

In the competition arena, its just one more measure that can be used.

Would it really make sense for "Masters" to NOT have mastered this skill and be no better at it than a novice shooter?

My guess as for "the proponents of revising competitive pistol shoots want to eliminate off-hand shooting" is that they are either not very good at it and refuse to practice, or they think that competition needs to be "100% realistic" at the expense of being fun and challenging. In either case I've yet to meet a competition shooter who espouses your belief.

 

[longeyes]

I don't think it's too much to ask that you be able to hit the torso of an attacker at, say, 10-15 feet, with your weak hand. Nothing fancy, just basic. If I were packing--I'm in Los Angeles--I'd probably carry a J-frame in my offiside pocket for back-up, at least sometimes. I'd like to think I could use it efffectively at near point-blank range, put a couple of quick shots into the chest.

You have to assume that in a surprise attack you might be parrying blows with one or both hands/arms before you have a chance to draw. You need some options.

 

[possum]

i definetly think it is important to shoot with your not dominat hand for sure, i practice it, but not enough of course and is something that i need to start touching on everytime i go to the range, i guess, i think it is a very good skill to have.

 

[Mad Magyar]

You cite all the studies, and statictics, but you give no refrence to where they can be found, or who did the studies

As most of you know, there is hardly anything written about firearms that is original or hasn't been discussed before. This includes my main thesis: weak-hand shooting...I certainly understand why you would in desperation need to fire with the off-hand, but to practice it? As mentioned, diminishing returns with stress: forget it....
BTW, before some of you who have attended some of these gun schools start fuming that this is blasphemy and start name-dropping , Thunder Ranch, GunSite, etc ; my thoughts come from a legend in his own right: prolific author, lecturer, former-LEO, consultant, mag reviewer,[/I] LFI founder: MASSAD AYOOB!
He's probably forgotten more than most us know....

 

[M2 Carbine]

So please, enough about a strong or off-hand being hacked by a machete and the nonsense that you need to be equally adept with both hands….It’s pure fantasy…..

A smart man prepares for what is likely to happen.

A very smart man also prepares for what is unlikely to happen.



If I'm ever in a gun fight I hope it's with the first man.

 

[M2 Carbine]

...I certainly understand why you would in desperation need to fire with the off-hand, but to practice it?

And if you don't practice? Exactly what makes you think you could hit anything if you don't practice?

There's a thread going on about shooting with your weak hand.
Let's see what you can do.

 

[tmajors]

I've seen a few rifle drills that are weak hand only. Rifle. Not one shot, not a group of five shots....the entire drill. I think it's wasted effort and ammo.

Shoot weak hand enough to get familiarity, but definitely don't drill in it exclusively and expect your strong side to get stronger though use of your weak side.

Can't say with a completely valid opinion for pistol but just from rentals and shooting friends' pistols I'm gonna have to say the same thing.

That's just my opinion.

 

[wally]

I try to practice at least 10% of my shooting with the off hand every range trip with pistols. Most of my rifles are so thoroughly right handed I don't bother to practice left handed with them. If rifles are involved and I'm wounded, my comrades are going to have to carry on the fight without me while I wait for the medics. With handguns I'm probably on my own!

--wally.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Shots impacting the hands and arms are much more common than your assertion:

he will use the weak hand only when the strong one is shot away (so remote it’s non-statistical)

Our hands and arms are in front of our body when we shoot. If we are being shot at, shots that hit us have to go around, or through those extremeties. Its not as remote as you assert.

 

[Claude Clay]

so , if you live in FL you NEVER have to learn to drive in the snow.......till you visit Boston in the winter, Well DUH you'r attitude is such that i am begining to think that all people who pass a NRA course's ARE NOT psychology prepared to fight in the real world. Did your AAA instructor teach you how to change a tire in a storm when you have either hand in a cast??? Or you don't want to practice, Ehh? Darwin rules. One cannot use statisitcs to future an outcome on an INDIVIDUAL event~~it either is/or isn't.
.

 

[browningguy]

I contend that if the need ever arises, you’ll be just as focused, equally stressed and handicapped if you never practiced the drill in the first place

To put it simply, I contend that you are wrong.

 

[Damien45]

A couple of replies I have read here mentioned how practicing with the weak hand is a waste of ammo. I now ask you this, was it a waste of ammo when you first started shooting? I do not personally know anyone who has picked up a firearm and shot a 2" or better, group on their first try ever.

I do practice strong and weak hand shooting. Am I dillusional to believe weak hand will strengthen strong hand? No. I do believe it will help with overall shooting mechanics because I must focus on them more.

What would you call someone who buys a gun to proctect their home and family and never shoots it? Because, imho, I would say someone who never practices weak hand, yet carries a gun, as having the same mindset. If you don't know how it will perform, how much confidence do you have in it? I would rather have knowledge of, and not blind confidence in.

 

[Mad Chemist]

Anyone here ever try to land a punch to the face and wind up hitting the bony side of the skull instead?

Even well conditioned knuckes sometimes break. Strong fingers can still get "jammed".

I shoot OK left handed, not great but decent. I also practice off hand with both of my carry-guns. I definitely don't try for bullseyes at 25yds, instead I focus on off-hand trigger control at around 3-5yds rapid-fire.

 

[oregonshooter]

I hope you started this thread just to stir the pot, but in case you didn't...

All you have stated is opinion (yours) and then alluded to "street facts" that do not exist. You are suggesting that we train to the lowest denominator?

There are many examples of why you should be proficient with your weak hand. Just think for a few minutes and they will come to you.

Set your goals low and you will likely accomplish them.

PS. Ayoob "the boob"? There are many more instructors (older and battle proven) that would disagree with your thesis for obvious reasons. Something worth considering.

 

[Chris Rhines]

I contend that if the need ever arises, you’ll be just as focused, equally stressed and handicapped if you never practiced the drill in the first place.

So you contend that a shooter who has never practiced in weak-hand shooting will be just as proficent shooting weak-hand as a shooter who practices it regularly?

If this is what you are saying, then you are wrong.

Even proponents of revising competitive pistol shoots want to eliminate off-hand shooting.

This is nonsense.

- Chris

 

[pap1105]

weak hand shooting will teach you more than you thought possible about hand gun shooting.

 

[Kurt_M]

Apparently you've never worn a cast on your dominant hand before. I've done it twice and will quite possibly have to do it again. If I do, I surely don't want to be even more defenseless because I can't shoot. It's bad enough to not even be able to pick things up normally.

Having a cast is only one way your dominant hand might be incapacitated. Sure, the chances of getting hit in the hand during a gunfight are slim, but so are the chances of getting into a gunfight in the first place. If you happen to be in that .0001% that gets into that situation, you're not .0001% screwed, you're 100% screwed unless you're properly prepared. I'm not playing the odds, I'm trying to be prepared.