One hand or Two - The Firearms Forum

Kieran McCaig · 08-19-2009, 10:55 PM

I was at the range tonight and the guy beside had a 1944 Colt 191a1 .I mentioned that i was looking at getting one and he handed it over with ammo.Not knowing the gun I shot it with 2 hands and then of course heard the you shot like a girl afterwards.The question is one hand or two not my gun and it's 65 years old what would you do.

glocknut · 08-19-2009, 11:03 PM

I have to use TWO HANDS because mine is soooo big....

what an opportunity for a smartcrack....layed right at my feet....

mike
gn

Kieran McCaig · 08-19-2009, 11:08 PM

maybe your hands are just really small.

glocknut · 08-19-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kieran McCaig

maybe your hands are just really small.

Good comeback.....

mike
gn

Kieran McCaig · 08-19-2009, 11:13 PM

my mind is just as twisted as yours my friend

Mjolnir · 08-19-2009, 11:41 PM

I always shoot with two hands even when it's just a .22, the only exception being when I have a .22 in each hand cause sometimes it's fun to unload two pistols into a target when you're on private property.

artabr · 08-20-2009, 12:57 AM

I use two hands. I do practice with both strong and weak hand also.

Art

Big ugly · 08-20-2009, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artabr

I use two hands. I do practice with both strong and weak hand also.

Art

Same here. I have an eyedominace problem I am trying to over come also so I have practicing more with my right hand. It seems the older I get the more dominant my left eye becomes.

Maximilian II · 08-20-2009, 03:09 AM

When AT ALL possible due to angle of available shot, etc., I use two hands. I shoot .44mag very regularly and love it. The habit of using two hands has benefits.
More stability=more accuracy. Two hands are more stable no matter the caliber or pistol.
Two hands=more control. Whether recoil or overcoming sweaty palms in a fight a more controlled gun is more stable, see above benefit.
Second (and third, etc.) shot accuracy and speed will be improved due to a better stabilized and controlled gun.
Heck, I could go on all day. The only times it's acceptable to use one hand on a handgun are (#1) when there is no other choice and (#2) in practice for occasions where (#1) happens.
Not trying to sound like "he-man" here, but I've got strong hands and am accustomed to recoil. I CAN shoot .44mag with both strong and weak hand fairly well. I WILL use both hands if I possibly can.
In my book feel free to counter someone who uses the "shoot like a girl" comment with a "shoot like an untrained idiot" comment.

pinecone70 · 08-20-2009, 06:07 AM

I shoot like a girl, and I am not bad. I support my right hand with my left, around here that's what everyone does, the guys would never make fun of me because they know I can outshoot them. Heh.

johnlives4christ · 08-20-2009, 06:20 AM

lol

i use two hands some of the time, it depends on the notion im in. i practice with all 3hands. left, right, and both. when im just plinking i do some of each. first time i shot a 44 mag i shot the first shot two handed then a few with one hand, and a few with two.

artabr · 08-20-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinecone70

I shoot like a girl, and I am not bad. I support my right hand with my left, around here that's what everyone does, the guys would never make fun of me because they know I can outshoot them. Heh.

As is the case with a lot of women. Ask the guys at the Camp Perry Nationals.
For example take the 3 Gallagher girls below.

"Nancy Tompkins lives in Prescott, Arizona with her husband, Mid. She is the mother of Michelle Gallagher (member of the 2007 Palma Team and five times Wimbledon Champion) and Sherri Gallagher-Hurd (current World Long Range Champion and 2007 U-25 Team). Nancy has been on six Palma Teams since 1985. Her major accomplishments include four times National Long Range Champion, National High Power Champion, five times Leech Cup winner and numerous other awards".

These are 1000 yard matches.
I WISH I could shoot like these girls.

Art

Doc1911 · 08-20-2009, 06:55 AM

I do it with each - LH, RH, then both, etc. I have a friend who fancies himself a trick shooter and shoots a 38 using his feet - and actually hits the target. He uses two feet, but only one toe. So I guess shooting like a girl is somewhat better than shooting like a monkey.

Please-let me know if my signature picture is showing up or not. It is a gif image ... (it is the funny one below the sig line...)

ampaterry · 08-20-2009, 07:00 AM

My gosh yes, use two hand if at all possible!
The only time I use one hand is if the other is filled with a flashlight -

The Military teaches two handed shooting -
All police departments teach two handed shooting -

I wonder if this guy would tell all of those folks they shoot like a girl?

358 winchester · 08-20-2009, 07:42 AM

One handed shooting and trick shots are for the movies just my two cents.

mrkirker · 08-20-2009, 08:20 AM

I use one hand. Haven't tried out for the movies, yet. LOL!

We have to shoot off-hand for our competitions, so I tend to practice that way.

Gabob · 08-20-2009, 08:38 AM

I use two hands. If I had three hands I would use three.
When I used to shoot matches that required "weak hand shooting" I came into my own since I am ampidextrous

carver · 08-20-2009, 08:55 AM

Another two handed shooter here. I do practice with both the left, and right hands only. You never know when you might be in a position that would require the use of only one hand. If target shooting, both hands always!

ARB · 08-20-2009, 09:11 AM

Tell the guy to take a CCW class. They will even show him the proper way to grip a pistola two-handed.

USMC-03 · 08-20-2009, 09:17 AM

For most pistol shooting I shoot one handed since I tend to be far more accurate that way; I suppose it's a hold over from bullseye competition. For practical defensive style shooting the second hand automatically comes up.

SARG · 08-20-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kieran McCaig

my mind is just as twisted as yours my friend

*I really don't think that could be possible*

dianalv · 08-20-2009, 10:32 AM

I am a "girl," and I'd take the "shoot like a girl" comment as a compliment, not as the macho bull it was intended as. I know a lot of good women shooters. Guys who make comments like that are idiots. The idea is to achieve the most precision in hitting what you are aiming at, and for most of us, that means two handed shooting.

Generally, I shoot with two hands with an unusual grip/stance which I find minimizes recoil and gives me better stability, seeing as I lack the arm strength of a guy. However, I practice one handed shooting (I shoot double action revolvers mostly) for self defense purposes, as you never know under what circumstances you will have to defend yourself. Being a hunter, I also practice shooting in various positions using parts of my body as a rest.

artabr · 08-20-2009, 10:55 AM

Welcome to the forum Dinanlv.

Art

mrkirker · 08-20-2009, 10:59 AM

Well said, dianalv. And "Welcome!"

dianalv · 08-20-2009, 11:22 AM

Thank you. It looks like a good forum with a lot of knowlege and information. I'm an S&W woman, as far as handguns go. I like the older revolvers. They fit just right. If I don't watch it, I'll become a collector!

08-19-2009, 11:08 PM	#3
Kieran McCaig Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: canada Posts: 1,469	Re: One hand or Two maybe your hands are just really small.

08-19-2009, 11:13 PM	#5
Kieran McCaig Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: canada Posts: 1,469	Re: One hand or Two my mind is just as twisted as yours my friend

08-19-2009, 11:41 PM	#6
Mjolnir V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 228	Re: One hand or Two I always shoot with two hands even when it's just a .22, the only exception being when I have a .22 in each hand cause sometimes it's fun to unload two pistols into a target when you're on private property.

08-20-2009, 12:57 AM	#7
artabr Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Iberia, Louisiana Contributor Posts: 7,859	Re: One hand or Two I use two hands. I do practice with both strong and weak hand also. Art __________________ God and the soldier we like adore, In times of trouble, not before. When troubles ended and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier is slighted. Francis Quarles 1592 - 1644 __________________ When asked for my race, I answer CauCajun. Hope is not a plan, and not all change is good. The resistance is here; the resistance is now. RESIST! These hands are neither cold nor are they dead!!

08-20-2009, 03:09 AM	#9
Maximilian II Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northwest GA Posts: 1,381	Re: One hand or Two When AT ALL possible due to angle of available shot, etc., I use two hands. I shoot .44mag very regularly and love it. The habit of using two hands has benefits. More stability=more accuracy. Two hands are more stable no matter the caliber or pistol. Two hands=more control. Whether recoil or overcoming sweaty palms in a fight a more controlled gun is more stable, see above benefit. Second (and third, etc.) shot accuracy and speed will be improved due to a better stabilized and controlled gun. Heck, I could go on all day. The only times it's acceptable to use one hand on a handgun are (#1) when there is no other choice and (#2) in practice for occasions where (#1) happens. Not trying to sound like "he-man" here, but I've got strong hands and am accustomed to recoil. I CAN shoot .44mag with both strong and weak hand fairly well. I WILL use both hands if I possibly can. In my book feel free to counter someone who uses the "shoot like a girl" comment with a "shoot like an untrained idiot" comment. __________________ Karma is just justice, without the satisfaction. And I don't believe in justice. -Joe Sarno, bagman.

08-19-2009, 10:55 PM	#1
Kieran McCaig Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: canada Posts: 1,469	One hand or Two I was at the range tonight and the guy beside had a 1944 Colt 191a1 .I mentioned that i was looking at getting one and he handed it over with ammo.Not knowing the gun I shot it with 2 hands and then of course heard the you shot like a girl afterwards.The question is one hand or two not my gun and it's 65 years old what would you do. -->

08-19-2009, 11:03 PM	#2
glocknut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: THE FORUM MASCOTT... Posts: 12,482	Re: One hand or Two I have to use TWO HANDS because mine is soooo big.... what an opportunity for a smartcrack....layed right at my feet.... mike gn __________________ Where O where are you tonight? Why have you gone and left me alone? I searched to world over and a thought i found true love... You met another and PTThhh you were gone....

08-20-2009, 06:07 AM	#10
pinecone70 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Gal! Posts: 4,730	Re: One hand or Two I shoot like a girl, and I am not bad. I support my right hand with my left, around here that's what everyone does, the guys would never make fun of me because they know I can outshoot them. Heh. __________________ _____________________________________________ "Miss Scarlet, in the library...with a revolver...."

08-20-2009, 06:20 AM	#11
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: One hand or Two lol i use two hands some of the time, it depends on the notion im in. i practice with all 3hands. left, right, and both. when im just plinking i do some of each. first time i shot a 44 mag i shot the first shot two handed then a few with one hand, and a few with two.

08-20-2009, 06:55 AM	#13
Doc1911 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: USA Posts: 874	Re: One hand or Two I do it with each - LH, RH, then both, etc. I have a friend who fancies himself a trick shooter and shoots a 38 using his feet - and actually hits the target. He uses two feet, but only one toe. So I guess shooting like a girl is somewhat better than shooting like a monkey. Please-let me know if my signature picture is showing up or not. It is a gif image ... (it is the funny one below the sig line...) __________________ _____ Sincerely, Doc NRA Life Member Last edited by Doc1911; 08-20-2009 at 06:57 AM..

08-20-2009, 07:00 AM	#14
ampaterry TFF Admin Staff Chaplain Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: West Tennessee Contributor Posts: 6,274	Re: One hand or Two My gosh yes, use two hand if at all possible! The only time I use one hand is if the other is filled with a flashlight - The Military teaches two handed shooting - All police departments teach two handed shooting - I wonder if this guy would tell all of those folks they shoot like a girl? __________________ A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders. Larry Elder

08-20-2009, 07:42 AM	#15
358 winchester TFF Admin Staff Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pensacola Fl. area Posts: 7,335	Re: One hand or Two One handed shooting and trick shots are for the movies just my two cents. __________________ Administrator & Owner RangeDay.com Proud, White, Heterosexual, Gun Owning, Southern American, Christian. Any question about where I stand?

08-20-2009, 08:20 AM	#16
mrkirker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,067	Re: One hand or Two I use one hand. Haven't tried out for the movies, yet. LOL! We have to shoot off-hand for our competitions, so I tend to practice that way. __________________ *I don't know if dogs have a heaven, but there will be dogs in mine.* Last edited by mrkirker; 08-20-2009 at 09:13 AM..

08-20-2009, 08:38 AM	#17
Gabob Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SW GA CSA Posts: 1,159	Re: One hand or Two I use two hands. If I had three hands I would use three. When I used to shoot matches that required "weak hand shooting" I came into my own since I am ampidextrous __________________ NRA Endowment Member Keep Your Powder Dry Last edited by Gabob; 08-20-2009 at 11:15 AM..

08-20-2009, 08:55 AM	#18
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,232	Re: One hand or Two Another two handed shooter here. I do practice with both the left, and right hands only. You never know when you might be in a position that would require the use of only one hand. If target shooting, both hands always! __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

08-20-2009, 09:11 AM	#19
ARB Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mid Missouri Posts: 1,184	Re: One hand or Two Tell the guy to take a CCW class. They will even show him the proper way to grip a pistola two-handed.

08-20-2009, 09:17 AM	#20
USMC-03 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of the Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,825	Re: One hand or Two For most pistol shooting I shoot one handed since I tend to be far more accurate that way; I suppose it's a hold over from bullseye competition. For practical defensive style shooting the second hand automatically comes up. __________________ Let not the rifles of good and free men be reforged into plowshares, but may they rest in a place of honor; ready, well oiled and God willing unused. For if the price of peace becomes licking the boots of tyrants, then "To Arms!" I say, and may the fortunes of war smile upon patriots. - Fortes Fortuna Javat -

08-20-2009, 10:32 AM	#22
dianalv Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 1,160	Re: One hand or Two I am a "girl," and I'd take the "shoot like a girl" comment as a compliment, not as the macho bull it was intended as. I know a lot of good women shooters. Guys who make comments like that are idiots. The idea is to achieve the most precision in hitting what you are aiming at, and for most of us, that means two handed shooting. Generally, I shoot with two hands with an unusual grip/stance which I find minimizes recoil and gives me better stability, seeing as I lack the arm strength of a guy. However, I practice one handed shooting (I shoot double action revolvers mostly) for self defense purposes, as you never know under what circumstances you will have to defend yourself. Being a hunter, I also practice shooting in various positions using parts of my body as a rest.

08-20-2009, 10:55 AM	#23
artabr Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Iberia, Louisiana Contributor Posts: 7,859	Re: One hand or Two Welcome to the forum Dinanlv. Art __________________ God and the soldier we like adore, In times of trouble, not before. When troubles ended and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier is slighted. Francis Quarles 1592 - 1644 __________________ When asked for my race, I answer CauCajun. Hope is not a plan, and not all change is good. The resistance is here; the resistance is now. RESIST! These hands are neither cold nor are they dead!!

08-20-2009, 10:59 AM	#24
mrkirker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,067	Re: One hand or Two Well said, dianalv. And "Welcome!" __________________ *I don't know if dogs have a heaven, but there will be dogs in mine.*

08-20-2009, 11:22 AM	#25
dianalv Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 1,160	Re: One hand or Two Thank you. It looks like a good forum with a lot of knowlege and information. I'm an S&W woman, as far as handguns go. I like the older revolvers. They fit just right. If I don't watch it, I'll become a collector!