shooting better 1 handed?

[dcat91]

Hi folks, I have an odd question. Does anyone here shoot better one handed versus a proper 2 handed grip?

I went shooting Sunday and realised my groups were better shooting with my right hand only. I shoot with a generic thumbs forward grip as I found it to suit me best in terms of accuracy and recoil control, but decided I needed to practice shooting one handed. Weak hand, my groups sucked. However shooting with my right my groups were actually smaller! Not by a ton but by enough. To notice right away.

Today I went shooting again intent on trying again. And sure as ****, shooting with my right hand resulted in some really tight groups versus shooting with a 2 handed thumbs forward grip. The only difference in stance was that I was shooting with a slight can't when shooting one handed, and my follow up shots took a tad more to get back on target.

All shots were fired with blazer brass 115gr fmjs and 147gr golden sabers out of a shield 9mm

100 rounds were fired with both grips using blazer, and 25 rounds each of the golden sabers. So a total of 250 rounds and it was obvious I was shooting better one handed.

Thanks!

 

[8th SPS USAF]

I started yrs ago with only my strong hand only. I thought you were a wimp to use both. Now ,due to training myself, I can shoot strong/weak/both well.

 

[Snapdragon]

I do just as well with 2 hands or strong hand. Need more practice with weak hand.

 

[philbert001]

Perhaps the small grip size of the shield puts you in a better natural shooting position than 2 handed. Embrace it, keep practicing it, and work to match your groups 2 handed!

 

[throttletony]

Perhaps the small grip size of the shield puts you in a better natural shooting position than 2 handed. Embrace it, keep practicing it, and work to match your groups 2 handed!

^^ this ^^
It's not totally unheard of to shoot well/better with one-hand, but it seems pretty rare in my experience. I would just say continue to practice with stong/weak/both to see if they can all improve.
For some people, I think that ergonomics and personal body structure have a lot to do with it, and I would assume that you (w/ 1 hand) line it up very well and it "just works" -- seems like this would be best for target/bullseye type shooting. However, having two hands on the gun should drastically increase shooting speed (because of better control and less steering/waiting on gun). So, it's all about what fits your style best.
Another benefit of 2 hands on gun is harder to lose the gun, if someone hits your hands, etc. I won't bother to make a list of all the perceived benefits and drawbacks of 2H vs 1H, but will summarize by saying that the benefits of 2H generally outweigh those of 1H.
Keep up the good 1H, and work towards good 2H as well. /ramble

 

[Whip_McCord]

You should try Bullseye shooting (aka: NRA Conventional Pistol). It is all one-handed. Not real exciting, but it will make you a better shooter in every other discipline.

 

[dcat91]

Thanks for the replies I appreciate it.

I think the it just works theory is the correct one, this is the first carry gun that I've been crazy about besides a 1911. I've finally found the one!

Also, while doing some dry fire practice I noticed that my thumb was lower while shooting strong hand, adjusted my grip accordingly to my two handed grip. Hoping to sling some more lead Thursday and ill see if that makes a difference.
Id like to give a bullseye comp a try one day it sounds like fun. With that said I'm just going to keep practicing till I can get one ragged hole from 20ish feet. And then I'm going to practice some more cause shooting is fun!

 

[88E30M50]

My son shoots better one handed than two. I'm thinking that there are less forces to keep in check with one handed shooting. I like a two handed grip but have been practicing one handed shooting as well. Single handed shooting in a defense situation could happen if your weak hand (or strong) is holding someone, blocking or otherwise busy.

 

[Snapdragon]

It's surprising how many well-meaning people at the range walk past me as I'm shooting with one hand and feel the need to say "Eh eh eh... two hands!". Don't know if it's because I'm a girl or a noob or if I just look stupid. I prefer to practice one-handed because I'm assuming that in a self-defense situation I will probably not have time to get into a proper two-handed position and get sighted up before I have to shoot.

 

[Jackson]

I tend to believe you are better shooting one-handed because you are going slower and concentrating on it a bit more. You may not notice it, but that's my bet. If you are shooting faster with two hands and getting larger groups, I think this supports my guess. If you put the front sight on the target and press the trigger without moving the sight, it doesnt matter how many hands you have on the pistol.

 

[Jackson]

It's surprising how many well-meaning people at the range walk past me as I'm shooting with one hand and feel the need to say "Eh eh eh... two hands!". Don't know if it's because I'm a girl or a noob or if I just look stupid. I prefer to practice one-handed because I'm assuming that in a self-defense situation I will probably not have time to get into a proper two-handed position and get sighted up before I have to shoot.

Those people probably can't shoot anyway. One handed shooting is an important skill and you should work it. You should also learn a consistent, and efficient draw stroke that gets two hands on the pistol quickly and effectively. With some practice you can bring the gun to bear on the situation with both hands and good sight picture very quickly. You are right that you may not be able to in all situations, though.

 

[ru44mag]

I shoot well right handed and ok left handed, but I shoot the best with both hands. I agree with whatever works for you. Just as long as you practice.

 

[Classic]

I shoot all 3 ways. An old timer once told me it's a HAND gun not a HANDS gun. Meant to be deployed with one hand. If you look at old shooting sports pics they were all one handed. It does get the sights further from the eye and that particular sight picture may be better for some eye/glasses/sight combinations than others.

I like to practice with strong, weak and two handed. I am marginally better two handed but pretty close with strong hand. Weak hand takes lots of practice for me but I can do pretty well with it too if I take my time.

 

[dcat91]

It's surprising how many well-meaning people at the range walk past me as I'm shooting with one hand and feel the need to say "Eh eh eh... two hands!". Don't know if it's because I'm a girl or a noob or if I just look stupid. I prefer to practice one-handed because I'm assuming that in a self-defense situation I will probably not have time to get into a proper two-handed position and get sighted up before I have to shoot.

This is one of the reasons I love having a private range, you don't need to worry about anyone else and can do drills, especially since to my knowledge there isn't a range in the area that you can draw from, but considering how many accidents happen I can't say I blame them.

 

[JStang314]

I shoot my wife's tcp better with just strong hand. The things just too small. I shoot my g23 better with both. I'm not a great shooter anyway. I only carry hers about 3 times a year.

 

[nakinate]

It's surprising how many well-meaning people at the range walk past me as I'm shooting with one hand and feel the need to say "Eh eh eh... two hands!". Don't know if it's because I'm a girl or a noob or if I just look stupid. I prefer to practice one-handed because I'm assuming that in a self-defense situation I will probably not have time to get into a proper two-handed position and get sighted up before I have to shoot.

Unless I'm doing something unsafe I really don't want unsolicited advice at the range. Specifically, if they deliver the advice like that while just walking by.

 

[Jharbeson]

I've tried both two handed and one handed. I did surprising well with my right hand only.

 

[Snapdragon]

Unless I'm doing something unsafe I really don't want unsolicited advice at the range. Specifically, if they deliver the advice like that while just walking by.

Complete with . Agree with you, NN. If I'm just practicing different (safe) ways to become proficient at shooting, leave me alone and let me do my thing.

 

[Leadeye]

Never get tired of shooting single action revolvers, one in each hand.

 

[Whip_McCord]

Nothing wrong with practicing one-handed. This should be done with either hand, just for good measure. When I shoot cowboy action, I shoot Gunfighter style. A SA revolver in each hand. Lots of fun.

I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.