How often do you practice weak hand drills?

[Highgear]

Last week I tried out for the department pistol team. For the first time in 13 years I did not make it, BOOOO!

You see I've had surgery on my right shoulder (SLAP repair, rotator cuff repair, and biceps tendon repair). I'm only 5 weeks out from surgery and still in a sling. I returned to light duty in the office and surprised everyone when I showed up on the range. I guess the bosses figured I'd work in the office and not carry a gun?

I drew with my left hand, shot to slide lock, and held the gun with my knees to reload. I kept all rounds on all of the targets out to 25 yards, and in the end I missed the alternate's slot by 3 seconds total time (time plus penalties). When this was done I shot a qualification course and shot 100%. I guess they can't argue about my carrying left handed.

Several guys told me they didnt think they could hit the target past 10 yards with their left hand unsupported. I asked why they did not practice. I have always practiced one handed / weak hand shooting and malfunction clearing in the case I should lose the use of a hand during an encounter. Not only from possibly being shot, but with my luck ill slip on the ice and dislocate something.

I wonder how many people incorporate this into their training? Do any of the civilian schools teach these techniques...heck do departments practice them? I'd love to hear others input on this topic. I'd be willing to make some short videos showing the techniques I use in case some of you guys have not been exposed to this sort of training. I don't have much else to do while I'm healing up.

[M4finny]

Everytime I go to the range I practice weak hand shooting. I wouldn't call what I do "drills", but I do make a point to shoot left handed as often as I can while going to the range.

Fin

[supervel]

You can also practice at home without live fire to help,before you go to the range.I think it helps and is cheaper.

[M4finny]

Originally Posted by supervel

You can also practice at home without live fire to help,before you go to the range.I think it helps and is cheaper.

It may be cheaper, but it does absolutely nothing for training you to recover from recoil while shooting weak handed nor will it assist with working on immediate action drills in the case of a FTF while shooting weak handed.

Train as you fight, fight as you train. And sure, home dry firing has its place but IMO, weak hand shooting is just that ..... shooting.

YMMV,

Fin

[Highgear]

Practicing the mechanics of drawing from a strong side holster weak handed, reloading, and malfunction clearing could be done at home for sure!

How many people have tried drawing from a strong side holster weak handed? One reason I like AIWB!

[supervel]

Originally Posted by M4finny

It may be cheaper, but it does absolutely nothing for training you to recover from recoil while shooting weak handed nor will it assist with working on immediate action drills in the case of a FTF while shooting weak handed.

Train as you fight, fight as you train. And sure, home dry firing has its place but IMO, weak hand shooting is just that ..... shooting.

YMMV,

Fin

I agree,but you can practice reloads,and hand to eye coridination every day it will become second nature.Everyone does not shoot on a weakly basis and this also helps keep you muscle and eye orintation in check.If you use dummy ammo why can't you practice these drills,I do it all the time?

[M4finny]

Originally Posted by supervel

I agree,but you can practice reloads,and hand to eye coridination every day it will become second nature.Everyone does not shoot on a weakly basis and this also helps keep you muscle and eye orintation in check.

All very true. Each of us will train as we see fit.

Fin

[USMM guy]

I think that it is a very good discipline to practice. I have been in a few dangerous situations where my week side dexterity literally saved my "cookies"
In my opinion, one would be well advised to consider that not all potentially mortal conflicts include firearms. Nor do they neccesarily include knives. Your noggin is certainly your primary tool in any fight.
But being as well conditioned as you possibly can to the inclusion of using all of your extremeties to their fullest potential can be a really good thing.
Even a Belfast kiss or just a plain old bite can really change a would be bad guys wish list for the day.
Although with the blood bourne pathogens around today. The biting thing would certainly be only used in extremis.

But then again, what do I know?

[flyinrock]

High Gear
I can feel your pain as I had nearly identical repair to my right shoulder. The PT that followed was some of the most painful I've ever had to do. It was several months before I could just reach for my wallet in the rear pocket and I remember how happy I was when I was finally able to reach up overhead a full extension of my arm. Even now after seven years I have periodic pain in my shoulder and do more PT drills. Hang in there pal.
As for weak hand shooting, I was taught some neat one handed drills by a medically retired motor cop in Johannesburg So Afrika. back about 1973. He lost his right arm at the shoulder in a crash and developed some really neat options. We practiced them until I was proficient but I still couldn't do it as fast as he could! Later, when I got shot up by a coke freak from behind, I took a bullet smack thru the middle of my right hand that nearly took out the right ring finger. Multiple fracture of the bone and caused a deformed knuckle and twisted finger. So, my one handed techniques got put to the test during the next several months of recovery from all the bullet holes, BTW, he got me 7 times in the back ...
In serious practice I can shoot as accurately with either hand but am faster strong hand. Of course I'm sure that could be improved with more practice. At one time I was even considering duplicating the bullseye distinguished pistol badge again, weak hand, and no doubt I could do it. Even though the chances are one in a million of taking a bullet thru the hand, or being damaged to the point of near useless, I got the shot so the odds mean nothing to me!
Doing the draw or loading, or changing mags can be done at home but nothing replaces the actual range time and shooting weak side unsupported.
Best Regards and Good Luck with the PT.
Semper Fi
Rocky
DX Pistol, Prez 100 Pistol

[d.bateman]

I do practice weak hand shooting on the range and dry fire .


I hope you recover quick and get back on the team quickly .

[BillD]

I practice WH and SH weekly.

[Rastoff]

I try to practice a few shots every time I go to the range. I forget sometimes. Still, some practice is better than no practice.