Help Diagnose a Shooting Problem

G

gvf

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I shoot more accurately with one hand than two. Since I have small hands and my main gun is a not-light, Colt Python .357 4" - which I also carry at times - I consider this odd, especially as I am a new shooter and 60 yrs old.

It must mean two handed I'm doing something to throw my hand position or aim off and am doing that with the non-dominant hand, or perhaps it lies in aiming dead-straight forward: for in one-handed my body and head is turned slightly to left (I'm a rt hand - rt-eye dominant shooter and shoot with both eyes open).

I'd say accuracy is quite above average for a new shooter with one hand - average with two, the latter results much more unpredictable. With one hand they are consistent. Any thoughts about what is happening here? Or should I just concentrate on shooting one-hand - including in SD - as it seems an odd natural ability but one that works?
 
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That's against the grain, most find the opposite true. I would say it most likely has something to do with your grip, and possibly your stance. Not that those are the only reasons for this, but I'd bet your grip is the culprit though. Do a thread search for "proper grip" and Lurper posted a short video with a great explanation and demonstration of a two handed grip. Or maybe he'll chime in and repost the link again.

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Nevermind, found it.
http://s89.photobucket.com/albums/k223/Lurper/?action=view&current=gripexcerpts1.flv-Lurper's video

http://www.shootingusa.com/PRO_TIPS/KOENIG1/koenig1.htmlDoug Koenig's

http://www.corneredcat.com/Basics/grip.aspxPax's




Let us know after studying this stuff if you think that may be the issue, or if you're pretty sure you have been holding it right.
 
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Yes...

Yes, KC, that helps to firm up the grip - and I may be "pushing" the gun with non-dominant hand.

Also, I think I'm ignoring too much the slower trigger pull seemingly done in target-shooting as opposed to a needed faster one in SD shooting - i.e. I'm jumping ahead of myself and pulling the trigger too quickly for me right now, I am after all just a beginner, and can speed it up later - thus all my fingers are curling along with trigger-finger when I shoot, and gun is being jerked by them to the side. I think slowing down for now, and paying more attention to grip may solve it. With one hand, the weight of the gun itself on the one hand must keep the gun from moving as much. That's my theory anyway.

Also unrelated to my question: I'm also interested in something called C.A.R. shooting, quite different. I'm going to see if it's possible to try that just from a read and video. Looks interesting.

Thanks Again!
 
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Think I Corrected Problem

Went to the range and tried some of the things discussed on the material suggested. Thanks a lot for those links.

There is little difference between 1 and 2 handed in .38, it was in .357 I found there was a big difference. So part was it was I anticipated the added recoil and tensed in a jerk the hands and arms just before shot. I was able to avoid this and things were pretty good. Next I used a way to check my grip from one of the videos, making forefinger and second finger a V, and making sure that space between fingers was behind trigger while on the grip or else adjust it lower or higher. I was holding it a bit to low and moving hand up a bit also helped.

So, the two-hands .357 was close to the 1-hand accuracy after awhile. As to the latter, I think I took a better grip with one-hand because the weight was more on the sole hand and instinctively I had adjusted correctly.

However, all said and done, I do shoot a bit better 1-hand, I think the gun feels more like a natural extension of my arm/hand then.

Thanks again for all the helpful info!
 
You'd probably benefit the most by having an experienced shooter monitor your shooting technique, instead of trying to fix it with verbal advice.

Remember to lock the right elbow and wrist straight in both single- and double-handed hold. Position your feet about shoulders-length distance, and try slightly bending your knees. BREATHE! Keep your sight picture, and use a steady SQUEEZE on the trigger with the pad of your right index finger. What you want to do is to "surprise" yourself when the handgun fires, so don't anticipate the detonation. Keep your elbow and wrist locked tight during the recoil of the handgun, and if you're doing it correctly, your handgun will rise upward more than recoiling to the rear....and will also drop back down to a firing position a bit easier.

Your "off-hand" is merely supportive, but it also assists in keeping the recoil "reasonable". Your right hand should be almost "forced" forward, while your left hand will be pulling back during the firing AND recoil processes.

Small hands? Perhaps you need to find some smaller grips!
 
Remember to lock the right elbow
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Don't lock your elbow, lock your wrist. Keep your elbow unlocked to help absorb the recoil.

Just my opinion, I prefer something along the lines of a modified weaver stance, except I place my feet a little different than the traditional teachings.
 
Locking Elbows

If I lock elbow I hyper extend, just the way my arms go, so I get close to lock but there is a slight bend.

Tried the C.A.R. position from a pix - not good with a .357 at reading distance which is what was recommended. Two face-fulls of powder blasts ended that experiment quick.
 
I 'd recommend to grip the gun a little tighter. I think you are "breaking" your wrist, not locking it right. Pay attention to your trigger squeeze, straight back and so slow that you are surprised when the shot breaks.
Watch your sights after the shot for another second and evaluate it. With a revolver you can mix a few fired shells amoung life ones and it will show any mistake.

The Pythons are very accurate guns. How do you shoot D/A or S/A?
 
When you are off, is there a pattern? Like low to the left?

The trigger pull is rather long in double action. This could be a problem since you stated that you have small hands.
 
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