When did 2 handed shooting become cool?

One can't always count on having 2 hands available to shoot with in the real world, but using 2 hands does allow for quicker target reaquistion when firing multiple shots because the recoil is better contained with both hands employed. One handed shooting with a gun that has a good bit of recoil seems to throw the gun further off the target than the same gun with two hands controlling it. That, plus the fact that two hands keep the gun steady on the target while aiming are the main benefits that I see with the 2 handed method.
 
My recollection is the same as some of the other posters, that it was repopularized by Col. Cooper after Jack Weaver started winning matches at the old "Leatherslap" matches at Big Bear, along with some of the other greats who were there, such as the great Thell Reed, who trains actors in Hollywood now. Check out the end credits in LA. Confidential. Very good gun work in that movie.

TIPOC, I may be wrong, as I frequently am,:o, but I believe Col. Cooper founded Gunsite, and it was and is Clint Smith that runs Thunder Ranch.
JMHO and as always, YMMV.
Willy
 
The Isoceles Stance-as I practice it, is as follows:
1. You stand facing the target-think of the position "Parade Rest".
2. You bring your shooting hand up to eye level.
3. You bring your non shooting hand up, place your fingers over your shooting
hand.
and fire away.
Both arms are extended equally.
 
I'm sort of a history buff and the use of two hands to steady a pistol is as old as the pistol itself BUT it was historically done when the distance was long and time allowed and often from a protected position.
Some thoughts...........
I am always shocked at the number of law enforcement officers shot or killed by drug crazed punks. Off hand you would think a police officer- well trained- would win every fight. The sad truth is whoever gets off the first shot has a bullet speeding through the air and that bullet has to go some place- sometimes with sad results.
The range I shoot at is a police range open to the public at certain times. I usually like to strike up some talk with the officers that might show up.
"Are you right handed?" I ask.
"Yes."
"Try some left handed shooting."
"Why?"
"Well...what happens if you get shot in the right arm? What will you do in a building if available cover requires left handed shooting?"
In any event I have often wondered if training forces you to do something you would naturally NOT do- like taking time to use a two hand hold when shooting from the hip or one handed might be the instinctive choice.
The same can be said of hunting. About a year ago on another forum a guy was crying because he lost a cow elk on an easy 25 yard shot. He hit it in the lungs but the hit was high or -whatever- in any event the elk took off and he never found it.
"Why the lung shot?" I asked.
"What else???" came the reply.
"It was a COW- why not shoot it in the head?"
Oh boy- what a stir that caused with all the tree stand hunters with their beans field rifles. I was accused of being unsporting, destroying a beautiful game animal, you name it.
I opined that we all read the magazines and all the guys in the magazines take a lung shot so....that's what everyone does.
Still more complaints- small target- unsporting, etc, etc.
Now on a baseball diamond it's 90 feet from third base to home plate. If someone can't make a head shot at 25 yards with a RIFLE they have no business being in the woods.
In any event- go head and practice the 2 hand hold but do some old time pistol shooting as well. Put some candy wafers or crackers in a crack in a log and shoot them off hand- ONLY HITS COUNT. Make that tin can dance and shoot fast while its still moving. Practice with both hands.
Once you become a talented and fast shot one more thing is required.
SMILE :D and be polite when all the two hand only crowd tells you that you're not doing it "right"
 
TIPOC, I may be wrong, as I frequently am,, but I believe Col. Cooper founded Gunsite, and it was and is Clint Smith that runs Thunder Ranch.
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You're right. My bad and thanks.

tipoc
 
My wife and I practice two hand and both left and right hands individually it was never a matter of coolness just if a SD situation your more than likely going to take a hit with a fist, stick, knife or gun so its good to practce shooting as if you were injured.

I am very accurate one handed or two but my groups are smaller with two hands and I think my speed shootings a bit faster.
 
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I am always shocked at the number of law enforcement officers shot or killed by drug crazed punks. Off hand you would think a police officer- well trained- would win every fight. The sad truth is whoever gets off the first shot has a bullet speeding through the air and that bullet has to go some place- sometimes with sad results.
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bighead46: I have family members and friends in law enforcement. They are required to qualify twice a year on the range. None of them are target shooters or hunters and don't fire a gun any time in between those times they must qualify. I also know a few LEOs who shoot competitivly but they are the exception, not the rule. I don't believe the majority of LEWs shoot enough to be considered really "well trained". I personally believe that they should be required to shoot and qualify on a much more frequent basis. It's always sad to see where a law enforcement officer dies in the line of duty in a gun fight when better mandatory training might have made a difference.
 
Way back in the dark ages (1970s) when I was in the USMC, we were trained to use two hands on the M1911a1.
 
When did 2 handed shooting become cool?
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I'll be honest, I've never been much into "being cool". I carry a handgun with the idea of hitting my target if/when I shoot it, and anything that helps me do that is good.

IOW, I'd much rather take a two handed stance and stop a threat, than a one handed stance and have the threat stop mie. I shoot way more accurately with two hands, just as most people do.

But if someone's been trained with one handed shooting, and shoots better that way, then by all means use it. Use whatever works best for you.

Daryl
 
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