I have heard and read from several different sources about how the Weaver stance got its start. Fom what I have learned from several different sources, it is generaly accepted that it really began back in the late 60's-early 70's, up at Big Bear, when Jack Weaver, Col. Cooper, the great Thell Reed, and some others were competing in the "Leather Slap" competitions held, I believe by Col. Cooper. Things were generaly evenly split speed and accuracy wise, until the one year Jack Weaver started using his now famous two hande grip with one elbow- on the off hand bent at a more acute angle than the strong side. I have seen video that documents this with all of them firing one handed except for Mr., or Officer, Weaver, who proceeded to clean the clocks of the other shooters. In addition, I shot USPSA for about 13 years and met some of the "Old Timers" that were involved with the matches, and they concur.
My issue is that I just watched an episode of "Modern Marvels" on the History channel this morning, it was titiled "Police Guns", and they showed a clip of what appears to be a documentary style film, as opposed to a Drama, that was titiled "The Thin Blue Line" It was dated 1956, and the revolvers, uniforms, haircuts, etc. seemed to be in line with this date. It showed a line of about 15-20 officers drawing- and going into the Weaver stance. They did go to one knee, BUT they did NOT rest their elbows on the knee, rather they held a proper Weaver stance, just kneeling. This would seem to indicate to me that this stance was in general use, at least with LAPD long before the Leather Slap matches.
Does anyone have any info about how and when the Weaver Stance took the LEO and shooting community by storm, as it were? Just curious, as I believe that the transition to the two handed hold from the "Bullseye" one handed hold by LE probably saved as many officers lives as vests have.
Willy
My issue is that I just watched an episode of "Modern Marvels" on the History channel this morning, it was titiled "Police Guns", and they showed a clip of what appears to be a documentary style film, as opposed to a Drama, that was titiled "The Thin Blue Line" It was dated 1956, and the revolvers, uniforms, haircuts, etc. seemed to be in line with this date. It showed a line of about 15-20 officers drawing- and going into the Weaver stance. They did go to one knee, BUT they did NOT rest their elbows on the knee, rather they held a proper Weaver stance, just kneeling. This would seem to indicate to me that this stance was in general use, at least with LAPD long before the Leather Slap matches.
Does anyone have any info about how and when the Weaver Stance took the LEO and shooting community by storm, as it were? Just curious, as I believe that the transition to the two handed hold from the "Bullseye" one handed hold by LE probably saved as many officers lives as vests have.
Willy