The One-Hand-Tied-Behind-My-Back Rules Of Gunfighting

American Handgunner, Nov, 2000 by Ken Hackathorn

Keep most of your one-hand training at less than 10 yards, with heavy doses of 5 to 7 yard shooting. Most life-and-death handgun encounters take place at 5 yards or less. At this distance, one-hand shooting is the rule because of surprise, and the desire to shoot fast.

Without the support of the non-firing hand, it is easy to deflect the pistol off target at even 5 yards if you are crunching the trigger to make the gun go off quickly. It is very important to keep the firing grip uniform and firm when firing with just one hand. The amount of gripping force must be very firm to keep the handgun under control during fast shooting and with the recoil of most self-defense loads.

One of the best techniques to aid in a superb one-hand shooting technique is to keep the pistol or revolver aligned with the target so that the sights, or at least the top strap or slide of the handgun, points at the same object that your eyes are focused on.

It is critical to control the recoil of the handgun so that it recoils back to the aiming point. A secret to doing this well when shooting strong-hand is to make sure your elbow is pointing at 6 o'clock. Note that most of us place our elbows at a 4 or 5 o'clock position when firing with just our strong-hand. This seems more natural and relaxed. In fact, being relaxed is not good if you wish to grip the handgun with enough strength to control recoil and prevent the handgun from being pushed off target by fast trigger pulling.

Note that most right-handed shooters tend to pull their shots low-left when firing strong-hand only. Lefties tend to place their shots low-right. The next time you go to the range to practice, try your strong-hand shooting drills with a conscious effort to pull your elbow to the 6 o'clock position. Note that the muscles in your dominant arm will be much more rigid, providing a firm grip and better control of the handgun.

Note that when you fire the handgun, it recoils back to the place where the sights were prior to releasing the sear. You can fire very fast, accurate rounds at close quarters with this technique.

Devote at least 20 percent of your range time to one-hand shooting. Keep the targets inside 10 yards, and once you get good with this technique, add movement-- backing away from the target as you engage it.

Loud noises do not usually stop a gunfight, but well placed hits do.