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The Importance of One-Hand Shooting Training

August 2, 2018 by Bob Campbell 5 Comments

It is interesting how handgun training has so many variables. As an example, most modern shooters regard two-hand fire as the default skill, so they practice two-hand fire less. In the past it was one-hand fire, and two-hand fire was used only at extreme range. There is no question that two-hand fire is the most accurate, but one-hand fire is the faster. The balance of speed and accuracy must be maintained. One-hand shooting will be used at short range and when speed is needed but accuracy cannot be sacrificed. Two-hand fire is used at the range at which you need more accuracy.

Bob Campbell shooting a pistol one handed
Firing quickly from eye level provides excellent accuracy.

If you need to make that shot, it will be pretty important and you must have practice behind it. I am not going to cover weak hand shooting with one-hand at present—although it is an important, even vital, skill. Let’s take one step at a time. In Bill Jordan’s’ work No Second Place Winner, this gunfight veteran (USMC, Border Patrol) outlined the distance at which one- and two-hand fire was used.

A very fast one-hand shot at 3-5 yards is outlined and then the piece is brought to eye level for a shot at 7 yards. The handgun is leveled for two-hand hold at longer ranges. This makes sense, but there is no set distance for each shooter. Some may be pretty good well past five yards with one-hand others are hopeless.

The ones who practice are the winners. As Mr. Jordan said, there are no second place winners. The first hurdle is to decide that you will practice. The next is to understand what you will be able to do with the practice time, and budget you have. If you have been firing with one-hand and doing well, you must realize that moving to one-hand practice isn’t going to deliver the same accuracy.

headshot group at a silhouette target for One-Hand Shooting
This is a headshot group at a long 20 yards. Probably need to count 15 yards as the maximum headshot range for this shooter.

Slow, inept one-hand shooting wont get it. Practicing poorly might as well simply be avoided. All training motivation is internal. When you are confronted by a threat, the motivation is external—you must fight and fight well to avoid death or injury. When training, you must secure motivation from inside.

I begin training with several simple drills. One is the Bill Drill. This is Bill Wilson’s drill in which you fire six shots as quickly as possible to test control and accuracy. For most of us, it is best to begin at 3 to 5 yards. This is usually fired in less than two seconds.

You may find that your hits are all over the target. You must begin to learn to hold a hard grip and keep the arm lined up with the shoulder. It is different from firing with both hands and the body stance differs. Firing for one shot, in one second, is a reasonable beginning at which most should perform their practice.

Taurus G2S posed with a target filled with bullet holes
The Taurus G2S is good enough to ride with.

With the maximum speed Bill Drill you have learned whether your technique is off, as the pistol squirms in the hand. When firing for one shot and one hit, you stress the importance of getting a hit. I draw, fire, and then reholster and fire again. No, this isn’t as much fun as firing a bunch of shots in a flurry, but it builds competence discipline and life saving skill. After you have shown progress in this drill, and you are getting most of your hits in the X-ring, move to getting three shots in the X-ring in three seconds.

I normally carry a Commander .45, a 28-ounce 1911. Sometimes, I carry a Glock 22 .40. I have several .357 Magnum revolvers I use when hiking or for ‘outdoors’ use. Then there are the 9mm compact self-loaders and snubnose .38 backup revolvers. I keep their ability in perspective and strive to learn my range and ability with each.

The backup or deep concealment handguns are often neglected, but they should not be. You will not rise to the occasion; you will fire at your average competency. That has best be enough for what is needed. Remember, focus and motivation.

Colt Cobra and Colt Detective Special revolvers with cylinders open
A Colt Cobra and a Colt Detective Special on the front line.

As an example, while common sense tells us you can get a number of hits quickly with the Taurus G2C 9mm, a heavy SWC from the Colt .38 is going to drive deep in the target. Whatever your choice, practice and keep up with the time. It is like a par time on the golf course, save it is far more serious.

When you are firing with one hand, lean into the handgun and keep a steady grip. The strong side firing leg should be forward as you lean into the handgun. The forward bias must be there unless you are protecting the body from a threat. In that case, go with what you know; it may be the retention position.

The wrist must be locked. Some of you may have been firing with a kind of H grip rather than a locked wrist and the support hand doing just that—supporting. Lock the wrist, and be certain the grip is hard. The elbow isn’t locked, but flexed, without a severe bend. Use square range drills positional shooting, and be all you can be. A word on trigger control, keep the trigger finger on the face of the trigger and press straight back. Do not press to one side or the other. Instead, press straight back and keep the action that way. One-hand shooting is a learned skill that may save your life, but you’ll have to practice.

How much time do you spend training to shoot with one versus two hands? How important do you feel each skill is? Do you prefer one-hand shooting or two? Share your answers in the comment section.


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silhouette target
Playing a little is OK; the author demolished this silhouette at 7 yards.
Colt Cobra and Colt Detective Special revolver
The author’s favorite snub nose .38s get the occasional work out.
silhouette target with white 3x5 cards filled with bullet holes
As practice progresses so will proficiency and accuracy.
Bob Campbell firing with a two-handed grip
When maximum accuracy is needed use two-hands.
headshot group at a silhouette target
This is a headshot group at a long 20 yards. Probably need to count 15 yards as the maximum headshot range for this shooter.
Bob Campbell shooting a pistol one handed
Firing quickly from eye level provides excellent accuracy.
Taurus G2S posed with a target filled with bullet holes
The Taurus G2S is good enough to ride with.
Ruger SR1911 pistol with several magazines loaded with different cartridges
When training the author also tests for reliability- these magazines contain the Hornady 185-grain Zombie load, Winchester’s 230-grain JHP, SIG Sauer V Crown 200-grain JHP and Hornady 230-grain XTP. Function was perfect.
bullet holes in a target
Two-hands, seven yards, different speeds.
Bob Campbell shooting a handgun to lockback
Firing a 9mm to lockback in a speed drill.
side view of Bob Campbell shooting one handed
The author in a speed drill with the Commander .45.
Federal Ammunition Train and Protect cartridges with a Glock 22
Federal’s Train and Protect load is often used for practice and carry.
Ruger SR1911 LW Commander pistol
The author’s carry gun, a Ruger SR1911 LW Commander .45.
Colt Cobra and Colt Detective Special revolvers with cylinders open
A Colt Cobra and a Colt Detective Special on the front line.

Filed Under: How To, Self Defense, Tactics Tagged With: Federal Ammunition, Glock, Hornady, personal defense, SIG Sauer Ammunition, Winchester Ammunition

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. scott Knoll says

    August 5, 2018 at 9:14 am

    Everytime I am at the range I practice one hand shooting with both strong side and weak. never know when you will need it.

    Reply
  2. Bruce Long says

    August 6, 2018 at 10:41 am

    From reading books by people that have been in multiple gun fights, I practice one-handed up to ten yards, point shooting with eyes on the target. I practice so much one-handed, that it is my default now. Being able to draw fast and shoot accurately with one hand, without using the sights, is a real confidence builder.

    Reply
  3. Mike says

    August 8, 2018 at 4:04 pm

    I’ve always practiced both one-handed and two-handed. I’m ambidextrous with handguns, and practice with both hands. I also practice guarding the weapon and disarming drills.

    Reply
  4. BradB says

    August 9, 2018 at 10:59 pm

    My Dad, a Korea vet always insisted on training one handed, both hands, and even with a rifle.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Handguns and CCW: Training and Re-Training - The K-Var Armory says:
    January 16, 2020 at 3:24 pm

    […] should be some stress involved in training. Different personalities handle stress differently. Some have stress from peer pressure, others […]

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