CC Permit

[mthrockmor]

Interesting that you bring up grip.  If we go "by the book", it says to use %40 of your total grip from the main hand and %60 of your grip comes from the "support" hand (outside).  Yes, you heard that correctly.  For a right handed shooter the right hand should be about %40 of the total grip, and the left hand as it wraps around the right hand should give about %60 of the grip pressure.  The the thumb of the right hand high enough so the heel of the left hand can actually touch the guns left grip panel.  The right thumb should rest on top of the left thumb.  I've seen people squeeze so hard on their handgun that it shakes, too tight of a grip works against the shooter.  Instead, the stiffness needs to come from the arms most notably between the elbows and wrists.  The gun in the hands should not move at all, so indeed the bigger and more powerful the cartridge the more fatigue that the shooter is going to experience.  I can shoot 9mm all day long from my Sig 226, but when I carried the .357 Sig in my Sig 226 for that 12-18 months or so I certainly could tell I had been shooting something with some gusto after a few boxes of ammo.

   

Agreed. It is like someone who can barely bench press 150 lbs and they shake the entire time. Versus someone strong enough to bench press 200 lbs, but calmly pressing 150 lbs. A strong grip makes the whole process much smoother. All the shooters I know have very strong grips then exercise a smooth, consistent squeeze. Do you ever do one handed shooting? My Dad does it as a form of practice.

Boo

[SmokinLoon]

Agreed. It is like someone who can barely bench press 150 lbs and they shake the entire time. Versus someone strong enough to bench press 200 lbs, but calmly pressing 150 lbs. A strong grip makes the whole process much smoother. All the shooters I know have very strong grips then exercise a smooth, consistent squeeze. Do you ever do one handed shooting? My Dad does it as a form of practice.

Boo

I shoot equally using the typical two hand grip, single hand strong, and single hand "support" (using left hand only).  I also shoot from about 8+ different stances.  I shoot prone both on stomach and back; both knees down; 1 knee down; weaver; modified weaver; isosceles; one hand target (turn full sideways); while moving laterally and forward/backward; and then when able I do all of those stances using the "support" hand alone, too.  But for standard shooting technique I usually split between the three grips (dual, 1 hand strong, 1 hand support).

FWIW, research has shown that no matter how many times you practice using the weaver or modified weaver stance that by some genetic default our bodies will typically use the isosceles stance if given the chance.  Some researchers think it is because for thousands of years humans have "engaged" a threat using 1 arm as a shield or for balance and the other to strike and the isosceles stance best mimics that.  Anyone's guess though.  I always teach to stand like you're going to punch someone, it seems to provide the best balance. 

[mthrockmor]

Next time I go shooting I want to try the 'Tom Cruise in Collateral' shooting position. He is on his back, basically like he is doing sit-ups, knees spread a bit and hit targets. I know, it's Hollywood and my local gun range discourages people from screwing around but I do think there could be a practical application in a messy situation.

Boo

[bcadoo]

9mm is the smallest allowed for Texas.

In Texas, .32 caliber is the smallest you can qualify with.  Once you have your CHL you can carry any caliber you want, even a .22.

[SmokinLoon]

Next time I go shooting I want to try the 'Tom Cruise in Collateral' shooting position. He is on his back, basically like he is doing sit-ups, knees spread a bit and hit targets. I know, it's Hollywood and my local gun range discourages people from screwing around but I do think there could be a practical application in a messy situation.

Boo

Actually, firing your pistol with your backside on the ground is a valid stance.  In the case of a peace officer if and when we were ever knocked down instead of taking the time to get up first we were trained to brand whatever tool we needed (OC spray, Asp baton, taser, pistol) to defend ourselves and get control of the situation and then get up.  Firing while your back is on the ground or in partial sit-up mode is not Hollywood at all, it is a valid stance.  In the last 10 years or so there has been an entire new school of thought brought forth in positions and stances.  For instance, picture yourself slowing moving down a hallway with your pistol at "ready" position (approximately 2-4 inches below your sight plain).  You hear a noise in the opposite direction you are face/moving.  Instead of completely turning your entire body simply bring your hands to your chest and transfer the gun from right to left then continue on and point the gun 180° from the start of the transfer without moving your body much at all.  That transaction is much faster and smoother than moving your entire body, but you have to really train with using your off hand as primary hand to be able to shoot worth a hoot.  It takes a lot of practice.