small guns with pistol grips?

Question

do you think it is improper to shoot a pistol revolver or a submachine gun with one hand? I don't see why a small pistol type arm would require two hands if there not long guns like rifles and shotguns.

Answer 1

I wouldn't call it improper, just a matter of technique and personal preference. Personally, I practice shooting all of my handguns in four different ways, one handed (left and right) and two handed (right hand w/ left leg forward and left hand with right leg forward). I have found that with some handguns, I am more accurate with one hand (e.g. my Glock 19) and with others I am more accurate with 2 hands (e.g. my Ruger SP101). For me, it seems the more recoil, the more likely that I need 2 hands for accurate shooting, whereas with less recoil, 2 hands somehow screws up my technique and makes me less accurate.

Answer 2

I shot pistols of all calibres with one hand for forty years until more than ten years ago when pistols were banned in mainland UK to "get the guns off the streets" as our embecile Home Sec. Jerk Straw said at the time. I lost all mine, but obviously the crooks didn't. Since then of course, armed crime has increased several hundred % including the use of full auto weapons that were banned more than 70 years ago. Banning really does work, doesn't it? I could never get the hang of a two handed grip, or 'Weaver stance' as it is called. It was introduced in the 30s for use by cops who were chasing felons and were out of puff with running. It is supposed to steady the aim, and I suppose it does, but I had a 44 mag for thirty years and never had any trouble holding it up or shooting it one handed. Piece of cake. Burp guns are different. The only experience that I had with them was in the forces (I was an RAF armourer a long time ago) They are all crude and they have not altered in basics since the first real one, the German Bergman of 1918, 90 years ago, so what is new? The only real difference is that modern things like the Uzi or Mac 10 and the dozens of others, are a whole lot cruder, cheaper and nastier than the Bergman ever was, and generally they don't shoot nearly so well. They nearly all operate on the straight blowback principle, which means that a big lump of iron slams back and forth with every shot. It usually weighs nearly as much as the rest of the gun, so in addition to the recoil you have to contend with the balance of the gun changing violently with every shot. Even when you hold them with both hands and shoot brief bursts, they bounce about and climb; usually left, depending on the rifling twist. God alone knows where they would shoot if you held them one handed! The Bergman looks like a very short stubby rifle and was introduced for use in the trenches of the first war where the enemy was right in front of you and there was no room for a rifle. In such circumstances they are fine, they are good for alley cleaning and spray and pray at point blank. Anything over 20 yards away on full auto is pretty safe, the first shot may hit but the others will go through the ceiling. Don't believe all you see in the pictures! They are shooting blanks, and the other guy is paid to fall down. In reality, the other guy has just as much chance as you have, and he's probably a better shot and not pissing himself with fear. Obviously you have never fired a pistol, let alone a machine gun, and let me tell you that it is the hell of a lot harder than it looks!

Answer 3

I shoot all pistols with one hand. Even .44 mags. The only reasons you would want to use 2 hands is if it will make you more accurate or if the kick is more than you can handle with one hand.

With many automatics a guy really can't shoot two handed very well. The guns are just too small. Remember first time I fired a friends .45. The slide bit me cause I tried a 2 handed grip.

I do fairly well accuracy wise with a 1 hand grip. The kick is quite managable. The .44 mag one time bit a knuckle because I held it a little too loose. Adjusted my grip on next shot and no problem. I'm not a huge guy. I am only 5'10 so if I can do it so too can most guys.

Answer 4

It's more consistent - if your position and hold of the weapon is decent, then when you fire it the recoil will kick it back but the weapon should return almost exactly to where you were aiming. It's the same reason why support weapons have a tripod or bipod instead of a monopod - two points or more points of support makes all the difference.

Not to mention it's safer - you have almost total control of the weapon. With only one hand on it, all it takes is for you to slip or for someone to poke you in the arm for your aim to go all over the place.

And there's the issue of comfort, too - for first time pistol shooters, small firearms have a surprising amount of kick. I'd rather spread that out across two hands than one.

Answer 5

There are only two (2)* ways to shoot a pistol or revolver.* You can shoot instinctive, which means you simply point & shoot without ever using the sights at all.* Through practice one can become just as accurate as someone who uses their sights, whether you use one (1)* hand or two (2)*... For those who use their sights two (2)* hands are better than one for accuracy and steadiness in shooting the handgun.*

Answer 6

I prefer the stability of a two handed grip but that may not always be possible.

The proximity of your attacker might limit you inability to go to a full Weaver stance or you might be physically injured to the point where a two handed grip might be out of the question.

There could be a variety of reasons why the preferred 2 handed grip might not work. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE FIGHT IS OFF. Your assailant will not quit or let you call time out.

Practice one handed shots, weak handed shots any situation that you think you might encounter.

You may never need to; but if you do it may mean life or death.

Answer 7

Using two hands provides more stability, and thus a more accurate shot.

I also had some training a while back that when we were shooting five yards and closer we only used one to shoot with, and the other kept free to potentially fend off an assailant.

Answer 8

In my exp.22,25,380 cal.38 special.shot well with one hand,357 mag,9mm,44 mag,45 cal.357 Super Blackhawk,Desert Eagle.Mac-10,Cobray M-11,MP5,I had to use 2 hands for stability,accuracy,I found Glock,Kel Tec,have available modified grips for small hands such as mine.NEVER been bit by a semi-auto,cause... I slide my hand down away from the slide then grip.also get a comfortable grip,that suits your size hand.works with your hand form.make sure its not too heavy.I've owned many older firearms,the newer makers are lighter,more durable,less jamming,cost more but you cant put a price on life.

Answer 9

Yes it is improper because you have no control over the pistol or sub machine gun LMAO, which leads to accidents which makes all of us responsible gun owners look bad.Forget the gangster crap its only for the movies GROW UP!

Answer 10

9 times out of 10 you want two hands...there are obvious exceptions but it does provide a more accurate placement of the shot.