About Me

I am also the author of 4 books, available on Amazon, and at many major outlets. I have been contributing writer for Combat Handgun Magazine and Women and Guns Magazine.

I was an instructor for many years, Recently retired.

Thank you for following along with me as this journey continues.

Safe Shooting!



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Thoughts, comments and insights for women who shoot and the men who love us!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Learning to Shoot with my Weak Hand

Who knew, what a challenge!  One handed, no problem, two hands?  Well, all thumbs comes to mind.  Why would I put myself through that?  Two reasons, I teach and need to know how to do everything with a left or right handed shooter, and to satisfy a course of fire in the Winchester NRA qualification package.

There are practical reasons also.  What if I injure my right hand?  What if my carpal tunnel flares again and I can’t shoot with my right hand?

Most semi-automatics are configured for the right handed shooter.  It can be a challenge.  I’ve seen many left hander’s simply switch the gun to the opposite hand to release the magazine and lock the slide.  However, in an emergency situation, when fractions of a second count, you don’t have time to do that. 

The Magazine release wasn’t too tough.  The slide lock, once I was shown how, was surprisingly easy.  Holding the pistol in your left hand, in the normal grip, using your right hand to overhand and draw back the slide you simultaneously push up on the slide lock with the side of your index finger.  It is in that general area anyway since it is up on the frame.  Easy?  Not at first, but with practice, sure! 

Always a good idea to know how to do things with either hand.  For experienced shooters, it can make shooting feel new again as you are learning a new skill.  For left hander’s you can save precious seconds by not transferring your gun to your weak hand. 

Safe Shooting!

4 comments:

  1. I decided, six months ago or so, to shoot an entire Defensive Pistol match left-handed and it was tough! Many of the shooters were absolutely astounded and wondered why on earth I would want to do it. My answer sounded very similar to yours - if I'm injured, I want to know that I can still use my weak hand.

    I'll keep at it, at least until I am more comfortable and confident. I think with a little more practice, it will start to feel more "normal". Another few hundred rounds down range or so. I've found that I'm already more comfortable just handling it left handed and when I'm doing Fit Shot, I do it ambidextrously.

    Besides, it's kinda fun doing something the "guys" can't (or won't) do :)

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    Replies
    1. Wow! Congratulations! You are an inspiration and hopefully others watching took away something to think about.

      Safe Shooting!

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  2. I am a lefty and I shoot a Glock, so I have to adjust everything, but it didn't take long at all to learn. Whenever I go to the range, I shoot at least one magazine using my weak hand(that's the right one for me) and at least one magazine using just one hand.

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  3. Girl Do you lock the slide with your left index finger or switch hands? I shoot left handed fairly well, but hadn't been practicing locking the slide, swapping mags, etc. My instructor reminded me that, as an instructor, I need to do it all with either hand. I'm still practicing, it is tough, but I'm getting there!

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