From: jamaass@bluemoon.use.com (Jeffrey A. Maass)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: A rec.guns posting?
Date: 16 Nov 92 01:09:35 GMT
Article-I.D.: bluemoon.H8LauB4w165w
Organization: Blue Moon BBS ((614) 868-998[024])

kdlin@advtech.uswest.com (David Lin) writes:

# In article <9211120534.AA16366@mimsy.cs.UMD.EDU> kgk@martigny.ai.mit.edu (Kle
# #To give an example, let's talk about shooting a pistol (9mm
# #auto), in "combat" style.  
# 
# Let me take a shot. I can always get corrections if I am wrong. :)
# 
# #Now, where do the feet go?  If * represents the target, does the line
# #between one's feet go like
# #
# # |     *,
# #
# #or like
# #
# # /     *,
# #
# #or like
# #
# # --    *
# #
# #? [/, right?]
# 
# My answer is it depends. ( Isn't that the answer you always get? ;)
# 
# If you are shooting target loads, the "|    *" stance ( or the so-called
# isosceles stance ) might be good. This is the stance most IPSC shooters
# will use, according the video "How to shoot fast and accurate".
# 
# On the other hand, if you are shooting full combat loads, the "/    *"
# stance ( weaver or modified weaver stance ) may be better, since
# it helps to absorb the recoils.

Mike Plaxco recommends using the isosceles stance with the left
foot slightly advanced: maintains the mobility of the isosceles
and helps control the recoil.

# 
# #How does the line through the shoulders compare to the line between
# #the feet?  Does one lift their shoulders to bring the gun in line with
# #one's eyes, or does one lower his (her) head to the line of the
# #pistol?  [Lower head, right?]  
# 
# To the beste of my knowledge, both have been used. Most IPSC shooters
# might prefer to bring guns in line with their eyes. However, other
# IPSC shooters ( like Ken Tapp ) lower their heads to meet the pistol
# too. Guess it all depend what works the best for you.

Anything that reduces the amount of stress in the head/neck
area will improve your shooting, from my reading. Bring the
gun up to eye level, and adduct your shoulders (squeeze the
shoulder blades together slightly while holding the gun in the
isocelese stance.

# 
# #Is one supposed to "crouch" (bend at
# #the knees) these days?  [No, right?]  
# 
# I think you are supposed to bend a little.

In the "olden days" (60's and early 70's), police were taught to
"squat", legs far apart, knees nearly 90 degrees, and butt low.
This is no longer true, as far as I've seen.

Don't lock your knees (or elbows), but you need not "crouch".

# 
# #Other issues are important, too;
# #for example, does one shoot with both eyes open?  [Yes, right?]  
# 
# I think the answer is yes.
# Some shooters find it is difficult for them to keep both eyes open.
# However, I always keep both of my eyes open. I have 20/10 ( better than
# normal ) vision and guess it helps too.

I am cross-dominant (left-eyed, right handed), and use a red-dot
sight (Aimpoint 5000) on my IPSC gun. I've spent the past three
weeks working on keeping both eyes open, and my shooting has 
improved from the "close the right eye" approach.

Under stress of competition, I am still reverting (occassionally)
to one-eyed shooting, but I'm getting better at keeping them both 
on the target.

The bottom line is, experiment and do what works for you!

I've read books by Enos and Plaxco, and a compilation on
(primarily NRA Bullseye) shooting from Gil Hebert Guns
(125-129 Public Square, Knoxville IL  61448. $5.95) which is 
a *great* source for learning sight technique and trigger control.

Defensive skills are different from some competition skills, but
the basics are all the same!


Jeff Maass                   Amateur Radio: K8ND (@ W8CQK)
Powell OH (NW of Columbus)         Netmail: jamaass@bluemoon.uucp