Question for the lefties (CAR system training)

[BigFatGuy]

I took my first pistol class (Civilian Firearms Training at Prado Olympic Park) yesterday, and it was cool.

The training is based on the CAR system (http://www.pointshooting.com/1acar.htm), of which an important part is that you eventually learn to handle the gun with either hand. I like this idea, especially since when you fire from the "high" position (with the gun cradled in your chest), every shell you fire hits you square in the chest/neck with a piece of hot brass that settles onto your forearms until you shake them off.

So, Lefties, given the difficulties of handling most pistols left-handed, and the desire to eventually become ambi-dexterous, would you train with your left first, then slowly switch over, or give in to the "right handed media" and start training like a northpaw to get the learning curve over with more quickly?

I learned to box like a righty due to the difficulty of finding left handed training partners in beginner classes, and while it's effective, I kind of feel like I "sold out". ;-)

Thanks for any advice...

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

All I do is roll the pistol outward a little more in the high position. As an alternative, you can move the pistol a little further forward. Either one works.

As far as training goes, when I instruct, I first make sure that students are reasonably comfortable using a new technique with their dominant hand. Then introduce the use of the technique with the non-dominant hand, then have them transition back and forth to build the new muscle memory required for the new skill, and also to practice transition as it is a skill that many shooters don't practice nearly enough. There's no question of "selling out" as no one's keeping score as far as I know.

[BigFatGuy]

As an alternative, you can move the pistol a little further forward.

This was my initial instinct before I fired the pistol, it was quickly "corrected" by the trainer. ;-)

All I do is roll the pistol outward a little more in the high position.

This, I hadn't even thought of... do you roll it all the way to the horizontal, or not quite that far?[/quote]

Thanks!

[fullrearview]

I train both ways.....Everyone should....Big Jake, thats not an invite!

[BigFatGuy]

I train both ways.....Everyone should....Big Jake, thats not an invite!

Here's a question... once you've trained to be competent on both sides, which side do you holster on?

I know it feels strange to me to box in a southpaw stance, because I've trained as a right handed boxer 90% of the time. (Muay Thai, actually, but that's not important).

Are you still a "left handed" shooter, or did you eventually become ambisinister?