Pistol Shooting Stances

[CheapBloke]

From my experience at many indoor ranges I have gone to, practically all shooters shoot the Isosceles Stance (or somewhat modified version of it).
Another common stance, is the Weaver or Chapman. Both similar looking stance, but Weaver will be more common than Chapman.

Then comes to the way I like shooting, which for some unknown reason gets the stink-eye from shooters left and right of me. Even had another shooter come up to me asking me if I knew shooting stances which I laughed it off.
The Center Axis Relock stance. Rarely you will see someone shooting in this stance. I personally feel this is a important stance to practice in, as you will never know when you will need to firefight in enclosed spaces and won't have the space for full stretch of arms to shoot.
Literally holding your pistol inches away from eye/nose. Effectively getting good shots as other stances is bit harder, but the challenge and shooting experience is a lot better.
Why does this stance get odd looks from others?
Have you shot the Center Axis Relock stance before?
What stance do you shoot commonly?
Do you switch stances in your range time?

And if you don't know what the difference of each stance is, sorry I did not include a index for it. (google it lol).

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[HKAllTheThings]

John Wick thread

[PaperTarget]

I have never shot the C.A.R. stance. Looks more BP's style.
I have used most often the Weaver.

[Kyle1886]

My Dad instructed in several "stances" for different situations and some were "abnormal" by today's standard.

The Marine Corps basic stance was the "one handed" stance back in the late 50's early 60's. (Just luck I qualified; sure wasn't skill).

Today, I'm normally two hand isosceles variance depending on physical capability (arthritis, etc.) and range rules.

As long as I can hit the "target" I'm happy. I doubt that my "foe" will be critiquing my stance.

Practice what works for you and nothing wrong in experimenting also.

Respectfully
Kyle

[9Cal_OC]

How does it feel shooting with that grip?

Just tried it but it feels awkward.

[CheapBloke]

John Wick thread

Sorry, i don't know what you mean by this. Unless the stance I find interested shooting is the same of a artificial character?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[9Cal_OC]

For me, the aim is lot harder, but feels more natural than isosceles stance to me. It is comparable to Weaver stance, just the position of arms and elbows is closer to the chest.
I feel that in (if I ever decide to apply for) CCW, it could be effective, as in drawing the weapon out to a faster effective shooting position than what a person who has practiced isosceles their whole shooting time, and since many defensive shots happen in close encounters, I think this stance would be more useful.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[Black Majik]

Do what does well with you. But truthfully anyone at the range who does shoot CAR look like they're trying to mimic John Wick.

Times I've seen it at the range, their paper target got peppered with bullet holes. I dunno, I guess because "training."

[slamfire1]

Just practice with any stance you want. In time, you will figure out what you like. Don't obsess on form, work on sight alignment and trigger pull, and the hits will follow.

[broadside]

It has it's place. You probably see the peppered targets because its intended to a stance for close quarters

[mooner760HD]

Sorry, i don't know what you mean by this. Unless the stance I find interested shooting is the same of a artificial character?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Full stop.

If you haven't watched them you should watch the John wick movies. Very fun movies.

[naz]

Do what does well with you. But truthfully anyone at the range who does shoot CAR look like they're trying to mimic John Wick.
."

Yup, same reason as why LGS guys were teasing me that I must be a JW fan boy when they delivered M2 and G34 to me

I think you should practice what you want as much as you want OP. And on a related note, practice retention of your rifle if you use that for HD

It’s really like any other martial art, where you should practice as much as you can, and practice different things for different situations.

[CheapBloke]

Full stop.



If you haven't watched them you should watch the John wick movies. Very fun movies.

I watched the first when it came out back in '14 or something, but didn't even have a pistol at the time so didn't even think about pistol shooting stances.
Honestly I didn't know this shooting stance I started shooting was CAR. I just thought what if I started shooting with elbows in, arms not stretched. It felt comfortable, so I looked up if there was a way to improve this unknown stance if it did exist, and there it was CAR.

But yea, I shall stick to this stance a bit more to see if my aim ever improves before giving up to go back to a more accurate stance.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[hambam105]

The Late Jeff Copper and the organized action pistol shooters crowd had this fight, I mean discussion, from
1978 to 1998. Give or take a decade.

So until pistol shooters everywhere get the final word everyone is allowed to use the stance they prefer.
Even if they chose to position their body from the belt up with the weaver stance and from the
belt down use the isosceles.

[Verdha603]

From my experience at many indoor ranges I have gone to, practically all shooters shoot the Isosceles Stance (or somewhat modified version of it).
Another common stance, is the Weaver or Chapman. Both similar looking stance, but Weaver will be more common than Chapman.

Then comes to the way I like shooting, which for some unknown reason gets the stink-eye from shooters left and right of me. Even had another shooter come up to me asking me if I knew shooting stances which I laughed it off.
The Center Axis Relock stance. Rarely you will see someone shooting in this stance. I personally feel this is a important stance to practice in, as you will never know when you will need to firefight in enclosed spaces and won't have the space for full stretch of arms to shoot.
Literally holding your pistol inches away from eye/nose. Effectively getting good shots as other stances is bit harder, but the challenge and shooting experience is a lot better.
Why does this stance get odd looks from others?
Have you shot the Center Axis Relock stance before?
What stance do you shoot commonly?
Do you switch stances in your range time?

And if you don't know what the difference of each stance is, sorry I did not include a index for it. (google it lol).

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I think part of it has to do with the fact that a great many folks at public ranges (honestly more like a majority) are mostly composed of folks with minimal firearms training and little to no professional training, and because of that it's not uncommon for folks with minimal training attempting to try more advanced techniques like Center Axis Relock without professional guidance or instruction to make sure they're either practicing the techniques correctly or safely.

Personally I use Isosceles over Weaver a majority of the time, though I also do practice one handed shooting as well, both the traditional straight arm, bladed to the target stance like the WWI/WWII methods, or also the modern method where it looks like a one handed Isosceles stance. Haven't shot CAR before, mostly because I'd rather get good at the basics with as wide a variety of handguns as possible before I try it. Closest I think I've gotten to CAR is practicing hip-shooting with my carry gun at close range targets (usually silhouettes at 3-10 feet away outdoors), which isn't pretty and takes practice, but I can't complain about being able to put an 8 round magazine into the center of mass consistently at 10 feet (even if the group could fill an 8.5x11 inch sheet of paper).