Officer fired one handed !

[2HOW]

Officer Fired One-Handed: …On Thursday, the city marveled at the instinctive response of another officer, Sgt. Christopher Newsom, who shot and killed a man who faced him with a gun in Times Square. Sergeant Newsom, a 17-year veteran of the Police Department, fired with his gun in his right hand, while at the same time, in a move that surprised some law enforcement experts, he draped his left hand across his chest, apparently to protect his heart. It is called “one-hand unsupported,” and it is something of a throwback. The stance, immortalized by the cartoon thug in the paper target that police officers shoot at, was more popular in the days before police officers routinely wore bullet-resistant vests, several former trainers said. “It’s a stance cops used to take at the range,” said Philip J. Messina, a former police trainer. “The logic was, by holding your arm over your chest, the bullet would have less of a chance of penetrating.” He added, “There are still old-timers who go into that stance.” … (I repeatedly point out that when people react to unexpected threats, particularly at close range, they are likely to shoot one-handed, regardless of how they have been trained. Training only in two-handed shooting may improve “qualification” scores but is not meeting the demands of the street. While covering the heart with the hand is likely to provide much protection, tensing that hand, whether straight or in a fist, is likely to enhance the grip on the gun. Such tension will generally get the non-gun hand somewhere in front to the chest.)

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/12/nyregion/12shoot.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion
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from DUF mailer, Wenger

[ericire12]

Bullet proof hand.... WOW!

[bulldog75]

Use what works to keep you in the fight. Had a kid tell me that a instructor told him that the weaver was the only stance that worked. The kid asked me what I thought because he was having problems qualifying and I referred him to the Best defense website and Todd Jarrett videos. They seem to work for me.

[bushpilot267]

Hey, whatever works!  Instinct and training kick in but the bottom line;  DEAD BAD GUY.

[1911 Junkie]

That is some of the dumbest stuff I have read in awhile.

Yeah, thats why I put my non shooting hand over my chest, to protect my heart. Couldn't possibly have anything to do with giving you a more stable stance and control over the gun when shooting.  

I guess we should just be surprised the cop managed to hit anyone at all, let alone the guy he was actually shooting at.  

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

(I repeatedly point out that when people react to unexpected threats, particularly at close range, they are likely to shoot one-handed, regardless of how they have been trained. Training only in two-handed shooting may improve “qualification” scores but is not meeting the demands of the street.

I would like to know how Sgt. Newsom actually practices.  The department may train a certain way, but what does he do on his own time?  I suspect that he actually responded in the way his is most practiced in.

Even in the dead of winter when I haven't shot any "action" games for three months I will find myself putting my left hand on my abdomen when I pick up a handgun to shoot.  I will walk up to the bullseye bench, put my left hand on my abdomen, and pick up the gun with my right.  Why do I do it?  I think it is the constant practice for drawing in USPSA.  I shoot more bullseye, but I practice the moves of USPSA even more.

Also, if you watch videos, both professional and youtube, of USPSA and IDPA shooting one handed you will see a lot of hands on the chest.  It just seems to be a natural place to "store" that hand when it isn't in use.

Regardless of why he did it, it worked and good for him ... and everyone else around.

[1911 Junkie]

When we practice one handed shooting we sometimes have a shooter that has no idea what to do with the non shooting hand. They usually leave it hanging at thier side and can't hit crap. 

We have them bring the non shooting hand up into the center of the chest and kind of give themselves a hug with it. Extend the shooting hand you will find a much more stable stance, your arm feels more solid and shot recovery is much faster.

Try it both ways next time you are shooting and see which is better.



Now it is time for Pincus to show up and explain how this is all wrong and the proper place for the non shooting hand is with the thumb in the rectum and fingers gently cupping the testicles as dicovered by years of studying body mechanics and gross motor skills. 

[ericire12]

The majority of my practice is actually done one handed..... probably 75%. I have small kids, so I need to be very comfortable with one handed drawing and shooting.

[tombogan03884]

I grew up shooting one handed, because that was how it was done when my Dad was learning to shoot and that's what he passed on to me. I usually find the off hand behind my back. I think it's an old time target shooting stance.

[fullautovalmet76]

The majority of my practice is actually done one handed..... probably 75%. I have small kids, so I need to be very comfortable with one handed drawing and shooting.

And don't forget to work with your support hand. To quote (loosely) Pincus: "Let the exception to your training be easier than the way you train....."