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The Strike Report - June 2008
QUOTE OF THE MONTH:
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of
comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
Isosceles Stance vs. Weaver Stances
The Shooting Platform
Isosceles
Weaver
Modified Weaver/Chapman
In the years George Wiley and I have been shooting, we have worked with and
utilized all three of these shooting platforms. Both he and I first started out
with the Weaver. This particular stance is attributed to Los Angles County
Sheriff Deputy Jack Weaver, developed in the 1950’s. First, let me say that I am
not here to disparage any of them. The great thing about all three of them
is...THEY WORK!
We have seen veteran firearm instructors and officers shoot as well if not
better utilizing the Weaver or Modified Weaver stances, as those officers who
believe and shoot in the Isosceles stance. All we are attempting to do here is a
little comparative analysis and share with you our personal opinion (and believe
me, everyone seems to have one for whatever that is worth) why we have finally
settled on one particular stance: THE ISOSCELES.
WHY?
First, it is mainly due to what we have personally observed and tried over the
years and from our own tactical experiences. Second, if done correctly this
stance offers some very strong shooting points such as:
Finally, you all need to take the time
to read and ingest some of the extensive research done by Ron Avery of
American Handgunner. For your benefit we have included a portion of that
report at the bottom of this Strike Report.
Having said all of that, are we saying the Weaver is no good? That it should be
replaced? Negative! Remember, what we said at the top of this report? “The great
thing about all three of them is...THEY WORK!” Some shooters are more
comfortable in the Weaver stance because they say it feels natural to them and
thus they are able to shoot better...SO BE IT!
Weaver Stance:
The shooter is set in a balanced bladed stance with the gun side to the rear.
The strong arm is slightly bent with the off hand arm bent and the elbow pointed
at the ground which offers shooting support.
Modified – Weaver / Chapman Stance:
Again, the shooter is set in a balanced bladed stance (but not as bladed)
with the gun side to the rear. The difference here is that the strong arm is
locked-out with the off hand arm bent and the elbow pointed at the ground which
offers shooting support. The off-hand is pulling in on the locked-out gun hand
thus giving it solid isometric support. Of the two Weaver Stances, we believe
this is the better one.
Considerations of the Weaver Stance:
None of them are perfect. The Weaver
Stances keep the body bladed and thus the center-mass portion of the human body
is less exposed to threat. However, it opens the weakest part of your body armor
to an underarm hit. The Isosceles Stance keeps your body armor squared to the
threat for maximum use and protection but exposes the throat and the whole face
to an attack.
Given the consideration between Weaver and Isosceles, we believe that for modern
tactical police / military handgunning, that the Isosceles offers the greatest
advantage to the shooter in a deadly force confrontation.
Jack C. Perritt
George F. Wiley
Strike International
READ:
Ron Avery – American Handgunner (Nov. 2000) - spent nearly two years
studying and interviewing shooters who used the different stances. He talked to
both competitors and law enforcement officers and attended various shooting
schools that taught them both. During his test and evaluation time he personally
fired between 60,000 and 70,000 rounds. He concludes: “The recovery time between
shots is faster with the Modern Isosceles and muzzle flip is decidedly less. I
attribute this to having both the arms and body weight actively involved in
absorbing recoil, along with an enhanced shooting grip.” He believes it is the
superior method of shooting for law enforcement.
Source Materials:
Strike International
Ron Avery
MTG – Midwest Training Group
Richard Nance
DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT’S - TOP GUN - 2008
My sources at the Dallas Police Department, have informed me that this year’s
Top Gun event should be spectacular! The reason? This year’s event will have,
for the first time, over 40 perfect 100 score shooters that will be invited to
attend! These (40) individuals make up the top one percent of the shooters of
the entire department and are to be commended for this achievement. Out of a 50
round qualification course of fire from 25 yards down to three yards, some of
these shooters not only shot a perfect 100 but placed 30 – 40 of those rounds in
a three inch center disk! If there are any additional 100 shooters before the
cut-off date, it may get down to the X count to determine who gets to attend
...THAT IS OUTSTANDING!
As all of you know, Strike International is a contributor to this event each
year and we will again be donating a gun, a plaque and some cash to the top
overall shooter. Our August Strike Report will have a complete follow-up on this
great tactical handgun event. Thank you Dallas for allowing us to participate as
a sponsor.
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