Gunfighter question

[Rye Miles #13621]

I've been dry firing practicing gunfighter and I seem to naturally lead with my left hand! (I'm right handed.) Maybe it's because I always shoot from the left to right unless the stage calls for right to left. I think you should probably start with the hand that gives you the advantage depending on how the stage is written. Any comments from you gunfighters??

 

--Rye

[Goody, SASS #26190]

Absolutely! I will shoot a stage with as few crossovers as I can. I am a double cocker, so changing leads in the middle of a string is no big deal for me.

[Cowboy Rick, SASS #49739L]

Like you, I like to start with my left hand. Only if there is a scenario where you can eliminate crossover will I start with my right. In that case, you can save time. Changing leads is for the people with more flexible brains.

 

CR

 

Note: I alternate

[Grizzly Dave]

Similar to which pistol you draw first for two handed shooters using straight hang holsters one on each hip. When first starting out for me it was best to do it the same way every time, after getting more comfortable now I figure out what works best for each stage with relation to target placement, sequence, next gun transition etc and plan accordingly.

[Buckaroo Bubba]

I naturally lead with my left hand as well. If I have a choice in direction and depending on the scenario I will start on the right to avoid "pushing" my guns.

 

Like a Double Tap Sweep, either direction.. I will start on the Right target.. L, R.. Move L,R. Move L,R., Move, L, R., Move, L,R.

 

It's a comfort thing for me.. I just like starting with my left gun.

 

Culpepper... what say you??

[Rye Miles #13621]

I naturally lead with my left hand as well. If I have a choice in direction and depending on the scenario I will start on the right to avoid "pushing" my guns.

 

Like a Double Tap Sweep, either direction.. I will start on the Right target.. L, R.. Move L,R. Move L,R., Move, L, R., Move, L,R.

 

It's a comfort thing for me.. I just like starting with my left gun.

 

Culpepper... what say you??

Interesting, With a Double Tap Sweep, I would probably start on the left target…L,R…L,R…L,R…LR…L.R...Starting on the right target with your left hand seems to work just as well though! Hmmm…..I'd better get back to practicing!

[Carolina Gunslinger]

Avoiding pushing the guns...well stated indeed.

 

I find it interesting that it feels better to right to left with two pistols and left to right with the long guns.

 

If I may inquire...how folks are aiming the pistols? Both with one eye or each pistol with a different eye? I wonder if this has something to do with the preferred direction of engagement.

[Buckaroo Bubba]

That's what I mean by "Pushing" your guns.. if you start on the left target and left gun.. you shoot Left, Right.. have to push your hands to go to the next target (do the movements with your hands, might help visualize that) .. versus going from the right... Left Right.. you can move your left gun before you even fire the right one.. hope that makes sense.. that was something Mr. Doc Eells taught me...

[Kidd Krystin]

+1 for Cowboy Rick.

 

Early on I would double cock but soon stopped that. For one, I couldn't see I was saving any time. More importantly was that occasionally a stage would call for split pistol strings and, if you double cocked after shot four, you were left with two rounds to fire on target five.

[Rye Miles #13621]

That's what I mean by "Pushing" your guns.. if you start on the left target and left gun.. you shoot Left, Right.. have to push your hands to go to the next target (do the movements with your hands, might help visualize that) .. versus going from the right... Left Right.. you can move your left gun before you even fire the right one.. hope that makes sense.. that was something Mr. Doc Eells taught me...

If Doc Eells told you it must be right!! LOL Thanks for the tip. I think I'm gonna love this!! After getting the sequences right then I have to make sure I hit the darn targets!!

[Buckaroo Bubba]

A lot of different techniques, just have to find something your comfortable with.

 

For me, I just think of it as running my Rifle. I have 10 rounds in my pistols. Just run it. Don't overthink it. I do not Double Cock them.. I cock the pistol as I am firing the other.

[Warden Callaway]

I always start with my left no matter what. Just better for me to be consistent than try to gain speed by switching.

 

This winter I'm working on keeping the guns close together and up in sight picture. I noticed on my video playback I was shooting one, letting it fall away a bit while I brought the next gun up to line of sight. Not exactly plumbing

 

Cap and ball gunfighter? I've been shooting my 51s gunfighter style in practice and doing well (for me). But the guns are running well. But what happens when you get a cap jam or other problem that puts one gun down? Do you keep shooting the gun that's functioning and then holster it and clear the jammed gun?

[Phiren Smoke GUNFIGHTER]

I think you should probably start with the hand that gives you the advantage depending on how the stage is written.

 

--Rye

Rye,

 

You are correct. I alternate so I will start with whatever gun causes the fewest cross overs, or allows a quicker transition. For instance, five targets shot from the left and repeat I start with my right pistol this allows my left pistol to move to the number one target while I shoot number five with my right on the fifth shot. For a double tap sweep I will start with the opposite pistol that the direction calls for, ie if sweeping from the left I will start with the right pistol so the lead (right) pistol can move to the next target as the trailing (left) pistol shoots the second tap. If I must crossover I will do it in the first five shots so as rhythm and speed build the shooting string flows better.

 

I have double cocked on some stages to eliminate a cross over and when it works it works well, but when I crash it is usually a train wreck that no one can turn away from.

 

I think I am saying the same thing as Bubba just in a different way.

 

Welcome to the GF ranks and good luck.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Smoke

[Possum Skinner, SASS#60697]

Phiren gave excellent advice.

 

One thing. If you are right handed and lead with your left and have a long gun next, you have to wait until you're done with both pistols before you can start towards your holsters. If you lead with your right, you can start it towards the holster while shooting your left and get a jump on the transition. This is assuming all else is equal sequence-wise.

[Yusta B.]

 

Cap and ball gunfighter? I've been shooting my 51s gunfighter style in practice and doing well (for me). But the guns are running well. But what happens when you get a cap jam or other problem that puts one gun down? Do you keep shooting the gun that's functioning and then holster it and clear the jammed gun?

Yes -shoot the working gun dry, holster it, then work on problem.

[Mud Marine,SASS#54686 Life]

I always shoot my right hand revolver first, shoot both eyed, keep the guns together, don't dip the fired one, and just follow the sequence. However, my 80+ brain is no longer as flexible as if I was a kid in my 60s and 70s. That's why I don't change to fit the scenario. Besides, my heavy BP loads obscure the targets after the first shot anyway!!!

[Rye Miles #13621]

I always shoot my right hand revolver first, shoot both eyed, keep the guns together, don't dip the fired one, and just follow the sequence. However, my 80+ brain is no longer as flexible as if I was a kid in my 60s and 70s. That's why I don't change to fit the scenario. Besides, my heavy BP loads obscure the targets after the first shot anyway!!!

80+ and you're shooting FC gunfighter?? You're my hero!

[Keystone, SASS # 47578]

Howdy,

 

I alternate cock holding pistols close together, sighting with one eye & pushing each pistol a little towards target with each shot. Shoot 5-1/2" Colt/Clones with 45LC 200gr RNFP loaded with near max. load of Trailboss. Draw pistols & holster pistols simultaneously and almost always shoot left pistol first. If I start with right gun my brain is waiting for the last shot to come from right hand and it wastes time dry firing that extra cycle. If pistols are split I will shoot targets on the left with left pistol and targets on the right with right pistol. Hate drawing a empty pistol so I keep it simple, KISS principle. Will occasionally double cock for 10 shot pistol dumps. Not the fastest gun but I generally get the job done.

 

Hasta Luego, Keystone

[evil dogooder]

Try to go over the stage in your mind before you shoot it. You may be able to shoot the pistol side faster starting with the left but at the cost of time in transition. Try to see it as a hole sequence, not pistol, rifle, shotgun. So if it's faster to shoot your right hand first to trasition faster do so. The biggest thing i can recommend is practice till you can use either hand interchangeably.

[Rye Miles #13621]

Great advice folks, keep 'em comin'!!

[El Hombre Sin Nombre]

I always shoot my right hand revolver first, shoot both eyed, keep the guns together, don't dip the fired one, and just follow the sequence. However, my 80+ brain is no longer as flexible as if I was a kid in my 60s and 70s. That's why I don't change to fit the scenario. Besides, my heavy BP loads obscure the targets after the first shot anyway!!!

You're my hero too. I'm half your age and shoot fcgf, but I bet you'd school me. That's amazing. I really hope I can still do it when I'm your age.

[Russ T. Sites]

Try to get as much live fire practice as possible, I've pick up a bad habit or two from dry firing. Like others said don't over think it think of it like the rifle and keep the pistols close and don't pump them.

 

You planning on shooting gunfighter more this year or just weds

[Rye Miles #13621]

Try to get as much live fire practice as possible, I've pick up a bad habit or two from dry firing. Like others said don't over think it think of it like the rifle and keep the pistols close and don't pump them.

 

You planning on shooting gunfighter more this year or just weds

Yep, I'm gonna give it a shot…maybe not exclusively, I'll have to see how it goes. Sure seems like a lot of fun and it can speed things up. I've tried it a few times at the wed. shoot and surprised myself!!

[Russ T. Sites]

Yep, I'm gonna give it a shot…maybe not exclusively, I'll have to see how it goes. Sure seems like a lot of fun and it can speed things up. I've tried it a few times at the wed. shoot and surprised myself!!

Crap now I have to practice more

[Buckaroo Bubba]

Just need to jump in and stick with it Rye. The first few shoots might be a bit rough but work thru it. Once I made the switch I haven't turned back. Haven't shot anything but GF for over two years now!

[Anvil Al #59168]

Don't get stuck in a rut of always starting with the same hand.

 

Let each stage tell you which is start with.

Look at the stage. Think about it. Then start with the one that it the best for THAT stage.

[Thunder Creek Kid]

Rye, how are you going to shoot Gunfighter with a crossdraw holster??

[El Hombre Sin Nombre]

Don't get stuck in a rut of always starting with the same hand.

 

Let each stage tell you which is start with.

Look at the stage. Think about it. Then start with the one that it the best for THAT stage.

That's pretty much my approach. Being ambidextrous Helps as well

[Cheyenne Culpepper 32827]

What the others have said for sure.

when dry firing make sure you see target, put several small ones up,,, 3x5 or smaller, make sure you see target, sight and then pull trigger

you gotta do that right

 

also run senerios, and see how to work them to your advantage,,,, if you can you want the fired gun to be able to move as you fire the second gun.

 

also include your long guns as yu dry fire,,,

 

say you have a five target sweep,,,if you start on the right, do so with right gun, that way the 5th shot is right gun, and the left gun can automatically head for #1 as the 5th shot is being fired. The first time that happens automatically you will always remember that moment.

[Tom Bullweed]

I am a very average right-handed GF.

For most who haved marched in the military or band, starting left may be natural.

I also prefer to start with my left since, if my left gun is ready, my right gun is absolutely ready since I usually pull and aim my right gun faster.

I tend to aim my left gun and point my right for instinctive shooting and shoot targets in pairs, left-right then cock both.

I am willing to change order up to twice in a stage, which is especially helpful on a Nevada sweep. If the stage requires more than two order changes, I will shoot it double duelist.

Thee are faster methods, but this is where I am right now.

[Rye Miles #13621]

Rye, how are you going to shoot Gunfighter with a crossdraw holster??

I bought a left handed holster last year from Kirkpatrick to match my rig and only used it once! I'm gonna give this a try this year!!!

 

Are you game for gunfighter?? You can shoot FCGF, that would be pretty cool!!

[Dubious Don #56333]

Two useful skills for a gunfighter;

Lead and changing leads. It makes perfect sense to lead with whichever revolver, given the sequence which will allow you to shoot more efficiently. Where the crossover happens is another thing to consider; with challenging target sequences you might opt to take the "safe bet" (Shoot the lead which is most natural and comfortable for you) Or, take the thinking way and hope you don't get tripped up!

[Tombstone Tex]

As many have pointed out, I definitely try to think of ways I won't be crossing over. It still happens from time to time where I can't remember where I was on the last shot haha, but that will happen. Generally I lead with the left because I like knowing that my right gun is the last one pulled. I am a righty and it gives me confidence that I wont miss the last shot I suppose I could get faster if I really thought about so I could be holstering the right pistol and going for the transition to the long gun if pistol is first, but I am not that fast of a shooter yet to really think about it like that. And if I overthink it...well lets just say it isn't a smooth stage haha.

 

Also, it happened to me at the last match of the year out this way where 1 gun locked up solid. I did exactly what Yusta B. said...I ran the working gun dry....very slowly of course hoping the locked up one (last shot) would finally cock, but it didn't. Holstered and worked on it 2 handed.

 

Oh and I alternate....double cock out of holsters, then alternate after first shot is fired.

 

For practice, before I started imagining targets, I just had to get my brain into the shooting with 1 hand while cocking with the other. Didn't take long and it became second nature. That and I had to strengthen my left hand because I would watch the gun as I was cocking it and to get the leverage I had to turn the pistol sideways quite a bit, didn't want to do that so I focused on strengthening my hand some. Fun stuff though, love shooting gunfighter!

[Thunder Creek Kid]

I bought a left handed holster last year from Kirkpatrick to match my rig and only used it once! I'm gonna give this a try this year!!!

 

Are you game for gunfighter?? You can shoot FCGF, that would be pretty cool!!

Are you kidding? You've seen me shoot. I have a hard enough time with two hands!

[Buckaroo Bubba]

Oh come on now Thunder Creek Kid! If Rye can do it, so can you!!!