Two-Handed Grip

Among those who have become accustomed to the traditional, one-handed hold required by bullseye shooting, many are of the (quiet) opinion that the "modern," two-handed grip is inherently effeminate and emasculating.  Do you agree?

Just like irons vs optics:

Everything has a purpose and reason

The late, great, Phil Hemphill, among others would set you straight!

Hold on guys! Let’s not over-react.  Let’s keep it civil.

I personally don’t consider a two-handed hold any of those things.  BUt the game we play came from a requirement that a pistol fighter had only one hand to control his pistol.  We haven’t changed that philosophy in 140 years.  And aren’t about to.

james r chapman wrote:The late, great, Phil Hemphill, among others would set you straight!

Phil got to shoot Bullseye two handed? I’m sorry, but that doesn’t seem fair.

I would also note that I don't think I could shoot (bullseye) nearly as well with two hands as I can with one, at this point. When the zombies start rolling in, I MIGHT brace with the left, when I start to get tired.

Brian Mason wrote:

james r chapman wrote:The late, great, Phil Hemphill, among others would set you straight!

Phil got to shoot Bullseye two handed? I’m sorry, but that doesn’t seem fair.

My point was Phil demonstrated the ability to do both at a Champions level. As would others like Adam Sokolowski would also demonstrate.

I would pay to see someone call either effeminate or emasculated!

james r chapman wrote:

Brian Mason wrote:

james r chapman wrote:The late, great, Phil Hemphill, among others would set you straight!

Phil got to shoot Bullseye two handed? I’m sorry, but that doesn’t seem fair.

My point was Phil demonstrated the ability to do both at a Champions level. As would others like Adam Sokolowski would also demonstrate.

I would pay to see someone call either effeminate or emasculated!

Valid!

james r chapman wrote:

Brian Mason wrote:

james r chapman wrote:The late, great, Phil Hemphill, among others would set you straight!

Phil got to shoot Bullseye two handed? I’m sorry, but that doesn’t seem fair.

My point was Phil demonstrated the ability to do both at a Champions level. As would others like Adam Sokolowski would also demonstrate.

I would pay to see someone call either effeminate or emasculated!

While we’re airing out dirty laundry, I would like to point out that John Bickar’s mom didn’t really build his ballgun. That is an unfounded rumor.

james r chapman wrote:

Brian Mason wrote:

james r chapman wrote:The late, great, Phil Hemphill, among others would set you straight!

Phil got to shoot Bullseye two handed? I’m sorry, but that doesn’t seem fair.

My point was Phil demonstrated the ability to do both at a Champions level. As would others like Adam Sokolowski would also demonstrate.

Enlighten me, please.  I don't know the storied history of all our bullseye legends.  I gather Phil and Adam have been handy with some two-handed shooting discipline?

Hemphill is a PPC legend, Adam is well know for Bianchi success. Both are some of the more modern top shooters in bullseye.

Phil Hemphill came from Police Pistol Combat shooting which was a 2 handed technique in some events.  Adam was a member of the USAMU action pistol team for a while shooting two hands.

https://www.ssusa.org/content/legends-philip-hemphill-1952-2023/

https://www.ssusa.org/content/adam-sokolowski-amu-s-action-precision-pistol-master/

but what if you had a "man bun" then what would it be.... Mmmm....

I don't know about a "man bun". Since I shot a match with Jon Shue, I haven't shaved since January.
Hope it helps my shooting.
Darrell

Sorry, as some one who has had a beard since my 30s........it doesn't help

jglenn21 wrote:Sorry, as some one who has had a beard since my 30s........it doesn't help

Idk my shooting improved when I started having a beard

Both of the Bullseye leagues I shoot in allow two handed shooters.  They are scored separately.   Allowing two handed shooters has increased membership by making the sport accessible to people who would otherwise be too intimidated to shoot one handed.   It has also allowed some of our older shooters to stay in the sport.  Some who started two handed have made the transition to one handed shooting.

I'm not quite there, but I would rather shoot two handed than give it up entirely.

Here's a thought. Since one may use irons or an optic and we seem ok with that, then permit either or both hands. Unless one has trained and mastered handedness, then shooting in a manner one has not trained to do, will be a challenge.

Personally, I think if one has mastered trigger control, that is more critical than holding with one or two hands. IMO, just as a firmer single hand grip will help mask less than ideal trigger control, a two handed firm grip will also mask the less than ideal trigger control. IOW it can be more forgiving to other errors, since the firmer grip with two hands may act in a similar manner to a heavier gun, thus less susceptible to movement. Movement by wind or trigger pull or whatever else which effect the guns stability. The gun doesn't move on it's own. We either move it, or we permit it to be moved by some other force.

Allgoodhits wrote:Here's a thought. Since one may use irons or an optic and we seem ok with that, then permit either or both hands. Unless one has trained and mastered handedness, then shooting in a manner one has not trained to do, will be a challenge.

Training to shoot with one hand is part of the bullseye game. Plenty of other games allow the use of both hands. If you don't want to shoot with one hand, that is not a problem at all, plenty of opportunities for such shooting exist. 

Bullseye isn't supposed to be easy, it is supposed to be a challenge.

I guess where the one versus two hand is trying to get new people.

Because monthly Bulleye match where I live has 6 to 12 people regularly, but the monthly USPSA match as 65 to 75 people regularly.

So, if want Bullseye to grow or stay relevant, you may have to accept some changes.

Maybe allow revolver use either.

Changing the standards changes the game.

And there is already a provision for two-hand probationary matches.

Everything changes to survive.

chiz1180 wrote:

Allgoodhits wrote:Here's a thought. Since one may use irons or an optic and we seem ok with that, then permit either or both hands. Unless one has trained and mastered handedness, then shooting in a manner one has not trained to do, will be a challenge.

Training to shoot with one hand is part of the bullseye game. Plenty of other games allow the use of both hands. If you don't want to shoot with one hand, that is not a problem at all, plenty of opportunities for such shooting exist. 

Bullseye isn't supposed to be easy, it is supposed to be a challenge.

You totally missed the point, but that's ok too.