Modified Weaver Stance (Chapman Stance)
- Configuration. Same as Weaver above except the shooting arm is fully extended, almost like a rifle stock. ...
- Pros of Chapman Stance. Consistency of your arm “stock” and “cheek-weld” to be always the same, instead of hovering in the air with the Isosceles or Weaver.
- Cons of Chapman Stance. ...
What is a modified Weaver?
The Modified Weaver, also called the Modified Isosceles or Improved Isosceles or the Chapman Stance, is a synthesis of the two. Unlike the traditional Isosceles, one foot is placed further ahead than the other, but only just, with the knees slightly bent. However, the shooting arm is fully extended with the support arm bent.
Who invented the Weaver stance?
Ray Chapman, an original founder of the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC), pioneered the technique. He modified the classic Weaver stance to better suit his shooting style and then used it to win the first ever IPSC Handgun World Shoot, which was held in Zurich, Switzerland in 1975.
What is the Weaver stance in shooting?
The rear knee takes a straighter position, but should not be locked. The shooter should maintain some flex in the rear knee for balance and mobility. The second component of the Weaver stance is the two-handed shooting technique. The shooting hand wraps around the pistol and the support hand wraps around the shooting hand.
What are the disadvantages of the Weaver stance?
The Weaver Stance leans heavily on the strong hand having the dominant eye on that side. If not, shooters may have to cant their head awkwardly to achieve a proper sight picture, which renders the stance a poor choice for them. Both of these drawbacks were corrected when legendary shooting instructor Ray Chapman modified the Weaver Stance.
What is modified Isosceles stance?
The tactical stance, also known as modified or modern isosceles, is a popular law enforcement stance since it is an adaptation of the weaver and isosceles shooting stance. In this stance, the shooter is square to the target with feet shoulder width apart (or slightly wider).
Is the Weaver stance outdated?
The Weaver Stance As far as shooting stances go many find this one to be outdated. However, some reputable schools still teach it. The Weaver Stance is very comfortable and relaxed in a lot of ways. The handgun is held somewhat close to the face and this helps the user keep the gun away from potential opponents.
What's wrong with the Weaver stance?
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What is a Weaver shooting stance?
The Weaver Stance has become very popular and replaced the Isosceles as the standard taught to most new shooters. The shooter blades his body, placing the foot on the firing side back and turning the support side towards the target.
What is the main disadvantage of the Weaver stance?
The Cons of the Weaver Stance Stance (especially the upper body portion) tends to fall apart under stress. Awkward for cross-dominant shooters. The side gap in body armor is exposed if the torso is angled too sharply. Can be hard for shooters with limited upper body strength to control recoil.
What is the Chapman stance?
The Chapman stance is the same as the Weaver stance with the exception of arm placement. In the Chapman, the strong arm will be locked straight out in front of the shooter. With this arm locked, the shooter can lean their head down and form a 'cheek weld' with the upper arm.
Why was the Weaver stance invented?
Weaver developed his technique as a way to draw a handgun quickly to eye level and use the weapon's sights to aim more accurately, and immediately began winning against opponents predominantly using unsighted "hip shooting" techniques.
Who popularize the Weaver stance?
Weaver Stance Developed in the 1950's by LA County Sheriff Jack Weaver and since popularized by Jeff Cooper and his firearms school, Gunsite.
Where should your finger be on pistol trigger?
Unless the shooter is ready to aim and shoot at a target, their trigger finger should not be on the trigger. The finger should be rested above the trigger along the side of the weapon on the slide.
Why is the Isosceles stance preferred by self defense instructors?
Pros: The Isosceles Stance is a simple stance and it is easy to get into under stress. It is a comfortable and natural position for many shooters. The positioning of the body facing the target, the extended arms, and the foot placement seem to have a positive effect on accuracy.
What is grip in marksmanship?
GRIP. A proper grip is one of the most important fundamentals of quick fire. The weapon must become an extension of the hand and arm; it should replace the finger in pointing at an object. The firer must apply a firm, uniform grip to the weapon.
What is the proper way to hold a handgun for maximum accuracy?
Hold the handgun high on the grip so that the recoil is directed back to the hand and arm in a straight line. This allows better repeat shots and more accurate shooting. Use a two-handed hold whenever possible, applying pressure from front to rear.
Who popularize the Weaver stance?
Weaver Stance Developed in the 1950's by LA County Sheriff Jack Weaver and since popularized by Jeff Cooper and his firearms school, Gunsite.
Why was the Weaver stance invented?
Weaver developed his technique as a way to draw a handgun quickly to eye level and use the weapon's sights to aim more accurately, and immediately began winning against opponents predominantly using unsighted "hip shooting" techniques.
What is the function of pistol grip?
The pistol grip often serves multiple functions such as a magazine housing, bipod, or tool storage. In some firearms, like the Finnish light machine gun Kk 62, the pistol grip is also used as a handle to charge the weapon. Pistol grips are a defining feature in United States gun law.
What is the Weaver Stance?
The first is the position of the feet, which largely resembles a traditional boxing stance. The foot on the shooter’s non-dominant side (or the non-shooting side) is positioned slightly forward of the other foot with the toes pointing toward the target. The shooting side foot is positioned slightly behind the forward foot. The toes of the rear foot may point toward the target or angle out slightly (although the angle should not be more than 45 degrees). Although one foot sets slightly in front of the other, they should be spaced about shoulder width apart.
Who developed the Weaver stance?
A Brief History of the Weaver Stance. Jack Weaver, a Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff, developed the Weaver stance in the 1950s. Weaver, a competitive shooter, used his new and unconventional stance to dominate “Leather Slap” pistol matches in southern California.
What is cross dominant shooting?
Shooters with cross-dominant vision (for example, those who are right-handed but left eye dominant) will have more difficulty using the Weaver stance. Because the shooting hand is mostly straight, the stance naturally aligns the dominant hand with the same-side eye. If this isn’t your dominant eye, you feel like you need to lean your head awkwardly to obtain a proper sight picture.
What is the rear knee of a weaver?
The shooter should maintain some flex in the rear knee for balance and mobility. The second component of the Weaver stance is the two-handed shooting technique. The shooting hand wraps around the pistol and the support hand wraps around the shooting hand.
What is the lower body position of a weaver?
The lower body position of the Weaver stance is similar to many traditional fighting stances, including boxing and several forms of martial arts. When compared to other common shooting stances, the lower body position of the Weaver really allows it to shine as a fighting platform or combat stance. This stance allows the shooter to do more than pull the trigger.
Why is the weaver stance so popular?
The Weaver stance relies on arm muscles rather than the body’s bone structure to absorb the weapon’s recoil. This may be why this stance tends to be more popular with men. While there are plenty of women who have no problem with it (I actually love it), it can be difficult for some, especially ladies with a smaller build.
What is the advantage of the weaver stance?
Another combat advantage to the Weaver stance is that it naturally lowers your profile. By simply stepping one foot back, the torso angles slightly, providing a smaller target for anyone who might be shooting at you.
What is the weaver stance?
When employed, the Weaver stance imposes a "push-pull" on the pistol, as the shooting arm pushes against the gun and the support hand pulls it toward the body, with the end result being fast recovery from recoil. The trailing leg also steadies the shooter, further buttressing against the recoil force.
Who invented the Weaver stance?
The Weaver Stance. The Weaver stance is largely credited to Jack Weaver, a deputy of the Los Angeles Sheriff's office in the 1950s. Weaver's shooting stance was adopted and popularized by Jeff Cooper, the guru of all things handgun and formed a large part of his "modern technique" of shooting.
Why is the isosceles shooting stance so named?
. The Isosceles shooting stance is so named because the shape formed by the shooter's body and extended arms form - more or less - an Isosceles triangle. For a quick refresher, an Isosceles triangle has two sides of equal length. So does an equilateral triangle, though an equilateral triangle also has an additional ...
What is the best shooting stance?
The Isosceles stance is the classic shooting stance and for very good reasons - it works and it's easy to learn. Competitive shooters like Brian Enos and Robbie Leatham have had great success with this stance in their matches, so there's definitely a lot of merit to it.
How does the weaver work?
The Weaver works by using opposing forces to control recoil and combat-ready foot position which gives the shooter the ability to rapidly transition from target to target. Weaver used it to great effect hence the adoption.
How to shoot isosceles?
To shoot in Isosceles, the arms are extended with the pistol held with both hands at or near the centerline of the body. Some people advise to lock the elbows, some do not. Keeping one's arms rigid can help hold a pistol stationary but a bit of bend in the elbow allows for a bit more flexibility and therefore a tad more control over recoil, which is important when shooting more powerful rounds.
Which foot is the weak foot in the weaver?
To assume the Weaver, the weak foot (usually the left) is placed ahead of the strong foot (usually the right) and the lead leg's knee is slightly bent; a lot like a boxing stance. The shooting arm is nearly fully extended, with a slight crook of the elbow.
What is the weaver stance?
When employed, the Weaver stance imposes a “push-pull” on the pistol, as the shooting arm pushes against the gun and the support hand pulls it toward the body, with the end result being fast recovery from recoil. The trailing leg also steadies the shooter, further buttressing against the recoil force.
What is a modified weaver?
The Modified Weaver, also called the Modified Isosceles or Improved Isosceles or the Chapman Stance, is a synthesis of the two. Unlike the traditional Isosceles, one foot is placed further ahead than the other, but only just, with the knees slightly bent.
Why is the isosceles shooting stance so named?
The Isosceles shooting stance is so named because the shape formed by the shooter’s body and extended arms form – more or less – an Isosceles triangle. For a quick refresher, an Isosceles triangle has two sides of equal length. So does an equilateral triangle, though an equilateral triangle also has an additional side of equal length.
What is the best shooting stance?
The Isosceles stance is the classic shooting stance and for very good reasons – it works and it’s easy to learn. Competitive shooters like Brian Enos and Robbie Leatham have had great success with this stance in their matches, so there’s definitely a lot of merit to it.
How does the weaver work?
The Weaver works by using opposing forces to control recoil and combat-ready foot position which gives the shooter the ability to rapidly transition from target to target. Weaver used it to great effect hence the adoption.
Why do police officers revert to isosceles?
That said, a number of police studies have found that officers that have been taught other stances when facing a threat naturally revert to Isosceles under stress due to its intuitive nature.
How many shooting stances are there?
One of the fundamental aspects of shooting is the shooting stances. There are 3 classic stances which are taught to most shooters, each of which has benefits and drawbacks.
Who invented the Weaver Stance?
Weaver Stance. Developed in the 1950’s by LA County Sheriff Jack Weaver and since popularized by Jeff Cooper and his firearms school, Gunsite. The shooter is more at an angle to the target and the arms are bent.
What is the advantage of the Weaver and Chapman stance?
One overlooked benefit to the Weaver and Chapman stance is that it is much more natural to shoot from cover -i.e., behind a wall - as long as we are able to use our dominant hand. One disadvantage of these stances is that we become very dominant-hand oriented, and it's harder to switch to our non-dominant hand if we need to.
How did the isosceles stance get its name?
Isosceles Stance. The isosceles stance gets its name from the arms and chest making an isosceles triangle. Kudos if you remember from geometry that isosceles means two sides are the same. Isosceles Shooting Stance, Top.
How did Col Applegate teach the Army?
Col Applegate taught the Army in the 40s and from his book to shoot in his kill or get killed. After soldiers were taught the basics he went into practical shooting from three positions. The prone which he used from 50 yrds because it was the most stable, Next was kneeling from about 25 yrds and last standing one handed square to the target and it was full arm extended point shooting. He would pivot from left to right and not swing the body or shooting arm. that was from 15 yrds or less.
What is non dominant leg?
Non-dominant leg is forward of the dominant leg with a slight forward lean (“nose over toes”). Toes are pointed forward and the firing-side arm is extended while the supporting arm is bend. The shooter employs a “push-pull” grip by pushing with the firing arm and pulling back with the supporting arm.
How does a shooter use a push pull grip?
The shooter employs a “push-pull” grip by pushing with the firing arm and pulling back with the supporting arm.
Is a staggered foot stable?
More stable since the feet are now staggered. Natural stance if you need to balance yourself.
What is a weaver stance?
The Weaver Stance is an aggressive, weight-forward stance. It holds the gun closer to the face and requires bent elbows. The gun is tensioned between the pull of the support hand and push of the strong hand.
How to hold a weaver?
Assume it by bringing the support-side (non-shooting side) foot forward 8 to 10 inches with the toes pointing toward the target, with the strong-side (shooting side) toes canted 45 degrees outward. The gun is presented to the target in a two-hand hold, with the strong-side arm not fully extended. That elbow should be unlocked and angled slightly outward. The support arm has the elbow bent downward at a 45-degree angle. The support hand pulls into the shooter while the strong hand pushes outward and the support-side shoulder leans into the gun. This creates a very rigid grip on the gun.
How does the power isosceles work?
The Power Isosceles corrects that drawback , without losing any of its advantages, by making two slight changes: The gun-side foot is moved back 8 to 10 inches and the knees are unlocked to produce a slight degree of flex . The improvement in recoil control is dramatic and I have seen even petite female students properly maintain that stance with Ayoob forcefully smacking the muzzle.
What are the drawbacks of the Weaver?
While the Weaver offers advantages, it also has drawbacks. One is in the area of recoil control. With both elbows unlocked, recoil forces are largely taken up by the wrists. Using this stance effectively requires a relative degree of upper body strength—something many females and smaller-stature males may lack, and they may find it difficult to control handguns with significant recoil. Even some powerfully built shooters may find magnum revolvers a bit much when using this stance.
Why do we use a chapman?
Shooters who have upper-body strength issues and experience discomfort with the Weaver Stance often find the Chapman to be an excellent solution. Also, many with cross-dominant vision find the less-rigid head position of the Chapman allows them to get their eyes properly aligned quicker with just a slight shift of the head.
What is the most accurate two handed stance?
Combined with the steady cheek rest position and the supporting hand, many experts consider the Chapman to be the most accurate two-handed stance available to a skilled shooter.
Which stance has the least amount of recoil?
Shift to full-power loads and the original Isosceles Stance exposes its weakness: with the feet spread equally at shoulder width, it provides the least amount of recoil control among common shooting stances.
What is a weaver's stance?
A Weaver or “boxer’s stance” (what is known as a front stance, sort of, in martial arts) is the best for movement and good for resisting forces from both front and sides. These are observations and personal experience from 20+ years of martial arts. Competition is always different from the reality on the streets.
Who is skeptical of Weaver?
Mas isn’t the only one who is skeptical of Weaver. He’s joined in that by the famous (infamous?) Gabe Suarez.
Why is a hit to a bladed torso more likely to cause a fight-stopping injury?
And, as one of my fellow MAG-20 students — also a firearms instructor — observed, a hit to a bladed torso is more likely to cause a fight-stopping injury against you than a single hit to a full frontal chest, simply because more organs are lined up for the round to strike.
What is the purpose of raising the weak elbow?
Raising of the weak elbow allows greater traverse but unlocks the hold, reducing accuracy for most people. Finally, the sharply edgeways stance exposes an armored-officer’s unprotected whole or upper side to the opposing gunfire.
What is Jerry Miculek's advice?
Jerry Miculek’s advice is geared towards competition shooters. He points out that transitioning from left to right using the Weaver creates a sort of rainbow in your natural point of aim. He also points out that when blading your body for the Weaver, you limit your ability to engage targets on your weak side.
A Brief History of The Chapman Stance
What Is The Chapman Stance?
- The Chapman stance uses the same basic foot position as the Weaver stance. Resembling a traditional boxing stance, the Chapman stance positions the feet approximately shoulder width apart, with the knees slightly bent, and the strong side leg slightly to the rear. The toes of both feet point toward the target, but the torso is angled slightly, minimizing the shooter’s profile. Some s…
Classic Weaver vs. Modified Weaver Stance
- The major difference between the classic Weaver stanceand the modified version is the arm position. The Chapman stance replaces the Weaver’s two bent elbows with a straight gun-side elbow and a bent support-side elbow. Like the Weaver stance, the Chapman employs a push/pull grip component. The locked arm position allows the body’s skeletal structure to absorb the bulk …
The Benefit of Consistency
- When it comes to accuracy, consistency is key. Consistency in all elements of shooting – including sight alignment, trigger pull, and shooting stance – ultimately allows you to put more rounds on target. The Chapman stance provides a more consistent shooting platform than many other popular shooting stances, particularly the Weaver stance. Because the Weaver stance use…
Disadvantages of The Chapman Stance
- Although the Chapman stance was developed to help compensate for the disadvantages of the classic Weaver stance, it still has some flaws.
Summing It Up
- Roy Chapman modified the classic Weaver stance in an effort to solve some of its shortcomings. Although most shooting experts agree the Chapman stance is an improvement over its predecessor, it is far from perfect. Here is a quick summary of the pros and cons of the Chapman/Modified Weaver stance.
A Brief History of The Weaver Stance
What Is The Weaver Stance?
- There are two main components of the classic Weaver stance. The first is the position of the feet, which largely resembles a traditional boxing stance. The foot on the shooter’s non-dominant side (or the non-shooting side) is positioned slightly forward of the other foot with the toes pointing toward the target. The shooting side foot is positioned slightly behind the forward foot. The toe…
The Weaver as A Fighting Stance
- The lower body position of the Weaver stance is similar to many traditional fighting stances, including boxing and several forms of martial arts. When compared to other common shooting stances, the lower body position of the Weaver really allows it to shine as a fighting platform or combat stance. This stance allows the shooter to do more than pull...
The Weaver Stance and Recoil Control
- When done properly, the Weaver imposes a “push-pull” on the handgun. As the shooting arm pushes against the gun, the support hand pulls it back toward the shooter’s body. This isometric tension provides a stable platform for aiming and helps you get your sights back on target quickly. However, with both elbows slightly bent, much of the recoil is taken up by the wrists, especially …
Disadvantages of The Weaver Stance
- Although the Weaver stance has plenty of advantages, it is by no means perfect. First, the stance tends to fall apart during moments of extreme stress. During an adrenaline dump, as muscles weaken and coordination becomes sloppy, the shooter’s strong arm often overpowers the weaker side. This can cause bullets to hit high and slightly toward the shooter’s support side (That woul…
Summing It Up
- Although the Weaver stance has some major benefits, it may not be the best choice for every shooter. Here are the pros and cons of the classic Weaver stance in a nutshell.
A Semantic Issue
- In what many of us called simply the Chapman stance, the gun arm was locked rigidly from shoulder through elbow through wrist, with the limb absolutely straight. Ray described it as a “Modified Weaver” stance. This created something of a semantic argument. Col. Cooper, the high priest of the Weaver stance and the man most responsible for promulgati...
Chapman Stance Details
- I had the good fortune to learn the subtleties of the Chapman stance at the feet of the master. I met Ray in 1978 at the IPSC National Championships north of Los Angeles, and two years later began studying with him at his Chapman Academy of Practical Shooting in Columbia, Missouri. In 1981, I started teaching with him at Chapman Academy (and Chapman Academy South in Okeec…
Proof of Concept
- In 1975 in Zurich, Switzerland, Ray Chapman became the first World Champion of the Combat Pistol, shooting with his namesake stance. He went on to become one of the all-time great coaches in practical handgun shooting. Many of his graduates carried on his legacy. One of those was Mike Plaxco, a world-class competitor and a fine instructor in his own right. Whenever I sa…
Perks and Quirks of The Modified Weaver
- Every stance has strengths and weaknesses. Advantages to the modified Weaver stance include the following: Commonality with long guns: From the beginning, Ray wanted to ‘turn the gun arm into a rifle stock,” with the forward (support) hand pulling the whole locked firing arm tight into the shoulder socket. Depending on their build, some shooters could even “cheek their bicep” the wa…
Downsides?
- There are downsides to any technique. With this one, those include: Doesn’t reach its full value if the shoulders are too far back: Remember that lever effect of the locked arm, and the pivot point of the shoulder joint. Does not maximize body armor coverage vis-à-vis a facing opponent’s firing angle as well as the Isosceles stance: Ray himself recognized this, and in the Advanced Officer …
Summary
- In over 40 years of teaching this stance along with Classic Weaver and Isosceles, I’ve found that a large number of students wind up with Chapman as their default two-hand standing position for pistol shooting. In popularity, it may be eclipsed only by the currently popular Isosceles stance, with which we’ll conclude this series in part four. Editor’s Note: Please be sure to check out The …