Spear One's Shooter's Poll--

[Spear One]

I would like to take a poll on how many of you shoot with one hand or two hands. Also tell me if you shoot left or right handed, and if you usually carry an extra shaft. Scott, can you set up a graph for this?

I shoot left handed and always shoot with two hands. My left hand on the handle and my right palm under the butt. I find that shooting two handed gives me much better control and also helps me support the extra weight from the second shaft.

Two hands also makes it much easier to swing the gun left & right, or up & down. Two hands also enable me to make very quick and precise adjustments when shooting Mango's. I would find it nearly impossible to consistently shoot mango's using only one hand.

I have recently discovered that most folks who shoot with one hand have a totally different shooting style than two hand shooters. This info will help me better understand why!

[richhermes]

Here is a poll for Kevin's question.

[Steel Shootin']

Right now it's right handed, two hands, two shafts. As you know, I have one of the heavier commerical guns made, so with two shafts, it would be very difficult to shoot with one hand with any accuracy.

[Spear One]

Did you have any problem converting to the two hand style? Did your shooting improve?

[Steel Shootin']

Yes, I shot better with two hands. The only problem is, especially with Grouper and Gos, you've got to be ready so quick, that sometimes I have to take one handed shots.

[greyface]

I'm right handed, but blind in my right eye, so I shoot lefty. No wonder I'm so ****ed up.:rolleyes: My lack of experience dictates no 2nd shaft yet. I really need some trigger time.:(

[Reef Raider]

My rt hand is allways on the trigger . The gun has two shaft at the start of each dive .I do shoot with two hands ( lt one on the butt) when I have two bands loaded so as to help out with recoil
puts all the power in the shaft for longer shots or bigger fish. I have also removed the saftey on my gun now I do not recommend this to anyone but for me it had no use.

[Spear One]

Hey greyface, I'm gonna have to think about that one!

[dlock]

right now I'm using a Riffe C2X (48"),it's super light and when I'm swimming after a fish I have it straight out in front of me waiting for the fish to turn. If I'm hangin' out waiting for a fish to swim by or have to take a quick shot I will sometimes use two hands but close together. I really haven't thought about it before. Good question Spear One.

[201proguide]

i have switched over to the two handed shooting style that spear one lives by, and now i do too. this has improved my shooting 10 fold, especially with the commercial gun setup. this is a must change if you have a commercial gun (im sure spear one has instilled this in your minds).:D

just one more satisfied spearfishing specialties customer sharing my grattitude to kevin for all his help.

[fishkilla]

both hands with the right one on the trigger, 60 inch biller with two 72 inch shafts, two 28 inch blue bands and an accuracy that will take sea fleas off of gags snouts. the only good fish is a stoned fish.

[Charlestondivin]

I shot a 48 single line shaft biller for a while then moved to a european style gun, then to a ss commercial.
I still shoot one handed with the new 52 ss even with the spare shaft. Ok ive only done that for two dives but i didn't even think about it. Just seemed like i could close more distance on the fish in my mind by stretching the gun all the way out. I will make an effort to try the two hand shot next time. Never seem to get presented with "snap shots" Usually spot them out of range and make a stalk. When i reach the point that im ready to shoot i extend the gun all the way out if possible. The gun is in that position for such a short period of time that i dont notice the weight. But then again i usually only shoot on average 5-6 times per dive.

Right hand halfway up the gun when hunting left hand free.
When i spot a potential target left hand goes to middle of gun right hand goes to trigger.
When i go to shoot left hand pushes gun forward and lets go, right hand extends all the way out for shot.

Theres My data, probably doing it all wrong :D

[Speargun]

I've been shooting a 48" Sea Hornet and have always shot with one (right) hand. This gun is light enough for me, even with a spare shaft, that I haven't had any trouble putting it on target.
After going to a couple of Spear One's seminars, and buying a 52" commercial gun w/spare shaft, I am going to try the 2 hand method since this gun is a bit heavier and it sounds like 2 hands are more accurate than one. (I need all the help I can get) :D

[GeauxSaints]

two shafts and usually one hand. I try doing the two hand shots on grouper and AJs if I am really worried about placement but I shoot one handed for Mangroves cause the little brats are so quick to hit cover and I'm faster with a one handed attack from the hip.

[GROUPER55]

I use my right hand on the pistol grip and the left hand under the "barrel". I don't have the strength in my wrist to make aggressive turns and aiming quickly would be impossible for me with just one hand....although I am getting better with the whole wrist strenght thing the longer I am deployed:D Maybe next year you will have to post this topic again, Im sure I will be using one hand with no problems!!;) :D :D

[fernandezh]

While spearing,
I shoot left handed as I am left handed as that is how I also shoot with any other type of weapon. Left hand on trigger, right hand holding the barrel for 2 reasons.

1. Help absorb recoil on my trigger hand and allow more force to propel the shaft.
2. Easier to maintain control of the speargun as I am shooting a moving target.

Ergonomically,
All of the speargun trigger mechanisms I have seen are deisgned for right handers (as there are a majority of right handers in our species) where the saftety mechanism is on the left side so somebody holding the gun with their right hands can flip the safety switch with their thumbs while keeping their finger on the trigger. For me, I either have to reach over with my right hand, or take my finger off of the trigger to flip the switch. I wonder if anybody makes left handed triggers with the safety's on the right side.
I use a JBL Magnum (63" gun, 48 inch shaft but thinking of going to a longer shaft)

This is my personal preference.


When "spearing" a woman:

I prefer she uses both hands, her mouth and oh yes. . . My shaft.

[fishhunta]

when i use my riffe peice of shit for huge fish, i have to use both hands, right on the trigger, but i usually use a rob allen railgun from south africa which has the smoothest, most accurate one handed shot.

[dabulltrouble]

right handed 2 hands 2 shafts.but i can switch hands without missing a stroke.especially if i have my shaft lubed up pretty good

[SANDIBOTTOM]

I HAVE TO SAY IT DOSN'T MATTER IF I USE 1 OR 2 HANDS I CAN'T SHOOT MUCH OF ANYTHING,, BUT WHEN I THINK OF IT, I ALWAY'S USE ONE HAND,,MAYBE I NEED TO CHANGE...ALWAY'S TWO SHAFTS AND ALWAY'S A POWERHEAD BUT THEY NEVER GIVE ME A BULLET.....BUT I ONLY HAVE USED ONLY ONE TYPE GUN A SEAHORNET...54 TEAK COMMERCIAL WITH ALL OF SPEARONE'S ADD ONS AND INVENTIONS...USALLY FREE SHAFT.AND THATS ALL I GOT TO SAY ABOUT THIS

[Spear One]

Don't feel bad Sandi Bottom, Andy didn't let Barney Fiffe have any bullets either. But you probably look real official carrying that B&B .223 around!

[f94gator]

Originally posted by dabulltrouble
but i can switch hands without missing a stroke.especially if i have my shaft lubed up pretty good


Okkaaayyyyy...

[subdude]

Originally posted by dabulltrouble
right handed 2 hands 2 shafts.but i can switch hands without missing a stroke.especially if i have my shaft lubed up pretty good

When I was in Iceland (Icelavik Rocklatraz) I got to where I could change hands and gain 2 strokes.

Odd though ... after a few months I had this stalagtite thing hanging down from the ceiling ....

subdude

[Merk]

I shoot right handed with a spare shaft on my SS Commercial Rhino because the gun it too heavy for my weak arms when moving through the water column or down the ledge.

Putting my left hand on top of the butt allows me the quickest response to a fish or keeping the gun in the firing position as I move down the ledge.

Prior to my SS I was one handed shooter so I guess it depends on the size and weight of the gun.

[FredT]

Maximum accuracy is obtained when shot from the same side as as the dominate eye.

My wife Jeanne is right handed, but left eyed. She shoots left handed with excellent accuracy.

My son James is ambi-eyed and shoots with either hand equally well. Shorter guns he normally shoots lefty, longer guns he generally shoots right handed, but depending on cover and shot angle he'll go with the hand that gives him the best shot.

I'm right eye dominate with little crossover if I want to maintain range data. I'll normally shoot snappper and grouper right handed with a 2 hand hold, but will also pull the butt into the shoulder on my big bullpup guns when making a longer shot. The in the shoulder position is most effective when doing instinctive shooting similar to the "quick kill" method taught those who went over to 'Nam in the late 60s. Daisy later marketed the program under the name "quick skill". It's very effective out to about 20 yards on land, and about 30 feet in the waer.

All guns are rigged with a single shaft, but I'll often carry a spare gun where it makes sense to do so. Generally my hunting buddy's shaft is my "ready" spare if we are team hunting. Often snap shots on pelagics coming out of the upper murk are taken one handed or from the hip if I don't have time to get into a two handed position. Snap shot HAVE to be taken with the dominate eye lined up over the shooting hand if a brain hit is expected.

FT

[FredT]

Originally posted by fernandezh
While spearing,I wonder if anybody makes left handed triggers with the safety's on the right side.


Ithica model 37 pump guns are available with a left hand safety. With a bottom eject they are the ideal left handed scattergun.

Riffe and Ulitmate are centerline safety guns. I really like the Ultimate safety. It functions like a "set trigger" mounted under the primary. Pull the safety trigger with the ring finger, then the main trigger. It's always on safe unless you take it off with grip pressure.

[f94gator]

I haven't been able to use it since I bought it, but I'm pretty sure that my 52 SS Paulope has the safety on the right side. I'll have to check when I get home.
Scott, you've used it more than I have, do you remember?

[Steel Shootin']

I'm fairly sure it's on the right.

[keyspearfisher]

It's on the right on my red rino. Used it once and missed a red grouper when I forgot it was on. Touch it no more!

[Ed Walker]

You know somebody could really take this the wrong way. How many hands, left hand or right, one shaft or two?.......lol! That being said, I shoot a 48 special, two shafts if tank diving, one if freediving. I seem to shoot one handed (right) especially when that sucker is running away and only turns to look back for a second. I think the two handed approach would slow you down in that sitution. Then again I havent shot those big guns much. My two.

[Spear One]

Looks like the vast majority shoots with two hands. I assumed that would be the case. Long, heavy guns usually require two hands for max compensation ability and pinpoint "surgical" accuracy!

[Ed Walker]

http://www.freediver.net/iusa/display_record.php?id=84 ....depends what you are shooting I guess...lol...my spanish is a little rusty but I think I know what "Caca" means...I dunno if a ten pound blue runner ever swam by me I guess Id shoot that sucker too.

[gotta go]

Right handed ; with hopefully no shafts, depends on the dive. Oh; but I start with 2 shafts.

[Grauer]

depends on the situation. I like to shoot from the hip. If i have time ill use two hands. Again the situation dictates whether i put my left hand on the butt of the gun or the the handle. But mostly i shoot with one hand. 48 biller, homemade 22 inch bands, spareshaft on the left side of the gun. I hope to meet a bunch of you guys on fri.