How the heck do you hold this thing?

[timothy]

Just wondering what the most effective means of shooting offhand with a contender is. Should I be holding the forestock and pull the gun closer to my face? Its frustrating because at 50 yards I can make a 1/2 inch group with iorn sights and a rest. Without a rest I cant even hit a paper plate at 50 yards and the rabbits make fun of me.

[bgjohn]

Hold it with two hands Tim and practice. Try shooting Handgun silhouette, that will make you a better shot.
JM

[HAMMERHEAD]

It takes a little time.
I shoot with right hand on grip, left hand wrapped around my right, with my left index and middle fingers LIGHTLY on the triggerguard. Normal, full arm extension.
I do this regardless of whether or not I'm using a scope.
Some of my IHMSA competitors put their off hands on the forend.
Some actually use rifle scopes and use the 'taco' hold-off hand on top of the scope and pistol close to the eye.
We all shoot off-hand and hit our targets out to 100 yards more often than we miss. Once it starts to happen for you, you'll be hooked.
More knowledgable folks can be found here:
http://specialtypistols.infopop.cc/eve

[Catfish]

With the 10 in. barrels they are about like any other handgun, but eith 14 in. or longer barrels they get hard to hold. I alway find the best thing close for a rest. Just useing a tree or something can improve your accuracy a bunch.

[Redhawk1]

Use shooting sticks or a rest.  

[crawfish]

As with everything this doesn’t come easy. Field shooting with any hunting handgun has to be learned and practiced. I have drills that I do every time I take my guns to the range and sometimes while watching TV. THESE ARE TO BE DONE WITH AN EMPTY HANDGUN ONLY. What you will be doing is weight train with you handgun as the weight and no you can’t use something else as the weight unless you can hold it like you would your handgun. You will be doing wrist curls up and down, arm curls, full two hand and one hand arm extensions. With the extensions you want to hold them until almost muscle failure. Those holds will get longer and longer until  you get to the point that you can hold that gun out there on target for as long as need be. Your finals will be to hold you stance for five minutes fire on target, then another, and another, three aimed held for five minutes shots in the kill zone at your chosen range.
BTY I do these drills three, four times a week and this is my very last option for field shooting I will use anythig as a rest before I resort to freehand shooting.

[Flash]

Try gripping it with your right hand and then with your left hand, firmly grip your right wrist. Then tuck your left elbow into your side below your rib cage. Try it and you'll see it's rock solid. I have a 34" sleve length and I can still manage it.