The Weaver Stance

The Weaver Stance is a classic, weight-forward position developed by Jack Weaver. It's often described as a "boxer-type" stance because of its aggressive posture. To assume the stance, the shooter places their support-side foot forward with toes pointed toward the target, and their strong-side foot back at about a 45-degree angle.

The gun is held with a "push-pull" grip: the strong hand pushes forward while the support hand pulls back, creating isometric pressure. Both elbows are bent. The strong-side arm is not fully extended and is angled slightly outward, while the support arm is bent downward at a 45-degree angle. This stance is very rigid and provides a strong grip on the handgun.

• Pros: The Weaver stance is quick to assume and can deliver fast, accurate hits at close ranges. The bent elbows bring the sights closer to the shooter's eyes, making the rear sight appear wider and easier to focus on. It also offers a wider swing arc to the support side, which can be useful when engaging multiple targets.
• Cons: This stance relies on upper-body strength, and some shooters, particularly those with less strength, may find it difficult to control recoil, especially with heavy-recoiling handguns. It can also be problematic for cross-dominant shooters (e.g., a right-handed person with a left-dominant eye), as the head may need to be awkwardly canted to achieve a proper sight picture. Additionally, the bladed body position can expose the armpit area, which may not be covered by body armor.

The Chapman Stance

Developed by shooting instructor Ray Chapman, the Chapman Stance is a variation of the Weaver. It uses a similar aggressive foot position but is a more relaxed and vertical posture. The major difference is that the strong-side arm is fully extended, acting like a "rifle stock." The support hand still pulls back, but the strong hand exerts minimal forward push.

• Pros: The Chapman stance requires less upper-body strength than the Weaver. The locked strong arm and bent support arm transfer recoil to the shoulders and upper body, making it easier to manage heavy-caliber handguns. This stance is also highly regarded for its potential accuracy, as the full-arm extension and stable cheek rest position allow for very fine sight alignment. It's also a good option for cross-dominant shooters, as the less rigid head position makes it easier to align their eyes properly.
• Cons: The Chapman stance is generally slower to assume than the Weaver.

The Isosceles Stance

The Isosceles Stance is one of the most natural and easiest two-handed stances to learn. The shooter faces the target squarely with feet spread shoulder-width apart and knees slightly flexed. The arms are fully extended to form a triangle with the chest. The gun is centered directly in front of the eyes.

The Power Isosceles is a modification that improves recoil control. In this variation, the gun-side foot is moved back several inches, and the knees are unlocked to produce a slight flex. This helps the shooter absorb recoil more effectively.

• Pros: The Isosceles stance is a gross motor skill, making it easy to learn and quick to execute. The squared-up body position maximizes protection from body armor. It also allows for maximum peripheral vision and is the easiest stance for a cross-dominant shooter to use, as the gun is naturally centered. It's the preferred stance of many modern practical shooting champions.
• Cons: The original Isosceles stance, with feet parallel and shoulder-width apart, has less front-to-rear stability and can struggle with recoil control, especially with full-power loads. The locked arms of the traditional Isosceles can also be painful for those with elbow issues.

The Fighting Stance

The Fighting Stance (also known as a Modified Isosceles or a Tactical Stance) was developed in the special forces community. It combines elements of both the Isosceles and Weaver stances to create a balanced and versatile platform. The shooter is square to the target, with feet shoulder-width apart, and the firing-side foot slightly behind the support-side foot.

• Pros: This stance eliminates the front-to-rear balance issues of the Isosceles stance. The flexed knees act as shock absorbers for movement, making it effective for defending oneself with hands, a baton, or a firearm, all from the same platform. It's also a great advanced technique for civilian shooters.
• Cons: According to the provided text, there are no downsides to this stance, as it modifies and eliminates the drawbacks of the other two.

One-Handed Stances

Sometimes, a situation requires a one-handed stance.

The Power Point Stance

This is an aggressive, one-handed stance for fast and accurate close-range fire. The gun-side foot drives forward with the shoulder pushing into the gun and the knees flexed, similar to a boxer throwing a punch. The non-shooting hand is tucked tightly to the chest to help solidify the upper shoulder muscles and improve trigger control.

The Strong-Hand Retention Stance

This stance is used in close-quarters situations to prevent an assailant from taking your gun. The gun-arm elbow is tucked tightly into the side of the body, with the handgun held close to the stomach. The support hand is kept near the support shoulder to fend off an attack. This stance makes it difficult for someone to grab the gun and allows for quick, close-range firing with minimal extension.

Practicing different stances can help you develop muscle memory and consistency, which are vital for improving your accuracy and performance. Remember that your body is your shooting platform, and knowing which stance to use in different situations gives you more tools in your toolbox.