History Of The Weaver Stance

Boring as all hells but it is asked a lot.

"...The excitement and challenge of wide open competition was what led Jack Weaver to develop the Weaver Stance, with the sole purpose of winning Jeff Cooper's "Leatherslap" competition in Big Bear, California. In Cooper's own words, "It began in 1956 at Big Bear when I set up the first Leatherslap. As far as I know, it was the first match of its kind held anywhere in the world. It was unrestricted as to technique, as to weapon, as to caliber, as to holster, as to profession. It was a straight quick-draw match — just draw and hit a target at seven yards..."

And yes, I know, I know...

The isoceles is favored by virtually EVERY modern day target shooter, and indeed the Weaver Stance replaced the old one-handed stance so of course there was a time when it was the best thing going. But with Weaver, you can fire from the prone, kneeling, and bent around a corner, using the Weaver principles. Iso means facing the target and please now, in real life some targets shoot back, mmkay? Boils down to what suits YOU more. What YOUR ergonomics have to say about the matter. Forcing oneself into some ridiculous, uncomfortable contortionists nightmare simply because some guy at the range says that all of the top shooters do so is silly.

Remember, IPSC is a running game. It's easier to regain and maintain an Iso over a Weaver, so but of course Iso's are used more and to a greater advantage. BUT...try teaching someone over the age of 50 to shoot Iso and when it comes time to expect them to bend those knees, nope. I usually try to address an individuals morph-factor when helping them learn to shoot things, and after, oh, let's see, maybe several thousands of females later, have found that the distaff likes Iso better and what people like they do more of. Men like the isometric properties of the Weaver a lot, and have usually fired a rifle or two so the Big W stance suits them. Then there are the girly-men, but let's save that for another time.

Remember Part Deuzis*; police are nowadays taught Isoceles, and police can only hit two things with any degree of certainty. The ground and the sky.

And sure, Ayoob uses Weaver but NOTHING is perfect.

*French for 2