Our Stance on Your Stance

If you’ve visited any firing ranges in Chester County or the surrounding Delawaare Valley area, you’ve likely seen the "lean back." It’s common among new or untrained shooters—standing stiff-legged and tilted backward as if trying to escape the firearm.

At Cajun Arms, we train a diverse group of local citizens. Whether you are looking for firearms training in West Chester or preparing for your concealed carry permit, correcting your stance is the first step toward proficiency.

The Foundation of Defensive Shooting

In our Elvrson shooting classes, we emphasize that stance is the literal foundation of your platform. While some older schools still teach the "Weaver" stance (standing bladed/perpendicular to the target), the modern standard is the Isosceles Stance.

In the Isosceles stance, you square your hips and shoulders to the target. For residents seeking tactical pistol training, this is the gold standard because:

• It is more athletic and stable.

• It allows for rapid 360-degree movement.

• It manages recoil by utilizing your body's natural alignment.

Why the "Lean Back" Fails

The most common mistake we see at our Montgomery County gun range is the backward lean. When you lean away from the gun, physics works against you. Each shot pushes you further off-balance, causing your hits to "climb" higher and higher off-target.

To fix this, we coach our students on the "Nose Over Toes" principle:

1. Square Up: Face the target directly.

2. Width: Feet should be shoulder-width apart for a stable base.

3. The Power Gap: If a square stance feels off, move your dominant foot slightly back for better balance.

4. Drive Forward: Bend your knees and hips. Your weight should be slightly forward, putting your nose over your toes. This "aggressive" posture absorbs recoil naturally.

Get Aggressive: Training for the Real World

This forward-leaning stance looks intense, and it should. You are learning to run your gun. We’ve found that many of our local students—especially women—initially feel awkward in this "aggressive" posture due to social conditioning.

However, in a self-defense situation in the Philadelphia area, your survival depends on control. We encourage all our students to embrace this mindset: you are the one in charge of the firearm.

The Final Equation: Locked Wrists and Straight Arms

To complete the Isosceles triangle:

• Locked Wrists: Prevent "soft wrists," which cause the dreaded limp-wristing malfunction.

• Straight Elbows: Channel recoil into your shoulders and chest, not your joints.

Join a Local Class Today

A solid stance results in faster, more accurate hits and better control. If you’re searching for the best firearms instructors in [Insert City], look no further. We are dedicated to helping our community stay safe and proficient.

Check out our Current Class Schedule or call us (610-399-1188) to get started.

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