I close my left eye, do whatever works for you. Concentrate on the front site of the pistol-you can only see one thing clearly, and you have the rear sight, front sight, and target in your line of vision, the front site should be clear and the rear sight and target blurry.

I think it's easier to shoot isosceles, with  both arms extended fully, but you should learn to shoot weaver also. As far as your feet, just stand like you were going to get into a fist fight-you might have to move while shooting, or at close range someone could hit you or run into you.

Quoted: Proper technique is to keep both eyes open. I'd say only about half of the shooters do this.

I don't. Hell if I'm shooting some guy like I'm really going to spot something out of the corner of my left eye in the 1/2 second it would otherwise be closed and backflip out of the way or something. I just don't buy that it's worth getting too worked up over.

I think it's worth learning to shoot from more than one stance though. Even if you only shoot weaver isosceles seems easier to do while moving sometimes.

Yeah no kidding, I'm with Bob on that one; -1 on the point shooting stuff.

I always enjoy this argument for it always envolves absolutes and the one thing I've learned in life is there isn't any absolutes.

Obviously if you have time to sight your weapon one should but if you don't have time you shouldn't.  I'm afraid the time aspect is a judgement call.  Expecting a badguy to wait until you get a good site picture isn't necessarily a good idea but then sending a round into space isn't either.  Unless a police officer or in the military the odds are that the badguy will get the first move so you be the judge.

A defensive shooter unless with some medical eyesight issue should never recommend closing an eye for it limits your perifreal vision.  Reasons for this are obvious.

There are two hand holds that people will typically use one being hand over hand and the other hand under hand.  The newer techinique is hand over hand and many of the newer guns designed for that technique, however I also find the hand under hand techinique better with certain firearms especially heavier ones.  I personaly use the hand under hand since it was what I was trained on in the military and what comes natural to me.  I don't consider either wrong. Others will differ with this opinion usually depending on their age with younger folks saying hand over hand and older hand under hand.  Frankly what counts is the round on target.  One handed is seldom ever recommended but does have its place in the western fast draw from the hip which has pretty much gone the way of the gunshow and not as much defensive anymore.  I've never heard ever of anyone suggesting a one hand straight out hold.

Firing stance should be a side profile with one foot back for support.  Distance from your eye should be to maximize your sight vision and at the same time give maximum support for the weapons weight.  Straight out like on TV is about the easiest but at the same time the worst for you have more sight picture drift due to less weight support.  Which side you turn  really depends on if you are left handed or right handed but the idea is smaller profile with maximum support for the weight of the weapon as well as recoil.

The thing I stress most with new shooters is the sight picture and managing of the sight picture.  One should be constantly adjusting the sight picture.  When one pulls the trigger it should be like aiming a cannon out of a boat with timing just as the sight picture drift is dead on the bullseye.  A fast shooting techinique is to practice this roll onto target by either coming up on target or down.  Up is usually the prefered method since it will typically be the direction you initially pull your weapon but down does have applications especially depending on the surface you are on, richochet potential, or if in a moving vehicle or on horseback.  Handguns recoil and the manufacturers design their sights with this in mind so the barrel may not be on target but if the sight is the round should be.

The weakest part of any shooters skill is typically drawing your weapon.  Most people go to the range alot but don't practice their drawing for most ranges frown on it for safety reasons.  This is best done at home with a dry fire round to protect your firing pin from damage.  The ultimate goal should be to achieve a minimum of 1.5 seconds from draw, sight picture, to fire.  This in many respects is harder than hittng the target.  The importance can't be overstressed for it can mean the difference of life or death in a defense scenario.

These are a few generalities and pointers but highly suggest you take a handgun course by a qualified instructor.  Its really a good idea to use the gun you will most likely use in a defensive role not your best target .22.  The idea is to learn not worry about being embarrassed.  The instructor can critque your shooting to fit both your weapon and your personal physical attributes.

I hope this helps some.

Tj