The taco hold - What is the history?

[Hosspower]

I remember when I was 10 years old (1990) or so seeing one of my dads IHMSA news papers with a picture of an XP with a 5" high rise mount. I was so confused. My dad was always a weaver stance standing shooter so I just didn't get it at the time. I had always seen him shoot handguns arms out and thought that is how it's done. I joined IHMSA in 2014 and was shooting weaver stance in all standing classes. Early in the 2015 I was shooting taco iron and rifle scope US only.

Can you guys give some history of the taco hold? Where, who and when was it brought about? Did it start in IHMSA or NRA? Where did you first see it? What were your initial thoughts?

Might as well include rifle scope unlimited standing handguns as well in the discussion.

[aggshooter]

I was introduced to this style about 1989 by NRA/IHMSA shooters using a 32-20 for field pistol with reduced loads and 24x scopes. We went to NRA Hunter Pistol Nationals in 1990 and everyone was shooting it with scopes. Back then, you had to watch for the scallywags to abuse the position. Guys would drop their upper arm into their side, or cinch up their ball cap real tight and pull the scope back into it to help stabilize. Maybe put their thumb on their cheek just before they shot.

Not sure when they converted it to iron sights. I think NRA allowed aftermarket sights a couple years before IHMSA. Seems like NRA also shot Unlimited Standing and 1/2 scale before it was an IHMSA event. Silhouette was much more popular back then and somewhat geographic, and there were equipment rule conflicts between the 2 organizations. NRA was big in Pennsylvania but hardly shot in Indiana. I remember we bought an extra set of .22 chickens to go at 40 yards and accommodate both groups. IHMSA guns could shoot NRA, but not all NRA guns could shoot IHMSA.

I don't think NRA allowed high rise mounts in Hunter Pistol, the scope had to be within 1.5 inches of the bore. It's been a long time since I shot NRA rules, memory fails....

It's a pretty natural position. I teach 4H kids to shoot air guns with taco hold, it's the same position as shooting with a 10 meter rifle, you just flip your support hand and you're there. Works well for hunting with handguns too. Taken a bunch of deer with my US gun.