Quote:
Originally Posted by Rupert
Pistols used with modern grips tend to present the main hand (right for most shooters), and old-style one handed stances did too, especially those used for duelling, which were very strongly angled (to minimise the shooter's profile).
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Only if shooting a pistol one-handed. If using a two-handed grip (preferred for control and accuracy) you cannot easily present the side of your main hand forward while keeping the two-handed grip; you're basically limited to presenting a square facing (firing straight ahead, presenting your full body and exposing right and left side equally) or taking a sideways stance and presenting your off-hand side if trying to reduce your exposure or take cover.
A lot of that is very fluid, though, and will change as you move around obstacles, take cover, and return fire.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rupert
One-handed sword stances, when no shield or off-hand weapon was used, also tended to strongly present the main hand and side, for the same reason.
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That's certainly true, and is largely done to increase reach while maintaining distance as a defensive stance. This is less true of short-reach weapons such as a knife, where you may need to use of your off-hand both offensively (to grapple) or defensively (to parry or take a blow while protecting your weapon hand).