Proper grip on a handgun?

[drunktank]

How tight should my grip be while holding my handgun? I feel dumb for asking (but even dumber if I don't ask).

I've always shot with thumbs foward and basically like in the 5 min Todd Jarret youtube video to give you an idea. My right hand (I'm right handed) is gripped noticably tighter than I'd hold a baseball bat or golf club. Left hand is even tighter. With my USP I'm usually left and a little low. Quick charts show I need more trigger finger. However, on other guns I shoot 9-10 ring consistantly. Anyway, I'm getting a little off topic.

I saw a little vid last week, while watching the outdoor channel, and it mentioned the right hand is there to just hold the gun and left hand is the tighter grip. Thanks for any info - I tried the search function but came up with nothing.

[socaldsal]

Tight enough to keep it secure, but not gorilla gripping it either. I hold firm on my right and clasp a little tighter with the fingers on my left. I shoot straight thumbed also. The trick is holding it as tight as you can without using your arm muscles, shoulders, or chest (some folks do this involuntarily).

[joelogic]

Dont feel too bad about shooting left and low with your HK. I was doing the same thing with my USP 45 and started to do a little research. Either you upgrade the trigger, compensate, or buy a new gun. I think I may join the Glock camp.

[rabagley]

You'll need to improve the Glock trigger as well. I love my Glocks, but the factory trigger leaves a lot to be desired.

To the OP, don't grip it that hard. Also remember that semi's and revolvers have different grips.

On a semi, your right hand should be gripping front to back enough to hold the gun securely. Your left should be squeezing the left side of the grip and the outside of your right-hand fingers. Both thumbs pointed downrange on the left side of the gun (with the tip of the left thumb touching the release nub on a Glock, similar position on other guns).

On a revolver, the left hand should be further back, cupping the grip and the right hand. You can't go as far forward because you have to keep your left hand (and specifically, your left thumb) far away from the cylinder gap. You can do a number on your hand if it's near the gap when firing.

You shouldn't have any "white knuckles" is the only useful threshold I can offer. You also don't want to be gripping so tightly that you fatigue after a minute or two of holding the gun.

[joelogic]

True but it is cheaper. Most guns in my experience need trigger work.

You'll need to improve the Glock trigger as well. I love my Glocks, but the factory trigger leaves a lot to be desired.

[JDay]

Dont feel too bad about shooting left and low with your HK. I was doing the same thing with my USP 45 and started to do a little research. Either you upgrade the trigger, compensate, or buy a new gun. I think I may join the Glock camp.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v318/BiggBore/correction_chart.gif

[JDay]

True but it is cheaper. Most guns in my experience need trigger work.

That's one of the reason I love the 1911, trigger is perfect.

[Sniper3142]

Dont feel too bad about shooting left and low with your HK. I was doing the same thing with my USP 45 and started to do a little research. Either you upgrade the trigger, compensate, or buy a new gun. I think I may join the Glock camp.

Sorry but that chart posted is correct.

There is nothing wrong with HK pistol or particularly difficult in shooting them accurately. My primary pistol is a USP 45f and my backup is a USP 45c. I shoot both accurately and without any problems.

Of course... I practice a lot.

:)

[Centurion_D]

Unfortunately my problem is with flinching (anticipating?) the shot. I'm trying to get past the mental block.

[domokun]

ysa50-plo48

[drunktank]

Yeah, that's the video I was referring to. My grip and form look about the same.

I'll try softening up a bit as suggested. With snap caps, my aim already seems more steady after holding the gun up for a few minutes (i would starting flinching/shaking with the tighter grip after a while).

As always, thanks for the info.

[Rivers]

My right hand (I'm right handed) is gripped noticably tighter than I'd hold a baseball bat or golf club. Left hand is even tighter. With my USP I'm usually left and a little low.

I shoot with a USPf .45 LEM and P2000sk .40 LEM. I've also shot the USP as a DA/SA. Here is the solution for your low/left placement:

Unloaded, visually and digitally (finger) cleared, no ammo in the same room to avoid confusion. (Rack the slide as normal with a fresh magazine.) Now grip your pistol as you are ready to shoot. Pull the trigger normally. Visualize the mechanics, the centerpoint of the pivot of your trigger finger (your trigger finger's knuckle) and the arc that it's moving. Now back your trigger finger out until no more than the middle of your "fingernail" is resting on the trigger, as opposed to the trigger meeting up almost with the joint on your trigger finger. Pull the trigger and watch the mechanics. You're pulling the trigger by not using your knuckle joint but the two joints on your trigger finger instead.

When you over-engage the trigger, your finger's arc as you pull the trigger will push the muzzle to the left. Instead, back your trigger finger out so the middle of the pad of your trigger finger is on the trigger. When you now bend your finger at the middle joints, the direction of the fingertip pad is straight back.

Last item is do not pull the trigger. Simply continue applying pressure on the trigger until the gun goes "bang." Consciously do this often enough so you do not need to think about it. Just apply pressure while keeping the gun on target. No flinch, no anticipation, just accuracy. If you can practice with a revolver, don't fully load the cylinder. Leave a random hole empty. When you drop the hammer on that hole, you'll quickly see if you're anticipating or flinching. For a pistol, load some snap cap dummies randomly.

One variation I made starting with my P2000SK, owing to its rather "snappy" kick, was to move my left hand forward so my left index finger rests on the knurled forward part of the trigger guard. While before that pistol kind of "owned" me, with that change in grip, I regained my control over the recoil for quick and accurate follow-up shots.

[bombadillo]

Unfortunately my problem is with flinching (anticipating?) the shot. I'm trying to get past the mental block.

Shoot a smallbore pistol for a while. Go get a mkIII or buckmark and shoot away that flinch. I shot .45 forever and then grabbed my buddy's mkIII and saw how much of a flinch I had. It takes a while to get rid of it too.

[Capaholic]

Shoot a smallbore pistol for a while. Go get a mkIII or buckmark and shoot away that flinch. I shot .45 forever and then grabbed my buddy's mkIII and saw how much of a flinch I had. It takes a while to get rid of it too.

Same deal here, the Buck Mark is helping out a ton.
That Laserlyte laser trainer looks like an excellent low-cost trainer as well. I need to grab one soon and check it out.

[Diabolus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Zioo5ixw4

[SCMA-1]

This is a good one.


oQgLmQl1zDw

[cineski]

Personally, I do a thumb (singular) forward grip. I don't like thumbs forward for a few reasons. First, I'm not a 1911 guy. However, when I do shoot 1911's I still shoot with one thumb forward. The right hand thumb is always secured against the grip when I shoot. My thoughts on this are, accuracy does not suffer with my right thumb against the gun, and I feel more secure with a good solid grip with my full right hand. It's a matter of controlling the gun, and to me squeezing your hands like a sandwich that both thumbs forward provides isn't as secure as wrapping my whole right hand around the gun, making contact with my right thumb around the grip, and laying my left hand with thumb forward over my right thumb. It's a matter of personal preference I guess.

[taloft]

As far as amount of grip pressure goes, I just tell people to hold it with the same amount of pressure you'd hold a hammer. i.e. Firmly but not strangling it. Over tightening the fingers will get you impacts that are low left. Sounds to me like you're holding it too tight. Ease up, it doesn't own you money.;)

[drunktank]

^^haha point well taken!^^

Tried Rivers' suggestion and it made me realize the main part of my problem. I dont flinch, but the last joint on my index fingers cause the tip/pad of my finger to curve towards my middle finger. Kind of hard to explain, but basically if I clench a fist, 1/2 my index finger angles towards my middle finger. (Thanks bad gene pool :) ). Anyhow, it causes me to SLIGHTY pull the barrel low and left.

Going to go to the range this week to try out all your guys' suggestions.

thanks again!

[SgtDinosaur]

To be perfectly honest, target shooting aside, I suspect if I ever have to actually use a hangun in self defense I will be gripping it pretty tightly. At least I know I don't flinch since I dry fire with a crimson laser grip and can see it's not moving. I've also gotten good at squeezing the trigger rather than pulling on it (after years of practice), but that might go out the window if the SHTF. Hard to say how I would react under stress. Usually I actually get cooler but since I have never been in that situation I just can't say. In other life threatening situations I've kept my head, at least least until it was over.

[Vinz]

Sorry but that chart posted is correct.

There is nothing wrong with HK pistol or particularly difficult in shooting them accurately. My primary pistol is a USP 45f and my backup is a USP 45c. I shoot both accurately and without any problems.

Of course... I practice a lot.

:)

Can you point out what part of the chart is incorrect please?

Vinz