Grip angle Glock or 1911

[Nvberinger]

Anyone try out the test below to see if naturally a Glock or 1911 guy.

Autopistol Grip Angle

What grip angle is best?

by

Gary Marbut, president
Montana Shooting Sports Association


It's common for new shooters in my handgun classes to ask me, "Which is better, a 1911 or a Glock?" Or, "What is the best grip angle for an autopistol?"

One of the primary differences among modern autopistols is grip angle - the angle between the sight plane and the grip. There are generally two different grip angles available, which for the sake of this discussion we will call the 1911 grip angle and the Glock grip angle. The 1911 grip angle (all 1911 variants, Springfield XD, etc.) is more nearly square to the slide (about 18 degrees off square), while the Glock grip angle (Luger, Steyr M series, H&K P7, Ruger Mk II, etc.) is more raked (about 22 degrees off square).

Neither grip angle is inherently better than the other, but some peoples' hand and wrist anatomy just works better with one angle and some with the other.

Some people may have a strong preference for one type or brand of pistol or another. This is likely because the grip angle of that type or brand is more natural for that person. The person may say, "(That type of pistol) doesn't point well." That's probably true for that person, because of their unique anatomy. And, a person's strong personal bias for or against a certain type or brand of pistol is important. If the person likes a pistol, they'll probably perform better with it.

A person can learn to operate either grip angle. But, all else being equal, it's easier to learn to shoot well, especially shooting well under stress, if a person uses a pistol with a grip angle most natural to their unique anatomy. So, a person is likely to benefit from first determining which grip angle is more natural for herself or himself, and then shopping among pistols offering that grip angle.

Here is how a person can make that determination (applying all standard rules of gun safety - pistol unloaded but assumed loaded, finger out of trigger guard, etc.): Hold either a 1911 or a Glock in a two-handed, low ready hold, pistol close to the abdomen, slide level, muzzle pointing straight downrange (not down at the ground or floor), with the top of the pistol at the elevation of the bottom of the rib cage. Pick out an imaginary target down range - something to focus on - a spot on the wall, a light switch, etc. The target should be about the level of the tester's eyes.

Close your eyes. With your eyes closed, push the pistol straight out to point at the target you previously selected. When the pistol is fully extended in an good isosceles position, elbows just slightly flexed, open your eyes and notice where the sights point - high, on-target, or low.

If the Glock grip angle is most natural for you and you are holding a 1911, the sights will point below your imaginary target. If a 1911 grip angle is most natural for you and you are holding a Glock, the sights will be aligned high, above your target. Whichever grip angle is most natural for you, when you are holding a pistol of that grip angle and you open your eyes, the sights should be aligned at the right elevation for the imaginary target you selected for the test.

It works better to not to fight what is the anatomically-natural grip angle for you. Beginning with a pistol of the more natural grip angle for any individual shooter will allow faster learning and more accurate shooting under stress.

Good shooting!

[BillSmith]

Can apply this to my profession. Explain to tennis players the most important aspect to consider in a new racquet is the grip. Not just the circumference but shape of the octagonal.

Some grips have an equidistant eight-sided shape (Wilson) while others (Head) can have one panel slightly elongated.

The old saw, horses for courses, applies. Good post Nvberinger.

[TomReloaded]

Enough time has passed that we can and should fully dismiss any notion of "natural" in terms of handguns. Especially natural aim.

It's very important to learn a proper grip, and then train. Train bringing the grip up at the correct angle and lining up the sights. It's a trained skill and muscle memory. The grip angle really, *really* doesnt matter.

[rodralig]

Enough time has passed that we can and should fully dismiss any notion of "natural" in terms of handguns. Especially natural aim.

It's very important to learn a proper grip, and then train. Train bringing the grip up at the correct angle and lining up the sights. It's a trained skill and muscle memory. The grip angle really, *really* doesnt matter.

Personally, I spend so much time with the Glock that the 1911's grip angle is awkward for me...


_

[G-forceJunkie]

Exactly. Natural grip is BS. Nothing in your DNA or evolution prepared you for a handgun. Your wrist is somewhere in the middle of its range of motion. Nothing but muscles hold it in that position. That position must be learned and ingrained through repetition. Train yourself for whatever gun you prefer.

Enough time has passed that we can and should fully dismiss any notion of "natural" in terms of handguns. Especially natural aim.

It's very important to learn a proper grip, and then train. Train bringing the grip up at the correct angle and lining up the sights. It's a trained skill and muscle memory. The grip angle really, *really* doesnt matter.

[SilveradoColt21]

All I read is 1911 enough to get my attention.

[NoHeavyHitter]

Cliff Notes for the TLDR crowd...

Neither grip angle is inherently better than the other, but some peoples' hand and wrist anatomy just works better with one angle and some with the other.

There it is.

[Oldboyjun]

Glocks point high because of the grip angle - at least for me - so I have to compensate by "canting" my wrist slightly downwards. I don't have this issue with 1911's.

[damon1272]

Funny. Modern 1911’s have a flat back strap where older ones have a raised strap to raise point of aim. For me I changed out my back straps to a raised one on my 1911’s. Funny thing is it is pretty close to a Glock angle now.

[static2126]

It is all training. Whatever you shoot most you will index naturally.

I primarily shoot glocks. The 1911 grip angle always points low for me. My.brother shoots 1911s, glocks point high for him

[xrMike]

1911s only for me.

I've tried friends' Glocks before and not only did they NOT point naturally, but they left a strange burning sensation on my fingers and palm. Later, when I got home, blisters developed, like what you see with monkeypox...

But no homo, I swear!

I steer clear of all Glocks now.

[Peahi2]

I shoot both 1911s and glock...no hangups.. I love both guns. Obviously, if you are gonna dial in to one gun only, go for it. I shoot both in the same range session (although this has been slowed by covid ammo crisis). Honestly, I think if there is a mental hangup, its a training issue.

I drive two manual transmission cars, and when I got the newer one, I swear I was driving like a driver's ed teenager...the clutch feel and the feel of the whole car threw me off even though the newer car was "easier" to drive. With time, years of time actually, I can go back and forth and drive subconsciously...even though both cars have a completely different feel (clutch weight, clutch distance?, rowing through the gears, steering feels way different, handling is different, etc). I"m literally driving both a rickety old 4x4 high mileage truck and a tight handling sports car.

People being stubborn, crotchety geezers shouldn't generalize their shortcomings to other people. If you suck at something, seek assistance, study, and train hard to improve. If you suck that's on you. Get better.

[foothillman]

Reading to much into the article.
He suggest new shooters can benefit from "it's easier to learn to shoot well"
Nothing wrong with advise.
Just like go to range and rent before you buy.

One size fits most.....

[Wheellock]

I use this technique to see if I am pointing off the target, for pistols and rifles. I've never thought about the way grip angle fits in. I will pay more attention to that next time I am out with pistols with different grip angles.

[SigSauerP226]

It is all training. Whatever you shoot most you will index naturally.

I primarily shoot glocks. The 1911 grip angle always points low for me. My.brother shoots 1911s, glocks point high for him

This. I used to just shoot SIGs and I was able to "naturally point a SIG. When I switched to mostly Glocks, it took sometime, but I've trained enough that the Glocks now point "naturally" and the SIG takes effort to align the sights.