Tips For Proper Grip on Micro Compacts

[IVC]

On a small grip that is pretty much all you can do. Just grip with support hand over the strong hand, it does help improve the overall grip if you squeeze with the support hand. I find that I grab smaller pistols harder than full size ones, my expectation is not precision longer distance shooting but rather control and ability to follow up.

Yup, it can feel like "improved strong hand only" shooting. You have to control the grip against the trigger pull with the strong hand alone, with "a bit of help" from the weak hand. Doable, but not ideal.

[LindenBruce]

Pick up a Glock G26. B.

[Thrashard340]

There is some aftermarket things you can do depending on the gun. I added Hogue grips to my G42 and G43. It helped with the grip but obviously made the footprint a bit wider. You can find pinky extensions for mags as well. A little more grip length can help too.

[IVC]

You can find pinky extensions for mags as well.

There are some mixed feelings about pinky extensions - the whole reason to have a shorter grip is to help with concealability. If you go the pinky extension route, might as well use a longer magazine and get the extra capacity too.

[Thrashard340]

There are some mixed feelings about pinky extensions - the whole reason to have a shorter grip is to help with concealability. If you go the pinky extension route, might as well use a longer magazine and get the extra capacity too.

True, both the Hogue grips and pinky extensions will increase the footprint and affect concealability. OP has to decide on the trade offs.

[HKAllTheThings]

I hate this micro compact trend, for the very reason that you're seeing.

[D.A.V.I.D.]

Respectfully have to disagree. I have a Tenicor Velo 4 and a Vedder both for AIWB along with a drawer full of various other holsters with and without wedges and claws. None of which are ideally concealing a full size 1911 in a T-Shirt, at least not with my body type.

Are you wearing really slim fit shirts? I don?t know about the vedder but I was thoroughly disappointed with both the tenicor holsters I?ve had. For Glock and staccato c2. Takes the wedge and makes it uncomfortable and not big enough plus has the claws in terrible positions not offset enough from the holster to do very much. Las saya 2.0 is definitely my favorite now, I can conceal my staccato p no problem and my Glock 45 both with dots and lights. Another good one has been the ANR design light bearing claw. But with them I?ve had to send 2 back right when I got them because they didn?t fit the gun well but when I got them back I liked them. Another thing that I don?t think everything does but I do think helps in concealing is carrying an extra mag in front left. Evens out your belt line. Dark star gear makes my favorite wedges, they?re they tear drop Velcro one and they also make a square flat one. I like these because they?re not stuck in the sane spot, you can wear it for a day and adjust it vs the tier one concealment ones which also work well but once they?re on that?s where they are.

[mk2dave]

OP, is your lack of proper grip significantly effecting your accuracy? I wear a medium glove, and at 3-7 yards, my defensive accuracy is similar regardless of firearm (say a Kahr PM40 vs HK USP Compact vs 92F). The difference is much greater at longer ranges, which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

I don't anticipate engaging hostile 12" steel plates at 100yrds with the PM40, but at self defense ranges the micro aspect does not concern me.

[anonymous308]

Are you wearing really slim fit shirts? I don?t know about the vedder but I was thoroughly disappointed with both the tenicor holsters I?ve had. For Glock and staccato c2. Takes the wedge and makes it uncomfortable and not big enough plus has the claws in terrible positions not offset enough from the holster to do very much. Las saya 2.0 is definitely my favorite now, I can conceal my staccato p no problem and my Glock 45 both with dots and lights. Another good one has been the ANR design light bearing claw. But with them I?ve had to send 2 back right when I got them because they didn?t fit the gun well but when I got them back I liked them. Another thing that I don?t think everything does but I do think helps in concealing is carrying an extra mag in front left. Evens out your belt line. Dark star gear makes my favorite wedges, they?re they tear drop Velcro one and they also make a square flat one. I like these because they?re not stuck in the sane spot, you can wear it for a day and adjust it vs the tier one concealment ones which also work well but once they?re on that?s where they are.

Shirts are not slim fit. I am tall with broad shoulders and a slim waist. I have to wear bigger shirts that often drape off my upper body. Not a bad thing for concealing AIWB until the wind blows or the shirt rests against the front of my body.

Funny I was looking at both the dark star wedges and LAS holsters. I held off the LAS holster because I?ve accumulated quite the collection that I will never use.

[anonymous308]

OP, is your lack of proper grip significantly effecting your accuracy? I wear a medium glove, and at 3-7 yards, my defensive accuracy is similar regardless of firearm (say a Kahr PM40 vs HK USP Compact vs 92F). The difference is much greater at longer ranges, which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

I don't anticipate engaging hostile 12" steel plates at 100yrds with the PM40, but at self defense ranges the micro aspect does not concern me.

I would say yes and no to accuracy. I very well could be expecting to much. Groups are solid at 5 yards. Not as tight as with a full size but still very good. 10 yards is where they expand. Still decent groups just larger and a bit random. Beyond 10 yards I might as well be trying group at 100 yards.

For what they are, I cant imagine a scenario where I would need them to be effective beyond 10 yards but in my county we qualify at 15 yards. I am a decent shot and to be honest 15 yards with the p238 makes me trepidatious.

[Capybara]

There are some mixed feelings about pinky extensions - the whole reason to have a shorter grip is to help with concealability. If you go the pinky extension route, might as well use a longer magazine and get the extra capacity too.

I added the Hyve Technologies +2 mag extensions to my Shield 8 rounders and it was a huge improvement in how I gripped and shot. No more pinky hanging off the end of the grip, much more solid hold. It only added about an inch or so to the OAL of the mags so not too much harder to conceal. Not sure if this would help with the OP with his issue though which sounds like the gun itself is just too small for his large hands. I've been thinking of adding a G19 or a Walther PDP to my carry rotation though for the similar reasons, sub compacts are damn hard to shoot very accurately, especially when you are drawing from concealment for speed.

I've shot the 365 and the Hellcat and both, to me, were too small. Super easy to hide but much more difficult to shoot well because they are difficult to get a good grip on unless you have Hobbit hands. Shield is a bit larger but even it is very thin, which means I have to really choke up on my index finger in the trigger to "close the gap" between my support hand palm and the guns frame. I definitely shoot my G17 much better than any of my subcompacts, maybe a G19 or G19 sized gun is the best compromise between conceal-ability and shoot-ability? I know the 365 XL and the Hellcat Pro are selling pretty well.

[deadcoyote]

Glock 26 with a magpul 12+1 or SW 642 is as micro as I can go.

[rodralig]

I?m having trouble developing a proper grip when holding ?micro compacts.?

My strong hand encompasses almost the entire grip leaving no room for the palm of my support hand. I can slide my strong over but then I have to awkwardly curl my trigger finger to reach the trigger.

Other than resting my support hand almost entirely on my strong hand I am at a loss on how to build a proper grip.

Any tips?

What is your baseline for a micro compact?

One of my carry is a Glock 26 Gen 3. Pinky dangling, no magazine extensions, no grip extensions, etc.




No issue whatsoever that limits me running the gun accurately and at speed.

Most of my recoil management, er, grip is provided by my strong hand middle and ring finger. My support hand just assist in stabilizing the pistol.

I also have an M&P Shield 9 (CA) - same thing. No issue in running fast and accurate.

YMMV

sub compacts are damn hard to shoot very accurately, especially when you are drawing from concealment for speed.

Not as bad/overblown as one would think. Just need diligent training/practice.


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[not-fishing]

I've had a Kahr P380 as a pocket CCW for a long time. For the last renewal I picked up some 7 round mags and a little extended bottom plate for the 6 round mags I already own. The 7 round mags tend to print more so their backup. That extra 1/2" or so of leverage made a hell of a difference in shooting my qualifier.

[anonymous308]

You may want to specify the actual make and model of the gun you're referring to as it might help a calgunner who owns one give you advice

What is your baseline for a micro compact?


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Sig P238 and Sig P365

The P365 I can shoot very well despite the lack of a formal proper grip. The P238 walks all over the target. Still center mass from 10 yards out just all over that center mass. Doubtful all 6 rounds would end up in the 9 ring or better on a B-27 target.