Pistol grip

[D53]

!!!! First off, even though the pictures where taken in my house. As you can see the gun is unloaded, slide is to the rear, finger is off the trigger, there is no magazine in the well, and the camera is sitting on my table using the timer feature so I am not pointing the gun at my wife!!!

Ok so for a while I have always looked at people's hands when they shoot and I figured I would ask how you shoot and if you feel that there is an advantage to the grip you use.

I originally learned how to hold a pistol from my father who showed me to use the "cupping grip", which for me doesn't give a whole lot of support from the support hand. ( for me the left hand)




After I started getting into shooting and watching shooting videos on youtube, mainly Todd Jarrett 1911 shooting videos, I found a new way to grip a pistol, with my thumbs forward towards my target. This is the style of grip I currently use and like. On my Glocks I put a little piece of grip tape where my support hand thumb would rest on the frame, but it still slides off.


I have also seen this variation of the thumbs forward grip where the shooter would put their firing hand thumb on their support hand, as opposed to on the frame of the pistol.
I know that this could be partially because on some pistols the slide release is right where your thumb is at. I had a problem with this when I had a extended slide release on my Glock 22. I ended up having to put the regular slide release back on because I would either accidently lock the slide to the rear with my thumb while shooting **(see video during SDPS IDPA match)

Here is picture with the thumb overlapping:


Here is the video from **


And then here is a grip that I have recently noticed. I noticed that "The Gunny" R.Lee Ermey fires like this, with the index finger of the support hand pulling back on the front of the trigger guard. I know some pistols (like Glocks,and XDs) have grooves/serrations on the front of the trigger guard for this reason, but I don't see the real benefit of it. I have not tried to fire a pistol like this at the range yet, next time I head out I will but I figured I would see who else does and if they notice any differance or why they grip a pistol like this over any other form. I took a second picture for anyone that hasn't seen somebody shoot like this (ONCE AGAIN, THERE IS NO ONE BEHIND THE CAMERA AND THE PISTOL IS UNLOADED)




And like always, thanks for any and all info and opinions.

[dagger10k]

Looks like you've pretty much got it down. I also use the thumbs-forward grip, and it has worked quite well for me.

However, you say that your support thumb slides off the frame? If so, you may be slightly misunderstanding the grip. I did the same thing when I started, but figured out quickly that it did nothing good for me.

Your support thumb (as well as your other thumb, for that matter) should NOT be pushing on the gun at all. It's ok if it touches, but it can equally well be floating away from the gun like this:

If your support hand is coming apart from your other hand and the gun during recoil, the solution is to grip harder with your support hand, and make sure it's really locked in around your strong hand.. That's where the whole 30/70 thing comes in. You'll find you can grip pretty lightly with your strong hand, but your support hand needs to be tightly holding onto your strong hand, with just your palm and fingers (not the thumb).

Give it a try that way, and see how it works for you. The thumbs-forward grip can be hard to figure out on one's own, but I think it works the best.

[D53]

Dagger10k:

Thanks for the info, next time I hit the range I will try to loosen up a bit with my firing hand and tighten up with the support hand and not let my support thumb push against the frame

[BiggPa]

i use "standard" thumbs forward.

I have tried other variations, but it does not seem at sturdy. I have a 1911, and do strong-thumb over the safety.

[bigbob76]

I only squeeze the front strap and back strap, not a strangle hold on the whole grip. I wish I could remember the reason to pass it on but it was explained to me clearly enough for it to be obvious that wrapping a finger around the front of the trigger guard doesn't make sense. Different pistols require different holds, I believe that's why different people are able to shoot different pistols better than others. When I'm shooting one pistol then switch to another I don't shoot well until I get it worked out as to what part of my trigger finger I want on the trigger.

[9mmepiphany]

the thumb forward grip is the one i teach. as stated already, don't apply pressure with your thumbs.

the strong hand pulls the front strap back to seat it in the palm of your hand. the support hand applies sidewards pressure to the gun. a relaxed strong hand allows a better trigger press.

the finger on the front of the trigger guard was popular in the 70's when folks thought they could hold a gun down in opposition to muzzle flip...it can't be done and compromises the side to side pressure of your grip. the only thing that would compromise it more would be to lock your right thumb on the gun under the left hand

[D53]

once again thanks for everyone's input. its always nice to find out how and why people hold their pistols the way they do.

[redcliff]

the only thing that would compromise it more would be to lock your right thumb on the gun under the left hand

Is this a reference to locking your thumb down on the external safety on a 1911? I'm assuming it's not as that technique is a very common method employed by a lot of respected shooters/instructors using a 1911.

Also some revolver competitors lock their right thumb underneath their support hand for better control.

I was taught to have both thumbs "loose" when I learned to shoot a handgun but I do find I'm faster on a 1911 with the right thumb locking downing the safety, albeit at a small loss of accuracy.

[9mmepiphany]

Is this a reference to locking your thumb down on the external safety on a 1911? I'm assuming it's not as that technique is a very common method employed by a lot of respected shooters/instructors using a 1911.

no it isn't, it refers to folks who lock their strong thumb, on the grip, under their support hand...forcing the support palm away from the grip.

not everyone understands why the 1911 demands that you "ride" the thumb safety...we've all just been doing it blindly forever.

if you don't ride the thumb safety, you run the risk of the strong thumb...which by default must now be under the safety...bumping the safety "on" during recoil

[redcliff]

Thanks for the clarification 9mmepiphany