Support hand thumb position...

[Vinnie Boombatz]

I see a few different ways to place the support hand thumb. Some rotate the wrist and have the thumb more forward facing. Others will place the support hand thumb over the firing hand's thumb.

What's the right way? Front Sight teaches the second way mentioned above, but it seems like more people use the first technique mentioned.

I can also see the second way mentioned not being favored by Front Sight because it makes it tough to see if the trigger finger is off the trigger because the support thumb is obstructing the view.

[HibikiR]

Doesn't appear to be a single solution that fits everyone at every time.

[n8vrmind]

Doesn't matter as long you are able to hit at what you are aiming at.

[FNGGlock]

Or shoot with one hand and hold a beer with the support hand

The popular one is thumbs forward. I have a hard time picturing how the thumb over will help recoil and not get in the way.

[OCEquestrian]

Others will place the support hand thumb over the firing hand's thumb.

Placing the support hand thumb over the strong hand thumb is so incorrect for a semi auto pistol grip...it turns the strong hand thumb into a spacer that keeps most of not all the support hand palm from making firm contact with the support hand side of the semi auto handgun's grip.

[Wordupmybrotha]

This is what's taught now for semiautos.
Support thumb over strong hand for revolvers though.

[Notpc]

Placing the support hand thumb over the strong hand thumb is so incorrect...it turns the strong hand thumb into a spacer that keeps most of not all the support hand palm from making firm contact with the support hand side of the gun's grip.

Jerry likes it on small revolvers, and so do I when shooting my LCR in .357.


Now with my Glocks, thumbs forward like OP's picture.

[CWL]

This is what's taught now for semiautos.

Yep. This be the one.

You want both thumbs in-line and pointing at the target. Helps you naturally point-aim without having to think about it.

You can even "ride the slide" with support thumb to get a higher bore axis grip, won't hurt your thumb.

[ldsnet]

Yep. This be the one.

You want both thumbs in-line and pointing at the target. Helps you naturally point-aim without having to think about it.

You can even "ride the slide" with support thumb to get a higher bore axis grip, won't hurt your thumb.

This is what my coach recommends. Get as much of your skin in contact as possible. The thumb is one of your strongest fingers use every sq mm of it as possible to control the weapon.

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Placing the support hand thumb over the strong hand thumb is so incorrect...it turns the strong hand thumb into a spacer that keeps most of not all the support hand palm from making firm contact with the support hand side of the gun's grip.

Everyone's anatomy and size of their hand is different, but what you described is exactly what I have experienced by placing the support side thumb over the firing hand's thumb.

[Mayor McRifle]

Everyone's anatomy and size of their hand is different, but what you described is exactly what I have experienced by placing the support side thumb over the firing hand's thumb.

That’s what Jerry Miculek suggests you do with a revolver to keep the thumb away from the cylinder. http://www.shootingusa.com/PRO_TIPS/.../miculek2.html

1DB74D32-1185-4F86-B3AA-007C6556AA01.jpg

He even advises putting the thumb of the support hand around the back of the firing hand with small J-frame revolvers.

FBBA2762-AEFE-4935-84FF-D163863EA987.jpg

But everyone today pretty much agrees that it’s thumbs forward with a semiautomatic pistol.

[HKAllTheThings]

When it comes to recoil control, I've found that it made no difference so mine usually point slightly up.

[foothillman]

I am wrong......
Have always used the support hand thumb over strong hand thumb.
Even worse support hand pointer finger is used on trigger guard, brings my support hand grip up.

Why do I do this ?
Feels natural.
I do not stand like most shooters in a Isosceles Stance, some might call it Modified Weaver.
Have always been a "goofy foot skateboarder/surfer as a kid"
Want to be able to shoot one handed and still have same position of strong hand.
The two thumbs forward relies on support hand to much IMHO.
Use my support hand to "compliment" strong hand.

Avid BBgun war player with neighbor kids.
Was stupid but fun as hell, learned a lot of bad habits shooting one handed behind cover.
Lucky for parents cars, we had hills of North Bay S.F. behind house for such activity.
Running, shooting and finding cover does not work well when trying to use "correct stance and grip"

I am in the try it all........give it time......use what feels most natural.
Others are the train like I do...even if I am 6foot 3in tall 250lbs with pickle fingers and you are 5foot 8in 140lbs with thin fingers....

M2C

[Vinnie Boombatz]

I am wrong......
Have always used the support hand thumb over strong hand thumb.
Even worse support hand pointer finger is used on trigger guard, brings my support hand grip up.

Why do I do this ?
Feels natural.
I do not stand like most shooters in a Isosceles Stance, some might call it Modified Weaver.
Have always been a "goofy foot skateboarder/surfer as a kid"
Want to be able to shoot one handed and still have same position of strong hand.
The two thumbs forward relies on support hand to much IMHO.
Use my support hand to "compliment" strong hand.

Avid BBgun war player with neighbor kids.
Was stupid but fun as hell, learned a lot of bad habits shooting one handed behind cover.
Lucky for parents cars, we had hills of North Bay S.F. behind house for such activity.
Running, shooting and finding cover does not work well when trying to use "correct stance and grip"

I am in the try it all........give it time......use what feels most natural.
Others are the train like I do...even if I am 6foot 3in tall 250lbs with pickle fingers and you are 5foot 8in 140lbs with thin fingers....

M2C

I can one-up you. I write right handed, play guitar right handed, skate/surf/snowboard goofy, play golf and hockey left handed and I'm left eye dominant but shoot using my right eye and can't use red dots because of strabismus.

[P5Ret]

Anyone who says there is only one way to grip a firearm, and anything else is wrong is out of touch with reality.

Many people myself included can not use a thumbs forward grip for one reason or another. Me it's uncomfortable, due to scar tissue in my left wrist from torn ligaments.

I grew up shooting revolvers, and using a grip that places any part of your hand near the front of the cylinder stands a good chance of being an experience you don't want to repeat often.

More than once at a range some "expert" has attempted to "fix" my grip. Most of them are barely shooting 5 inch groups at 10 yards. Use what works for you there is no absolute right way.