Semi auto pistol grip method... what's yours like?

[LeeH]

Been watching the show Top Shot. The expert coaches on the show keep ragging on one guy for his grip... yet, he just bounced an ex Marine from the show in a competition.

What's your preferred method for gripping the gun? Thumbs crossed or inline? Cup & saucer method? The .40 cal H&K I shoot has a grip on the front of the trigger guard. I've seen people place the index finger on their support hand around this. I've tried it and it feels strange. What works for you?

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by LeeH

I've seen people place the index finger on their support hand around this. I've tried it and it feels strange. What works for you?

That's what I do. Both thumbs are pointing forward. I even like to shoot the revolver like this but you are not meant to as the blast from the cylinder barrel join slightly gets you and you can get lead poisoning they say.

And a Weaver stance.

[mossguy]

This is how I learned and prefer, until my arm gets tired, then I support my forearm with my offhand.

[UconnTim97]

I watch the show too (1 week behind on DVR). At first that guy annoyed me with his I know better than you attitude. They make him out like he has no shooting experience and is only a golf instructor. He was an Olympic archer, if IIRC, and is very familiar with all kinds of spoons. In the last few episodes I started to see what he meant about not changing what has worked for him in the past to something completely foreign to him right before a match/ challenge. His approach seems to be working for him so far.

I find both thumbs forward is most comfortable for me. A spoon instructor friend of mine kept suggsted that it would work well for me. After a bunch of dry firing, I had that ah ha moment and it just felt right and my groupings have improved at the range since then. YMMV.

[ODDJOB UNO]

the HELL with what someone says. shoot how yer most comfortable.

man you should see the stances and hand holds on the firing line for either combat wombat pistols or even NRA HIGHPOWER matches.

they are across the board.


thats like asking do you hold a .22 different than a .44 mag. you sure as hell do. but it doesnt matter what method as long as 2 things are present.


proper sight level front to rear.

and proper smooth trigger technique.


what works for you may not work for me.


the HIGHPOWER GURU of az. pistol rifle assoc for the entire state has such an unorthodox stance and hold on his match rifle, that most people who havent a clue think hes some bum off the street with a 35 year old torn to hell shooting jacket and a pair of leather shooting pants that looked like they just came out of the gutter. that is until they see he has completely eliminated "X" from the target with all rounds TOUCHING!

[id10t]

Modified weaver, thumbs next to each other on left of slide. I'm pretty sure it would change for a revolver... if I owned one.

[ODDJOB UNO]

lee ya wanna get this down to a science? go over on a sunday(check schedule) to rio salado range(mesa) . combat wombat starts at 7am sharp on sundays. sooner or later you will run into rob leatham(aka mr springfield) and his wifey and notable others who make a living on this. spend the time watching and taking pics.

their stances will be across the board.


also check schedule for any 3-gun matches. pistol /snotgun/ar-15-m-14's and watch them at work. if its a SW regional match, be prepared to hang onto yer azz while watching them. some incredible shooting that will make yer jaw drop!

[Jeff Higgins]

I just try to keep the loud end pointing away from me.

[masraum]

This is how I grip my gun
The Combat Handgun Grip

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by masraum

This is how I grip my gun
The Combat Handgun Grip

+1 although my left "weak" hand is rotated even farther forward (wrist basically locked fully rotated forward) and I try to grip as high as possible to minimize recoil for faster follow up second shots. This is how the "majority" of the best defensive pistol grip their spoons and once one gets used to it, it provides a very stable repeatable index for "fast" accurate shooting.

After switching to this grip for IDPA, I now use it even on my target .22's for slow fire bullseye although it's strong points are not really that important for slow firing.

Bob Vogel gives a pretty good explanation of this style of grip/index/stance here and why it matters for fast defensive pistol shooting.


If you watch him on youtube shooting in contests, you will notice that even when shooting .45 caliber the gun barely moves in between shots which allows him to acquire his front sight for follow up shots almost instantly.

Once you get this figured out and maintain a firm high grip, the difference in recoil control is simply amazing..... Of course if you only ever plan to slow fire at a range doing only bullseye type work, then changing to a new grip is probably not worth the effort.

[356RS]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I just try to keep the loud end pointing away from me.

Great advice Jeff

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Been watching the show Top Shot. The expert coaches on the show keep ragging on one guy for his grip... yet, he just bounced an ex Marine from the show in a competition.

What's your preferred method for gripping the gun? Thumbs crossed or inline? Cup & saucer method? The .40 cal H&K I shoot has a grip on the front of the trigger guard. I've seen people place the index finger on their support hand around this. I've tried it and it feels strange. What works for you?

Thumbs forward, as demonstrated by Andreana here, is the proper way to grip an autopistol:

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Just don't use the "support hand grips the wrist of the shooting hand" technique. I've seen a few busted thumbs at the range thanks to that stupidity.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Thumbs forward, as demonstrated by Andreana here, is the proper way to grip an autopistol:

Looks like that strong hand thumb is right up against the slide serrations. Isn't that going to suck when the slide goes back? Glad that you had her keep her finger off of the trigger.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I just try to keep the loud end pointing away from me.

LOL! Well said...

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by masraum

Looks like that strong hand thumb is right up against the slide serrations. Isn't that going to suck when the slide goes back? Glad that you had her keep her finger off of the trigger.

Her one thumb is a wee bit too high, it should be a tiny smidge lower to maximize her grip, but it's actually fine to fire that way as long as you're not applying so much pressure that your thumb causes slide velocity to be reduced to the point that it causes a malfunction. The serrations won't cause any cuts or abrasions as she's gripping it- she is actually resting her thumb on the raised portion of the Nill grips.

I train everyone to keep their finger off the trigger until the moment they are ready to fire, just as i was trained.

[pwd72s]

So Snipe, what else does she grip well?

[HardDrive]

[emcon5]

Snipe's chick has it right.

And I think the guy in question is a tool, but I agree with him.

Why would you change how you shoot right before a competition.

[flatbutt]

since losing the full use of my right hand I've been re-training my left. I try to use thumbs forward but I actually do better one handed. But thats because I have difficulty raising my right arm high enough and keep it steady. I may try a weaver stance though.