Rcher

This article was taken from a Guns & Ammo Handgun Magazine. Firing a handgun requires a basic grip. I posted this as part of the "basics".


Getting a Grip


Handgun marksmanship begins with properly gripping the pistol or revolver. The essence of a proper grip is one that is comfortable, enables proper engagement of the trigger, allows all the controls to be accessed and prevents the gun from moving in the hand during recoil. proper trigger engagement is achieved by engaging the face of the trigger with either the first pad or joint of the index finger so that an even amount of pressure is applied directly to the rear to release the hammer or striker.



THE REVOLVER GRIP



The revolver is gripped for both one and two-handed shooting by taking a full hold with the strong hand. The web of the hand is placed high on the backstrap just under the hump. The barrel should be in line with the axis of the forearm. The trigger is engaged with either the first pad or joint of the index finger so that pressure can be applied directly to the rear. For single-action shooting, the thumb should be placed high on the frame alongside the hammer. In this position it can also be used to cock the hammer.(above)






For double-action shooting, the grip remains unchanged except that the thumb is locked down to provide maximum leverage for the index finger to control the long, heavy trigger pull.(above)







To assume a two-handed revolver hold, the grip of the shooting hand is unchanged and the supporting hand is simply cupped around the strong hand, applying pressure to provide a steady platform to control the trigger. The thumb of the supporting hand can be placed on top of the strong one or laid across the back of the wrist. From either position the supporting hand thumb can be used to cock the hammer for single-action fire.(above)



THE AUTO PISTOL GRIP




Like the revolver, the auto pistol is gripped by taking a full hold with the strong hand. The web of the hand is placed high into the tang of the backstrap with the fingers wrapped firmly around the frontstrap. The index finger engages the trigger with the first pad or joint so that pressure can be applied directly to the rear. With single-action pistols a high thumb position is adopted.(above)







With double-action pistols, a lower thumb hold can be used to help control the heavy, long trigger pull.(above)






With the two-handed auto pistol hold, the supporting hand is cupped over the strong hand, with fingers laid over those gripping the pistol to form a platform under the trigger guard. The thumb of the supporting hand is placed over or alongside that of the strong hand. The supporting hand's thumb must not be placed across the back of the wrist of the strong hand where it can be struck by the cycling of the slide during firing.(above)

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boricua

Good info and visuals for newbies...

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C9H13NO3

Yep...I've seen some people at the range with crazy wrong grips...and the bad groupings to go with them.

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All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

rottkeeper

Back when I was a young gun I had the displeasure of crossing my support hand thumb over the strong hand wrist with a semi auto. I'm sure you know what happened when I pulled the trigger. It bent my thumb back in the direction of pain and put a nice scrape line down it. I was hard pressed to forget this little trick for a long time as the healing was sloooooow. Funny how you can remember even when the pain goes away.

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semperfi.45

IMO thumbs forward is far superior. If you start out this way you'll be thankful as you progress since recoil control for follow up shots is significantly improved.

Article here and here.


Photo from FISTFire

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budokaitd

Dido, Semperfi.45. !! That's how I was taught.

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BikerRN

I wasn't taught that way, but do recognize it's superiority, the Thumbs Forward Hold.

I had them teach me that hold when I went back home to Georgia. Being an older specimen of the species, compared to some of the young kids we have working now, I started out carrying a Revolver on duty.

Biker

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If I knew I was going to get in to a gunfight I most ceratinly wouln't bring a handgun or two, and I don't know any smart person that does.

KenpoTex

Thumbs-forward grip for me as well...

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If you carry in Condition 3, you have two empty chambers. One in the weapon...the other between your ears.

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semperfi.45

...and for J frames I have found Miculek's thumb over the back of the firing hand to be superior.

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My art is different from yours; it consists not in defeating others, but in not being defeated.

gilraen

I also use the thumbs forward grip, and more importantly, put the heel of my support hand where the photo in post #5 shows, along the grip. I was taught that way, and get a much stronger grip with that method.

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