Tea cupping is for Hollywood action movies. The picture you posted is correct. The G23 is not too much gun for a woman, but it may be too big of a frame for one.

 

Hey now I teacup my revolver, but my S&W40cal M&P I use the wrap but I notice my wrap is not really like my husband, I'll try and get a photo of that meanwhile here is my teacup.

 

Your grip pictured is a "thumbs forward" grip, there is another variation called the "Flagged thumbs" grip where the thumbs are sticking up to better clear controls and then there is the thumbs down grip which can be seen here:

http://www.backwoodshome.com/how-to-shoot-a-handgun-accurately/

GF should be using one of those three variations. If her grip strength is lacking, the thumbs down may be better than thumbs forward.

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male - female - the grip should not change.

Tea-cupping is a weaker method. less recoil control, less support.

 

And better chance of F2F

 

I don't see a reason to hold a gun differently just because of being a she instead of a he.

I do find certain guns less comfortable to shoot. If I have to point the gun up, I do feel the recoil more at the top of the wrist. A gun I need to point down for aim is better. Ideal is a gun which is on target when held naturally. Maybe she could try some different firearms, and see if natural aim is an issue.

Other than that, tighten up the fingers on the grip, and the outer hand too. I've seen shooters use what you describe as a cupping water grip. I tend to do this on smaller guns, and don't shoot them as well.

But what do I know, I'm just a guy.

 

What is proper handgun grip for female shooter!?

You are in trouble now!
Insinuating that a female can't or shouldn't do the same as a male!
That's S E X I S T !! :nono: :embarassed:

I know there are quite a few ladies on this forum, hoping they can throw in what works and doesnt work for them. I am asking this for my girlfriend. We were shooting the other day and she was complaining about her gun jamming. I stood behind her and watched her shoot and it looked like she was just limp wristing the gun. She shoots a Gen 2 G23, which may be a bit much gun for her. What I was wondering if it could be her grip.

I dont know how to explain how she holds the gun, other than her support hand "cups" the magazine well. ITs alost like the grip is full of water and she is trying to hold it in so that it doesnt run out the magazine well. I cant even really find a picture of it online.


I was taught to shoot something like this, and it has always been comfortable for me. I told her just to try it for 2 shots and IMHO it looked like the gun did not flip nearly as bad. She said that it wasnt comfortable though. So I told her thats fine, shoot how she shoots best. I didnt want to lead her down any bad roads just wanted her to try it. She has taken 2 handgun live fire classes and she said no body has ever told her otherwise that her grip should change. Any thoughts?
View attachment 121773

 

Saw the title of thread and was wondering why there would be a difference in a grip between a male or female? Got my answer " none ".

 

What is proper grip for female shooter?

I usually grip 'em by their hand until I...get to know them better. :biggrin2:

As several folks have mentioned already, tea cups are for tea parties, not handguns. Both thumbs forward unless she's running a revolver, then fold/lock her left thumb (nail-joint) over her right thumb (nail-joint) to prevent cylinder-gap burn. I might also suggest pressing both palms directly TOWARD each other (using pectorals & triceps) rather than strangling the grip with forearm muscles. Using bigger muscle-groups to control recoil makes for better shooting because your trigger-finger is now more relaxed for it's more delicate task, pressing rearward!

 

The teacup grip gives about as much control as one-handed shooting. The support hand is not helping stabilize the pistol other than maybe reducing fatigue on the dominant arm. Malfunctions can be caused by the frame of the gun being allowed to move too much during recoil, causing the slide to not move fully rearward, or not do so with sufficient force. This can cause casings to not be ejected with enough force to clear the port before the slide moves forward.

The grip I use is similar to the one you pictured. Main hand as high on the grip as possible to reduce the torque on the frame/hand/wrist, and support hand coming around the front of the grip while making as much contact with the open space on the grip left by the main hand as possible. The dominant arm pushes slightly forward, and the support arm pulls slightly backward, creating stable support for the frame of the gun during recoil.

 

OP, agreed a female grip is no different than a male (I am a female instructor). If she is a rightly, make sure her left hand is taking up 60% of the recoil, as opposed to a 50-50.

I injured both wrists last year and was very recoil sensitive for a while. However, shooting has helped me strengthen both wrists again, and now I am back up to .357 and comfortable with it! Tell her not to be afraid to use a little muscle to keep it stable. Jams from too much flip are no fun, and I have seen a limp wrist or two look like a recipe for dropping a pistol.

 

A secure grip is a secure grip whether male or female. For a female shooter with slightly smaller hands the grip may seem different because depending on the handgun the fingers do not wrap as much. I have larger hands for a female but still feel more comfortable gripping single stacks. For double stacks I like ones with changeable back straps/grips and use the small size. I use the fingers forward grip.

Maybe have your girlfriend read Grip | Cornered Cat. Cornered Cat is a female and her site has a lot of good information for women on handguns.

 

Thanks all, I just wasnt sure, her hands are pretty small so I didnt know if there were grip methods that better suited smaller hands. She loves my shields size and she seems to be able to get a better hold on it.

Her gun has one of these installed. She has never shot the gun without it, when she bought the gun the gun shop told her it was a must have, it prevented slide bite and would save her a lot of pain so she bought it. IMHO it makes the gun feel goofy, awkward, and slightly bigger. I was wondering if this could be making the gun just big enough to where it would feel uncomfortable for her? Ive never had a slide bite me, and I have only had my BHP bite me 1 time so I was wondering if it were really necessary?

I will show her the Cornered Cat site.

 

Thanks all, I just wasnt sure, her hands are pretty small so I didnt know if there were grip methods that better suited smaller hands. She loves my shields size and she seems to be able to get a better hold on it.

Her gun has one of these installed. She has never shot the gun without it, when she bought the gun the gun shop told her it was a must have, it prevented slide bite and would save her a lot of pain so she bought it. IMHO it makes the gun feel goofy, awkward, and slightly bigger. I was wondering if this could be making the gun just big enough to where it would feel uncomfortable for her? Ive never had a slide bite me, and I have only had my BHP bite me 1 time so I was wondering if it were really necessary?
View attachment 121777

I will show her the Cornered Cat site.

As long as she isn't crossing her thumbs behind the slide (another bad habit to watch out for), slide bite on a Glock should be a non-issue for most shooters.

A two handed, thumbs forward grip, or variation like the ones JD shared above would probably help.

Once that gets figured out, you need to work on building a stable shooting stance/platform.

 

The other main drawback of teacupping a semi auto is if there is ever a "kaboom". Usually the gases will blow out thru/down the magwell with the mag going with them. As you can imagine, the hand teacupping the bottom is going to be hurt badly. Their is no difference in male/female grip positions, just differences in hand size and grip strength. Male or female, grip strength can be developed with practice.

 

Our own DRM has some videos about grip and the evolution of it....

 

You do realize, OP that a majority of SD shootings are done, emergently, one-handed? I would suggest that if your female friend can't shoot a firearm one-handed, it might be too much gun for her. She could, of course, do some grip training and weight training.

Good luck!

 

You do realize, OP that a majority of SD shootings are done, emergently, one-handed? I would suggest that if your female friend can't shoot a firearm one-handed, it might be too much gun for her.

Any cites for this? If true/partially true, may be the reason for low hit ratios.

 

She has taken 2 handgun live fire classes and she said no body has ever told her otherwise that her grip should change. Any thoughts?

Yeah, find new instructors.

 

The video up above is good. Now - Look at my avatar. For a woman stance is really important along with grip because the proper - balanced - stance enables you to have a firmer grip on the gun. Note I have one foot slightly to the rear and am bent SLIGHTLY forward from the hips.

Glocks are TOTALLY unforgiving of limp wristing. Tea cupping guarantees limp wristing. Improper stance can do the same thing.

About stance: When you shoot action shooting you are on the move, shooting one handed around barricades, etc. and can't have that perfect stance - can't have any particular stance at all - BUT if you learn and get good with the proper stance all the body balancing carries over even to when you cannot stand at all.

And get THAT ABOMINATION off the back of the gun. Now. No wonder she can't hold the gun properly with that thing on there. A double stack gun is enough of a challenge for a woman with smaller hands. Get that stupid beavertail addition gone!

Yeah, I get excited about some things.

 

Interesting how teacup grip gets shot down when no one here is talking about small 38 revolvers. I agree 100% with regard to the semi auto, using the wrap technique. Don't shoot down the teacup grip until you try it on a small revolver. I did not use the teacup grip will shooting the 44 magnum hahahahaha.

 

After reading this thread it brought a thought to my mind. When I was still actively flying for the airline I used to let a lot of women hold my gun. Many held it well even though most had a different way of holding it, but since I retired my wife is the only one who holds it and that isn't very often. :danceban:

 

Thumbs forward grip - same for men & women.

A while back I saw Jerry Miculek talk about placing his off-hand index finger around the outside of the trigger guard on semi-autos. I tried it and my groups were tight.

Always practice one-handed - including your off-hand. If you can't do it, you got too much gun.

 

Off hand trigger finger has always gone to the front of the trigger guard, thumbs locked down myself. My little J frame 5 shooters are held the same way, rapid fire recoil control is increased once you get the hang of it.

 

I know there are quite a few ladies on this forum, hoping they can throw in what works and doesnt work for them. I am asking this for my girlfriend. We were shooting the other day and she was complaining about her gun jamming. I stood behind her and watched her shoot and it looked like she was just limp wristing the gun. She shoots a Gen 2 G23, which may be a bit much gun for her. What I was wondering if it could be her grip.

I dont know how to explain how she holds the gun, other than her support hand "cups" the magazine well. ITs alost like the grip is full of water and she is trying to hold it in so that it doesnt run out the magazine well. I cant even really find a picture of it online.


I was taught to shoot something like this, and it has always been comfortable for me. I told her just to try it for 2 shots and IMHO it looked like the gun did not flip nearly as bad. She said that it wasnt comfortable though. So I told her thats fine, shoot how she shoots best. I didnt want to lead her down any bad roads just wanted her to try it. She has taken 2 handgun live fire classes and she said no body has ever told her otherwise that her grip should change. Any thoughts?
View attachment 121773

I had that problem when I first started shooting and it was very frustrating. I wasn't holding the gun firmly enough and my hands weren't high enough on the grip. After a bit of training with a good instructor and lots of practice I no longer have an issue. My instructor had me move to a lower caliber handgun and grip pretty much just like in your picture, with hands very high on the grip and squeezing very firmly in towards each other. Also a good stable stance helps too I think. Now I can shoot the higher caliber as well with no issues.

The one good thing that came from the experience was I learned how to clear a jam. When it first happened I had to have someone else clear it for me because I was afraid to mess with it, but now if it does happen I can handle it with confidence.



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Thanks guys and gals. I will also show her the above video.

LOL will do ShooterGranny, I will pull it off next time we go shooting and see if she finds it easier or more comfortable. I thought it was a silly invention when I first saw it, but I wasnt sure.

I have come in contact with a local NRA pistol shooter. I am hoping to get us both into one of his basic pistol classes for some aditional training and hands on help. Im willing to bet hes a better instructor than she has had before, he can sure out shoot me on the action pistol range. :embarassed:

If not I am hoping to pick up a .22 pistol that we could both use to work on basics and fundamentals and help supplement the dry fire drills.

 

She has taken 2 handgun live fire classes and she said no body has ever told her otherwise that her grip should change. Any thoughts?

Get a better instructor!
If your gf is teachable, will listen and will stick with it she will improve.

 

Bingo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

The one she wants and the one she picks. Boyfriend ,husband quiet and answer question only when asked.

 

Thanks all, I will see if she wants to take another class. Hoping to go shooting this weekend, I will see if she wants to try the gun without the beavertail thing. If we dont make it out I can sit down with her and we can browse all of the links and videos posted in here.

 

Maybe a 9mm conversion barrel would be a wise choice . Whats up with the 40sw ??!! Why a 40 if she is having problems with control .

I think a glock 23 is a awful choice for a person to shoot it they have small hands or have control issues in general . It seems your GF has at least one of those . A 40sw is not a good cartridge choice to instill confidence in many shooter specially newer shooters . I will not and did not tell my wife and two daughters what to they should shoot or carry . I will make avalible all that I have or can lay my hands on for them to try and let each pick there own handgun and cartridge while I watch quietly and only answer questions .

I would rather see them shoot a mid sized 380 if they can control it and shot it well than struggle with a larger glock grip 40sw

My wife and gilrs have shot 357mag , 45 , 40sw and 9mm in handguns that are both enjoyable and not so much fun and all started with .22lrs . But there carry pistols started with mid size 380's for carry a couple bumped up to 12 and 15 round 380's . Still have a bersa thunder plus and a p250sc 380 in the safe , but all have moved up to 9mm with +P ammo for carry . Now they carry a PT111g2 , cw9 and m&p9c as there primary carry pistols today and with NO input from me My girls have full size 40sw's for house guns and shot them enough to stay proficient with them but there not enjoyable to them . My wife has a full size m&p core and I just buy carry ammo and reload practice ammo for them . My wifes first handgun is a DW 357 she bought 35 years ago but its not a carry pistol ether .

Men tend to ether give bad advise to women about they should shoot or simple have no idea and try to train them how to "man up" ..

Find a range with a good rental fleet of pistols and a RO / instructor to help her with her choices . Theres a heck of a lot of great pistols that are not double stack blocks I mean glocks for your GF to try and she can find what SHE prefers . Stay out of helping her . If she prefers a shield over the glock good for her . Maybe she decides a glock 43 is the one for now maybe a glock 19 down the road or of a shield and a m&p9c or a pps and a ppq but it has to be her choice .

My girls and wife all have a number of pistol today and the only thing I do is pay for them .

 

I honestly dont know. I think her dad, uncle, cousin, friends and salesman told her that she needed a .40. Im not knocking the .40 but yes its not the first gun I would ever even mention to anyone wanting a first gun. She did say that the salesman was hesitant to let her look at a glock when she was originally looking because she was a woman and he didnt think she could rack the slide...

I am trying to avoid giving her bad advice, or tell her to man up. I am just trying to get her pointed in the right direction. I have been doing the same with archery, helping her shoot her bow and she said she really enjoys shooting with me because I dont do any of that too her.

I did mention to her one day that if she was interested we could order her a 9mm barrel. She did not seem to interested in that. Shes also been toying around with the idea of getting another gun and this time she wants something smaller for CC. I let her shoot my Shield and BHP just so that she could shoot 2 different 9mm and get a feel. I have a buddy with a Kahr PM9 that said she could shoot it, and his girlfriend has a G42 that she said she could shoot. Even if she doesnt like them I am hoping to let her get some trigger time with multiple guns just to see what she may/may not like. I dont want to choose for her but I also dont want to let someone sell her another .40 or for that matter sell her some pocket pistol 380 JUST becasue shes a woman.