[Ovid]

In the new issue of Guns and Ammo with the XD 45 ACP article, there is a guy holding the pistol, and his weak hand's index finger is curled in front of the trigger guard (looks like he is pulling down with it). I was always taught to keep all fingers out of that area. Is this an actual technique to cut back on recoil or something?

[MCgunner]

Some people shoot that way, I don't. A revolver can burn that finger, especially a hot magnum load. I shoot autos they way I shoot revolvers, fingers under the trigger guard. Feels stupid to me to put a finger up there and it hurts my accuracy, I've tried it.

Just shoot how you were taught and train. Don't fix what ain't broke. ;)

[cane]

Lots of people shoot that way, that's why some pistols have a squared off trigger guard in front.

[1911 guy]

For the record, I agree with you both. Keep your hands where they belong. But, current pistol fads coming at a fast pace, many new pistols are being marketed as having a trigger guard actually shaped to better allow this mishandling. As if anyone with a weak grip like that wouldn't have the finger slide off on recoil anyway.

[Biker]

I tried that hold years ago. It seemed to pull my shots low and to the left.
Biker

[MCgunner]

Isn't the big fad in the hip hop world (vids on TV) to stand on your head and hold the gun sideways or upside down or something one handed???? Now THAT'S effective...:rolleyes: Every time I see that in some movie or TV show or something, I have to turn the channel. Just because it's fad, don't make it effective.

[Mizzle187]

To be competely honest with you when I shoot "certain" compacts/or smaller guns(i.e. P22 w/happens to have a "grip" there like many others) I do that quite often. It feels really comfortable to be and my accuracy doesnt seem to be affected. Any full size auto loader though I dont do it. Ive tried it for the heck of it at the range but thats about it. Revolvers Ive tried it to for the heck of it but it is definitely not meant for them. Now if I had to use one of those compacts for self defense where I had the ability to use both hands I just dont know if I would use this grip. Not that I think its unreliable but I dont know if thats the grip that would come to me in a stressful, split second situation. Its not set in stone in my head that its more comfortable for me with certain guns. Maybe I need to start weening myself off of it and have a standard grip for all autoloaders!

[ARTiger]

Just saw some hip hop video with the rapper (perp) blasting away with a pair of what looked to be nickel plated .50 desert eagles. One in each hand, arms raised over his head so that both pistols were upside down. Just by the music it's obvious he's deaf, but shooting two pistols next to the ears like that (even props with blanks) probably cemented the deal. :evil:

[ArmedBear]

For some guns and some people, that's a comfortable and accurate hold. For others, it's not. I haven't found any good reason not to use that hold if it works for you, but I've certainly read a lot of comments from people who just say it's wrong. If you can put five rounds in a big jagged hole rapid-fire with that grip, hey, who am I to say not to use it?

So which great-grandpa gun writer bestowed that bit of wisdom upon us, so that now it's repeated as gospel? Anyone know?

On the other hand, revolvers (magnum and black powder especially) are not nice to index fingers if they're not held down and away from the cylinder/forcing cone gap! I've gotten a couple of nice burns from forgetting to tuck in that finger.

[waterhouse]

I tried that hold years ago. It seemed to pull my shots low and to the left.

+1

I tried it briefly and gave it up.

[TonyB]

;) I shoot my Glock this way..but not my Revolvers..it works for me....of course I do alot of thing"wrong" that seem to work for me.Like I grip harder with my strong hand than my weak...basically my weak hand is there for support(some "teahers" go nuts about this)
My theory is shooting is like alot of other stuff...find what works FOR YOU.Not everyone can have the same grip ,stance or style...;)

[Leanwolf]

The "squared" trigger guard came out of the competition shooting of the late 1970s, when IPSC was formed. Many shooters of that era, including world champion IPSC shooters, had custom gunsmiths "tweak" their Colt Govt. .45s and used that hold to compete.

I tried it for awhile, but found eventually that I shot better without putting my left hand index finger on the front of the squared trigger guard.

So.... it ain't hardly a "new" gimmick. ;)
L.W.

[ArmedBear]

BTW I shot one-handed a lot the other day, and did reasonably well at it with both right and left hand. I started with a SAA and then shot a P38. A P38 is muzzle-light and tends to have a lot of muzzle flip for a full-sized 9mm. It still worked fine, never misfed, stovepiped or hiccupped in any way due to "limpwristing", and came back on target quickly. My groups were almost as tight as they were when I used both hands for a few magazines.

So how is ANY two-handed hold "weak" when a one-handed hold works just fine?:rolleyes:

If it works, great. If it doesn't, then don't do it.

[usp9]

Works great on my CZ 83.

Doesn't work on my HK USP...for me.

If it works, do it, nothing wrong, if it doesn't work, forget it.

I favor the 007 weak hand on the wrist, shoot from the hip at 50 yards technique anyway. :)

[AndyC]

I shoot that way - it works for me. Although I've read that it's better to have the weak-hand lower down so as to create more leverage in counteracting muzzle-flip, it just feels odd.

To each his own - whatever works for you, works.

[caz223]

Depends on gun and shooter.
For me, on a full size gun there's just no need.
On a teeny two finger gun, I'll try anything to get a better hold on it, short of burning my booker hooks or cutting the web of my hand open.

[Scottmkiv]

I have huge hands, and I have trouble finding anywhere else to put my finger on small and medium sized guns.

[wally]

+1 tried it, didn't work for me. If it works for you use it, if not forget about it.

--wally.

[Andrew S]

I do this naturally with my J frame. It is something I am trying to correct.

[doggscube]

I tried it with my XD45, for about a magazine's worth. Maybe it helps with subcompacts that lack that nice full-size grip.

-Jeff

[hksw]

I use that (finger forward) technique all the time with semi-autos. Seems to improve handling recoil for me. I don't use it for revolvers as I like to keep my finger behind the cylinder gap.

Techniques change over time and some come and go. It was the norm long ago to shoot one handed. Shoot the way that works for you in a safe manner.

[robvious]

Two hands - two guns, seems pretty simple to me....

[Ovid]

I still haven't gotten to the range to try this out. But just from farting around by dry firing, it seems that this type of grip makes 'instinctive shooting' very awkward, and slower.

[Dr.Rob]

Glock's trigger guard was checkered for that reason, ditto HK's P9S and P7... while some think it's a good idea, others think it creates more problems than it solves.

I say, whatever you shoot, hold it the same way every time.

[tangodown]

I dont use that hold but I know couple female sheiffs deputys who do. Dont know if it helps but to each their own...

On a less serious note who here hasnt shot two pistols at once or held their weapon sideways OG style?

[CajunBass]

As leanwolf said that was the hot hold back in the early days of IPSC. "Everyone" was having gunsmith's square trigger guards on their 1911's to allow that type hold. The idea was that you pushed with the strong hand, and pulled with the weak one. The theory was this "locked up" a steady hold.

I find it sends my shots low.

[pete f]

On some DAO pistols, I find that it helps prevent the pulling of the shot to the right. As you tighten your trigger finger, you tighten your left finger and offset any pull. It really helps with fast firing .45s in double taps. at least for me. almost cancels out any muzzle flip.

Just my two cents.