Grip Strengthening?

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I got one of those grip thingies Good Old Boy has and I keep it by my computer at work. I used to use one all the time as a rower, to keep up my hand strength in the off season. I also do pullups on my fingertips (grabbing a board, not a bar). I think it has tightened my groups a fair bit. If they open up, I realize I am often not squeezing hard enough. Maybee it is just mental, but it works for me.
 
Turn wrenches,for a living and lift weights 3 times a week (deadlifts idealy,without hand wraps or lifting straps ,straps are for mamby pambies,but thats a different story). Thatll get your grip strength up. Thats what i do anyways.
 
My grip strength doesn't affect my ability to hold on target as much as shoulder strength, due mostly to bicycle crashes and rotator cuff surgeries. After about 30 seconds holding a 1911 centered in the black at 25 yds my arm starts to shake.
A 2.5 lb pistol at arms length affects me more than a couple of ounces between my finger and palm.
But I use "lifting straps" for dead lifts because I have reoccurring "trigger finger" and they allow me to up my lifts by about 50% without having to see my orthopedist for cortisone shots every 10-12 months. But you go do what you want, Mr Bone, don't be late for the gym.
 
In 2011. I noticed I was getting fatigued at the range doing offhand shooting. After 20 minutes or so of shooting I couldn't hold a steady sight picture, my arms were trembling.

I was a little amazed at this because I hadn't had the problem before, and every morning I do pushups, situps, leg lifts and I curl 30lb dumbbells. I also ran and did cycling.

At that time I also purchased a Glock 17L, and I was not able to dry fire it and maintain good follow through - the sight always twitched to the right. I had people tell me I had to pull the trigger more slowly - more slowly still. I had people tell me I needed stronger fingers so I could do a smooth pull...

I started doing research and I added different exercises to my workout. Basically I focused on adding muscle mass to my forearms and increasing the strength of my fingers / hands.

I have a routine now that I do to keep muscle mass in my shoulders and forearms, as well as keep my grip strong, and it has made a huge difference in keeping a steady sight picture, and being able to shoot better for extended range sessions:
 
Hammer curls:

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http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/Brachioradialis/DBHammerCurl.html


Ulnar dumbbell:

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http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/WristFlexors/DBUlnarFlexion.html


Wrist curls:

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http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/WristFlexors/DBWristCurl.html


Reverse wrist curls:

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http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/WristExtensors/DBReverseWristCurl.html

Wrist roller:

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http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/WristExtensors/CBRollerWristExtention.html

I also exercise the fingers to improve grip. I notice it's improved my ability to hold a steady sight picture for longer range sessions:

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I use Captains of Crush and adjustable grippers to strengthen my grip and to increase muscle mass in my forearms:

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I also use meridian balls to work my hands out. The guy in this video makes it look easy, but it's not. And when I do this 200 times with 1¼ lb steel balls - all the tiny muscles in my hands are sore - which is a sign that they are getting worked out.
 
I did grip exercises and some light weightlifting for Bullseye.

For your strong hand, don't use your trigger finger or pinky. For bullseye, anyway, most people want their pinky slack (because if you tighten it, it pulls the bottom of the grip back against the squishy part of the heel of your hand, and that makes the muzzle drop). And you want your grip and trigger pull uncoupled for obvious reasons.

I used to use a rubber doughnut kind of thing.
 

I'd like to reiterate...isometric grip.
If your technique isnt on point...it has nothing to do with your grip strength....its your technique. I dont care if you are 99 y/o...doesnt mean you havent been shooting the right way..maybe it was the best way then but...


This is what I teach, the push pull grip. Do not kid yourself by thinking someone with a weak grip can not shoot very good. I have seen several young and female shooters with excellent marksmanship that have weak grips. A weak grip does not help if you have to shoot multiple shots rapidly at say the cranial ocular cavity from 7 yards but a good support hand wrist locking technique will help greatly. I'd take that any day over a strong grip and weak on the 7 fundamentals of shooting.
 
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Anyone do grip strengthening exercises to benefit handgun shooting? I have been thinking of doing them and just seeing if anyone has any techniques or resources to do it. I used to have a grip exerciser for playing guitars but it got lost somewhere.Thanks!

I do tree work for a living so you could say I do exercises to benefit grip strength. Climbing, lifting logs, running a chain saw etc. I lift weights as well but don't really do anything specifically targeting grip strength, although things like pull ups, dead lift, barbell rows etc. certainly help. For those who don't have a blue collar job that strengthens their grip I think gripgrip exercisers I would recommend the kind that has a spring for each finger.

This is what I teach, the push pull grip. Do not kid yourself by thinking someone with a week grip can not shoot very good. I have seen several young and female shooters with excellent marksmanship that have week grips. A week grip does not help if you have to shoot multiple shots rapidly at say the cranial ocular cavity from 7 yards but a good support hand wrist locking technique will help greatly. I'd take that any day over a strong grip and week on the 7 fundamentals of shooting.

Week=A period of 7 days, beginning on Sunday and ending on Saturday.
Weak=The opposite of strong.
;):thumbup:
 
CountZero's wrist roller can be made cheaply at home. Any old wood mop or shovel
handle will do. Cut off 24". Drill a hole at the center just large for paracord or strong line.
Weight type is your option, start small, as you get stronger, increase the weight. Work with your hands at the ends of the handle, also as close to the center as possible.
Also alternate with arms outstretched, then closer to the body.

I've also had success squeezing rubber balls. Work your way through the cheap toy ones at the dollar stores, tennis balls, and those orange field hockey balls.
 
This is what I teach, the push pull grip. Do not kid yourself by thinking someone with a week grip can not shoot very good. I have seen several young and female shooters with excellent marksmanship that have week grips. A week grip does not help if you have to shoot multiple shots rapidly at say the cranial ocular cavity from 7 yards but a good support hand wrist locking technique will help greatly. I'd take that any day over a strong grip and week on the 7 fundamentals of shooting.

It's what i would call proper recoil management. In my biased opinion. Your right about the females though. My wife is like 99 lbs. She only owns, and carries a .45 acp. She get's her own stuff, i dont suggest anything for her anymore. I just tell her to do her own homework unless its a specific question. She likes what she likes at this point. She manages the recoil and runs various courses of fire just fine with the "manly" cartridges, with nice tight groups. I'm proud of her.
 
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