Best way to control the recoil of a semi-automatic?

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And it doesn't strike you that maybe two types of guns with vastly different ergonomics might benefit from different grips?

I'm not saying what you do doesn't work 'well enough' for you, just that it may not be optimal for everyone.
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I'm not recommending anything for "everyone", I'm saying that once you leave the range there's a few more things to consider than "thumbs high" for speed. What works for 9mmepiphany doesn't work for me, that's okay. I've been shooting handguns for about 40years, I was taught by my father, a military firearms instructor. In his world, and mine, that gun is useless if you can't shoot it with one hand (either one) and you can't hang on to it, and when it's empty and the SHTF it's a very efficient blunt object if you've got the grip to use it as such.

As far as ergonomics and platforms - a gun is a gun is a gun - you need to be able to pick up whatever is there and fight with it. I don't see the point in having different methods for one platform vs the other, never needed them. I use the same basic stance/positioning/grip for interview, H2H, pistol, revolver, rifle/shotgun, never have to think about where I am or what I'm doing.

As far as the OP's question goes, I've never had any issues with recoil using what I've been taught and what I've practiced for all of these years regardless of caliber or platform.
 
I use WC145s grip on pistols and revolvers supposed shortcomings and all.

It puts shots where I aim them and I have yet to be unable to control the recoil adequately. The gun recoils the same way every time and I am back on targer quickly.

YMMV!!!
 
I also grip the gun like WC145. I tried that high thumb thing, felt very unnatural, my scores went down, and I also felt that my hold on the gun was not as secure as when I crossed my thumbs.
We are not all built the same way, we won't all shoot the same way. I have no problems controlling recoil.
 
Try enjoying the power of the gun instead of worrying about the recoil. Not sure if that makes sense to everyone, but I actually like the recoil. It is just an extension of the power you are projecting.
 
posted by browningguy
I feel like I have much better control of the pistol with the newer style grip, which would appear to show up in better scores and faster shooting.

My one handed shooting is still old school. I couldn't imagine using the grip with the thumb way up on it's own. It seems to me you also lose the main purpose of the modern grip by not having the thumb lined up with the muzzle.
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sorry about that, partly it is the angle of the picture and partly it is that the picture was meant to illustrate the area to be filled by the support hand...these pictures are part of a series/storyboard to be used as a guide for a video project. when shooting one-handed, my strong thumb is more like in the first picture, it lays along the frame parrallel to the slide.

while this grip has been called "shooting with high thumbs" (from the 1911 and Weaver days) it is more accurately called a "thumbs forward" grip...both thumbs point toward the target. while it is "newer", it has been the predominate grip used since the 80s
 
I started out with the WC grip, but I prefer the thumbs forward, now. I actually like to keep the thumbs higher than 9mmEpi shows, though, when shooting a GLOCK. This keeps my right thumb off the slide release, and the GLOCK doesn't seem to mind that I have thumbs pressed against the slide.

Like 9mmEpi, I also use the exact same grip when shooting one-handed. I think it keeps the web of the hand slightly higher on the pistol.

I can see how it could be slightly less secure, but it is also very quick to alter your grip. I mean, when shooting, you want a firm grip but not a death-hold. I assume if you are grappling with someone, you'll automatically grip the gun tighter and shift your thumb as needed. And if a ninja snuck up on you, you're done, anyway.
 
Combine 9mm's grip with the trigger finger tip. Adjust somewhere on the first finger pad. You will find a sweet spot that will stabilize the left-right movement of thee pistol.
Some top shooters used to use fiberglass, bondo or other stuff to build up the area just behind the trigger on the right (right handed). This "bump" would not allow them to insert more than the finger tip to reach trigger. Not too long ago, another famous shooter came out with set of grips with the bump built in.
Quite a few years ago, some very good shooters showed me this. Created a bump, now it is muscle memory. Don't need the bump.
The methods used to control the trigger are very subjective. The thumbs are very subjective. The Weaver, modified Weaver, and the Iscolese stances are very subjective. The shooter needs to listen to all and develop what works with the hands and body.
From my thumb to the tip of my 3rd finger is 10 inches. My beginnings (IPSC) showed me pulling quick shots to the right (too much finger). Stay on the first pad.

PS: Point the thumbs at the target.
 
Jeepguy

I had to break my self from putting my finger on the trigger guard with my glock. It looks like the guard is made for it but I found out that it makes me pull left hard (im right handed) even at as short of distance as 7 yards. Stopped doing it and shot great with the gun.
 
The stance is almost isosceles and that rocks my whole world. I shoot modified Weaver to absorb recoil in forearms and elbows. Wrists locked solid.
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Jarrett actually does shoot from a Modern Isosceles. you'd be doing your elbows a huge favor if you give it a try
 
Don't limpwrist the gun and don't hook the trigger. You want the second bend in your trigger finger wrapped around the trigger, partially depressing it. This is so all you have to do is squeeze the trigger, if you simply hook it with the first bend in your trigger finger you will tend to pull on the trigger, this is no good as you will also tend to slap at the trigger for follow up shots, diminishing accuracy and losing control. You will need someone who knows what they are doing to show you what you are doing wrong. It is like swinging a bat, once you get the fundementals down you will only get better and better.
 
This "bump" would not allow them to insert more than the finger tip to reach trigger. Not too long ago, another famous shooter came out with set of grips with the bump built in.
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This is interesting. Maybe this explains why I shoot my G21 way more accurately than a G19. Or any of my other pistols for that matter, barring only a MKiii target. I can barely reach the trigger on it, that's for sure. :)
 
This thread has been very helpful and amazingly instructive. Thanks to all of you for sharing it.
 
Use the "Push-Pull" Technique.

Using a two-handed grip, you push the gun away from you with your trigger-finger hand, and you pull the gun toward you with your other hand.

This, in effect, clamps the pistol between your hands giving a very solid hold on the handgun itself, and reduces the effects of the recoil, so that you can get a quick follow-up shot.
Also, there is no limp-wristing with this technique, and, if someone tries to grab the gun out of your hands, you certainly are holding on to it as tight as you can with this technique.

First and foremost, get a good set of grips!
Nearly every factory grip I've tried has lacked in one regard or another. About the best grips I've used on a semi-auto pistol are Nills - but be prepared to spend a pretty penny for them (in my opinion ,they are worth it for my carry handgun, a SIG 229).
I also like the inexpensive rubber Hogues with the finger grooves -these give a nice solid, comfortable feel.
On my 1911's, I have installed an arched mainspring housing; these fit my hand better than the flat ones.
 
This thread has been very helpful and amazingly instructive. Thanks to all of you for sharing it.
 
Use the "Push-Pull" Technique.

Using a two-handed grip, you push the gun away from you with your trigger-finger hand, and you pull the gun toward you with your other hand.
Click to expand...

This is a rather dated technique, but it is still used to good effect by many shooters. It comes from a period in Practical Handgunning where shooters believed that they could hold a gun down while it was in recoil...back when they believed that you could actually shoot accurate double taps...but it is very hard on your wrist and elbows.

Even pressure allows the gun to recoil and return to the original POA just as fast ...until you get into compensated pistols
 
JoeSlomo posted a link to a very good article with exerpts from two guys who know almost nothing about recoil control and reaquiring a sight picture - Brian Enos and Rob Leatham.

The same ergonomics that work shooting competition 'power factor' loads also work with full power loads. At least they work with the full power loads I've tried.

IMHO, a tight 100/100 thumbs forward grip is the best way to control recoil - not the Weaver push pull. That's true for me anyway. Everyone's body, hand strength/size, etc. are different.
 
RED CENT if you watch any of Steven Segall's movies he uses nothing but 1911's in his movies & he is alway's doing that thumb & finger check on all of his gun's in the movie & in real life he is an expert pistol handler & shooter. P. S. most of the newer 1911's have now a round in chamber indicator on them.
 
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