Finger Groove Grips vs. Accuracy

[Gun Geezer]

My .45 ACP Colt Government has Hogue finger groove grips and fixed sights.

Shooting off a rest I group well. However, in competition I have always tended to shoot low. If I don't concentrate to the point of a headache I will shoot as much as 6 inches low at 15-yards. Miss a lot of plates that way.

Yesterday a shooter the range offered his opinion and experience that finger groove grips feel great but tend to cause a shooter "pull the gun" resulting in the barrell tipping down in front and yielding a low shot.

Of course, installing adjustable sights would fix the problem at a fixed range as long as my mistakes were consistent. Not a good answer. I know the correct answer is for me to improve my skill.

But, before I invest in new grips, do you guys have any opinion or experience with this issue?

Will dumping the finger groove grips improve this "low group" problem all by itself?

 

[treeprof]

He's full of crap. It's not uncommon to see this kind of thing (low hits) in matches when someone gets rushed and begins anticipating recoil, losing mental or visual focus, etc. Most of us have done it, too. Practice shooting well offhand in slowfire and then gradually push the pace. The fact that you can concentrate (focus?) and do fine also negates the grip issue.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I think it depends in large measure whether the finger grooves fit your hand. If they do, they'll give you a small advantage; if not, they'll likely detract from your accuracy.

 

[mattw]

why not just order some cheapo grips for like $30 from cabelas and put em on? see if it feels better with or without the finger grooves.

 

[Majic]

There is also a big difference in shooting off a rest and shooting off-hand. Not only in grouping, because of the stability, but also in your POI.
As mentioned above the grooves must fit your hand or your accuracy can go south.

 

[Navy87Guy]

I put Hogue wrap around grips on everything that will take them, and my accuracy hasn't suffered. Is this the only gun you shoot low with? Has anybody else tried it out for you? It could be any number of problems (as you're no doubt aware of) but I don't believe there's anything inherent in the Hogue grips that would make you shoot poorly.

Here's a group I shot on Sunday with my CZ 75BD and Hogue grips:

Granted, it was only 7 yds, but I think it's safe to say that the Hogue's didn't cause me to shoot low!

I'd look for another cause....

 

[Gun Geezer]

All good replies. I cannot argue with any.

However, I too have shot a CZ 75 and shot it extremely well offhand. It had the factory grips. Another thing that made me wonder about the wrap around finger grooves.

However, I guess it may also be the .45 ACP itself. It does have more recoil than the CZ75 in 9mm and perhaps I meeting the recoil.

I'll try some plain grips, practice, and see what happens.

Thanks.

 

[10-Ring]

Me, I've noticed that if the finger grooves don't fit my fingers just right, I don't shoot as well as I can...I have a tough enough time shooting properly I have no reason to add one more thing to overcome! As a result, I tend to stay away from finger groove grips.

 

[c_yeager]

I dont like finger groove grips simply because noone makes them for MY fingers and they never fit quite right.