Grip question

[Mr Bangdango]

I was just curious about something and I was hoping someone here could give me some advise. When I go to the range I usually take along a Lyman's Plains Pistol that I have. I'll do my thing with my centerfires and then I'll pick up the Plains Pistol. (It's always the last fired and first cleaned becouse I'm concerned with corrosion) The grip is quite differant to say the least but I usually grip it the same way (or as close as I can) as I do my centerfires. I get pretty good groups with it but I know it's probably not the "proper" way to hold it. So, is there a more correct way to grip this thing? I know that from what I've seen in pictures and movies and such it looks like a one handed grip with my arm fully extended is the most common way. I would ask someone at the range but I haven't seen anyone else with one of these pistols. I've been doing the "if it works then do it" thing for a while now but I know it's probably not the "period correct" grip/stance that I would like to use. Thanks.

 

[Old Fuff]

Actually the "period" way was to hold it one-handed with the elbow bent. To my way of thinking this wasn't the best, and I do much better with the arm extended straight out. However to each his own ...

 

[mec]

Mine seems to work best held high so that it kind of hangs there without extra grip being necessary to prevent slipping.

 

[ColonelFlashman]

As stated previously the Proper Stance that was described is what became know as the "Bisley Stance", Which is a Bent Elbow, Weak Wrist configuration.
The thought being that the Natural Point of Aim was the best way to hit your target in Any kind of Situation.
The pistole is cocked w/ the Off-hand Pointing Straight-up into the Air, then brought down or Pointed @ the ground @ a 45* angle & the brought up to the Natural Point of Aim position, where the elbow is slightly bent & the wrist is @ full extension.

One can not use 20th/21st Century Mind Sets to justify why the Pistole Grip was Shaped to Fit this train of thought & shooting style & having Shot Victorian Era S.S.'s Pistoles & Revolvers all my life I can see why they designers & shootists believed in it.
The idea stems from being able to Snap Shoot & Hit your target in Any kind of Unexpected Emergency or Battle Field situation where your life depands on that kind of ability.

 

[Mr Bangdango]

Thanks for the replies. Now that I tried holding it in what ColonelFlashman called the "Bisley Stance" it makes it a bit easier. I always seemed to be fighting with it in a way becouse of the way differant grip shape and it being so barrel heavy as compared to my cernterfires. I did notice that with my wrist rotated forward (what I assume you mean by fully extended) the wieght of the pistol is falling on my thumb and where my trigger finger contacts the stock under the lock. Is this correct? Or do I need to "choke up" on the grip placing my hand so that my middle finger is contacting the back of the trigger guard?

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Notice the bent wrist has pros and cons

Generally the bent wrist, as seen on European target guns, helps isolate the trigger finger and reduces milking the grip effects where the whole hand closes as the trigger finger applies pressure. On the other hand, most people find a military grip preferable for pistols as recoil increases. Single action roll up in recoil and single action Bisley grips also handle recoil differently. Just something to think about.