Handgun grip pressure

[DunedinDragon]

I just finished reading an article about handgun grip technique and I really would like to get an idea of what others are doing in this regard.

Apparently there have been a number of different philosophies here from "firm handshake pressure" to "firm enough to cause slight tremors". As for myself, I tend to be more accurate with less pressure, but that results in more time to recover from the recoil. So I tend to use about the same level of pressure I would in a handshake, but considerably MORE tightening of the muscles in my upper arms, forearms and my wrist.

How does everyone else approach this?

 

[MadMercS55]

I tend to go with the firm handshake method most of the time. It tends to yield the best results for me in regards to shot placement, etc. Not too hard, not too loose, enough to control recoil, etc.

 

[JoeHatley]

I use a firmer grip than a handshake. About the same grip you would use to hold a baseball bat.

Joe

 

[bluto]

As I've shot more my grip has gotten firmer to help control recoil. I'd say the baseball bat analogy is pretty good.

 

[rockstar.esq]

One whispery .22LR's I try to hold as lightly as I can because they seem very responsive to any fatigue and wobble. On .44 Mag I usually get pretty firm however I usually only do the so firm I shake thing on my first shot with something likely to be a boomer. For example I shot a 500s&w using this technique for all shots mostly because accuracy wasn't my main concern, keeping control of the gun under recoil was. For this reason I find my greatest precision occurs at a maximum of .44 magnum and tanks quickly from there. This also applies to snubbies or lightweight frames. Personally I find the sharp recoil of a .357 mag J frame to be pretty tough on precision, due in part to getting such a firm grip on it being so important for control.

 

[JohnKSa]

I get best accuracy with a very light grip. When I shoot bullseye, I use a grip so light that it precludes the use of autos that need a firm grip to operate reliably.

I get best recoil control with a very firm grip. For sort of "general purpose" shooting, I go for a medium grip with my weak hand and a very relaxed strong hand. The weak hand is actually holding the fingers of my strong hand in place. For quick shooting, I don't really tighten up my strong hand so much as I push forward with it. The weak hand is holding the strong hand to the gun and pulling the gun backward into the palm of the strong hand.

 

[Dobe]

I agree with the RockStar and JohnKSa. To me, it depends a lot on the time in between shots. If I am shooting slow-fire, I put only enough pressure on the handgun to maintain some type of control. In other words, I do not won't my handgun to jump out of my strong hand. I say strong hand, because many times, the hangun does leave the weak hand. And, it doesn't matter. With slow-fire, I only put enough pressure on the handgun to steady the sights, and contain the handgun within my strong hand.

With rapid-fire, I do grasp a little more firmly, but also my grip changes somewhat. I tend to have the weak hand (for autos) at almost a 45 degree angle and somewhat forward and high. The base of the thumb is the part that is high. This puts the right thumb on top of the left, and a large amount of mass of the left hand is place high upon the auto. This higher mass helps reduce recoil without having to put a death grip on the handgun.

 

[wildehond]

Tactical Hold

Hi

I do most of my shooting in the so called tactical style. I use a fairly firm grip without trying to crush the grip. My supporting hand does about 60% to 70% of the hold. The 'trigger' hand does 40-30% of the hold. This gives my good control of the trigger press and quick alignment of the sights after the shot. The shot follow through also feel better with this grip.

I hope will give an idea for a grip hold that will work for you.

wildehond

 

[ColoradoKid]

grip pressure

Wildehund,
Your use of the word "tactical" maybe common to South Africa, as here we would be more inclined to use the word "defensive". Your statement about 60-70 % pressure with the support side hand and 30-40% with the firing side hand are indentical to what I use and espouse. Of course, we are talking front to rear pressure here, right..?? No lateral pressure. These pressures, in the grip, are sufficient to keep the muzzle steady, manage recoil (without having to regrip) and provide a smooth rapid tracking of the muzzle back to the original POI from recoil (follow through). This style of grip is effective for recreational shooting and self defensive applications. Hund, have you had any formal handgun instruction here in the U.S. ...????

 

[ColoradoKid]

grip pressure

Wildehond,
Your use of the word "tactical" maybe common to South Africa, as here we would be more inclined to use the word "defensive". Your statement about 60-70 % pressure with the support side hand and 30-40% with the firing side hand are indentical to what I use and espouse. Of course, we are talking front to rear pressure here, right..?? No lateral pressure. These pressures, in the grip, are sufficient to keep the muzzle steady, manage recoil (without having to regrip) and provide a smooth rapid tracking of the muzzle back to the original POI from recoil (follow through). This style of grip is effective for recreational shooting and self defensive applications. Hond, have you had any formal handgun instruction here in the U.S. ...????

 

[Tigerseye]

I use a very firm grip regardless of caliber or gun style all the time.

I was trained to do this on the idea that I need to hold the gun the same way everty time to get the same result every time. Since I have nothing to base a "light" grip on, it was suggested that I grip to gun so tight that any additional pressure would cause tremor, therefore I would be gripping with the same pressure each time.

So far it has worked well for me.

 

[wildehond]

Hi ColoradoKid

I have not had any training in the US. Thers is quite a few of the courses overthere in the US that I would love to attend however.

I got most of my training in the military. In the current political climate I would rather not say where. My grip has developed from this training and my experience over the years.

Regards

wildehond

 

[Zundfolge]

"firm handshake" sounds right to me.

When I had my CCW training, the instructor said that if you remove your hand from the grip of the pistol and the pattern or checkering on the grip is still imprinted in your hand that you're gripping too tight.

Too tight gripping tends to cause accuracy problems.

 

[ColoradoKid]

grip pressure

Wildehond,
Are you still in the military now..???? If not, what are you doing for employment...or retired..??? I have a reason for these questions.

 

[wildehond]

ColoradoKid check your PM's

Sorry we have quite time difference from you in the US.

wildehond

 

[Tazz10m]

I nice firm grip is essential, but, if you are gripping so tight that you are shaking, your accuracy will suffer. I have pretty strong hands so a firm grip doesn't make me shake, but if i notice myself shaking i immediatly check the strength of my grip. I hang on with a tighter grip than i do with a firm handshake, and i try to squeeze the grip in line with the barrel, if that makes sense.

The slippery'er your gun is, the more you will try to hold it tight and the more your hand will quickly fatigue... and shaking will get worse by the second. The more "grippy" (less slippery) your grip surface is the less tight you need to squeeze, although if your hand is "meaty" or "fleshy" the gun will move in your hand if your grip is not tight enough. I try to lock the grip into the shape of the bones of my hand in order to reduce that. If you end up with a pattern in your hand after you let go of your grip, this is perfectly normal and ok. Each hand is going to respond differently to such patterns based on how caloused or soft their hands are. The grooves on Col. Rex Applegate's knives are designed specifically to take advantage of this, as are mine.

An interesting comparison to note is the way a bow is gripped in archery. Ideally, you don't grip the bow tight at all, but rather completely relax your hand so that your fingers hang open. You use a strap to keep the bow from flying out of your hand when you let the arrow go. Traction on the bow grip is used to maintain exact consistancy so that the bow is held and reacts exactly the same from shot to shot to shot. The reason the grip hand is relaxed as much possible is to reduce any shaking and any "after movement" upon release of the arrow. In this regard, shooting a gun is no different at all, except for the fact that if you don't hang on tight enough the gun will not function properly... so you have to hang on at least the minimum for the gun you are shooting and the situation at hand.

 

[joneb]

I think your grip has ALOT to do with accuracy, heavier slow rounds will shoot high, but this can be off set with a firmer grip. Light and fast rounds will shoot lower than the before mentioned, I beleive this is due to dewl time and recoil.
I find this more of a issue with short barrel guns.

 

[hostilecrab]

I was taught to use a very firm grip.

The baseball bat example sounds about right to me. Holding so tight resulting in tremors is probably too much. As long as both your hands are wrapping all the way around, and more of the pressure coming from the outside hand (not the trigger finger hand) - that's worked for me.

HCrab.

 

[Lebben-B]

When talking about the proper grip, an old pistol instructor of mine once told us to "Squeeze juice from an orange." The saying has stuck with me evr since.

Mike