Holding the Hi Power (High Thumbs - spur hammer)

[briang2ad]

When I hold my new HP with high thumbs like on a 1911 with extended safety, the whole hammer spur is in contact with my web. Bobbing the spur won't get it all.

It looks like I'll have to smooth the rear of the spur, AND holds like I hold my XD .45 - with the right thumb wide of the frame - over the left thumb joint.

I DO NOT want to get a rowel hammer - I don't think they look as nice, and after dry firing this new HP, the trigger feels about perfect. Totally crisp, and now its now light enough for combat...

How do y'all do it - pics? Thanks.

 

[Coltdriver]

I too went from a 1911 to a HP. I had to teach myself not to hold it with the web of my hand snugged up under the hammer.

It is perfectly controllable and won't bite if you try moving your hand a quarter inch down the grip.

 

[briang2ad]

Interesting.

I'd rather keep my web as high as I can - so maybe I'll have to put my right thumb wide. I can also eliminate contact with the web, if I hold in the way most people USED to do two hands - thumbs over thumbs - but I find this almost painful now...

 

[tipoc]

High thumb is like this...





The low thumbs hold looks something like this...



I personally use the high thumb grip. The hammer does not bite me.

tipoc

 

[vmr357]

tipoc,

Thanks for posting your photos. I've been trying to use my Hi Power a little more (I usually take revolvers to the range and sometimes a Sig). Switching to the HP made me wonder what to do with my thumbs. I usually use a thumbs down, thumb over thumb hold on the revolvers, but found that made it hard to work the safety on the HP. I'll try your way for a while and see if I can do it.

Vern

 

[earlthegoat2]

The thumbs down approach as is pictured in tipoc's post would be the way to go if you are getting bitten.

That is how I hold the HP. 1911s with extended this and that can be held anyway you want really. HPs need some modifications to hld it any way you desire as they come from the factory as they have not been semi customized by any manufacturers as a standard product yet. As soon as they do they are going to become infinitely more popular.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I've never understood the switch to the spur hammer -- I'm not sure what it fixed about the original P-35 with the ring hammer, but it definitely seems to have given the High Power more bite. If you're dead set against the ring hammer, I believe Stephen Camp discusses bobbing the spur hammer some to reduce bite as well.

 

[tipoc]

As Horse Soldier says the spur hammer is easily bobbed and contoured to you needs. The serrations on the hammer can act as a guide.

The size and shape of your hand will make a difference in which grip works best for you.

tipoc

 

[Mizar]

Bobbing the hammer does not help all of the time - sometimes the web gets pinched between the hammer and the frame. Putting a shallow radius (no more than a 1.0 - 1.5 mm) at the back of the hammer helps a lot. Perfect example is the hammers on some of Ted Yost's Hi-Powers. Also a slight dehorning of the hammer and rounding the corners of the spur realy helps.

Boris

P.S. Crappy pic of my butchered hammer.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I've never understood the switch to the spur hammer -- I'm not sure what it fixed about the original P-35 with the ring hammer, but it definitely seems to have given the High Power more bite. If you're dead set against the ring hammer, I believe Stephen Camp discusses bobbing the spur hammer some to reduce bite as well.

In my experience, the ring hammer bites worse than the spur hammer. Different strokes.

 

[vmr357]

I have one of each, a C series with spur hammer and a Practical with the rowel hammer. I've never been bitten by either.

My revolver hold has been more of Massad Ayoob's death grip. That works well on a revolver or a Sig. (You can decock with your left thumb.) But it doesn't work well with a Hi Power where you have to operate the safety lever.

Vern