I'm just curious if anyone has run into this issue before: you go to reload your compact or sub-compact pistol (read: one with a two-finger grip), and you pinch your palm when you slap the new magazine in. Any way to avoid this? Or am I just a total klutz?
How to avoid pinching yourself while reloading a compact?
- Thread starter Skribs
- Start date
- Status
coolluke01
Member
Quit using lotion, then your lady hands won't get pinchy pinched. lol
orionengnr
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
- Messages
- 5,708
I believe I've done it with my LCP and my PM9. And with several short-gripped 1911s, and perhaps with the wife's XD Subcompact.
These days I "press" the mag upward until I feel a "click", rather than smacking it with the off-hand. It probably costs me a half second, but Todd Jarrett doesn't exactly lay awake at night worrying that I might show up at his next match...
These days I "press" the mag upward until I feel a "click", rather than smacking it with the off-hand. It probably costs me a half second, but Todd Jarrett doesn't exactly lay awake at night worrying that I might show up at his next match...
Shawn Dodson
Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2002
- Messages
- 3,189
Don't "slap" the magazine in.
I "pinch" the magazine between my thumb and middle finger. My index finger rests on the nose of the bullet at the top of the magazine (or along the front of the magazine body with a large capacity magazine). Nestle the toe of the magazine into the crease of your palm between your index finger and thumb. After you insert the magazine into the magazine well maintain continuous contact with the magazine baseplate with the meaty part of your palm at the base of your thumb as you slide it in until it seats firmly. Your hand should pivot at the wrist as you insert and seat the magazine.
I "pinch" the magazine between my thumb and middle finger. My index finger rests on the nose of the bullet at the top of the magazine (or along the front of the magazine body with a large capacity magazine). Nestle the toe of the magazine into the crease of your palm between your index finger and thumb. After you insert the magazine into the magazine well maintain continuous contact with the magazine baseplate with the meaty part of your palm at the base of your thumb as you slide it in until it seats firmly. Your hand should pivot at the wrist as you insert and seat the magazine.
TAKtical
Member
Get a bigger gun
The Lone Haranguer
Member
I have never pinched my palm doing this, but I learned fast and the hard way to "flag" my little finger when slamming a mag home.
I haven't done it, but I have seen it during classes...usually the blood is drawn from the strong hand pinky forming a blood blister.
I had to get out one of my short framed guns to even figure out what was happening and work out the solution. Most folks I've watched/trained open the fingers of their strong hand when they rotate the grip frame to access the magazine release with their thumb. Then they re-grip as they insert the fresh magazine.
The easiest way to avoid catching the flesh between the frame and the floor plate is to leave the strong hand pinky extended...or al least not pressed under the frame
I had to get out one of my short framed guns to even figure out what was happening and work out the solution. Most folks I've watched/trained open the fingers of their strong hand when they rotate the grip frame to access the magazine release with their thumb. Then they re-grip as they insert the fresh magazine.
The easiest way to avoid catching the flesh between the frame and the floor plate is to leave the strong hand pinky extended...or al least not pressed under the frame
Bobo
Member
I did it - ONCE!
I also got slide bite - ONCE!
Also hit my thumb with a hammer - ONCE!
We humans seem to learn best by experience!!!
I also got slide bite - ONCE!
Also hit my thumb with a hammer - ONCE!
We humans seem to learn best by experience!!!
Inebriated
Member
Ever watch Hickok45? You know how he grips almost all guns with a two-finger grip, regardless of grip-length? And you know how he keeps his pinky out and away from the grip of the gun? Do that during reloads, and you won't have an issue.
coolluke01
Member
I learned in a knife fighting class that the two middle fingers provide most of the gripping force when grabbing something. Some knife fighters only hold the knife with those two fingers and keep the index and pinky straight off the knife. Like this. -lnnl-->
The point is you can pull the pinky off and not compromise your grip.
The point is you can pull the pinky off and not compromise your grip.
Wow Bobo, I never hit my thumb with the hammer. See, I just put it on top of the nail, because I never hit that...
Yeah 9mm and Cool, that's kinda what I figured. Still requires a little more conscious effort until i get that down into muscle memory. I don't think I'd hold a knife like that, though, Luke...it's less stable in the hand, even if I have a decent grip. That, and holding the other fingers down makes gripping it easier because all the muscles are going the same way.
Yeah 9mm and Cool, that's kinda what I figured. Still requires a little more conscious effort until i get that down into muscle memory. I don't think I'd hold a knife like that, though, Luke...it's less stable in the hand, even if I have a decent grip. That, and holding the other fingers down makes gripping it easier because all the muscles are going the same way.
Blue68f100
Member
There is no reason to slam a magazine home. It should slide in easily till you hear the click of the mag lock.
Nushif
Member
I've pinched myself on some tip up barrel Berettas before, but frankly ...
That was because I had this stubborn death grip on it that was unwavering no matter what I was doing with the gun.
Reloading? DEATH GRIP!
Shooting? DEATH GRIP!
Holding it at the low ready? DEATH GRIP!
Needless to say I abandoned that and haven't pinched myself since. 8)
That was because I had this stubborn death grip on it that was unwavering no matter what I was doing with the gun.
Reloading? DEATH GRIP!
Shooting? DEATH GRIP!
Holding it at the low ready? DEATH GRIP!
Needless to say I abandoned that and haven't pinched myself since. 8)
Well, I guess that could be true if you were to exclude any drills for defensive purposes or malfunction clearance
One of my personal goals when changing magazines during practice is to slam the mag in hard enough to cause the slide to jump upward, dislodge the slide stop and release the slide to chamber the top round. The other goals is to 1) keep the gun high enough that I can see the mag lips index on a corner of the magwell and 2) bring the gun into the body just enough for the natural alignment of my arms to bring the hands together smoothly...the first will help prevent pinching too
I think there's an excellent chance a palm pinch in a true life and death situation, with elevated levels of adrenaline coursing through your system, won't even be noticed immediately. Some people who are shot sometimes don't know it until the confrontation is over.
But if I kept injuring myself, however slightly, in practice situations, I'd rethink the whole thing: gun, tactics and etc. As my papa used to say, "Sompum ain't right".
But if I kept injuring myself, however slightly, in practice situations, I'd rethink the whole thing: gun, tactics and etc. As my papa used to say, "Sompum ain't right".
bigfatdave
Member
practice until you do it automatically
coolluke01
Member
I think you're doing it wrong! Lol
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
