Is it normal for a conceal carry grip to differ from a standard shooting grip?

[Vorshack]

I've been practicing drawing my M&P Shield from a conceal carry holster and noticed that my fingers sit a little differently in comparison to what I consider to be my 'ideal' grip. Just a little farther up towards the tips. I figure this is the result of the gun lying flat against my torso, which impedes my fingers from wrapping around it the same way.

It's still a firm grip that seems to work about as well for 'oh ****' point-shooting within defensive range, and I can aim with it just fine, If fact, it feels as though my grip would be perfect if I had a double stack filling up the empty space. But I'm wondering if this is a common experience or if I'm doing something wrong.

Are the pros able to adjust their grip mid-draw? If so, is it okay if you just don't care to train yourself up to that level? Will the boogie man get me?

 

[tipoc]

It sounds like you may want to get a different holster or at least experiment with different holsters.

The Shield is a subcompact gun intended for concealed carry or a backup role. Obviously it will not be as easy to draw as a duty gun or a gun like a standard M&P Compact or duty size gun.

If you plan on carrying the gun in a pocket or deep concealed carry (think belly band) it's often the case that a person will adjust the grip on the gun once it's clear from cover. This can involve adjusting with both hands as the gun comes up. This adjustment will occur whether the shooting will be one handed or two. The other case is to just find a holster that allows you to get the grip you want.

This only you can figure out. This will require practice.

People say and it's true that a smooth, secure draw is better than a fast and fumbly one.

 

[tipoc]

You may also want to ask here...

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/

 

[.38 Special]

It is a common experience. I have the same issues with "deep concealement" holsters, IWB, etc. There simply isn't enough room to get the same sort of perfect grip that one would with a typical service-type holster - plus I'm having to avoid grabbing a bunch of undershirt along with the gun. And on top of that, if I ever do actually need to get the gun out for a fight, I assume stress reaction is going to interfere with perfection as well.

I have done (and seen!) more than my share of fumbling from concealment during force-on-force training. Watching myself on videotape during such training, I see that under extreme stress, I often do a little juggle/regrip thing during the presentation. I'd like to fix that, but I have never come up with a solution other than switch to an OWB holster.

 

[JTQ]

Are the pros able to adjust their grip mid-draw?

One reason I've read Jerry Miculek has preferred smooth grips on his guns. His ability to shift the gun in his hand if he doesn't start with the perfect grip on the draw. He talks about it a bit in this video.



Another point mentioned above is holster choice. Lots and lots of holsters these days have huge sweat shields or made with soft spongey material to improve comfort, but often the limit access.

In this GunTalkTV video, with Gunsite's Ed Head, beginning at about the :40 mark, he talks about getting a full firing grip. It's less important with some guns, but with a gun with a manual safety, like the 1911 in the video, you need to be able to get to the safety (not deactivate it) while the gun is holstered.



There are always trade offs. You may want more concealment or comfort out of your holster, which may limit accessibility, or you may want a smaller gun that limits a solid initial grip on the gun. You get to decide what you want.

 

[Vorshack]

Thanks for the replies, it's good to know it's not just me . . . or the OWB conceal carry holster I've designed

I can't give up any real details because I plan on trying to market it, but it's similar to a Sneaky Pete's but without the glaring flaws that even an amateur can spot and I've added some stuff they didn't think of. Kickstarter should be ready in about 2 weeks and now that I'm not worried about the grip thing I feel comfortable submitting my final design for patent.

Out of curiosity, do you think the site mods would be okay with me making a post drawing attention to my efforts if it was something they liked and thought worthwhile?

Also, I've been practicing adjusting my grip mid draw. I guess I was just feeling burnt out and lazy after the last couple weeks.

 

[tipoc]

I don't think anyone would object to you showing a design for a holster or the holster itself. Many people show the holsters they have built. There is a separate part of the forum here for the discussion of holsters in particular.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?forums/handguns-accessories-holsters-and-optics.51/

There is also a section for selling and trading such as well.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?forums/buy-sell-and-trade-accessories-parts-and-ammo.23/

I'm a bit surprised as this thread began with the holster you were using giving you problems.

 

[JTQ]

Thanks for the replies, it's good to know it's not just me . . . or the OWB conceal carry holster I've designed

Out of curiosity, do you think the site mods would be okay with me making a post drawing attention to my efforts if it was something they liked and thought worthwhile?

I don't know what the forum ownership or moderators would think, but I'm a little suspicious of your motivation for joining the forum.

You are new to the forum, and at this point only have two posts, and while the first post looked as if you were truly looking for gun handling information from the membership, it appears with your second post, that perhaps you joined the forum as a way to market your product.

 

[JohnKSa]

If you want to discuss the design of your holster as a general topic to get input and opinions about holsters and holster design then that would be ok. But using the site to raise monetary support or to market/pre-market the product isn't in the spirit of the rules.

You can put a link to your website in your signature, if you wish.

If your primary reason for joining and participating at THR is to use it as free advertising, that would be considered spam. Spamming the forum is against the rules and typically results in a ban and a deletion of all spam postings.

 

[Vorshack]

My motivation for joining the forum was for information. Wondering if I could make a post about what I'm working on came second and my regard for community spaces is why I asked first.

@tipoc

Well, since the problem is a general conceal carry issue instead of being something specific to my holster, and it's the only thing I was even a little worried about, I feel comfortable moving forward. I may be new to guns but I've been crafting in various mediums as my means of making a living for 20 years now so I've gotten pretty good at it and I always do my research.

 

[Rodfac]

Achieving a "shooting grip" on the handgun while it's still in the holster has been emphasized on the three defensive hand gun courses I've attended and part of that ability/goal, is a holster which allows you to do it. Over the years, I've added speed to my presentation of the gun, but never allowed that goal to detract from getting the 'firing grip' so necessary to accurate results.

For me, the only holster that works is an OWB carried at the 3-4 o'clock position as depicted in my avatar. I've not had any luck whatsoever with IWB, nor AIWB types and I've spent considerable time trying. In addition to difficulty getting a 'firing grip', I also find that re-holstering is difficult at best and dangerous in my practice at worst. YMMv, of course, and many seasoned shooters seem to like the IWB types, for their concealment properties...but for me, I dress around the gun and it's no problem. BTW, both of my adult sons carry with IWB holsters. Rod

 

[FL-NC]

Consistency is key in all things shooting. But if you are drawing from concealment to save your life and your grip isn't "perfect", you need to power thru and do the best you can with what you have. This includes in training. Gunfights never happen in optimal conditions, so it is best to train accordingly.

 

[Rodfac]

I'd agree, FL-NC, you'll fight like you train. I'd learned that 50 years ago, 30 k north of Saigon, in a province town called An Loc. Rod

 

[Varminterror]

Practice, practice, practice to ensure your drawing grip is as close to possible to your ideal firing grip, such that your hand knows where to go to find the pistol in the right grip as it comes out of the holster. Expect to fail to achieve the desired grip in the stress of the moment, but don’t let that expectation discourage you from dedicating to the practice to make sure your miss is by a millimeter instead of an inch.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I've alway been taught that your initial grip on your gun is the only grip you're going to get. I wouldn't want to make a habit of getting an improper grip and then changing it.

That said I agree with @FL-NC if for some reason my initial grip isn't correct I go with what I've got.