Limp wristing? affect performance of pistol?

[casey44mag]

Ok I was told to hold on the a pistol as tight as i could the just relax a tiny bit then shoot. I have read a few different places that "limp wristing" can affect a auto's performance. How does that work? Im not new to pistols(im a revolver man) but recently have been picking up auto's and reading more about them. So any knowledge would be appreciated Thanks!

 

[chrome_austex]

If you don't provide enough support to the frame, then the recoil will move the frame more and slide less. This can cause malfunctions if the slide doesn't move far enough to reliably feed another round. I think thats the main context for limp wristing.

Also limp support won't control recoil well enough to provide solid accuracy.

If you have good grip technique high up on the backstrap, you don't need much grip strength to avoid limp wristing, however, just avoiding limp wristing isn't the end of the story for how much grip strength will serve you best.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Auto pistols depend on some resistance from the hand and the weight of the frame to compress the recoil spring and cycle the gun. Steel frame guns require less effort from the hand because their mass opposes the recoil spring.
Guns with ultra light frames like Glocks depend more on the hand to resist the recoil spring. Grip it too loosely and the slide doesn't cycle all the way back, causing a feed failure.

 

[dondavis3]

As said above.

If you limp wrist - some autos wont work.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The phenomenon does exist, but is often overrated and/or used as an excuse for a malfunctioning pistol. That said, how tightly you wrap your fingers around the grip has little to do with it. What is important is that you keep your wrist in line with your forearm and not allow it to move independently of the arm. Your wrist cannot actually physically lock, but is held in position by muscle tension. When the gun fires and recoils, your entire arm, wrist and hand should move in unison, like a pump handle.

 

[Capt. Ct.]

I have read for years about limp wristing. As stated above it does exist. So one day when I had the range to myself and my Glock 19 I decided to try to get a jam by limp wristing. I let my arm and wrist go like a wet noodle. In a safe way of course. I could not get the gun to jam no matter how hard I tried. A different gun may have given different results. Whenever a Glock ftf the first thing you hear is you were limp wristing. Well maybe.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Even if you take the effects on the gun's cycling out of play, "limp wristing" - a term I dislike, BTW - also is ruinous to your accuracy and speed in rapid fire.

 

[KurtC]

Limpwristing has little to do with the wrists, or even the grip, for that matter.

In order for an auto to function properly, the frame must remain still while the slide retracts from recoil. Limpwristing is when you allow the entire pistol to recoil rearwards. It is actually position and arm strength that combine to keep the frame stationary.

It is easy to create it while hipshooting with just your weak hand. Let your whole arm travel rearwards.

As for your actual grip on the handgun, it should be just enough that no one could snatch it out of your hands. Any more may effect accuracy or cause fatigue.

 

[BIGGBAY90]

A LIMPWRIST WILL CAUSE A GUN TO JAM--I'VE SEE IT WITH FIRST TIME SHOOTERS THAT FLENCH WHEN THEY FIRST START SHOOTING---BUT I GUESS IT DOESN't ALWAY HAPPEN WITH ALL GUNS

 

[Sheepdog1968]

My back up to the long arm pistol for home defense is a Sig P220. I've got somewhere between 10K and 11K rounds. I have tried very hard with all sorts of ammo and limpwristing to get it to jam. It simply won't.

I have another pistol (XD 5" in 9 mm) that if I limp wrist it, I can expect at least one jam in every one or two magazines. It doesn't mean I don't trust the gun and I do like my XDs. It just means its more prone to limp wristing issues for me.

 

[EddieNFL]

Whenever a Glock ftf the first thing you hear is you were limp wristing. Well maybe.

I watched a young lady experience multiple malfunctions with a Glock. I gave her a couple of tips about gripping the gun and placement of the support hand. No more malfunctions...until she got to the strong/weak hand only COF.

I've never been able to get a 1911 to malfunction because of grip.

 

[BRE346]

I agree with all above. A firm grip, lined up with wrist and elbow, to support the frame as the firearm cycles.

I think its a matter of balance between slide weight and the recoil spring, but then, what do I know?

 

[Aiko492]

A good example is when I took my 11 and 13 year olds to the range for the first time. After we shot 22's and had a blast, I let them try my 9mm Glocks and HK's. Could not get a round to fire. Jam city because of not enough strength to properly hold the gun.