How to Grip a Pistol when Shooting

Jul 9
06:02

2012

Bob B. Hamilton

Bob B. Hamilton

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A lot of people want to learn how to grip a pistol when shooting. The grip makes a big difference in your effectiveness when firing. If you grip the gun correctly then you can be more effective.

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If you want to know how to grip a pistol when shooting,How to Grip a Pistol when Shooting Articles you certainly are not alone. The grip makes a big difference in your effectiveness when firing. If you grip the gun correctly then you can be more effective.

Of course, gripping a pistol the right way is not easy.
There is a lot of debate about the best way to hold a gun. Some people say that the right grip is with the thumbs forward. Others say the thumbs have to be up. Still others say the thumbs should be locked.

There is even a segment of people who argue the thumbs should be pointed away from the gun. This is to make sure they do not interfere with the shooting motion, or even accidentally knock into the slide lock.

So who is right?
They all are correct. Different methods work for different people.  You just need to experiment and find out which option feels the best for you.  No matter what their viewpoint on the thumb position, experts all agree on one thing-the main job of the dominant hand and the support hand are both the same.

Dominant hand
The dominant hand’s task is to apply a little pressure in the front and back strap of the grip. You should grip the gun firmly but loosely. In other words, you should be in control, but not tense. Being overly tight can cause you to jerk the gun at impact.

Support hand
Basically, the support hand is the one that will be the most responsible for the gun working properly. The shooting hand will be busy controlling the trigger, so the support hand is needed to keep the gun steady while firing.

The majority of instructors estimate that the support hand is responsible for 60% of the grip. This is why shooting one handed is so ineffective. You will generally be 2-3 times more accurate if you fire with two hands rather than just one. No matter what you see in the movies, two hands are necessary for maximum effectiveness.

It is very important for the support hand to stay in contact with the gun at all times. That is really the only thing you have to remember about the weaker hand.

There are many ways to grip a pistol correctly. The main thing to keep in mind is to always use two hands.  Always grip the pistol firmly to maintain control. Use these guidelines, and you will start firing more effectively.