Handgun Holds Part 1

Maintaining a proper grip is the foundation of controlled shooting when it comes to handguns. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned shooter, understanding and mastering this skill is essential for safety, accuracy, and overall firearm proficiency.

When you consider the numerous types and sizes of available handguns, and match that with all of the variables in shooter experience, knowledge, size and strength, there will be a LOT of potential grips that can come into play. Having a clear understanding of what the ideal grips are will help to serve as a baseline for any shooter to know how to effectively handle the weapon, make corrections, and to determine if it’s the right gun for them. For instance, revolvers are distinctly different from semi-automatics both in configuration, performance and how they operate (obviously). It may seem straight-forward to an experienced shooter, but others may have a one-grip-fits-all approach that just won’t cut it. While some hand placements may simply affect accuracy and recoil control, others can be highly dangerous.

Why It’s Important

A proper, stable grip serves a variety of purposes, including:

Enhanced Accuracy – reducing muzzle movement for better control and quicker target acquisition/reacquisition

Optimized Sight Picture – allowing for quicker and more consistent sight alignment while minimizing the potential effects of muzzle flip

Recoil Management – helping to more effectively absorb and distribute recoil force for optimal control

Increased Safety – a secure grip minimizes the risk of accidental discharges and helps maintain control of the firearm at all times, especially in high-stress situations

Injury Avoidance – a poor or weak grip will increase the chances of nerve and structural injuries to the hand over time, especially when shooting higher caliber guns. An incorrect grip can easily lead to potentially severe hand injuries through slide bite on semis and burns from expelled gases and particles with revolvers.

Malfunctions – poor grip can contribute to malfunctions such as stovepipes or failures to feed. These malfunctions can compromise the functionality of the firearm and potentially lead to accidents or injuries.

A Few Things to Consider

In order to avoid some of the more common grip issues, here are a variety of elements that you should pay attention to:

Be sure that hand size and fit work with your handgun of choice. Aside from feeling uncomfortable, if you are either under or over-gripping, it can lead to a number of issues with aim and stability. An incorrect fit will also affect how your finger will engage with the trigger.

As a general rule, avoid any moving parts where your hands are concerned, regardless of whether you are holding a semi-automatic or revolver.

 Gripping too loosely or limp-wristing will allow for increased muzzle flip, the potential for hand injuries, and can put others in the area at risk due to the lack of firearm control. Similar issues can arise if the shooter is using a higher caliber gun which goes beyond their ability to handle the increased recoil force.

 Gripping too tightly can lead to fatigue, reduced accuracy, and slower follow-up shots due to the added tension.

Inconsistent grip pressure between the dominant and support hand can affect accuracy and control. This can also be stance dependent.

Holding the gun too low or too high on the grip will affect recoil control and accuracy. Generally higher is better (within reason to avoid potential injury).

 Incorrect placement of the support hand can lead to poor control and recoil management. A common issue occurs when shooters cross their thumbs behind the gun vs. having them facing forward on the same side.

Don’t underestimate what a slippery grip can do to affect performance. Whether it is through sweat or shooting under adverse conditions, using a textured grip or some other solution will help solve the problem.

In this edition, we’ve covered some of the basics about the importance a correct grip and the issues that can occur if it is less than ideal. Stay tuned for more details on standards and techniques that can help to ensure that your handgun grip is as good as it can be.