FUNDAMENTALS OF SHOOTING

GRIP

There are four fundamentals of shooting that impact accuracy. They are GRIP, STANCE, BREATH CONTROL, and AIMING.  These are all variables to be overcome through training, discipline, and practice.

One of the most critical fundamentals is how to properly grip a handgun. If your grip changes or relaxes each time you squeeze the trigger, your accuracy will suffer because your sight picture (Aiming) will change. When your grip changes, the chances are that your hits will be either to the right or left on the target.

There are two grips taught depending upon whether you are handling a revolver or a semi-auto pistol. In many cases it is advantageous to train using the revolver grip on both if you shoot both. Using the revolver grip on a semi-auto pistol assures your firing hand thumb is below the slide so it is not damaged by the movement of the slide. While it is true that using the revolver grip on a semi-auto pistol places your firing hand thumb below the slide release, how many times will you really need to accomplish a “tactical” reload of a fresh magazine? If you get your firing hand thumb to close to the moving slide, as shown below, you will need a first aid kit!

This is the revolver grip on a semi-auto pistol above.

Tthe firing hand thumb is close to the moving slide.

This is the classic semi-auto pistol grip above. Notice that the firing hand thumb is close to the moving slide, but also on top of the slide release.

This is the proper revolver grip above.

To properly grip either handgun you must create a pocket with your hands. This requires you to mate your palms together as much as possible. The ideal pocket is when both palms actually touch each other as shown below.


At first this will feel awkward, but it is necessary to create the pocket in which the gun is trapped securely. If you are firing a semi-auto pistol, start by placing the gun in the web of your firing hand with your support hand as shown below.


The upper “tang” of the frame must contact the web of your firing hand otherwise you are gripping the gun too low. The gun should be a natural extension of your arm and hand otherwise you will be articulating your wrist to keep the sights on target instead of rotating your arm at the shoulder.  If possible, your firing hand thumb should contact your middle finger as shown below. If your hand is not large enough, get as close as you can. 

NOTE:

Keep your finger off the trigger during this process!

Not as shown in the picture below!

Next, bring your support hand up to your firing hand making sure that your support hand index finger contacts the bottom of the trigger guard as shown below.



With your palms touching and your grip as shown, you have created a secure pocket for the gun. Doing this consistently removes the “grip variable” and will increase your accuracy. Always remember to keep your firing finger off the trigger as shown below until you are ready to shoot!

NOTE:

(Keep your finger off the trigger during this process!)

This picture shows proper finger placement
until you are ready to fire the gun!!

At the range you should watch other shooters who will be using improper grip, and their targets will verify it!
 

Here are some pictures of incorrect grips:



Bad Semi-Auto Pistol Grip - support hand under frame.

Bad grip - support hand grasping wrist.

You have no control and dangerous!

Bad Revolver Grip - support hand under firing hand.

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