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Started By
Message
Should I change the way I grip my pistol?
Posted on 2/5/15 at 6:55 pm
Posted on 2/5/15 at 6:55 pm
Changed from Weaver to isosceles last year, and changed my grip when I did that. I'm shooting really well, and the way I hold it feels very natural to me.
Problem is that my thumb is touching the slide release and stops it from locking back when the the mag is empty. Doesn't happen every single time, but around 90% of the time. Obviously this is a problem.
Should I try changing it or just leave it alone since I will probably revert to my natural grip if SHTF? My gun is 15+1, but there is always a chance I'll need to reload and that split second might mean something
Problem is that my thumb is touching the slide release and stops it from locking back when the the mag is empty. Doesn't happen every single time, but around 90% of the time. Obviously this is a problem.
Should I try changing it or just leave it alone since I will probably revert to my natural grip if SHTF? My gun is 15+1, but there is always a chance I'll need to reload and that split second might mean something
Posted on 2/5/15 at 6:58 pm to Hammertime
I'm in the same boat but I am constantly trying to place my thumb over my other thumb
Posted on 2/5/15 at 7:07 pm to Hu_Flung_Pu
Dominant thumb over non-dominant thumb with thumbs along the frame pointing at your target.
Referred to as a "thumbs forward" grip. It gives you more control of the handgun closer to the muzzle and provides much better recoil management.
Refer to my video or this picture:
Handgun Accuracy and Proper Technique
Notice how his left thumb extends in front of the trigger guard. This gives you much more control near the muzzle.
Referred to as a "thumbs forward" grip. It gives you more control of the handgun closer to the muzzle and provides much better recoil management.
Refer to my video or this picture:
Handgun Accuracy and Proper Technique
Notice how his left thumb extends in front of the trigger guard. This gives you much more control near the muzzle.
Posted on 2/5/15 at 7:09 pm to bapple
That's what I do. Just the thumb rests on the slide lock. I constantly practice to get it off though.
Posted on 2/5/15 at 7:32 pm to bapple
I do that now that I switched stances. Never had a problem before, but turning my body a little bit moved my thumb enough to rest on the slide lock. Causes me to click, look at it, rack slide, drop mag, and then add another mag. I'd rather it lock back, drop mag, add mag
Posted on 2/5/15 at 7:57 pm to Hammertime
Tactical reload - shoot 15, drop mag with one still in the barrel, insert new mag. You just have to learn to count your shots.
Posted on 2/5/15 at 7:59 pm to Shexter
Counting shots is all good and well when I'm at the range, but I doubt I'd do it IRL
Posted on 2/5/15 at 8:20 pm to Hammertime
There's a Kyle defoor video that discusses placement of the strong thumb to prevent it from riding the slide stop. I'll see if I can find it.
Posted on 2/5/15 at 8:55 pm to Hammertime
quote:
Problem is that my thumb is touching the slide release
LINK
Can we start a slide release vs slide stop fight on the OB like the clips vs magazines threads?
we need more OT drama around here...
Just screwing with you man...
Posted on 2/5/15 at 9:03 pm to Hammertime
I presume it's your right (strong hand) thumb that's causing the problem.
Neither thumb needs to touch the gun. I'm no expert, nor am I a Ninja class shooter. But FWIW both of my thumbs "float" alongside the slide, and both point forward.
As was mentioned, locking the right (strong hand) thumb onto the top of the left thumb will//should also help solve the problem. Massad Ayoob recommends this (he calls it the "crush grip").
Another option, if you are unable to get your thumbs well away from the slide, is to change to a "high thumb" grip with your right (strong) hand. Tom Givens recommends this (but he doesn't insist on it) to avoid the problem you're describing and to avoid accidentally flipping a 1911 safety "up." But you still need your left (support) hand "cammed" downward, which results in that thumb pointing forward, to take advantage of the tendon/muscle lock that causes the gun to come back down after the recoil impulse.
FWIW I spent two days with Jerry Miculek a few years ago getting one-on-one training. Jerry never suggested having me do anything different with my thumbs (both forward, neither one touching the gun).
I have also taken a three day pistol class with Clint Smith (Thunder Ranch), and two-day classes at a number of other schools. No one has ever suggested that I needed to have my thumbs touching anything (the gun or the other thumb). But none of these instructors has ever said that you have to "float" your thumbs if what you're doing works.
I'm sure the foregoing is confusing. It's easier to show this stuff than to describe it. This is one of those elements that you need to experiment with until you have something that works 100% of the time -- then get enough repetitions to burn it into your muscle memory (neural pathways).
Just my $.02 worth.
Neither thumb needs to touch the gun. I'm no expert, nor am I a Ninja class shooter. But FWIW both of my thumbs "float" alongside the slide, and both point forward.
As was mentioned, locking the right (strong hand) thumb onto the top of the left thumb will//should also help solve the problem. Massad Ayoob recommends this (he calls it the "crush grip").
Another option, if you are unable to get your thumbs well away from the slide, is to change to a "high thumb" grip with your right (strong) hand. Tom Givens recommends this (but he doesn't insist on it) to avoid the problem you're describing and to avoid accidentally flipping a 1911 safety "up." But you still need your left (support) hand "cammed" downward, which results in that thumb pointing forward, to take advantage of the tendon/muscle lock that causes the gun to come back down after the recoil impulse.
FWIW I spent two days with Jerry Miculek a few years ago getting one-on-one training. Jerry never suggested having me do anything different with my thumbs (both forward, neither one touching the gun).
I have also taken a three day pistol class with Clint Smith (Thunder Ranch), and two-day classes at a number of other schools. No one has ever suggested that I needed to have my thumbs touching anything (the gun or the other thumb). But none of these instructors has ever said that you have to "float" your thumbs if what you're doing works.
I'm sure the foregoing is confusing. It's easier to show this stuff than to describe it. This is one of those elements that you need to experiment with until you have something that works 100% of the time -- then get enough repetitions to burn it into your muscle memory (neural pathways).
Just my $.02 worth.
Posted on 2/5/15 at 9:04 pm to Pepperidge
Wouldn't be the same b/c it all depends on what position the slide is in. I have actually been in an argument about it before.
Yes I use it to release the slide
Yes I use it to release the slide
Posted on 2/5/15 at 10:35 pm to Hammertime
Just shoot left handed. Problem solved
I actually run into the same problem on occasion when I shoot offhand, throws me off since I normally don't worry about the slide stop lever
I actually run into the same problem on occasion when I shoot offhand, throws me off since I normally don't worry about the slide stop lever
Posted on 2/5/15 at 10:49 pm to dawg23
The meat of my thumb muscles are really fat. My right thumb rides above the left thumb meat and I grip with the right and point with the left
Posted on 2/6/15 at 8:12 am to Pepperidge
quote:
Can we start a slide release vs slide stop fight on the OB like the clips vs magazines threads?
I love the irony of someone writing a blog about terminology and has this in his opening line
"That little gizmo, usually found on the left side of most auto pistols, is quite often misunderstood. "
I don't know of many people who have automatic pistols. Semi-automatic sure, but not auto.
Posted on 2/6/15 at 6:52 pm to dawg23
quote:
dawg
I don't want to draw too much attention but are you the author of an article floating around the concealed world right now?
Posted on 2/6/15 at 8:16 pm to LouisianaChessie
quote:
are you the author of an article floating around the concealed world right now?
Not that I'm aware of.
Posted on 2/6/15 at 9:03 pm to SpeckledTiger
Auto is probably in reference to auto loading firearms, which would be the same on a fully automatic/semi-automatic firearm.
Posted on 2/6/15 at 9:16 pm to dawg23
I think I'm just gonna keep my grip the same. If SHTF, my hand is naturally gonna go in that spot anyway. It took long enough for me to get used to isosceles. That switch also made me shoot at 7 o'clock at 25 yards. Not a big enough deal for me to worry about it because I can still hit what I'm shooting at, but it was enough to aggravate me. Doesn't affect anything inside 15 yards though
If I can't hit something with 16 rounds, I'll just defer to your thread earlier to figure out what I'm doing wrong
If I can't hit something with 16 rounds, I'll just defer to your thread earlier to figure out what I'm doing wrong
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