After learning about the Universal Rules and properly clearing/loading a pistol, it’s time to work on your grip. There is a right and wrong way to hold a pistol. If you hold the pistol incorrectly several things can occur:
1.) Your shots will not go where you want them to.
2.) You will not be able to manage the recoil of the pistol which will not allow you to get the sights back on target for follow-up shots.
3.) In rare cases, an improper grip can actually cause the pistol slide to function incorrectly which will lead to jams. If you are holding the pistol with a “limp” grip, the slide has nothing to help its motion (typically your firm grip/locked wrist) when it is moving rearwards after a shot has been fired.
As you are learning to hold the pistol there will be two particular factors of the firearm itself that can also cause you to have an improper grip:
1.) The pistol grip is too large for your hand.
2.) The pistol is too heavy.
If you are noticing either of pistol issues as you pick up a firearm, it is very possible that you are handling the wrong weapon. When you are thinking about purchasing a firearm you should hold many different brands and sizes before you decide on one. If possible, shooting them is an even better option. Although I can shoot them, I personally do not find 1911 style pistols comfortable due to the nature of the grip. I am not as proficient at managing recoil because I cannot hold the pistol as comfortably. I personally choose to own Smith and Wesson M&P pistols because I can firmly and comfortably hold them.
Before you practice gripping your pistol, properly clear the firearm and follow the Universal Rules of Firearm Safety.
Step 1:
Pick up the pistol using your dominant hand. As you hold the grip, have the web of your hand (between your thumb and index finger) as high up on the grip as possible. This area is called the tang or beavertail. The web should be snugly contacting this area. Your trigger finger (index finger) should be along the slide of the pistol and your middle, ring and pinky fingers should be firmly grasping the grip with your middle finger in contact with the trigger guard. Your thumb can be held slightly out. I will explain this later.
Step 2:
Take your non-dominant hand and wrap your index, middle, ring and pinky fingers around the grip, with your fingers now overlapping those of your dominant hand and your index finger also contacting the trigger guard. At this point some people take their non-dominant hand index finger and wrap it around the vertical portion of the trigger guard. DO NOT do this since it can affect your grip and trigger control. As you extend your arms, the palm of your non-dominant hand will come into contact with the open space on the grip which will help you have better control of the pistol.
Step 3:
Your non-dominant thumb should be pointing forward along the frame and the thumb of your dominant hand should be resting on top, also closer to the frame. Both thumbs should be pointed forward. You DO NOT want your thumbs on the slide. The slide moves rearward upon firing and it will damage your thumbs if they are in contact. Also, for some pistols I have seen people who will actively press the slide lock because they are forcing their thumbs against the slide.
Once you have established a proper grip, practice doing it correctly each and every time you pick up the pistol. If you practice with poor habits, you will use poor habits.
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