Handgun GRIP Revolver vs. Autoloader

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freebullet

Guest
Where to begin...
I use a fairly light grip on a revolver but, on an auto it seems slightly more grip is needed. The difference just kind of seems unique to each.

It just seems weird to me that, I hold a 454 with full power loads lighter, than I do my best with while holding a 9mm auto. Thoughts on either or your experience with both might be interesting.
 

KeithB

Resident Half Fast Machinist
Well of course an auto won't necessarily cycle correctly if you limp wrist it. And while a 9mm (or .45) may be used to deliver multiple rounds in a short period of time, how fast do you expect to cycle your .454? If I'm not going to take a fast follow up shot I hold a revolver just hard enough to hang on to the gun during recoil. I hate SA grip frames and the idea that the gun should "roll in the hand". I want a firm grip on the **** gun. I hang on to the gun and roll at the elbow. You're right, the recoil impulse is unique to each type, and so are our hands and the grip shape.
 

waco

Springfield, Oregon
Will be interesting to see what Rick has to say on the subject. I'll be watching...
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
I generally hold a pistol up high, as high as I can get the web of my hand.
I hold a revolver so that my trigger finger is basically in alignment with the trigger, this allows me to use a larger diameter grip size.
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
I generally hold DA revolvers really high & tight to allow me better control when shooting DA. I rarely shoot a DA revolver SA, & don't own any SA revolvers at all. They feel really awkward in my hands. I really try to hold all handguns as high as possible, semi-autos get a slightly more relaxed grip, primarily because their recoil impulse is different to me. I avoid the old "death grip" at all costs because it makes my hands shake (worse).
 

RBHarter

West Central AR
I don't know that I have a grip style . I have a pretty full Pachmar on a BlackHawk but the straight old school Army type on a pair of 1858 Remingtons . I think I will be making a change on the old Security 6 because after shooting a couple of WWI issue N frames I don't like the grip .

In autos the High Power clone is nothing like a P95 or XD40 or a Glock 42 or LCP .

With that as reference the last joint on my right pinky is close disconnected . So I lock the middle two fingers in a medium firm handshake and leave the pinky to do a teacup thing . My thumb wraps hard to the pointer palm knuckle . ( Apparently this isn't ok but it works for me .) The XD has a grip safety but the HP doesn't . I don't ride high like jam the " beaver tail " into my thumb knuckle but I know it's there and I don't have any trouble reaching the HP slide release . A 9mm Starr long ago taught me about getting too high up on an auto . It is my understanding that a single action is supposed to roll a little bit to allow the thumb to more easily reach the hammer spur . I guess that the above grip is the same on double actions . I have found that the muscle memory tends to treat the doubles as the same .
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I would say hard to compare. My 1911 has a very different grip from my CZ75. Each requires a unique grip with the 1911 requiring more effort to keep it where it belongs. The 1911 wants to twist in my hand so I put the rear of the grip in my hand where it wants to end up. No other handgun gets gripped that way.
Double action revolvers get gripped high. Single actions low with my pinky under the grip frame.
In the end it is less a matter of how you hold the ha stun, it is more a matter of holding it the same way shot to shot. My 1911 is a great example. Over a 7 round string it wants to twist. Instead of fighting it I decided to grip it with my hand where it wants to be. Far less twisting now.

How hard we grasp the grip makes a big difference too. If we change grip firmness or location the. Shot to shot variation in recoil occurs. This leads to changing points of impact.

Be consistent. Don't be afraid to readjust the grip after each shot. If possible hold it just enough to maintain control.
 
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freebullet

Guest
Thanks for the insight fellas. Several great points made already.

I'll add a few more details later when I have time to post a couple pics.
 

RBHarter

West Central AR
Maybe an addendum ........
They all fit how they fit and I haven't found 2 so similar that needed a very different grip for it to be an issue .
I do tend to try to start with a pistol that feels right so maybe they are so similar that it is a non- issue for me but a Glock 42 is a long long way from a Dragoon or a 7.5" BlackHawk .
Maybe it's just a natural thing and the old school stuff is closer to natural .......or something deep and philosophical like that .
 

Eutectic

Active Member
Just like a handshake........ firm and you under control! Remember.... no one likes a 'limp wristed ninny'! This includes handguns;)

Firm enough so the most important handgun control item is uniform and under control. The trigger....

Sometimes a more relaxed grip will get you by; but sometimes not!

Some disciplines need a very firm grip. Not shaky however. Two-stage double action against the clock that have some 50-60 yard small targets for example. A very firm grip lets you come through the last of the double action pull (not unlike a heavy, creepy pull) with uniformity and no flinch. If not the steel will stand there and laugh at you!

Pete
 

358156 hp

At large, whereabouts unknown.
Brad makes an important point about having different grips for different frames. One of my 1911s has a standard frame profile, or at least as "standard" as one can get. Another has been undercut at the bottom of the trigger guard to allow for a higher grip. Both have the same beavertails, so the std frame actually points slightly higher than the undercut frame.

Things that drive a guy nuts...
 

Ian

Notorious member
If you're giving it the death grip and shaking, you're out of shape. Being in shape requires daily exercise. Death grip without shake makes most consistent groups from standing positions, for me, with any handgun/revolver. If you're out of shape, use whatever hold is consistent and works for you. I prefer using two hands and to take the recoil in my shoulders as much as possible.
 

Intheshop

Banned
Wasn't gonna respond because it would sound all self serving or chest pumping.Go split some wood,drive nails professionally,learn the nuances of handling a Tig torch,learn how in auto body work...the connection between your hand and the brain whilst caressing your filler,deal with .224 cast bullet in your favorite varmint rig.Hang on to a 190 hp sportbike with the go switch pinned.

Your handguning grip,and abilities,are directly correlated to what you've been squeezing.I use a vise like hold on my DA revolver shooting......which is about all I even care to do anymore.Slow'ish,definitely staged,getting "on top" with the approach to stance and grip.Think with the controls,not about them.
 

Eutectic

Active Member
The last couple of posts have pretty well 'nailed' it! Stay in shape..... Most of us here us our hands a lot. I believe in actually 'working them out' as we play! I heat with wood. Know how I split? A single jack (4 lb) with a wedge! Switching the hammer back and forth to work each hand and arm....

Speaking of both hands..... Get ambidextrous! With handguns, you should be able to use either hand as your control hand that pulls the trigger. Equally..This is important! I had a nice buck eating my zucchini a couple years back. I go out the front door with a .45 Auto and walk around the house. I slowly peak around the corner just enough to see and pop the buck in the neck with an H&G 68 as he looked up. Left handed.... Law enforcement or military should be trained to become ambidextrous.

Your hand strength should be the last to go... As I am right on the very edge of three quarters of a century my hands are (or think they are) still 25.... But NOTHING warms this old man's heart like a stubborn pickle jar. One Thanksgiving a stubborn jar was passed around to no avail. But strapping youngsters tried..... my wife handed the jar to me. With a jolt of adrenaline..... I broke the seal! I just loved it too!

Pete
 

KHornet

Well-Known Member
I recently on a whim, fired a magazine one handed from two different 9MM's at 9 yds. Then I fired a mag from each two handed. The results, were to be expected, but I had never tired it before. The groups (if you could call them that for the one handed shots were to the left and about 8"+. The two handed groups were center target for both pistols and in a 4-4 1/2" group. I never will be less than a marginal handgun shooter. Will not repeat this, as once was enough. I had the thought that I might try shooting a mag from each left handed as well, but that went out the door after the first test. It is possible I presume to learn to shoot one handed, with a great amount of practice, but I will leave that to others with more patients than me. I do better with single action revolvers, than with any semi auto.


Paul
 

Ian

Notorious member
Here's something that some of you may find interesting, I know I did:

Totally in contrast to what competitors and civvy instructors are found doing these days.

I still prefer isosceles and keeping my head/neck bolt-upright, no hunching over and tucking my cheeks into both biceps.

We'll never be able to hold a gun still with our bodies, the trick is always about mastering control so that sways, figure 8 tracing, bobs, and weaves can be carefully controlled and predicted so that trigger break can be anticipated without jerking. One-handed, most times an autopistol will flip and torque/twist awkwardly during recoil, but even then being in shape with the stabilizing muscles will make follow-through consistent, like a Ransom rest.
 

Eutectic

Active Member
That was worth watching if for no other reason than just to see some .45 tracers again! Over 50+ years that has been the hardest rounds for me to find and some of the most fun to play with when you do! The old .45 is slow enough you can really see where they go!

By Vietnam they were pretty specialized in use; this from everyone I knew who had been there.

Pete
 

Intheshop

Banned
Heck NO.....on the hunching!Same thing noobs do at speed on bikes.Sends all the wrong messages.Relax,and bring the gun up to the eye.....letting gravity help the pause,and then YANK the trigger(no,squeeze it off) when sights are starting into the black.