Holding a S/A

Creeker

Well-Known Member
On another form a question was asked how we held a single action sixgun. I do the 4th finger under the grip frame. How about you guys? Chime in here. The first video is my Ruger Liberty 4 5/8" 45 ACP & the second a Ruger 7 1/2" 45 Colt. The recoil of the latter is close to twice the former. [Hillbilly Ciphering Here]


 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I tend to hold my Blackhawks with my little finger under the grip. I like the fact it helps keep my hand position very consistant.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
I agree. Hold the little finger under the grip, as I started with big bores, and that is what gives you control.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Somebody here has to throw a wrench into the gears, might as well be me. For a long time in long range silhouette I held the little finger under the grip thinking it gave me better control. When I stopped doing that my groups got better, pretty confusing because it seemed to have worked so well. Went back and forth trying it both ways for a few years and consistently better groups with all three finger on the grip. With that said I cannot shoot worth a hoot with those tiny Ruger SA grips, not if worth a hoot is defined as actually grouping and hitting a long range target. Fact is all three of my fingers don't even fit on that grip. All of my long range revolvers wear Pachs. Ugly as sin they are but in the end do you want to shoot good or do you want to look good?
 

Creeker

Well-Known Member
I'll agree with you Rick. With Pachs a Ruger is much easier for me to shoot & like you say I use all 3 fingers with them.
 
F

freebullet

Guest
The blackhawk was bought used w/a houge on it. Terribly hideous but it really fits my hand. Can't change it.
 

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
Besides the Pac's fitting the hand better, they also insulate your hand during cold weather hunting. Then, there's absorption of felt recoil for the heavy calibers. All my hunting handguns wear rubber grips.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
For long range revolver grouping place the revolver in your hand making your grip feel as identical to the last shot as possible. When you reach up with your thumb of the same hand to cock it you have just changed that grip. Get the correct grip and cock it with the other hand.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
I can't put my finger under the grips either.
not so much for control but the revolvers tend to smack the joint on my pinky finger and it hurts so I don't do that.
I also cock with my left thumb.
I think it's because my hands are wide and fingers are kind of short though.
 

Ian

Notorious member
I either put extended stocks on mine or 1860 grip frames. Life's too long to suffer an ill-fitting gun.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
You are right Rick, with a long grip it is better with three fingers. But they are so ugly, it is hard to shoot when you are throwing up. So I'm in the "looking good" traditionalist and shoot with the pinky under the frame.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
It all boils down to what someone is happy with, what works for them and what they are trying to accomplish. There is no one size fit all, probably why there are so many different firearms, so many different grips, so many different sighting systems etc. My only intent is to post what works for me and why.
 

Cherokee

Medina, Ohio
I use all three fingers on the grip. My little finger takes a beating when I put it under the grip, the few times I tried it. The Pac's are good for recoiling loads but I found out they can rub a blister in the palm of your hand in extended firing because they do not slip in recoil. I use the original grips or Eagle gunfighter grips on my Ruger SA's.
 

KHornet

Well-Known Member
My bottom line on reviewing this is that what works for one may or may not work for another. I am of the little finger persuasion. Three fingers and I get knuckle bites. So to each his own.

Paul
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
OK Rick, what are the "correct grips" ?

Any shaped to keep your knuckles off the trigger guard. Yep, they most certainly are out there and they most certainly work quite well. Nope, not nearly as pretty but do you want to hurt or shoot well?
 

Creeker

Well-Known Member
I purchased a Bisley Blackhawk in 357. I change the grip frame out to a standard alloy frame to save weight. To this grip frame I installed a Pach. With those grips there is absolutely no pain.