Getting slide bite from thumbs forward grip. Help!

At the risk of being Capt Obvious, if your hand (or any part of you) is in the way of the moving parts, you are doing something wrong.

The proper grip de jour may not be right for your hands and the specific gun you are shooting. Or maybe you aren't doing exactly what they are, despite you thinking you are?


I've got pistols ranging from pocket size to monster size magnum automatics. Some of those guns require a certain manner of gripping them, or you will get bit!
 
TunnelRat said:
I do think hand size definitely makes a difference. I'm a Medium sized glove and with my thin hands I still have some width left over.
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It might be a factor but I have rather large hands, to the point that a Glock equipped with a Crimson Trace laser is just about the perfect fit for me. I've never had any problems with getting bit. Of course, taking a look at your hand placement BEFORE pulling the trigger (as a newb) goes a long way and after a while muscle memory kicks in so the correct grip is unconscious.
 
After a bit of youtubing, I think I'm gonna give Hickok45's grip a shot. Maybe if I had a 1911 with a beaver tail I'd give the thumbs forward a shot but this grip seems to keep my thumb knuckle out of the way of the bottom left corner of the slide. ( I shoot right handed) What do you think?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=22msLVCtPk8

Skip to 6:30 if you want to just get to the part about thumbs.

Again please share what you think about this, I'm still on the fence about it.
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Doesn't somebody make a snap-on, accessory beavertail for Glocks? It should keep your hand just a bit lower, and further outboard, without having to consciously grip the gun lower; you're still as high on the gun as possible, while clearing the slide.
 
Marine6680 said:
I was worried there for a second... And then I noticed you were left handed.
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I'm still worried. That looks like a 1911 he's shooting in that photo (RickB), and he has his left thumb crossed over behind the slide. That appears to me to be an invitation to having the slide slash the web if the hand on recoil. I don't know of any instructor who doesn't warn shooters NEVER to cross the thumb (either thumb) behind the slide on a semi-auto. In fact, in the video of Hickock 45 that was linked to above, he specifically cautions about doing that.
 
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I'd look into the Grip Force Adapter. I have one on my G19 as well as the GAP plate. It completes the grip for my XL gloved hands and prevents all bite. Why didn't I just a get a G17 you ask? Well, it's that exaggerated hump at the bottom. If Glock made all the back straps to the same angle as the G19, I'd consider more of their models.


This is the only way I can own a Glock. ;)

AJeoqcJ.jpg
 
Originally Posted by Marine6680
I was worried there for a second... And then I noticed you were left handed.

I'm still worried. That looks like a 1911 he's shooting in that photo (RickB), and he has his left thumb crossed over behind the slide. That appears to me to be an invitation to having the slide slash the web if the hand on recoil. I don't know of any instructor who doesn't warn shooters NEVER to cross the thumb (either thumb) behind the slide on a semi-auto. In fact, in the video of Hickock 45 that was linked to above, he specifically cautions about doing that.
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The strong-hand thumb ALWAYS crosses behind the gun, no matter the grip style. It's not behind the slide, it's still under it, held under it by the frame tang, but my thumb is riding a bit outboard of where it does when I'm shooting something that doesn't jump so much. I have had my thumb raked by the slide serrations, as pictured by the OP, but have adjusted my grip to avoid it.

DSC_6872.jpg
 
RickB said:
The strong-hand thumb ALWAYS crosses behind the gun, no matter the grip style.
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:( Forgot you're a southpaw. I was seeing it as the weak hand thumb crossing the grip, as in "revolver grip." The first photo was a bit deceiving -- the second photo makes the grip much clearer.

Sorry for being confused.
 
If you are getting slide bite on the THUMB of your strong hand, then you are not gripping the pistol correctly. The strong hand thumb should always be relatively loose, never tightly closed against the pistol. A tight strong hand thumb almost guarantees shooting problems (it will push the pistol out of alignment....and it is very hard to overcome this). The strong hand thumb should be somewhat loose, even held outside of the weak hand thumb. The grip and control of the pistol should be maintained with the other fingers of the strong hand (other than the trigger finger, of course), pulling the grip into the palm - NOT the thumb.
 
wpstlrg said:
The strong hand thumb should be somewhat loose, even held outside of the weak hand thumb. The grip and control of the pistol should be maintained with the other fingers of the strong hand (other than the trigger finger, of course), pulling the grip into the palm - NOT the thumb.
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That's just the opposite of how I shoot, and just the opposite of what Massaad Ayoob teaches. Mas tells us that a strong grip is essential to gun control, and he teaches using a "revolver" grip with the weak thumb outside of the strong hand thumb.

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob85.html

The strong hand thumb should always be relatively loose, never tightly closed against the pistol. A tight strong hand thumb almost guarantees shooting problems (it will push the pistol out of alignment....and it is very hard to overcome this).
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Again, this is exactly the opposite of what Mas Ayoob teaches.

I'm not citing Mas as a classic reliance on authority logical failing, but rather to point out that, in reality, everyone is different and what works for one may not work for someone else. I firmly believe that we should avoid ever making absolute statements such as "THE proper grip is ___ ."

When I'm teaching NRA Basic Pistol, I show students both my classic "revolver" grip and the more modern "thumbs forward" grip. I tell them that both styles have their advocates and their detractors, and I suggest that they try both and see which works better for them.
 
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I don't disagree as regards a "strong grip", of course that is needed. It can be achieved without closing the strong hand thumb tightly around the grip, though. I will not argue as regards what anyone in particular teaches....it's all fine by me. My focus is simply on what works.

I certainly agree that what works for one, might not work for another...so I concur with the idea of teaching the basics...and then letting the student ultimately find his/her own way. I think that is very wise.

However, my comments were predicated on the (apparent) fact that the OP's current grip style is NOT working for him - hence his problem with "slide bite". My suggestions will work....and alleviate the problem if implemented. However, by no means do I wish to suggest that "my" way is the only way. Not at all. My intention was simply to deal with the specific problem directly, within the context of the thumbs forward grip style.

I probably should not have included the word "should" - I guess I gave the wrong impression. Mea Culpa.

Obviously, the OP will have to find what works best for him, at the end of the day.
 
Nakanokalronin said:
I'd look into the Grip Force Adapter. I have one on my G19 as well as the GAP plate. It completes the grip for my XL gloved hands and prevents all bite. Why didn't I just a get a G17 you ask? Well, it's that exaggerated hump at the bottom. If Glock made all the back straps to the same angle as the G19, I'd consider more of their models.


This is the only way I can own a Glock. ;)

AJeoqcJ.jpg
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We have a winner!

They sell them by the pair on Amazon.

Someone mentioned your grip is to high. I disagree. Get a grip force BT and grip as high as possible. That mimimus barrel kick up. Helps with additional shots by allowing you to get back on target quicker and easier.

I am a Glock Armorer, own 8 Glocks and this aftermarket part is on all of them.

If you come from 1911 style guns, I would recommend a different aftermarket part to rest your thumb on. Ebay, search thumb rest for Glock.
9yveqara.jpg
 
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