Proper way to grip large revolvers

S

Shmackey

New member
Just got my 29 Classic 5" and I like it a lot. However, I shoot my 1911 much better (one-hole groups at 25 feet) and I think it's because I grip it well instinctively. It fits perfectly.

Lots of folks have posted pictures of people gripping semi-autos in the "correct" fashion (I use one such method with my 1911, riding the safety), but I haven't seen similar pics for revolvers. Anyone have any?
 
Let me rephrase:

On most semi-autos, including the 1911, the idea is to get your hand "up into" the gun as much as possible. This reduces muzzle flip by nearly aligning the bore with your hand.

I have to fight this urge with a revolver and it feels odd to me; how far up should my hands go?
 
Great topic. I've been shooting handguns for about 35 years and spent some of those as a deputy sheriff carrying a revolver. I've been switching all of the target style grips on my S&W .357s, .44s, and .45s to the old Magna type in order to get a higher grip, which I believe is what the original frame design calls for. As you state, the strong hand is closer to the bore, theoretically providing better control. For me, that has definitely been the case. Bear in mind, those big target grips were Bill Jordan's concept. I once met him about 17 years ago at an NRA convention; he was tall and his hands were HUGE! The target grip in his hand looked like the Magna grip in mine. The web of his great big shooting hand came up high on the backstrap, just like my normal sized hand does with the standard grips. My suggestion for you is grab a set of standard grips and give it a try, and not fall prey (as so many people have) to some "expert's" idea of the right size grip for a big revolver. Grip firmly and shoot with detemination and confidence. It's been working well for me, and I'm shooting better than I have in years.
 
Surely someone, somewhere, can point me to an online picture of some folks holding revolvers in effective, happy ways, no?
 
IPSC, TARGET/TESTING, 'HEAVIES'

I get 'up high' on the grip (I use Pachmayr's with finger grooves to help jam my hand up higher) with my strong hand, and use my weak hand much like my '1911' grip.
 
I use Pachmayr's with finger grooves to help jam my hand up higher
Click to expand...

Do you mean that you "cheat" and use one finger grip up from normal for each finger?

and use my weak hand much like my '1911' grip
Click to expand...

I was concerned about keeping my thumb that close to the cylinder. Seems like asking for trouble--unless we have different 1911 grips.
 
NO CHEATING

I don't 'use' the finger grooves for individual fingers; I 'squash' my fingers up.

I have never been hit by the cylinder, and I have been known to launch 395's from my 5.5" 45 Colt Redhawk.
Where you place your weak hand is personal, but try to keep your fingers in a '1911-style' postition.
Your thumb will find its own home..........
 

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Picture from 4/14 indoor IPSC match at the S&W Academy.

7.5" 357 Redhawk, Millett orange-ramp front blade, stock rear, Pachmayr Decelerators.
Makin' Major (no doubt).
 
IMNSLE

After using my Redhawks in 357, 41, 44, and 45 Colt I HAVE noticed the 44 Mag gets friggin hot after a long field course; actually blistered my trigger finger after a 34-rd stage.

Other than that, nope.
 
EVEN FROM BEHIND

I look marvelous.




----------------------------------------

"all my photographs are untouched photographs"
 
Picture does show that the dominant hand is high on the back strap of the frame. That's correct since you want to bring the web of the hand as high as possible. This reduces the leverage of the barrel on recoil and helps you to return the gun for a follow up shot. More control is attained with the dominant hand high on the backstrap than if it were placed lower on the grip frame.

That's one reason why I dislike the finger groove grips. I want all my digits as high as possible and the finger groove forces them to be lower. If one has big hands, it won't make a difference but for smaller hand folks, they can be awkward.

I generally cross thumb over thumb so and the weak hand's fingers are wrapped over the strong hand's finger. No "teacup" as it doesn't give you enough control.
 
So many of the target grips are made for folks with big hands. I have small hands. 1911 (not A1) is right for me but anything thicker or larger is a pain. I love N frame smiths but have to trim the grips down to bout nuttin to get comfortable with em.

Maby someday will have some of my N frames reworked to K frame grip size. Pricy but just money.

Tim showin off the fact that he still has hair ?

Sam
 
PACHMAYR DECELERATORS

The finger grooves on the Pach's force my hand 'UP', tighter into the high-grip postition.

The Hogues don't; all my wheels wear Pach's.


C.R.Sam, exactly ;-)

Wondered if you'd notice that............beard, too.
But gray.
IT'S ALL GRAY.
Just looks red. Good light.
 
Different strokes for different folks, I guess. Magna grips, target grips, Pachmyer, all beat the web of my hand to death! I really like Hogue grips! The palm swell absorbs the recoil, instead of the web, and I feel comfortable with magnum loads. I did like Smith & Wesson K-frame target grips that came with their guns in the 1950's and '60's. None since.
 
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