What's wrong with her grip?
- Thread starter Elvishead
- Start date
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The slide on THAT pistol may override her thumb (and enable her to perpetuate a very bad techique), but some pistols won't--- and she'll get wacked good. That's why shooting ranges have a good supply of band aids.
Also, the cross over thumb weakens the grip.
From that position, she'd fall over with a slight tug from behind. Much sturdier if she leans slightly forward.
Listen to Todd Jarrett, though many good instructors teach the high thumb position as well.
Also, the cross over thumb weakens the grip. From that position, she'd fall over with a slight tug from behind. Much sturdier if she leans slightly forward.
Listen to Todd Jarrett, though many good instructors teach the high thumb position as well.
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The thumb over grip is a good option for revolvers, especially small revolvers that tend to kick. It's a bad option for autopistols for the reason you point out.
She's also leaning back which will negatively affect her ability to deal with recoil.
Start with her stance, then her grip, then sights & trigger.
She's also leaning back which will negatively affect her ability to deal with recoil.
Start with her stance, then her grip, then sights & trigger.
DocHoliday
New member
could be worse
A lil slide bite is much better than a black eye from that new out of the box magnum rifle.
A lil slide bite is much better than a black eye from that new out of the box magnum rifle.
I was quoting Jerry Miculek from a small piece he did demonstrating how to shoot a small, light revolver in a relatively powerful caliber. As I recall the gun he demonstrated with was one of the new, super-lightweight defense revolvers but I can't remember the specific caliber.
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
why two hands
FrankenMauser
New member
She also has her elbows locked (shouldn't be), and has her strong hand wrapped too far around the pistol.
Her trigger (strong) hand should have the back of the grip nestled nicely into the web of her thumb and index finger. (Sometimes small hands don't allow it, I know.) It provides a more natural point of aim, decreases fatigue, and helps with recoil control.
Her trigger (strong) hand should have the back of the grip nestled nicely into the web of her thumb and index finger. (Sometimes small hands don't allow it, I know.) It provides a more natural point of aim, decreases fatigue, and helps with recoil control.
Coltman 77
New member
The Cornered Cat
Great advice from the above posters.
You and your girlfriend might enjoy checking out this website;
http://corneredcat.com/
Lots of great info. regarding handgun shooting for women. (Men too.)
Great advice from the above posters.
You and your girlfriend might enjoy checking out this website;
http://corneredcat.com/
Lots of great info. regarding handgun shooting for women. (Men too.)
No, it isn't. "Thumb over" or "Grip of Agony" is a poor technique to practice with any handgun.
As for a critique of the photo...
She needs to have a better stance (leaning forward like she's going to punch someone with the gun), get her to unlock the elbows or she'll be hurting over time, and get that thumb OUT from behind the slide.
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Everything?
First, lean into it. Second, off hand should not be above the strong hand, because that will actually enhance the recoil. Lastly, from the way her tendons are standing out, she looks as if she has the sort of death grip on that pistol that will ruin accuracy. Loosen her up.
My shooting position, which she would probably find better, involves cupping the magazine slightly with the lower ball of the palm, and the left fingers angle upward around the right. Left thumb is on the left.
In her position, the recoil is all on her wrist joints, and nothing is in force to naturally draw her back on target. With a better position, her hands will pull back to where they belong.
First, lean into it. Second, off hand should not be above the strong hand, because that will actually enhance the recoil. Lastly, from the way her tendons are standing out, she looks as if she has the sort of death grip on that pistol that will ruin accuracy. Loosen her up.
My shooting position, which she would probably find better, involves cupping the magazine slightly with the lower ball of the palm, and the left fingers angle upward around the right. Left thumb is on the left.
In her position, the recoil is all on her wrist joints, and nothing is in force to naturally draw her back on target. With a better position, her hands will pull back to where they belong.
IMHO she also has way too much finger on the trigger. That Todd Jarrett video is a good start.
P.S. You might have better luck having her watch the video and then trying those things out (at home then the range) rather than you instructing her. Teaching people is hard - teaching people you are in a relationship with (or want to be) is doubly hard.
P.S. You might have better luck having her watch the video and then trying those things out (at home then the range) rather than you instructing her. Teaching people is hard - teaching people you are in a relationship with (or want to be) is doubly hard.
cougar gt-e
New member
Fix the left thumb issue first - explain why it may be painful if she doesn't.
Tell her to put her left foot farther forward by about 18" (24 to 30" total depending on height) and to lean towards the target. That makes more sense to many beginners.
Tell her to put her left foot farther forward by about 18" (24 to 30" total depending on height) and to lean towards the target. That makes more sense to many beginners.
ZeSpectre's picture is an excellent example.
If she leans back, she's cutting airflow through the chest. Stress the importance of breathing. Locking the elbows can slow blood flow to the hands, which will induce shaking.
Others have mentioned that her weak-hand thumb is likely to get bitten by the slide being placed where it is. Another concern is soreness in the left wrist. I'm not sure why that grip is still being taught for revolvers in some quarters.
Emulate the grip in the picture. Ball up your strong hand in a fist. Wrap your weak hand around it and grip hard. Notice the amount of strain in the wrist. The recoil impact vibrates the pinky finger and thumb, and there's a lot of stretching that can translate into agony for someone with arthritis, carpal tunnel, tendonitis, or just weak hands.
For anyone, such a grip will just tire the shooter out earlier.
If she leans back, she's cutting airflow through the chest. Stress the importance of breathing. Locking the elbows can slow blood flow to the hands, which will induce shaking.
Others have mentioned that her weak-hand thumb is likely to get bitten by the slide being placed where it is. Another concern is soreness in the left wrist. I'm not sure why that grip is still being taught for revolvers in some quarters.
Emulate the grip in the picture. Ball up your strong hand in a fist. Wrap your weak hand around it and grip hard. Notice the amount of strain in the wrist. The recoil impact vibrates the pinky finger and thumb, and there's a lot of stretching that can translate into agony for someone with arthritis, carpal tunnel, tendonitis, or just weak hands.
For anyone, such a grip will just tire the shooter out earlier.
I saw a guy on the shooting line during a CCW renewal course that used a grip like that.
He didn't do it twice, that's for sure, but he still failed the shooting qualification. I think it was maybe all the blood making his gun slippery, but he was probably flinching, too.
Daryl
He didn't do it twice, that's for sure, but he still failed the shooting qualification. I think it was maybe all the blood making his gun slippery, but he was probably flinching, too.
Daryl