Grip fundamentals

[XKL]

I'm a new shooter. I've gotten some excellent advice and guidance from a very experienced shooter, but I would like to get some more information and explanation of the modern pistol grip technique. There must be some good info out on the Web already, but it's hard to find among the too-basic articles. I'm hoping someone here can direct me to some better resources. I'm looking for something that talks about why the grip is optimal and what muscles are doing what. Without that, I end up focusing on the wrong stuff, emphasizing the wrong muscles (for example, I was focusing on the grip of my strong side thumb on the base of my other thumb, and I'm pretty sure that's not doing much of anything to keep the gun stable or control recoil). Another example: which muscles/grip points are most important in controlling muzzle flip? Weak side thumb along the slide or strong side wrist?

Obviously one can only get so far by reading articles (or watching videos) rather than getting good coaching and feedback, but I'm one of those guys that likes to know why I'm doing something rather than just following directions. A loud range while wearing hearing protection is not the best location for getting that sort of clarification.

Thanks.

[ehcarl2983]

"Surgical Speed Shooting" by Andy Stanford is a great resource and has a whole chapter on grip for you.

[John_Wayne777]

XKL -- I heartily second LinderTW's suggestion about getting some time in with Todd. Invariably no tome of text can hope to compare with one-on-one instruction from somebody who knows what they are talking about.

[JSantoro]

Heartily thirded. You'll get the WHY as well as the HOW of things, simply and directly, and be the better for it.

[epf]

You'll get the WHY as well as the HOW

Excellent point. To often instructors give the HOW and not the WHY. The WHY always helps me have that "aha" moment with a new technique.

[JGou812]

No substitute for real life training from a pro, but this gives some stuff to think about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48

I would get (read that as should have got) the real in person deal before teaching myself a bunch of bad habits at home though.

[XKL]

Thanks for the feedback. I seriously considered Todd's class, but I don't meet all the prerequisites yet. It's not certain that my holster and extra magazines will even arrive in time. I'll catch a future session when I have more practice under my belt. Don't worry, I'm learning from a FoT (and qualified instructor in own right), so I'm getting good guidance (and hopefully not developing too many bad habits).

Also I ordered the recommended book, so I'll have something to refer to when I'm conflicted between what feels comfortable and what the "proper" method is. And there is this forum of course.

Thanks again.

[yallknowho]

No substitute for real life training from a pro, but this gives some stuff to think about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48

I would get (read that as should have got) the real in person deal before teaching myself a bunch of bad habits at home though.

I was just going to find this to post. good video.

[threeheadeddog]

the best videos I have found were on the springerprecision.com website though I don't know if they are still there.

[XKL]

Thanks Todd. I wasn't aware of that thread/topic/whatever. I was at the NRA range this afternoon making a mockery of Dot Torture.

[Shadow1198]

the best videos I have found were on the springerprecision.com website though I don't know if they are still there.

Ask and ye shall receive (I always bookmark good stuff like that!):

http://www.oregonshooting.com/vids/spgrip1.wmv
http://www.oregonshooting.com/vids/grip2.wmv

[Jay Cunningham]

Ask and ye shall receive!


:cool:

[decodeddiesel]

Ask and ye shall receive (I always bookmark good stuff like that!):

http://www.oregonshooting.com/vids/spgrip1.wmv
http://www.oregonshooting.com/vids/grip2.wmv

Although an XD (gag) is used, those are excellent videos.