How would you know?????

[C4IGrant]

As many know, I own a gun shop. I also teach BASIC pistol classes (monthly) where I see over 30 + students. On top of this, I read gun forums (a lot of gun forums). One thing I see, hear and read a lot is people making mention of the fact that such and such brand of gun just "Doesn't fit their hand well OR Has too much muzzle flip."

From what I see with many shooters (both in my store and on the range) is that they do not hold the pistol correctly. The common "styles" I see the most are the "cup and saucer" and the "Martin Riggs" grip. Hands too low, not forward enough, thumbs in wrong places or large separation between hands. When you learn to shoot from the TV or Movies, you get what you get (which is usually wrong).

Gripping the pistol improperly does NOT give you the true feel of the gun. Shooting the pistol with an improper grip will commonly give you incorrect feedback on its recoil and or muzzle flip.

My suggestion to anyone that has NEVER taken a single pistol class from a quality firearms instructor (one that teaches you how to grip your pistol) is to STOP shopping for a new pistol! You don't know what you are looking for and are most likely getting false feedback because of your lack of knowledge.

This concludes our public service announcement.

--Break Break--


Now for the RANT! If I read one more comment about someone not being able to shoot a Glock (for instance) because of the grip, I am killing a kitten! I got a news flash for you! IT IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD. That's right, that thing between your ears is telling you that you cannot shoot such and such gun because of the grip, trigger, sights, etc when in fact, the reason you do not shoot that gun well is because you have NO TRAINING!

I own and shoot (pretty well), the following pistols:

HK P7M8
SIG P5
WC 1911
M&P 9mm FS
M&P 45 Mid
Walther PPS
Walther PPQ
Glock GEN 2 G19
Glock GEN 2 G17
Glock GEN 3 G19
Browning HP
S&W 3953


Are all the above pistols different? Yep, sure are. Do you have to adjust how you hold them and where you place your fingers? Yep, sure do. Do they ALL have different trigger pulls that vary greatly in length, feel and weight? For sure!

Morale of the story? If you have a solid foundation on how to properly hold a pistol and how to manipulate the trigger straight to the rear, YOU can shoot any pistol well!!!


*Note* I fully understand that we all like different things and some guns are just going to fit your hand size better than others. So a pistol that has a medium sized grip is going to fit better with someone that has medium sized hands. For the most part though, all pistols will fit well in the majority of male shooters hands.




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[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Good post Grant. I must say when I first started out I suffred from the same mentality, but years of experience have taught me the lesson you just laid out. When ever I have a friend who want to buy there first gun it allways starts with a trip to the range on their dime with my pistols. Basic shooting instruction

[Steve S.]

I give that a serious golf clap. Well done, sir.

[one]

What you're describing is the most common "complaint" I get with Glock pistols. Next to "They're plastic!".

I'm assuming that's the main place you're getting them too?

[Doc Safari]

Although I agree with you that anyone can adapt to just about any grip configuration, my "preference" is based on the fact that I have fat hands with stubby fingers. If my middle finger and thumb can't just almost touch when wrapped around the grip of the gun, then the grip is too large "for my preference." I base this on years of experience, and in the same way I choose not to own a long gun where I have to put my nose almost right up against the rear of the receiver/charging handle/receiver cover/sight base, etc., I choose not to own a handgun that doesn't allow those two fingers to almost touch.

Having said that, I love Glocks, just not the .45 Glocks because the grip is larger.

[loupav]

I'm with you on this on Grant! A lot of people ask me what kind of pistol I recommend them to get for ______ and for _______. The first thing I tell them is, learn to shoot one then decide.

Anyway....a moment of silence for the kittens......

[rackham1]

If I read one more comment about someone not being able to shoot a Glock (for instance) because of the grip, I am killing a kitten!

LOL! I wasn't expecting that from you and snorted coffee out of my nose.

This is great, Grant. I used to be in the "doesn't FEEL right" camp about Glocks. Bought everything but Glocks over the last 15 years but kept looking for the perfect pistol.

Finally said what the hay, got a Gen 3 G17, got some better training, committed the money the enough ammo to actually see the benefit of repetition, and in 3 months became twice the pistol shooter I ever was on the one gun that never FELT right. The G17 is now my new EDC carry gun until I rehab (springs) an older used Gen 3 G19 I just found.

Spot on... thanks.

[C4IGrant]

Good post Grant. I must say when I first started out I suffred from the same mentality, but years of experience have taught me the lesson you just laid out. When ever I have a friend who want to buy there first gun it allways starts with a trip to the range on their dime with my pistols. Basic shooting instruction

Good man!



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[C4IGrant]

What you're describing is the most common "complaint" I get with Glock pistols. Next to "They're plastic!".

I'm assuming that's the main place you're getting them too?

I think the "plastic" comments generally come from from older shooters (55+) as they have only known metal guns.


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[C4IGrant]

LOL! I wasn't expecting that from you and snorted coffee out of my nose.

This is great, Grant. I used to be in the "doesn't FEEL right" camp about Glocks. Bought everything but Glocks over the last 15 years but kept looking for the perfect pistol.

Finally said what the hay, got a Gen 3 G17, got some better training, committed the money the enough ammo to actually see the benefit of repetition, and in 3 months became twice the pistol shooter I ever was on the one gun that never FELT right. The G17 is now my new EDC carry gun until I rehab (springs) an older used Gen 3 G19 I just found.

Spot on... thanks.

Glad I was able to help with the cleansing of your nasal cavity.


While I used Glock's as the reference gun, I hear this same complaint in regards to the M&P (one of the most shootable pistols made). This just blows my mind.




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