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In the last issue we began a discussion about proper caliber, your goals for shooting, and choosing a revolver or semi-automatic. In this issue we’ll discuss how the gun should fit your hand by focusing primarily on proper grip. There is nothing more frustrating than buying a gun that feels good in the store, but once you start putting lead down range, you start to tell that something “just isn’t right.” In this issue we will discuss how to properly grip the pistol so that you can get the proper fitting pistol and avoid the “just isn’t right” feeling.
When a pistol does not fit your hands, you’ll notice erratic groups on paper. If you have been shooting for a while and you normally have a 3″ group at 25 yards, you may find your hits with the ill-fitting weapon resemble a blast of buckshot from a shotgun. If you are a relative newcomer to the sport, frustration is likely to set in as you chase your bullet holes all over the target—assuming you even hit the target—and you give up and sell your gun to someone else.
Let’s first cover the proper way to grip the weapon. Understand, there are many techniques, but we use one that is particularly stable and accurate in both competitive and defensive shooting situations. In fact, you will find your top competitors in IDPA/USPSA as well as military and law enforcement using this grip. Todd Jarrett, a highly accomplished competitor, in a video interview discusses the need for proper pistol grip and turns his attention to the one we’re about to discuss. The pictures in this edition of the newsletter illustrate the two handed combat grip Jarrett was speaking about. While grip and trigger control are the two major ingredients to shooting well, unfortunately, even if you have perfect grip, it’s only as good as the fit of the weapon in your hand. Much of what you’re about to read is highly subjective, but if you can’t get this grip down pat on the weapon you like, it’s likely you won’t like the weapon after you buy it.
If you watched the Jarrett video, you’ll remember he talked about both hands encircling the weapon. One thing he didn’t mention is that the grip he shows (and the one ATF endorses) will correctly index the weapon every time you pick it up, assuming a correctly sized weapon. A properly sized pistol will allow you to comfortably line up the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIJ) of your strong hand down the rounded corner of the frontstrap of the pistol stock, while keeping the base of the palm on the backstrap of the pistol. This should also allow you to comfortably place the pad of your distal phalanx (trigger finger) on the trigger. You should not have your trigger finger fully extended, nor should it be so curved that you need to press the trigger with the tip of your finger. The trigger should comfortably fit between the tip of the finger and the first joint (distal interphalangeal joint) with a nice “C” shaped curve with your trigger finger.
When placing the weak hand onto the frame, your hand should be able to wrap your fingers around the frontstrap of the weapon, and nearly touch the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCJ) of your strong hand. This basically forms a c-clamp with your hands around the weapon. Notice in the second picture, the thumbs are pointing toward the target. If you have never held a pistol this way, you’ll feel tension in the muscles on the inside of your forearm. You’ll get used to that feeling as those muscles stretch…keep at it. Your marksmanship will continue to improve with such a stable base. The reason for the pointing thumbs is it provides a strong wall at the bottom of your hand to work against the muzzle flip induced by the recoiling of the firearm.
A natural question most new shooters ask is, “How hard should I be squeezing the gun?” It really is a balance. Squeeze firm enough to control the weapon, but don’t squeeze so firmly that your causing the sights to dance all over the target. 
One trick I read in an Army manual works fairly well and at the very least provides a starting point for finding your own balance of grip pressure. It says squeeze until you notice the barrel start to tremble. When you see that movement, lighten your grip until the trembling stops. Too much pressure not only causes the gun to dance across the target, but it also causes exhaustion in the arms. Not enough pressure and the gun will flip out of your hands. Neither of those situations cause a shooter to improve—normally it causes problems and discouragement.
So now that we’re holding the pistol properly, how do you know if it actually fits? Remember, in an automatic you want to get your grip as high on the pistol stock as you can without getting bit by the operation of the slide. Notice in the first illustration how the Glock slips right into the line created by the thumb-palm of the strong hand. Its curves follow how the thumb will eventually fold around the receiver, also allowing for a grip that is high on the pistol. Revolvers are by and large the same principle. Also remember that when you hold the gun, can you form that c-clamp grip we just discussed? If you can’t, or have trouble getting into it very quickly, the gun more than likely does not fit. Here may be a good suggestion for getting the properly fitting gun. What size glove do you wear? If you wear a small or medium consider buying a pistol that uses a single stack magazine (one bullet loads on top of the other). If the pistol you want is only made in a double-stack, consider buying a 9mm instead of a .45Auto. The smaller caliber will allow the pistol to use a thinner magazine well and give you, the shooter, an easier time getting your hands around the weapon. If you wear a medium to large glove, you will probably be fine with a hi-capacity .45Auto as a weapon of choice. Whereas a person with small hands should steer clear of larger calibers, a person with large hands should steer clear of smaller bores such as the .380Auto.
When you are purchasing a gun the most difficult question to answer is fit. I mentioned that what your think fits well in the store may not translate to fitting well on the range. This is where you, the consumer and responsible gun-owner, can take the initiative. When standing in your local gun shop, ask if you can test fire some of their guns. They probably won’t let you fire the exact weapon you’re holding, but there are similar models that the store rents. Make certain you can grip the weapon correctly and that the grip will stay there shot after shot after shot. When you find the one that you feel you aren’t fighting with, then make the purchase. Spending a little time and money up front will make you a much happier gun enthusiast.