Building a better handgun grip from the NRA's American Rifleman online blog

[DougC]

For those new to handgun ownership and shooting here are some points to consider. And continue your training and education from other sources. Be safe out there.

 

[Vaquero]

NRA is as corrupt as the congress.

They no longer deserve our support.

 

[Glenn B]

NRA is as corrupt as the congress.

They no longer deserve our support.

What actual proof of that do you have besides what amounts to hearsay that you have seen in the leftist liberal dem-arse kissing anti-gun press and in forums? Just asking, I have not been keeping up on their case lately and would be interested to examine or read anything actually proving they are corrupt. The left likes to throw stones and get those on the right to throw them too at the same target - usually can be any target long hated by leftists.

Have they, those running the NRA, actually been convicted of wrongdoing yet? I think I heard the NRA was being prosecuted (or is it persecuted) in NY - arguably the most anti-gun state in the USA (source). I am sure the prosecutors in NY must be giving the NRA their due process and true justice based only upon legitimate evidence and not on political ambitions and eagerness to appear as heroes of the revolution in the media. There is no way the lefties would want to wrongfully convict them and while doing so make them look bad even to their supporters - is there? No - that just could not be - not here in today's meriKa.

 

[benenglish]

I wish there was some way I could designate any money I give to the NRA as "for competition and training support only; may not be used to buy new suits."

That's just my snarky way of saying I agree that...

NRA is as corrupt as the congress.

...to the point I would consider it axiomatic. After all, we've spent enough time discussing it on TGT previously that I doubt anyone is still blind to the situation.

However, I do not agree that...

They no longer deserve our support.

...because the non-political parts of the NRA (training, competition, insurance, museums, etc.) still do deserve our support.

Unfortunately, the NRA is a package deal. I'm happy to give them money to support competitive shooting but I have no way to prevent that money from being wasted in other ways.

So I no longer give them money.

 

[benenglish]

BTW, would anyone care to comment on the article linked by the OP? After all, it is possible to discuss the usefulness of an article even if it was published by folks at whom we are currently peeved.

 

[seeker_two]

I know the author of the article. He knows his stuff, and he's not in the WLP Fan Club. And the article has good information. Definitely worth the read.....

 

[toddnjoyce]

BTW, would anyone care to comment on the article linked by the OP? …

The author understands one of my fundamental beliefs, and that is words mean things. An example from the linked article: Therefore, instead of saying “bend at the knees,” I now instruct students to “relax their legs."

I’m not a fan of coaching via mass communication. What’s the purpose, honestly? He’s provided instruction but does not have the ability to provide feedback as the readers practice. Let me take this down a logic trail…lots of new first-time gun owners, some share of which join the NRA and subscribe to AR as the publication. They maybe to a basic handgun class and then come across this article and that’s all the instruction they’re going to get. As a matter of learning primacy, these types of articles instill the concept that the novice can coach themselves on a very complex task without expert observation and feedback. Also, the title is misleading; I expected a technical discussion on the shooting grip, not a gloss over of stance, draw, presentation and grip.

My takeaway is a better audience for this article would be other instructors and the topic really is about language is important when assessing the student and where the student is at in the learning journey.

 

[FireInTheWire]

When I get interested in something, I'm kinda all in kinda guy. I turn into a sponge and end up spending all my extra time reading and watching videos on the matter. The good, bad and ugly. If I spend 20mins watching a rubbish video and can pull one tip to put in my back pocket, I don't consider it a waste.

But, I will say, when I went looking for a pistol grip, I turned to folks that served, saw combat and had kills under their belts. I can only fathom .5% of the chaos that combat presents. I want someone that's been there and can say "this worked for me in a hostile situation" That's the grip I'll try to emulate.

IMHO & YMMV

 

[Axxe55]

I wish there was some way I could designate any money I give to the NRA as "for competition and training support only; may not be used to buy new suits."

That's just my snarky way of saying I agree that...


...to the point I would consider it axiomatic. After all, we've spent enough time discussing it on TGT previously that I doubt anyone is still blind to the situation.

However, I do not agree that...


...because the non-political parts of the NRA (training, competition, insurance, museums, etc.) still do deserve our support.

Unfortunately, the NRA is a package deal. I'm happy to give them money to support competitive shooting but I have no way to prevent that money from being wasted in other ways.

So I no longer give them money.

Very similar to my viewpoint of the NRA as well. There are probably still a lot of good people in the NRA organization, doing good work, but as since if as a member that money donated can't be designated to only parts that we agree with, no longer will many us donate money to the NRA.

It's sad that a few have brought the reputation of the fine organization to the level it's at currently.

 

[Lonesome Dove]

My grip on a pistol. One handed right or left. I'm a swinger

Ever tried to piss with both hands on the thing, It don't work so great.
Your mileage may vary and please always wear your seatbelt.

 

[oldag]

What actual proof of that do you have besides what amounts to hearsay that you have seen in the leftist liberal dem-arse kissing anti-gun press and in forums? Just asking, I have not been keeping up on their case lately and would be interested to examine or read anything actually proving they are corrupt. The left likes to throw stones and get those on the right to throw them too at the same target - usually can be any target long hated by leftists.

Have they, those running the NRA, actually been convicted of wrongdoing yet? I think I heard the NRA was being prosecuted (or is it persecuted) in NY - arguably the most anti-gun state in the USA (source). I am sure the prosecutors in NY must be giving the NRA their due process and true justice based only upon legitimate evidence and not on political ambitions and eagerness to appear as heroes of the revolution in the media. There is no way the lefties would want to wrongfully convict them and while doing so make them look bad even to their supporters - is there? No - that just could not be - not here in today's meriKa.

I recommend you read on LaPierre, his wife and their lavish lifestyle funded the NRA as well as their self-dealings. Corruption in my book.

 

[oldag]

I wish there was some way I could designate any money I give to the NRA as "for competition and training support only; may not be used to buy new suits."

That's just my snarky way of saying I agree that...


...to the point I would consider it axiomatic. After all, we've spent enough time discussing it on TGT previously that I doubt anyone is still blind to the situation.

However, I do not agree that...


...because the non-political parts of the NRA (training, competition, insurance, museums, etc.) still do deserve our support.

Unfortunately, the NRA is a package deal. I'm happy to give them money to support competitive shooting but I have no way to prevent that money from being wasted in other ways.

So I no longer give them money.

Until LaPierre is out, they do not in my opinion deserve a red cent. Other 2A organizations exist and those get my contributions.

For me, not one more cent to the NRA until the corruption is rooted out.

 

[oldag]

The author understands one of my fundamental beliefs, and that is words mean things. An example from the linked article: Therefore, instead of saying “bend at the knees,” I now instruct students to “relax their legs."

I’m not a fan of coaching via mass communication. What’s the purpose, honestly? He’s provided instruction but does not have the ability to provide feedback as the readers practice. Let me take this down a logic trail…lots of new first-time gun owners, some share of which join the NRA and subscribe to AR as the publication. They maybe to a basic handgun class and then come across this article and that’s all the instruction they’re going to get. As a matter of learning primacy, these types of articles instill the concept that the novice can coach themselves on a very complex task without expert observation and feedback. Also, the title is misleading; I expected a technical discussion on the shooting grip, not a gloss over of stance, draw, presentation and grip.

My takeaway is a better audience for this article would be other instructors and the topic really is about language is important when assessing the student and where the student is at in the learning journey.

For men, I use the term "athletic stance".

I see many shooters, especially women, who lean back. I think ladies are anticipating recoil.

As far as grip, people have to find out what works for them personally.

I can hold a sight picture better with the off hand under the gun butt. The strong hand can handle the recoil without having the off hand in double grip. YMMV.

 

[benenglish]

As far as grip, people have to find out what works for them personally.

I can hold a sight picture better with the off hand under the gun butt.

There's so much truth to this it would take a while to unpack it all.

A two-hand hold is for controlling recoil. The highest level precision shooters have shown that the simplicity of a one-hand hold (eliminating a whole 'nother arm and hand full of muscles that must be controlled lest they negatively impact precision) means it's possible to shoot tighter groups with a one-hand hold.

That doesn't work if you need, in any way for any reason, to control recoil. It doesn't work if you need to shoot quickly (mostly...it's possible to shoot fast one-handed if recoil is low enough). For these reasons, 99.9% of people should use two hands.

But for high-level precision target shooters not under time pressure who are, say, trying to put pellets on top of each other with an air pistol, one hand is actually better than two.

I see many shooters, especially women, who lean back.

And all the same observations apply to leaning back. For some people, it's more stable. It doesn't handle recoil but it can be more stable.

We can't begin to count the number of Olympic pistol medals that have been won by people who are, to a defensive-mindset coach, doing everything wrong, from grip to body position to fingers on triggers long before sights are on the target.

YMMV.

Absolutely. Positively.

 

[Glenn B]

I recommend you read on LaPierre, his wife and their lavish lifestyle funded the NRA as well as their self-dealings. Corruption in my book.

I was in law enforcement for 32 years, if I thought as do you a lot more people would be in jail. I always believed innocent until proven guilty and still do.

 

[Axxe55]

I was in law enforcement for 32 years, if I thought as do you a lot more people would be in jail. I always believed innocent until proven guilty and still do.

So you think someone just woke up one day and decided to investigate WLP for corruption without any legitimate reason?

The possible corruption of WLP and the upper leadership of the NRA has been well publicized for well over a decade, and has led to much internal friction within the NRA for at least longer.

Only the naive and those with their heads buried in the sand wouldn't know about what was going on and why many long-time members are leaving the NRA and have been for several years now.

 

[msharley]

So you think someone just woke up one day and decided to investigate WLP for corruption without any legitimate reason?

The possible corruption of WLP and the upper leadership of the NRA has been well publicized for well over a decade, and has led to much internal friction within the NRA for at least longer.

Only the naive and those with their heads buried in the sand wouldn't know about what was going on and why many long-time members are leaving the NRA and have been for several years now.

Thirty years..

Go back and look up Neal Knox & the Knox Report..

 

[oldag]

I was in law enforcement for 32 years, if I thought as do you a lot more people would be in jail. I always believed innocent until proven guilty and still do.

Please go read. There are documented facts from tax filings, corporate reports, etc.

Do not be so close minded.

 

[TheDan]

lean back

Last range trip I did with several people, I noticed one member of our party was leaning way back as he shot. I started to coach him on how to stay more upright, but he told me has trouble with his back and gets spasms if he doesn't lean back like that. He isn't going to be winning any prizes, but he was hitting his target and enjoying himself. I apologized and told him to keep doing whatever works for him.

 

[robertc1024]

BTW, would anyone care to comment on the article linked by the OP?

I'll take a shot. I know the "thumbs forward" grip has been pushed for a while now, but I don't like it because I shoot a lot of revolvers, and I like the skin on my thumbs. Switching back and forth from a semi-auto grip and a revolver grip I think would be a bad thing.