Accuracy with stacked thumbs and the subcompact - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Olivia Chillia · 06-23-2006, 12:00 AM

My shooting instructor has recently had me switch to a stacked thumbs grip with my XD-SC. All was well in dry practice, but as soon as I took it out to the range I could tell this was going to be a temporary step back. Every time the gun fires, I have to regrip.

I'm shooting a subcompact with standard 10 round mags. DH ordered the Pearce extension, but it won't arrive for awhile.

Since this is my carry gun I really want to improve with it. Any tips on working with the stacked thumbs (aka flying thumbs) grip and the SC?

The Marshal · 06-23-2006, 04:39 AM

Olivia,

The Pearce Grip extender will make such a difference, that you should have a far more comfortable grip, and not lose it between shots!
I got to try mine out for the first time the other day, and out of almost 150 rounds, only one was a flyer. A substantial improvement from where my previous grip had my pinkie under the mag...

Also, I have found that dry-firing with a snapcap for your pistol makes a huge difference. Without the cap for the pin to hit, the spring makes the gun shake a lot, so you end up frustrated with the aftershot movement.
Definitely get some of those too. Also, have a friend load the caps into your magazine, and watch you as you shoot them for movement.

The gun is very accurate. You just have to learn to come up to its level, and that is only thru practice, failure, and adjustment!
Comparing my first time out with the 9mmSC to my 3rd time, it looks like a different person shot them.

~Bill

Olivia Chillia · 06-23-2006, 02:46 PM

Bill,
I asked DH to order two for me.

My last group with the SC (before the new grip) was actually quite respectable. And my last group with DH's G-17 (with the new grip) stunned even me.
I'm positive the movement is due to needing to adjust my grip, not to anticipating the shot, etc. DH is very quick to point that out. So it's back to the range with no one trying to "help me focus" with his lasers.

I'm glad to hear the Pearce extensions are all they're cracked up to be.

Thanks for the feedback.

-Olivia

p.s. I'm still hoping to hear from some more of you.

BBunin · 06-23-2006, 03:34 PM

ANY change in your grip will cause a "temporary setback" while you get used to it. Unless, of course you're correcting a horrendous problem, that is...

**PackerfanXD** · 06-23-2006, 03:55 PM

Olivia, the stacked grip (or Mastergrip as I've heard it called) is the best way, IMHO, to achieve maximum accuracy. +1 on the pierce pinky extender. When you get it, and practice a little, you'll love to shoot that way.

Ian Wendt · 07-07-2006, 04:41 PM

Could anybody please post a picture or pictures of this stacked grip? I'm having a hard time visualizing that.

freeman · 07-07-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Wendt

Could anybody please post a picture or pictures of this stacked grip? I'm having a hard time visualizing that.

Or at least please explain a little more for the newbies here? For example, which thumb is on top?

GaryTx · 07-07-2006, 06:49 PM

This is the grip that is often taught to beginners...

The grip I was taught to use is a variation of the above in that one thumb is not resting on top (i.e., crossed over) of the other. Instead, one thumb is below the other, both pointing directly at the target.

I think this may be what she is referring to as a "stacked thumb" grip.

But then I may also be wrong.

docrice · 07-07-2006, 07:06 PM

I've been developing my grip over the last couple of months based on what I've seen / read / heard about. Over time, my grip has evolved to look like the kind Todd Jarrett demonstrates. This minimizes the pistol's potential leverage in moving sideways by completely enveloping the handle (with as much palm-to-gun-grip contact as possible). With the resulting position of the thumbs, it's what I would've thought would be "thumb over thumb." Then again, I'm new at this. What do I know...

Bear in mind that everyone's hands are a bit different and everyone has a unique comfort / preference zone. I think what's important is that you move the trigger straight backwards while maintaining careful sight alignment. That's the goal. If you flinch / tense up / etc. and cause the sights to move, then you're going to veer off course. Every millimeter of movement counts.

Try leaning forward a bit. This results in increased pressure on your weak hand and firming the grip foundation better. For me, it also helps keep the gun from nudging sideways and from jumping out of my grip during recoil. I think it might help me regain my sight alignment faster too.

**PackerfanXD** · 07-07-2006, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryTx

This is the grip that is often taught to beginners...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...grip_0925F.jpg

The grip I was taught to use is a variation of the above in that one thumb is not resting on top (i.e., crossed over) of the other. Instead, one thumb is below the other, both pointing directly at the target.

I think this may be what she is referring to as a "stacked thumb" grip.

But then I may also be wrong.

Almost. The left thumb goes under the right thumb.

06-23-2006, 12:00 AM	#1
Olivia Chillia XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 102	Accuracy with stacked thumbs and the subcompact My shooting instructor has recently had me switch to a stacked thumbs grip with my XD-SC. All was well in dry practice, but as soon as I took it out to the range I could tell this was going to be a temporary step back. Every time the gun fires, I have to regrip. I'm shooting a subcompact with standard 10 round mags. DH ordered the Pearce extension, but it won't arrive for awhile. Since this is my carry gun I really want to improve with it. Any tips on working with the stacked thumbs (aka flying thumbs) grip and the SC?

06-23-2006, 04:39 AM	#2
The Marshal XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rockwall TX Posts: 7	Olivia, The Pearce Grip extender will make such a difference, that you should have a far more comfortable grip, and not lose it between shots! I got to try mine out for the first time the other day, and out of almost 150 rounds, only one was a flyer. A substantial improvement from where my previous grip had my pinkie under the mag... Also, I have found that dry-firing with a snapcap for your pistol makes a huge difference. Without the cap for the pin to hit, the spring makes the gun shake a lot, so you end up frustrated with the aftershot movement. Definitely get some of those too. Also, have a friend load the caps into your magazine, and watch you as you shoot them for movement. The gun is very accurate. You just have to learn to come up to its level, and that is only thru practice, failure, and adjustment! Comparing my first time out with the 9mmSC to my 3rd time, it looks like a different person shot them. ~Bill __________________ Famous last words of many an East Texan: \"Hey y\'all, watch this!\"

06-23-2006, 03:34 PM	#4
BBunin XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 2,029	ANY change in your grip will cause a "temporary setback" while you get used to it. Unless, of course you're correcting a horrendous problem, that is... __________________ . When seconds count, the police are only five minutes away. ------------------------------------ MY PARTIAL TOY LIST XD-9 5" (Production) XD-40 5" (Limited10) SA 1911 Loaded (Limited10/SingleStack) STI Spartan (Limited10/SingleStack) Kahr PM9 (CCW) KT P3AT (CCW) Remington 11-87 (Trap) Remington 870 Express (HD/Trap) Misc Rifles for fun and hunting

06-23-2006, 03:55 PM	#5
PackerfanXD XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ground zero of the invasion Posts: 7,038 Blog Entries: 1	Olivia, the stacked grip (or Mastergrip as I've heard it called) is the best way, IMHO, to achieve maximum accuracy. +1 on the pierce pinky extender. When you get it, and practice a little, you'll love to shoot that way. __________________ The wealthiest nation in the world with the mightiest army man has ever assembled could not stop them. http://www.break.com/usercontent/200...00-358890.html PALIN/McCAIN '08 An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject. -Author unknown.

07-07-2006, 06:49 PM	#8
GaryTx XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,103	This is the grip that is often taught to beginners... The grip I was taught to use is a variation of the above in that one thumb is not resting on top (i.e., crossed over) of the other. Instead, one thumb is below the other, both pointing directly at the target. I think this may be what she is referring to as a "stacked thumb" grip. But then I may also be wrong. Last edited by GaryTx; 07-07-2006 at 08:21 PM.

06-23-2006, 02:46 PM	#3
Olivia Chillia XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 102	Bill, I asked DH to order two for me. My last group with the SC (before the new grip) was actually quite respectable. And my last group with DH's G-17 (with the new grip) stunned even me. I'm positive the movement is due to needing to adjust my grip, not to anticipating the shot, etc. DH is very quick to point that out. So it's back to the range with no one trying to "help me focus" with his lasers. I'm glad to hear the Pearce extensions are all they're cracked up to be. Thanks for the feedback. -Olivia p.s. I'm still hoping to hear from some more of you.

07-07-2006, 04:41 PM	#6
Ian Wendt XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 190	Could anybody please post a picture or pictures of this stacked grip? I'm having a hard time visualizing that.

07-07-2006, 07:06 PM	#9
docrice XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern CA Posts: 391	I've been developing my grip over the last couple of months based on what I've seen / read / heard about. Over time, my grip has evolved to look like the kind Todd Jarrett demonstrates. This minimizes the pistol's potential leverage in moving sideways by completely enveloping the handle (with as much palm-to-gun-grip contact as possible). With the resulting position of the thumbs, it's what I would've thought would be "thumb over thumb." Then again, I'm new at this. What do I know... Bear in mind that everyone's hands are a bit different and everyone has a unique comfort / preference zone. I think what's important is that you move the trigger straight backwards while maintaining careful sight alignment. That's the goal. If you flinch / tense up / etc. and cause the sights to move, then you're going to veer off course. Every millimeter of movement counts. Try leaning forward a bit. This results in increased pressure on your weak hand and firming the grip foundation better. For me, it also helps keep the gun from nudging sideways and from jumping out of my grip during recoil. I think it might help me regain my sight alignment faster too. Last edited by docrice; 07-07-2006 at 07:08 PM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode