Grip Question - Not a Repeat I Swear - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

scalce · 11-02-2007, 08:40 AM

I have been struggling with a grip issue ever since I got my XD late last year.

I have an issue where I cannot comfortably get the web of my strong hand without slightly having the gun walk right when I relaxe my grip.

The other negative affect of my grip was that my support hand would dig into my strong hand fingertips and occassionaly slip or not have enough contact with the grip.

I was at the range yesterday and had an epiphany.

If I back off the fingertips of my strong hand so they do not wrap as far around the grip as possible, it does two things.

1. My hand is not tense and I can get the gun more into the web of my hand since I have more room.

2. My finger tips do not interfere with my support hand when using the thumbs forward grip.

Is this common knowledge and I am just slow to the party or is this one of those things that an individual just kinds of plays with?

Now realize I am not just shifting my hand to the right but I am also allowing some relaxation in my hand by using more of my strong hand fingertips to apply pressure rather then the second knuckle if that makes any sense.

Maybe I am just a dumbass who thought that the strong hand needed to grip as far around the grip as possible.

FATSEXY · 11-02-2007, 10:42 AM

Granted, I'm no shootin' expert, but I always kinda keep a tight grip when shooting. Relaxing your grip? Explain that to me. I'm not saying that snarky-like, I'm saying, am I supposed to relax my grip? I'm an average to fair shot, maybe I'm goin' about it all wrong.

While there is a "standard" grip that I'm sure others have linked you to (search for "grip" and it'll probably show you some good posts), it really comes down to what works for you as an individual. For instance, if I'm not shooting a 1911/Beretta/Ruger/HK, I usually put my "safety" thumb against the frame, and overlap it with my weak hand thumb. That's kind of an oddball grip, but I just don't see the point in holding a gun with no saftey lever (GLOCK, XD, Sig) the same way as I would one that has a safety lever on the frame.

Anyway.

Hope things go well for you in finding what works for you.

**Druac** · 11-02-2007, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scalce

...or is this one of those things that an individual just kinds of plays with?

There is no 'perfect' grip...it has everything to do with the individual and practice...practice...practice.

scalce · 11-02-2007, 11:28 AM

Sorry I know my post was kind of confusing.

I guess what I mean is not really a softer grip but less of a strained grip.

I think I concentrated so hard on getting a firm grip that my strong hand would be forced slightly left. When I relax alittle or shoot a follow up shot it would go more right.

I am now trying to concentrate on putting more front to back pressure with my fingers rather then my whole hand.

Picture putting your strong hand out in front of you and gripping with your whole hand. When you relax it alittle it shifts slightly right.

If I grip with more of my finger tips and the fat of my hand then my hand stays more neutral.

I have had IDPA and IPSC stages where everything clicked and I bet that is why.

samman23 · 11-02-2007, 12:09 PM

There seems to be lots of theories about how a gun should be held. I've tried to employ many of them. Some of them has made me shoot worse and some others confirmed that I was shooting correctly. I try to focus on three things now.

1. The gun should fit into the web of your hand between your thumb and index finger. If you have a good firm but relaxed grip, your index finger should almost point at the target. (if you have proper alignment, where you point should be where the sights will be even before you look through the sights).

2. The pad of my finger(not the joint) should be on the trigger(only when I'm ready to fire). This keeps you from pulling the gun left or right when you are squeezing the trigger.

3. I try not to grip too tightly because that will make me shoot low but not loosy goosy either.

Think about your breathing also as you are about to fire. If you do all these things, your aim and shots will feel natural and relaxed and also help you reaquire your target for follow up shots more easily.

**Loves2Shoot** · 11-02-2007, 12:17 PM

http://www.handgunsmag.com/tactics_t...ombatg_100306/

I grip the heck out of it with the left and the right just a bit.

dobbsjv · 11-02-2007, 01:37 PM

Just try different grips. If it works for you and you can hit what you want to hit but looks bad, it doesn't matter because it works. My grip isn't perfect but it works for me, as far as the grip, I usually grip the gun until my hand starts to shake then back off just a little until my hand doesn't shake.

11-02-2007, 08:40 AM	#1
scalce XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,415	Grip Question - Not a Repeat I Swear I have been struggling with a grip issue ever since I got my XD late last year. I have an issue where I cannot comfortably get the web of my strong hand without slightly having the gun walk right when I relaxe my grip. The other negative affect of my grip was that my support hand would dig into my strong hand fingertips and occassionaly slip or not have enough contact with the grip. I was at the range yesterday and had an epiphany. If I back off the fingertips of my strong hand so they do not wrap as far around the grip as possible, it does two things. 1. My hand is not tense and I can get the gun more into the web of my hand since I have more room. 2. My finger tips do not interfere with my support hand when using the thumbs forward grip. Is this common knowledge and I am just slow to the party or is this one of those things that an individual just kinds of plays with? Now realize I am not just shifting my hand to the right but I am also allowing some relaxation in my hand by using more of my strong hand fingertips to apply pressure rather then the second knuckle if that makes any sense. Maybe I am just a dumbass who thought that the strong hand needed to grip as far around the grip as possible.

11-02-2007, 12:17 PM	#6
Loves2Shoot XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bend, OR Posts: 2,611	http://www.handgunsmag.com/tactics_t...ombatg_100306/ I grip the heck out of it with the left and the right just a bit. __________________ www.SpringerPrecision.com The XD Specialists - Our web store is now online!

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11-02-2007, 10:42 AM	#2
FATSEXY XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 651	Granted, I'm no shootin' expert, but I always kinda keep a tight grip when shooting. Relaxing your grip? Explain that to me. I'm not saying that snarky-like, I'm saying, am I supposed to relax my grip? I'm an average to fair shot, maybe I'm goin' about it all wrong. While there is a "standard" grip that I'm sure others have linked you to (search for "grip" and it'll probably show you some good posts), it really comes down to what works for you as an individual. For instance, if I'm not shooting a 1911/Beretta/Ruger/HK, I usually put my "safety" thumb against the frame, and overlap it with my weak hand thumb. That's kind of an oddball grip, but I just don't see the point in holding a gun with no saftey lever (GLOCK, XD, Sig) the same way as I would one that has a safety lever on the frame. Anyway. Hope things go well for you in finding what works for you.

11-02-2007, 11:28 AM	#4
scalce XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,415	Sorry I know my post was kind of confusing. I guess what I mean is not really a softer grip but less of a strained grip. I think I concentrated so hard on getting a firm grip that my strong hand would be forced slightly left. When I relax alittle or shoot a follow up shot it would go more right. I am now trying to concentrate on putting more front to back pressure with my fingers rather then my whole hand. Picture putting your strong hand out in front of you and gripping with your whole hand. When you relax it alittle it shifts slightly right. If I grip with more of my finger tips and the fat of my hand then my hand stays more neutral. I have had IDPA and IPSC stages where everything clicked and I bet that is why.

11-02-2007, 12:09 PM	#5
samman23 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 162	There seems to be lots of theories about how a gun should be held. I've tried to employ many of them. Some of them has made me shoot worse and some others confirmed that I was shooting correctly. I try to focus on three things now. 1. The gun should fit into the web of your hand between your thumb and index finger. If you have a good firm but relaxed grip, your index finger should almost point at the target. (if you have proper alignment, where you point should be where the sights will be even before you look through the sights). 2. The pad of my finger(not the joint) should be on the trigger(only when I'm ready to fire). This keeps you from pulling the gun left or right when you are squeezing the trigger. 3. I try not to grip too tightly because that will make me shoot low but not loosy goosy either. Think about your breathing also as you are about to fire. If you do all these things, your aim and shots will feel natural and relaxed and also help you reaquire your target for follow up shots more easily.

11-02-2007, 01:37 PM	#7
dobbsjv XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: alabama Posts: 179	Just try different grips. If it works for you and you can hit what you want to hit but looks bad, it doesn't matter because it works. My grip isn't perfect but it works for me, as far as the grip, I usually grip the gun until my hand starts to shake then back off just a little until my hand doesn't shake.