Thumbs forward and other recoil management - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**Pharmakon** · 05-03-2008, 05:19 PM

Okay so I agree that the best way to manage recoil is by shooting your gun right. I've tried everything including putting the support index finger on the trigger guard and the parallel thumbs forward is the best way. The problem that I seem to be having is my grip hand thumb sometimes interferes with the slide lock on the last round. I've tried floating the thumb a little and burying it beneath the slide lock as well. Neither one really seems natural. I'm not to proud to ask for advice, that's why I'm on here. My groups are tight but my slide locks back inconsistently.

Also, on the ported barrel thing. Is it really worth it? Do they make them where they don't protrude from the barrel of a 4". Does it dirty the gun quicker? Any cons? I would get a guide rod but you see the dilemma in my sig. And I don't want to put a light on my gun.

Thank you as always.

jeepinbanditrider · 05-03-2008, 05:32 PM

I've got the same problem when using the thumbs forward grip on my XD. The G17 is no problem my thumb is right behind the slide lock there but on the XD it sits right on top of the slide lock lever. I too have yet to find a comfortable spot to put my thumb that won't hit it.

kidcoltoutlaw · 06-14-2008, 01:08 PM

I hold my right thumb about half way between up and down,maybe a little closer to down than up. Up just enough to miss the slide stop. It works for me,

Thanks,Keith

Barf Bag · 06-14-2008, 01:14 PM

best way i have found to manage recoil starts at my feet. support side foot bearing about 60% of weight, strong side foot slightly more than shoulder's width away, toe in line with heel of support side (maybe a little farther back) toe "dug in"

I also tried weaver and isocolese with the arms, weaver worked best for me with the support side elbow tucked in a little.

high hand "crush" grip

give it a shot, i never though little things like that would help me manage recoil, i tried them at the request of my ccw class instructor and was pleasantly suprised

CommieHunter · 06-14-2008, 08:24 PM

I read an article (Link from springerprecision website) and it was by a top shooter who developed the thumbs forward grip.

He said that it isn't about controlling recoil. The gun should recoil naturally (you should hold it firmly, but don't push it). He said the main point is to bring it back onto target naturally. i.e., the gun kicks up, but you bring it down quckly and it's right back on target.

Amount of recoil is not important. How quickly you get it back on is.

Or so I gathered.

rickett · 06-14-2008, 08:35 PM

I like the weaver stance, with support side foot slightly foreward, bearing most of your weight. Push/pull with your hands (push with grip hand, pull with support hand) keeps a good solid stance. Works for me anyway.

WyoXD · 06-15-2008, 07:20 AM

I cant my support hand to the point where my grip hand thumb hits between the bottom two joints on my support thumb; then I rest my grip hand thumb on my support hand not the gun.

kidcoltoutlaw · 06-15-2008, 10:19 AM

Was on the Springfield page about the XD (M) with Rob L shooting it. There are 6 or 7 short video clips there worth watching. I think it is under downloads. He said most people don't hold the gun tight enough, That includes me or did. Now that I'm using a tighter grip I'm shooting faster without giving up accuracy,

Thanks,Keith

slugger6 · 06-15-2008, 10:22 AM

I use the "Farnam Method", i,e, both thumbs up. It works especially well when shooting strong hand or weak hand only.

kidcoltoutlaw · 06-15-2008, 10:38 AM

Would work. From what I have read and tried the main thing is not to let the thumbs put side pressure on the gun,

Thanks,Keith

05-03-2008, 05:19 PM	#1
Pharmakon XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 1,015	Thumbs forward and other recoil management Okay so I agree that the best way to manage recoil is by shooting your gun right. I've tried everything including putting the support index finger on the trigger guard and the parallel thumbs forward is the best way. The problem that I seem to be having is my grip hand thumb sometimes interferes with the slide lock on the last round. I've tried floating the thumb a little and burying it beneath the slide lock as well. Neither one really seems natural. I'm not to proud to ask for advice, that's why I'm on here. My groups are tight but my slide locks back inconsistently. Also, on the ported barrel thing. Is it really worth it? Do they make them where they don't protrude from the barrel of a 4". Does it dirty the gun quicker? Any cons? I would get a guide rod but you see the dilemma in my sig. And I don't want to put a light on my gun. Thank you as always. __________________ Fire the Government: Vote Libertarian

05-03-2008, 05:32 PM	#2
jeepinbanditrider XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mineral Wells, Tx Posts: 4,389	I've got the same problem when using the thumbs forward grip on my XD. The G17 is no problem my thumb is right behind the slide lock there but on the XD it sits right on top of the slide lock lever. I too have yet to find a comfortable spot to put my thumb that won't hit it. __________________ Stuff USPSA-A59201

06-14-2008, 01:08 PM	#3
kidcoltoutlaw XDTalk Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: va Posts: 46	Try this I hold my right thumb about half way between up and down,maybe a little closer to down than up. Up just enough to miss the slide stop. It works for me, Thanks,Keith __________________ It's not just a gun it's the symbol of freedom .

06-14-2008, 08:35 PM	#6
rickett XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 461	I like the weaver stance, with support side foot slightly foreward, bearing most of your weight. Push/pull with your hands (push with grip hand, pull with support hand) keeps a good solid stance. Works for me anyway. __________________ XD-45 service with Trijicon night sights GP-100 6" stainless .357Mag. Heritage Rough Rider 4 3/4" 22LR/22Mag. Savage 99 EG .300 Savage "At long last I have discovered that most shooters are not interested in firearms as tools, but rather as toys. Such people do not acquire their weapons because of what they will do, but rather to gratify the "Christmas morning joy" that we largely left behind in our childhood." -Jeff Cooper

06-15-2008, 07:20 AM	#7
WyoXD XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Laramie, Wy Posts: 212	I cant my support hand to the point where my grip hand thumb hits between the bottom two joints on my support thumb; then I rest my grip hand thumb on my support hand not the gun. __________________ XD 9 Service T/C Encore Pistol--.308 & .223 Remington 700 VSSF .22-250 Rock River Arms AR15 Mossberg 835 12 GA. Taurus 689 .357 Mag Colt Frontier Scout .22lr Ruger 10/22 Ruger 22/45 (mark 2)

06-14-2008, 01:14 PM	#4
Barf Bag XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Montrose, Colorado Posts: 6	best way i have found to manage recoil starts at my feet. support side foot bearing about 60% of weight, strong side foot slightly more than shoulder's width away, toe in line with heel of support side (maybe a little farther back) toe "dug in" I also tried weaver and isocolese with the arms, weaver worked best for me with the support side elbow tucked in a little. high hand "crush" grip give it a shot, i never though little things like that would help me manage recoil, i tried them at the request of my ccw class instructor and was pleasantly suprised

06-14-2008, 08:24 PM	#5
CommieHunter XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 143	I read an article (Link from springerprecision website) and it was by a top shooter who developed the thumbs forward grip. He said that it isn't about controlling recoil. The gun should recoil naturally (you should hold it firmly, but don't push it). He said the main point is to bring it back onto target naturally. i.e., the gun kicks up, but you bring it down quckly and it's right back on target. Amount of recoil is not important. How quickly you get it back on is. Or so I gathered.

06-15-2008, 10:19 AM	#8
kidcoltoutlaw XDTalk Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: va Posts: 46	Best thing I seen Was on the Springfield page about the XD (M) with Rob L shooting it. There are 6 or 7 short video clips there worth watching. I think it is under downloads. He said most people don't hold the gun tight enough, That includes me or did. Now that I'm using a tighter grip I'm shooting faster without giving up accuracy, Thanks,Keith __________________ It's not just a gun it's the symbol of freedom .

06-15-2008, 10:22 AM	#9
slugger6 XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 17,886	I use the "Farnam Method", i,e, both thumbs up. It works especially well when shooting strong hand or weak hand only. __________________ "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us". - Ralph Waldo Emerson

06-15-2008, 10:38 AM	#10
kidcoltoutlaw XDTalk Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: va Posts: 46	I can see how it Would work. From what I have read and tried the main thing is not to let the thumbs put side pressure on the gun, Thanks,Keith __________________ It's not just a gun it's the symbol of freedom .

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