APOD Firearms

Grip & Stance--Core Pistol Skills

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  • Paul Gomez

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    This first video is my take on structure aka stance. I believe that we have to take into account the natural inclinations of the body and build our defensive/combative skills off of that. Anything else requires additional effort which, effectively, reduces the amount of energy that we have to bring to bare on the problem.


    Thoughts on Stance




    In this clip, I look at Gripping the pistol. I show several common grips to illustrate what we get as far as recoil mitigation.


    Tweaking the Grip
    Capitol Armory ad
     

    Younggun

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    Not sure of the opinions of those who have already paid for formal training, but as a mostly self taught shooter I really appreciate the videos for comparison to my technique and will see how it works.
     

    Paul Gomez

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    When I got started in this whole field, finding good information was difficult. Drawstroke was considered too sensitive to write about in magazine articles! Training videos were almost non-existent and very costly. And there were not many books on the subject. Nowadays, we have much greater access to information, gear and training but the problem can be that all information is viewed as equally valuable. One of the reasons that I believe very strongly in explaining the rationale behind what I teach is to make educated consumers. It is not about 'do it this way' because that's the way we do it.
     

    SIG_Fiend

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    We are very fortunate in that, nowadays, the amount of high quality training and knowledge of this stuff is widely and easily available in any format imagineable.

    One thing I've found is that, over time I have subconsciously moved towards a more agressive support hand grip. A few years ago, my wrist was backed off, lower, etc. and was not quite as agressive. Over time, and really paying attention to the feel of things, I've noticed that I've started locking out my wrist very agressively, which I attribute to subconciously realizing the performance benefits I was gaining from it. After having used this agressive method, I have to say, even a few degrees difference in placement of the hand, wrist, fingers, etc. can make a huge difference in consistency, recoil control, etc.
     

    Younggun

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    I know both of you are generally paid for giving training and advise but I tried this grip and had one problem that you may be able to help me with, It felt comfortable and braught my support arm straiand locked in an Iscocilees type stance which I guess id good because I felt like I had alittle more control although my arms tired alittle faster, the problem I had was that I had trouble keeping the support hand on the gun during recoil, It felt like I would have a more positive grip if I used my support and to ''pull'' the gun against my firing hand but I don't want to start practicing a bad habit. Thanks if you can help, if not I plan on taking some classes before long and get get it figured out then.
     

    Paul Gomez

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    One thing that I've found to help with keeping the Offhand locked onto the gun is to think about applying pressure back and up into the web of the gun hand with the pinkie of the nonshooting hand. It sounds kind of strange but it tends to help. Remember,the offhand is gripping sort of like a C-clamp, applying pressure side-to-side pressure around the butt of the gun. Gun hand pressure is fore and aft. Give that a shot and see if it helps.
     

    Bozz10mm

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    Excellent video on stance and grip. Thank you! I always strive for the thumbs forward and support hand wrist locked downward. It seems to be a very steady grip. Takes a bit of practice to get it right from a holster draw. Muscle memory comes after many daily repetitions.
     

    breakingcontact

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    One thing I've found is that, over time I have subconsciously moved towards a more aggressive support hand grip.

    I get this. I really tried to study up on grip and stance and found myself trying up different stuff each time I was at the range. I was overthinking it too much.

    I'm not denying there is a "best" grip or stance, but I think once a person starts shooting a lot, if you are training and not just burning ammo, you'll change towards what works for you.

    I started off shooting pistols like WW2 GI's and have mostly broke that and moved towards some sort of a modern stance with a thumbs forward grip. Same thing with sight picture, I was geeking out over a millimeter here and there. Last time I shot, I don't really remember my sight picture. I just fired once the gun settled down and it was "good enough" and I did better than when I was over analyzing it.

    Unfortunately I can attest to skills degrading pretty rapidly once you aren't shooting regularly also.

    I will add, you all may be better shooters than me and I am sure I would benefit from professional handgun training classes where they may indeed tell me my stance and grip are all ate up.
     
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    SIG_Fiend

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    I agree. I have the tendency to over-analyze the heck out of stuff, although I think there is definitely some significant value in doing that to a degree. I usually find that, once I've learned the skills, I usually shoot best when I stop trying to think too much about it and just SHOOT the gun. ;)
     

    35Remington

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    I just want to point out that the author of this thread is no longer living. It is worthwhile to take the time to be thankful for every day that we have.

    RIP, Paul.
     

    WCDUB

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    I've not seen anyone mention this idea,so I will. In order to prevent or lessen muzzle rise,
    why not put the index finger of your supporting hand over the front of the trigger guard? I'm
    especially talking about Glocks,
    or any pistol that has a some-what flat front to the trigger guard. I realize that this
    position will not work on a trigger guard with a rounded front.
     
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    Acera

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    I've not seen anyone mention this idea,so I will. In order to prevent or lessen muzzle rise,
    why not put the index finger of your supporting hand over the front of the trigger guard? I'm
    especially talking about Glocks,
    or any pistol that has a some-what flat front to the trigger guard. I realize that this
    position will not work on a trigger guard with a rounded front.


    I think that the finger on the front trigger guard was once thought to be a good idea that has proved to be inefficient and results in overall poor grip due to it forcing the hand out of position in many shooters. Don't know of anybody teaching that method these days. However gun companies think the public wants it, so they keep producing guns with that out there.

    Would be interested in hearing what SIG_Fiend has to say on this.
     
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