Grip for short fat fingers

[Pitt Bull]

I'm new to the forum so bear with me. I don't compete in any type of matches. I just want to become faster at shooting my 1911 single stack. I have learned a great deal so far from just reading everybody else's posts. I have a question on grip. I just have a hard time gripping my gun correctly. I have medium to small thick hands. My fingers are short. At this time I try to grip the pistol with my strong hand about like I would grip a hammer. I grab the pistol as high as possible. My strong hand thumb rides the the trigger safety. With my weak hand I basically overlap my strong hand and point my thumb down range. I feel like the gun twists in my hand from side to side. How do I stop this? Shoud I try taking my strong hand thumb off the safety and placing it under my weak thumb? Or should I try angling my weak hand at a 45 degree angle and try to squeeze from side to side? I've read that you apply pressure like a C Clamp. Where do you apply this pressure under the trigger guard or at the back of the gun where your hands meet. Any suggestions. Sorry for my post being so long. Thanks for all the information I have learned already.

[Pierruiggi]

I'm one of the "small dogs" here, but anyways I'll give you my opinion.

No, you should not put your strong hand thumb under anything. The gripping hand thumb is the highest part of the grip. I personally don't place it over the safety since I have a tendency to touch the slide if I do. I put it over my weak hand thumb, or perhaps its more accurate to say base of the thumb.

Yes, you should not only point your weak hand thumb towards the target, but also "cant" or "rotate" your wrist in such a way that if you extend your fingers, they would be pointing at a more or less 45 degree angle in relation to the gun's barrel.

The weak hand should be applying pressure from the sides, I apply it with my fingers, using the wrist flexors to achieve it and choose not to use the "thumb muscle" to apply pressure to the grip, since it throws off my NPA. Your thumb shouldn't be applying any type of pressure to the frame either, as a matter of fact, I keep it from touching the gun at all.

You should also keep in mind that not only the grip itself changes the way the gun behaves, but also the tension/stiffness in your arms and shoulders, and your general stance.

As for your hand type/size problem, I can't help you because I'm the opposite, I have big hands with long fingers. However, I advice you to try a short trigger and slim grips and see what difference that makes in your shooting.

Also, you should DEFINETELY read Matt Burkett's tip on grip and stance.

His website, which I also recommend you to check out is this http://www.mattburkett.com

EDIT: Sorry, I forgot, Welcome to the Forums.

[rhino]

On a related note, slim grip panels and a short trigger are of great value to those of us with short, stubby fingers.

[BigDave]

On a related note, slim grip panels and a short trigger are of great value to those of us with short, stubby fingers.

Rhino is Da King when it comes to decking out a 1911 for short fingers. A short trigger and thin grips are definately the way to go.

If you do any kind of a search on grip here, you'll find a mountain of reading material. I might also suggest our host's book, Practial Shooting: Beyond Fundamentals for excellent coverage of the subject.

No matter what you do, your ultimate goal should be to be able to return the gun to the same spot, every time, as quickly as possible. Do only as much as it takes to ensure this.

[Pitt Bull]

Thanks for responding. I haven't got a chance to get thin grips yet, but my pistol already has a short trigger. I've read Matt Burketts tips on stance and grip. I'm going to the range in the morning. I'll try pressure from side to side with the weak hand. I'll let you know how things go. Thanks again for responding.

p.s. Do you feel that Mr. Enos's book could help sombody who doesn't have much knowledge in the basics of speed shooting?

[Pierruiggi]

Sadly I haven't read it yet, but if Brian Enos' words in this forum and the forums themselves are a reference; then YES, it will be helpful for a novice shooter. However you'll understand most of what it says as you evolve into a better shooter.

[BSeevers]

First the 1911 was developed for an average man in 1911. People were smaller then so that's good. That's why people now put long triggers on their 1911's. The average Joe is bigger now.

Its a complete package to shoot well, Grip, Trigger Control, Sight Picture and I think you need to work on Stance too, since you mentioned recoil problems.

Grip is also involved with recoil control and is in my opinion critical in your development to get faster and more accurate. More pressure on grips not under the triggerguard. Its a "complete" grip that's important. Have a good shooter show you or study some pics. They all for lack of better words, completely grip the gun. I could show you in 5 sec but hard to put in words.

I would buy the book today. It helps Novice and World Class shooters. It also does a good job of putting this in words.

PS Search back posts for a lot more info.

[Pitt Bull]

I borrowed my friends set of thin grips Sunday and went shooting. The thin grips seemed to let the gun twist in my hand more. I changed grips and then really concetrated on the grip of my left hand. The gun still twisted in my hand but my front sight seemed to track better and get back on target faster. Do you think grip tape on my grips could improve my control?

[kevin c]

I think that grip tape will make your hold on the gun more "positive", in the sense that wherever you touch the grip taped stocks with whatever part of your hand, the areas of contact will tend to stay together (not slip in recoil). Though the gun may still jump/twist, the tape will allow you to use less grip pressure to control the gun.

The grip tape won't really correct an "improper grip", though, one that, for that shooter, isn't ideal for reducing the movement of the gun in the hand during recoil. I've been told that it's best to find the best grip without needing the tape, then use the tape afterwards to make that grip work for you even better (ie, less grip pressure for the same amount of control).

Did anyone catch the little article in the last issue of American Handgunner about Jerry Miculek's advice on (revolver) grips? His basic point was that a small thin hand (say, that of a woman) may have the same reach on a gun, in terms of reach to the trigger and around the stocks themselves, as a person with big meaty paws. He says the thickness of the hand is as important here as the actual length of a person's fingers or the breadth of the palm.

Now, truly short and chubby hands are really facing a challenge when it comes to reach on a pistol of any kind.

[BigDave]

p.s. Do you feel that Mr. Enos's book could help sombody who doesn't have much knowledge in the basics of speed shooting?

Yes.

[Pitt Bull]

I'm trying to determine the correct way for me to grip the pistol. My hands are pretty thick. The rear of the guns grip seems to shift to the left during recoil. Therfore I'm going to concentrate on the rear of the grip where my hands met. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can determine my optimal grip/position.

[Pitt Bull]

Saturday I went to the range and messed around with different kinds of grip. After about 2 hours I finally found the right one. Now my sight tracks much easier and there is no shift in my hands. Thanks for all your help.

p.s. I just ordered Practical Shooting. Can't wait to get it.