JoeSoop Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 Hey All - new to the forum so I apologize if there is a thread on this already. I recently had a custom 2011 built for me to shoot Open in USPSA. It’s a middy (4.5” barrel), steel grip and chambered in 9mm. Beautiful gun. One thing I am trying to adjust to is having to modify my grip slightly from the plastic 9mm minor guns I have been shooting for the past few years. I always got as high up the slide with my support hand as possible with the plastic guns, but on the 2011 it seems getting high up gets you into trouble with things like extended mag release button, scope mount, thumbrest, etc. Any tips to more easily transition to an open gun friendly grip. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 Lots of dry fire. Congratulations on the new gun - sounds great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lacivilian Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 If your steel grip has more of an aggressive texture you can move more of your palm closer to the backstrap and try to really get “behind the gun.” Has worked very well for me and I don’t think I’d go back to a more “traditional” style grip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furrly Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 Dryfire until you find your proper grip, then dryfire some more.. Every day.! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeBurgess Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 Loose the button and the thumb rest, you have been shooting without them for years as you said, and neither are necessary or for many people even helpful, so why add them? remember just because you can bolt something to your gun doesn't mean you should, the whole point of Open is not to conform to the gun but to be able to make the gun conform to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rishii Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 2 hours ago, MikeBurgess said: Loose the button and the thumb rest, you have been shooting without them for years as you said, and neither are necessary or for many people even helpful, so why add them? remember just because you can bolt something to your gun doesn't mean you should, the whole point of Open is not to conform to the gun but to be able to make the gun conform to you. Agreed plus a ton of dry fire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeSoop Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share Posted August 5, 2019 3 hours ago, MikeBurgess said: Loose the button and the thumb rest, you have been shooting without them for years as you said, and neither are necessary or for many people even helpful, so why add them? remember just because you can bolt something to your gun doesn't mean you should, the whole point of Open is not to conform to the gun but to be able to make the gun conform to you. Good point! I purposely got a screw on thumb rest in case I wanted to easy remove it. Might try that. The button I have is fairly small (not oversized), but I could remove it and just use the open circle. Thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeSoop Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share Posted August 5, 2019 57 minutes ago, rishii said: Agreed plus a ton of dry fire totally agree with the dry fire...working on it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeSoop Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share Posted August 5, 2019 5 hours ago, Furrly said: Dryfire until you find your proper grip, then dryfire some more.. Every day.! What is that line...professionals don’t practice until they get it right...they practice until they can’t get it wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeSoop Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share Posted August 5, 2019 5 hours ago, lacivilian said: If your steel grip has more of an aggressive texture you can move more of your palm closer to the backstrap and try to really get “behind the gun.” Has worked very well for me and I don’t think I’d go back to a more “traditional” style grip. Interesting perspective. I have a very aggressive metal grip so that’s no issue. And it does seem like most open guns are constructed to promote yours hands more behind that gun versus up the slide like lighter guns. Thx! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeSoop Posted August 5, 2019 Author Share Posted August 5, 2019 6 hours ago, Hi-Power Jack said: Lots of dry fire. Congratulations on the new gun - sounds great. Thanks Jack! Working on it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 Joe, did you just get six (6) "posts" out of that one discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lacivilian Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 1 hour ago, JoeSoop said: Interesting perspective. I have a very aggressive metal grip so that’s no issue. And it does seem like most open guns are constructed to promote yours hands more behind that gun versus up the slide like lighter guns. Thx! The key to shooting points fast is for the gun to return to zero. Shooting a steel gripped open gun I really want to feel like I’m “behind” the gun. It just feels much easier to return the gun to the POA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeBurgess Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 1 hour ago, JoeSoop said: Good point! I purposely got a screw on thumb rest in case I wanted to easy remove it. Might try that. The button I have is fairly small (not oversized), but I could remove it and just use the open circle. Thx if you look around you will be surprised how many guns you see with the button removed and just a tapped release Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
36873687 Posted August 5, 2019 Share Posted August 5, 2019 Shield safety’s helped me stay high Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelson1each Posted August 6, 2019 Share Posted August 6, 2019 I just recently switched to shielded safety’s also. Helped out a bit for me too but I still need to keep working the draw in dry fire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theWacoKid Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Move all the junk around until it works. The size and location of all the stuff on my gun is odd but works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeSoop Posted August 8, 2019 Author Share Posted August 8, 2019 17 hours ago, theWacoKid said: Move all the junk around until it works. The size and location of all the stuff on my gun is odd but works for me. That makes sense theWacoKid. I am just starting to get comfortable with the new platform. Dry firing a ton...getting there. Thanks for your input! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeSoop Posted August 9, 2019 Author Share Posted August 9, 2019 On 8/5/2019 at 3:43 PM, MikeBurgess said: if you look around you will be surprised how many guns you see with the button removed and just a tapped release Eyes open now. Thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeSoop Posted August 9, 2019 Author Share Posted August 9, 2019 On 8/5/2019 at 3:37 PM, lacivilian said: The key to shooting points fast is for the gun to return to zero. Shooting a steel gripped open gun I really want to feel like I’m “behind” the gun. It just feels much easier to return the gun to the POA. After running her a few more times this past week I agree. Working on that grip change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lacivilian Posted August 9, 2019 Share Posted August 9, 2019 16 hours ago, JoeSoop said: After running her a few more times this past week I agree. Working on that grip change. Good to hear. Hope it works for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posvar Posted August 10, 2019 Share Posted August 10, 2019 Keep it up. Dry fire is imperative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeSoop Posted August 11, 2019 Author Share Posted August 11, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now