I would like to see a picture too. I use the grip Cohland recommends, it would be interesting to see what is different with your method.

 

It sounds like the thumb over grip used in revolver shooting but obviously we'll wait for the poster to reply, hopefully with a picture or two. If it is indeed the revolver thumb over grip, this is not the way to shoot a semi-auto efficiently "FOR MOST PEOPLE". There is always that caveat since the best way to shoot is the way you train.That might not make it the RIGHT way to shoot but for a specific person, it may be the BEST way for them.

 

I enjoyed your detailed write-up Chris. Sometimes it takes more than one or two sentences to deliver a complete message.

 

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback!

Chris

 

You're welcome, sir.

 

I am not going to win any friends saying this but this is an accident waiting to happen; finger across the trigger guard. The natural way we grip, your finger can and will enter the trigger area in a stressful situation and cause an ND/AD

What works better is keeping your finger higher up on the slide when presenting your gun. There is less chance for an accident. on top of that the index finger is a natural pointer and in a pinch your shots will be more consistent

 

I am not going to win any friends saying this but this is an accident waiting to happen; finger across the trigger guard. The natural way we grip, your finger can and will enter the trigger area in a stressful situation and cause an ND/AD

What works better is keeping your finger higher up on the slide when presenting your gun. There is less chance for an accident. on top of that the index finger is a natural pointer and in a pinch your shots will be more consistent
View attachment 3472

Yep, I should actually modify the photos, at our gun club we teach that the trigger finger should be up on the slide or frame. I didn't make a point of that in the post, and it bears clarification. Thanks for pointing it out.

Chris

 

Perhaps understanding your credentials would help everyone understand why you oppose the teaching method widely accepted. We can all learn new ways especially when they deviate from the norm. And no you aren't making any enemies that isn't how this forum works. I can only speak for myself but I have worked years to have the certifications I hold and every year attend continuing education to keep them up to date.

 

don't take my word for it...here are some others

 

I don't have a certs but I do have 40+ years of shooting but like I said don't take my word for it but here is another

 

even the type of holster is important, this type of holster when drawing puts you finger in/ over the trigger guard when drawing.

 

Sir: I learn from you to so please don't get me wrong. I learn a lot from others and I have been corrected as to the proper way to draw a gun. I read from others and articles that the natural grabbing action of the hand can and will hit the trigger. for this very reason I oppose pocket carry (I will catch it on this one too) because the natural grabbing motion of the gun if it gets hung up when drawing will guild your finger to the trigger thus causing a ND/AD

this probably don't hold much weight but I taught over a 100 people to shoot including my kids as young as 5 and our boy scout troop, One of the beauties of belonging to a private club at one time

 

Guru;

No offense taken, I'm with you! I'm in the process of correcting the photos and updating the post, and when it's done I'll post a reminder. I completely overlooked what you pointed out, and I'm grateful that you did point it out. Corrections Cheerfully in Process!

Chris

 

UPDATE: Photos have been changed to show correct placement of trigger finger when not prepared to fire, up on the frame or slide where it cannot cause a negligent or accidental discharge. The text of the post was also updated to reflect the changes. Thanks to barstoolguru for pointing out the problem with the old photos.

Chris

 

barstool, just looked at your post #50. Believe it or not, the basic handgun safety course I put my daughter through of which I too attended (more to show support to her ) they actually taught the manner in which is shown in the first picture. Went round in circles with the instructor, away from the rest of the class of course. Finally told me daughter to just follow what he is saying to complete the course so you can apply for your concealed. After the course was complete I spke with her and explained why "Dad was pressing an issue".
Pretty much, most instructors now days just tell the students to keep your finger off the trigger, point it straight ahead until ready to fire.

As I pointed out before, this forum has been the best thing to happen to me. The personalities are fantastic, the professionalism and respect is un-matched by any other forum online or elsewhere. We don't always have to agree with each other, heck, would be boring yah know? As a former Lt with the fire department I respect there is more than one way to do something.
Take care everyone.

 

Mr cohland is a blessing to many, to want to teach others is what makes us as shooters a rear breed. When I was younger and first started shooting I went to a public range and the help was null. Everyone was in their own little world and people where afraid to help or didn't care then I went to a private range and wow what a difference in people. The flow of ideas where amazing. One guy (he must have been 70) brought a whole reloading bench in the back of his truck so he could work up loads for his guns. He was a great man with mountains of experience and did I listen so now it’s time for me to pass it forward as mr cohland does

 

Great response, nothing like a written explanation and pictures then there is no second guessing Thanks

 

barstool, something you wrote brought to mind an incident at a range I used to shoot at with my daughter in Virgininia. This was an outdoor range, with the moto "buy here, shoot here. buy there shoot there" so range time was free so long as targets and ammo were purchased through them.
There was a guy there that would "offer advice" to other shooters but before hand would give a speach of how good he was and competitions he won. No big deal, he was showing some endorsement of his skills I thought. He offered my daughter some sugestions which was all good. When I turned my back I heard "here's my card, I teach shooting and will keep helping if you sign up for my classes". WTF!? I told her to step away from him and not to talk with him again. Went inside, told the range people what was going on for which they were not pleased. A guy using their range for marketing was frowned up on and just his whole approach totally burned my bottom. I told my daughter what the deal was, met ith the range owner and the guy. The guy tried denying, the range owner leaned down, picked up some crumped business cards of the guy ans said "explain this then."

Helping another shooter is awsome, good sportsmanship but to try and profit like he did was not. There are sharks everywhere, we just need to keep them from biting the unknowing.

 

Really great post.

 

Chris, your third picture shows the thumbs below the slide, to my way of thinking this is where they should be, but your last shot shows the thumbs along side of the slide, won't this increase the chance of slide burn?

 

Gary,

I see your point, that's a good observation and question. The view from the side could make you think that the thumbs contact the slide, but they really don't. The right thumb for a right-handed Glock shooter must not touch the slide stop lever while you are shooting (see photo below) or one of two malfunctions will occur: either the slide will lock back when you don't want it to if you push the slide stop lever up (between shots) or it will fail to lock back when it should, on an empty magazine condition, if you push it down. To prevent either from happening, Glock has molded a ridge on the frame beneath the slide stop lever, and beneath that is where your thumb should rest. If your right thumb is in position below that ridge it is not going to touch the slide, and the left thumb is normally below the right thumb or off to the left, away from the slide.

Since I help teach pistol shooting at my gun club, I get to see quite a few students getting used to Glocks because of their popularity (the guns, not the students). Touching the slide stop lever is quickly identified and cured, usually. We work so hard on establishing a proper grip that we make sure the students are not trying to grip the gun with their thumbs, and I guess that explains why I've not seen an example of slide burn on a Glock. Not saying that it couldn't happen, just that we don't see it and I think it's because of the way we teach the grip.

Has this reply answered your question?

Chris

 

Yep, sure did. I didn't think you were recommending anything wrong, just looked that way in the picture. The view from the top shows clearly that the thumb is below the slide stop. Thanks for the reply, and I really was not trying to be a wise guy.

 

Gary,

I never thought you were being a wise guy, that was a reasonable question. The next time I revise the training material I need to make more of a point about the position of the thumbs, so thanks for the comment. Every little bit helps!

Chris

 

This is an awesome thread! Used all of the tips here last week at the range last week, and my accuracy improved dramatically!!! This is with the Glock 27.

 

Excellent post on the Grip. I'd like to know the best way to keep a firm wrist, to avoid limp Wristing without the tremors?

"Life isn't what is supposed to be, it's what it is and the way you cope with it! Is what makes the difference"

 

A correct grip should solve limp-wristing, at least it helps a great deal.

Chris

 

Hey Chris, I wanted to tell ya', yesterday at the range I made a point of remembering the pics you posted along with the description, as I was practicing with the 10mm for it's first time out.
First, I shot my way, finger on the front of the guard, my first 2, slow, steady, shots were good at 7 yards (9 and an X).
Then as I started to practice my draw, and increase my speed, the accuracy declined even out to the 4 and 5 rings.
I switched to the grip you posted, along with slowing down again, and actually thought "set finger under guard" in my head. This time as I was increasing my speed I included "front sight" immediately after my first thought, and low and behold, my groups stayed tight. All within the 8, 9, and "X" rings..!
THANX..! I really appreciate your sharing the knowledge..!

JB
"..If you lock your left (weak hand) wrist down, and put tension on it, it makes limp wristing almost impossible and keeps the gun flatter for follow-up shots..."

JB I was very nervous about firing the 10mm at first due to some stories I'd heard about full load recoil, You are EXACTLY correct..! Locking down my left wrist kept my 20 really flat actually..! It wasn't even as bad as I thought it would be. I was shooting Hornady 155 XTP's with a muzzle of 1265. I'd really dig getting my hands on some doubletap full power loads though..!

 

I'd really dig getting my hands on some doubletap full power loads though..!

Take a peek at Underwood, Kevin makes a very hot round, velocities ALWAYS meet or exceed what is noted on the box. Doubletap, I've been disappointed of late, maybe 1 of 10 rounds deliver the quoted velocity.

http://www.underwoodammo.com/10mmauto.aspx

 

Glad it helped you out... Grip is very important when shooting Glocks... especially for follow-up shots...

 

Best advice on proper grip is to shoot with a master USPSA shooter and learn or watch the Jerry Bernhart video series. Matt Burkett is ok also.

 

Ooops that is Jerry Barnhart. Sorry all. Fat fingered it. sorry

 

i'm a new member and was just hopping around the site,,,this is an excellent article on the grip,,i've been using the first joint of my trigger finger,,i will use the pad in the future,,