Holding a Sixgun

Creeker

Creeker

Well-Known Member
I was reading the thread: Handgun GRIP Revolver vs. Autoloader. For years I shot a single action with all 3 fingers on my the grip frame. Only recently I switched using 2 fingers with the little finger curled under the butt. Holding the SA the second way I find the grip can be less tight. When holding the first way my grip must be very tight to prevent the trigger guard from pounding the middle finger.

How do you guys manage this? Here's a couple videos holding the gun each way. Notice the difference in the reaction of the sixgun. The load in the first video uses a one grain heavier powder charge. Both bullets are the same weight for all practical purposes.

3 finger grip.

2 finger grip
 
Cherokee

Cherokee

Medina, Ohio
I have tried the two fingers and little finger under the butt...don't like it. I end up with a smarting little finger. I have always used the 3 finger grip and don't have any problem with smacking the middle finger with normal loads from 30C to 45C, with the exception of the 41 Mag full loads. I don't shoot any of the bigger rounds (454, 475L etc.). I know men that use the two finger hold and are fine with it but they have larger hands than me. Its a stretch for me to put the little finger under the butt, and then it gets stretched even more in the recoil...no thanks. BTW, good shooting.
 
fiver

fiver

Well-Known Member
like Cherokee my little finger takes a beating if I try holding it under the grip.
I can shoot the pi err revolver a little more accurately that way but it ain't worth the effort.
the Ruger medallions tear up the joint of my thumb too.

I have just learned to grip the revolvers with the smaller grips up higher.
even with the 2 handed push/pull grip I use [similar to using a pistol] where I cock the hammer with my left thumb I hold all of the grip.
 
Ian

Ian

Notorious member
Wish I had a pro tip to solve the issue for everyone, but no dice. If I can't get all three fingers wrapped around it I either don't buy it or I make it longer. Choking up high on a Ruger NV or BH in 44 Magnum to get all three on there busts my middle knuckle pretty bad, and the web of my pinky gets mighty sore trying to tuck. Life's too short to shoot guns that aren't enjoyable.
 
Ian

Ian

Notorious member
Dragoonitis. It never bothered me much due to skinny fingers but those that it does, it really really bites them.
 
Creeker

Creeker

Well-Known Member
Ian said:
Life's too short to shoot guns that aren't enjoyable.
Click to expand...

I was about to give up on all but the 357 Blackhawk until I tried the 2 finger hold with my ring finger at the bottom of the grip. As for the little finger it makes no difference if I curl it all the way under or just let it hang there. But for me it took the pain out of this sixgun. Still I've not shot a hard kicker this way but will shortly once I install the 45 Colt cylinder. And we will see how it goes.
 
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RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Your hand shape is the answer. I have short fat fingers, and wide palm, on my hands. If I would try to get three fingers on a SSA frame, only about 1/3 of my third finger would be on the frame. That really hurts if you shoot that way, for me. I'm a 2 on and 1 under guy. NOTE: I sold all of my revolvers with that grip frame! The only single action I have is the new Ruger Blackhawk Bisley. WFIW

UPDATE: Of course, I put no pressure on the sides of the grip. Only front to rear so it may not be relative to others.
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I have slender hands with long, skinny fingers. I am a 2 on, one under guy with Ruger single actions. Even with heavier loads in the 45 Colt I prefer to shoot it that way.
I have never had my knuckles busted by the trigger guard but like I said, I have skinny fingers.

I agree 100% with Ric. It is all based on how your hand fits the grip frame. My hand is vastly different in size and shape from Khornet and we need to grip a handgun differently because of it.
 
fiver

fiver

Well-Known Member
like I said I hold a revolver a bunch different then most others, I truly hold it like a pistol with parallel digits
and operate the hammer with my left hand.
I do it with big grip revolvers like my Dan Wesson's too, and Littlegirl holds them the same.
I have bit my left thumb a time or two when shooting a pistol because I forget to lower it back over the top of the right one.
I think that's why I really like Bisley gripped revolvers and many others don't.
jump ahead to @30 seconds or so, I shoot like her [except for the girl lean-back]

 
oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
I shoot the short grip SAs with LF under the grip. If the grip is long enough, I may inadvertently put all 3 fingers on the grip frame.

A side affect of LF under muscle memory on my SAs - when I shoot my Ruger LCP/(etc) - w/ very short grip - LF under the grip is very natural to me and I find I shoot these better than most.
 
Pistolero

Pistolero

Well-Known Member
My SBH came with Pachmyer grips which fill in behind the trigger guard, so no busted knuckles, no matter what. I avoid the little
finger under the grip, feels wrong before I shoot, and hurts after I shoot.

Bill
 
I

Intheshop

Banned
Nice shooting Creeker,love your videos.

Pretty big "mits" here.I don't think too much about the whole process.Having spent a looong career,still going strong,with my hands in various pro shop,craftsman ways.

Vise like grip,try to do it the same everytime?On SA's,sort of like the flat surface of the backstrap,makes it a good locator.Haven't shot any big kickers in a few years.....mostly DA only revolvers.
 
gman

gman

Well-Known Member
I have tried the little finger under grip but it does not work for me. My preference is for the Bisley grip frame and the SBH frame. Much prefer the Super frame with the round trigger guard that comes on the Hunter model. The square back does not bother me at all when shooting the 357 maximum but the 44's will smack that knuckle if I do not focus hard on grip. Worst one is the silhouette model. I do have a Hunter grip frame waiting to be fitted if I ever find the time. Maybe a few more raps on the knuckle will have me finding the time.
 
fiver

fiver

Well-Known Member
your being modest Creeker.
you shoot those single actions pretty darn good, especially one handed.
 
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Creeker

Creeker

Well-Known Member
fiver said:
your being modest Creeker.
you shoot those single actions pretty darn good, especially one handed.
Click to expand...

Thanks Fiver. Wish I was better with it but its been the hardest of any gun for me. Guess that's why I love shooting it so much.
 
F

freebullet

Guest
Interesting descriptions, nice vids. Only 6gun(a blackhawk) still wears the ugly houge. I can't seem to change it cause it fits my hand with all 3 fingers.
 
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