I have read many posts asking "How to select a handgun" or "How can I tell if the handgun fits my grip?"
This is an excerpt from the Basic Firearms Classes I give concerning the issue of Proper Fit In Selecting A Handgun."
Fit
A gun has to fit your your physique or you will spend a lot of time trying to adapt to it. There is nothing you can't adapt to and learn to shoot well with practice, but it is far better if the firearm fits from the start it'll be quicker for you to learn to shoot properly and accurately.
Things To Consider :
Grip
When you hold the firearm does your hand wrap completely around the butt of the firearm? Is the butt so short that your little finger goes beneath it with nothing to rest on? When you pick up the firearm, the backstrap fits into the web of your hand between between your thumb and forefinger? If it fits properly your thumb will slightly overlap your other fingers: the trigger will hit your forefinger on the first pad or at about the first joint. If it is too big you will have to stretch to reach the trigger, magazine release, slide release. If it is too small you will have a lot of finger left everywhere, the firearm will be hard to hold onto when it recoils. Revolvers typically have smaller grips than auto loaders because the auto loaders must be large enough for the magazine to fit into the butt of the firearm.
Controls
Make sure you can reach all of the controls. This is especially important if you are left handed. Many modern firearms have ambidexterous controls so that most can be accessed by left handed shooters, but some do not. **A noticeable exception to the rule is the Beretta. All Berettas come with the magazine release set for the right hand shooter, but most can be easily swapped to the opposite side to accomodate the left handed shooter.** You should be able to reach the safety, magazine release, slide release and/or cylinder release without having to move or rotate the firearm in your hand. The less you have to change the grip to operate the controls, the better off you'll be.
The above is a basic overview concerning how a firearm should fit in your hand. I've already stated that anyone can learn to adapt to the fit but it's to your advantage if firearm is comfortable in your grip to begin with. It will undoubtedly save time and frustration in trying to control the fiream and to shoot properly. I have other information concerning proper sight alignment, etc., but I feel the proper fit is key to learning to shoot properly and controling your firearm. If anyone would like the additional info please send a PM and I'll send it to you or post an addendum to this initial post.
This is an excerpt from the Basic Firearms Classes I give concerning the issue of Proper Fit In Selecting A Handgun."
Fit
A gun has to fit your your physique or you will spend a lot of time trying to adapt to it. There is nothing you can't adapt to and learn to shoot well with practice, but it is far better if the firearm fits from the start it'll be quicker for you to learn to shoot properly and accurately.
Things To Consider :
Grip
When you hold the firearm does your hand wrap completely around the butt of the firearm? Is the butt so short that your little finger goes beneath it with nothing to rest on? When you pick up the firearm, the backstrap fits into the web of your hand between between your thumb and forefinger? If it fits properly your thumb will slightly overlap your other fingers: the trigger will hit your forefinger on the first pad or at about the first joint. If it is too big you will have to stretch to reach the trigger, magazine release, slide release. If it is too small you will have a lot of finger left everywhere, the firearm will be hard to hold onto when it recoils. Revolvers typically have smaller grips than auto loaders because the auto loaders must be large enough for the magazine to fit into the butt of the firearm.
Controls
Make sure you can reach all of the controls. This is especially important if you are left handed. Many modern firearms have ambidexterous controls so that most can be accessed by left handed shooters, but some do not. **A noticeable exception to the rule is the Beretta. All Berettas come with the magazine release set for the right hand shooter, but most can be easily swapped to the opposite side to accomodate the left handed shooter.** You should be able to reach the safety, magazine release, slide release and/or cylinder release without having to move or rotate the firearm in your hand. The less you have to change the grip to operate the controls, the better off you'll be.
The above is a basic overview concerning how a firearm should fit in your hand. I've already stated that anyone can learn to adapt to the fit but it's to your advantage if firearm is comfortable in your grip to begin with. It will undoubtedly save time and frustration in trying to control the fiream and to shoot properly. I have other information concerning proper sight alignment, etc., but I feel the proper fit is key to learning to shoot properly and controling your firearm. If anyone would like the additional info please send a PM and I'll send it to you or post an addendum to this initial post.
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