Safe REVOLVER Hand Grasp

[scooter123]

I shoot ALL of my handguns with a thumb forward grip, revolver and semi. Even with the model 36 I just picked up my left thumb tip only extends to the middle of the cylinder. Note, my thumbs forward grip has the heels of both hands in intimate contact. Note, my hands have a span of 9 inches from thumb to little finger, so they are not small. Obviously I fall in the camp of those who have no issues with using a thumbs forward grip with a revolver. As for the rest, you really should test to see if your thumb would fall into the "danger zone" because you just may find that your thumb is also completely safe.

BTW the reason why I use a consistent grip with all of my handguns is quite simple. On one memorable range trip I saw first hand what happens when someone uses a Crossed Thumb grip with a Semi Auto and it ain't pretty. Yeah, pretty dumb of that shooter. However we shooters do our best to train ourselves so that every aspect of shooting is "automatic". Take someone who has mainly trained with a revolver and you have someone who is a prime candidate for making this mistake.

 

[DrDoctor]

Breakaway500 – Great advice!!! Thx.

Grinner – Interesting insight. Thx.

RoyM52 – "Modified tea-cup" grasp, I like that term. As for the left thumb in proximity to the hammer – I never gave that any tho't, but you're right, and that opens other possibilities. Thx.

Groo01 – Agreed. It reinforces the logic of using a consistent grasp, as one may not have a choice in handgun selection, especially in a critical situation. Thx.

Amazingflapjack – yep, and I know of a colleague who dealt with such a traumatic amputation in the ER. To paraphrase his feedback, he had no idea that a handgun could be that dangerous, causing such catastrophic injury and damage, to the user of the gun.

Kthom – I hadn't tho't about the potential of, nor the degree of the potential, injury resultant to careless gun grasp on a .357. I'm not sure it would result in a traumatic amputation of the offending digit, but I'm sure it'd present an injury that would certainly instill the desire within the shooter to not make that same mistake twice.
I'm also contending with the tri-focal issue. I've had several people suggest the tritium front sight, but have also been told, by many of those same people, that the tritium can be abit fragile, especially with something like the 460V. And, if the gun's dropped, that's likely to result in permanent damage to the tritium sight. A couple of those same people suggested fluorescent paint on the front sight, and another suggested using the radioactive material that was/is used on watch hands and the numerals/markings on the watch face. Both ideas I'm currently exploring. Thx.

Scooter123 – Agreed, consistency of a gun grasp is key to avoiding unnecessary self-injuries. I can see where using a particular grasp on 1 type of handgun, eg: auto-loader, probably wouldn't be the most optimum grasp with a revolver, and vice-versa. I, too, have large hands, but I've never measured the span (altho' I can reach 1½ octave on a piano . . .), so I did today, and my thumb/little-finger span is 10½" . . . hmmmmmm . . . maybe I DO have "monkey hands". Thx.

To everyone who's taken their time to submit positive comments and suggestions, I REALLY do appreciate all of them. They all provide me with insight to, and direction for, proper and safe handgun usage, and a semi-beginner, I think I'm safe in saying "I can use, and will accept, all of the constructive help I can get!!!" Thx.

 

[OttoLoader]

I use a modified one hand grip for revolvers and semis.
What I mean is I hold the pistol or revolver in my shooting hand (right hand for me). My trigger finger is free. The handgun is held by my three fingers on the front strap and meat of the hand and thumb on the backstrap inline with wrist and elbow. I use either more or less trigger finger dependent on what handgun I am shooting.If the hangun is small, j frame boot grip or Glock 26 then I curl my little finger below the grip. No pinky extensions.
My left hand is my support hand and only contact the open area of the grip for a revolver or under the dust cover of the semi.
I use this technique because it lends itself to one hand shots in SD. Also keeps fingers way from the cylinder.
Keeps fingers away from the slide or levers on semi or muzzle if very small semi such as an lcp.
I can grip the gun very secure this way.
Works for any size revolver J K, L, X. I only ashot the 500 mag with compesator. Adjust for small semis or full size.
The reason I do not prefer the thumb forward on a semi is it wastes contact area of thumb. Also wrapping support hand over shooting hand has less anchoring strength for me as compared to modified one hand approach.
Note that a GI 1911 with the small single side safety is ok to have shooting hand thumb below the safety. However extended safety as popular today, I put my thumb over the safety because I have bumped it on recoil sometimes.

 

[snubbyfan]

I recently saw another site wherein a self-proclaimed "expert" recommended holding a revolver the same as one would a semi-auto (ie: "thumbs forward"), given the user's primary weapon's a semi-auto, so as not to become confused in an emergent situation. Three of the prime directives I received from a GMCM while in the Navy were – 1) never point any weapon at anything you wouldn't destroy; 2) never put any of your personal anatomy in front of any weapon (see rule #1); and 3) never put any of your personal anatomy in front of the cylinder of any revolver (lest you not have that anatomical part after discharging said revolver). I guess this aforementioned self-proclaimed "expert" never heard of "traumatic amputations", as he "only gets a sooty finger". His opportunity awaits . . . Opinions/Comments???

My sister told me that nonsense and while it may work for her, I wear XL gloves, have long thumbs and I like shooting J frame snubbies. I showed her how that doesn't work for everybody.

 

[Crh1943]

I use thumbs foward grip unless shooting anything bigger than .357 magnum. My thumb does not extend past b/c gap. This is much more comfortable for me and I have more surface area placing pressure on the grip to absorb & distribute recoil better, plus I have more control over the gun.

This works for ME as i shoot double action only for over 95% of the shots I take. I use single action MAYBE at 25 yards, more often at greater distances. I see no need for single action as i can pull the trigger back just fine and it has enhanced my shooting overall, especially shooting semi-autos.

Anyway, this article and website has a plethora of info. Please read

The Thumbs-Forward Revolver Grasp - RevolverGuy.Com

 

[kthom]

DrDoctor,

I use a dab of flourescent green Testor's model paint on my front sights. I've tried most all kind of sights at one time or another, and while they all worked OK, my paint job works as well for a lot less money. Tip: I put a light coating of white paint in the location I want it on the front sight and let it cure for about 24 hours. Then I apply the green (or the color of your choice) over the white paint. This seems to make the color paint color pop better.

I personally use a sharp toothpick to apply the paint in very small amounts. Too thick is trouble! No gobs! Again, allow to completely dry and set. I have found this method to last a long time without freshening up the paint, and I can see the sights as well and mostly better than any other(except night sights) at any time of day. My experience with night sights wasn't entirely satisfactory. If I used that kind of sight, it would be found only on the front sight with none on the rear. Three dot sights can be confusing in the dark for me. Actually, I use Crimson Trace laser grips on my carry revolvers. Now there's a great night sight! And they fit my hands pretty well, but that's another story.

But I suggest you try the paint on your sights before buying expensive tritium night sights that will eventually (no time soon!) begin to dim and have to be replaced. You might like the paint just fine. If the paint doesn't work, soak it for a bit carefully with laquer thinner and it will clean right off! Good luck. All this is just my suggestion of course, for whatever it might or might not be worth.

 

[DrDoctor]

Snubbyfan – The reason(s) why that self-proclaimed "expert" would put forth the usage of the same grasp for revolvers AND auto-loaders eludes me, and based upon other things he's offered, I don't think I'm even going to figure out why. Another example of: "You just can't fix stupid". Thx.

Kthom – I've read about the paint on the front sight, and putting a base-coat of white on to provide a brighter result for the color top-coat. I've got reservations about the tritium sights concerning the durableness of them, but I'm still gathering info. I've been doing some research lately on luminescence, and the 3 types of luminous paints: radioluminescent, phosphorescent, and fluorescent.
Radioluminescent paints are based on radium-226, which is a radiological hazard, emitting gamma-rays that can penetrate glass, and into human tissue – not good!!! Just look at what happened to the "Radium Girls" in the mid-20's. The half-life of Ra-226's 1,600 years!!! in the mid-20th century, radium began to be replaced with promethium-147. While Pr-147's safer than Ra-226 – the half-life of Pr-147's only 2.62 years, so they aren't very suitable for long-life applications, All of this brings us to tritium, which only has a half-live of 12.3 years, but the radiation's released in beta-rays, rather than the much stronger gamma-rays of radium.
Phosphorescent paints are made from phosphors, such as silver-activated zinc sulfide, , or doped strontium aluminate. The downside of these paints is that they have a sustained glow which lasts up to 12 hours after exposure to light, fading thereafter.
Fluorescent paints glow when exposed to the long-wave UV frequencies, aka "black-light". But, the complex pigments tend to degrade quickly in natural sunlight.
So, I've still got some work cut out before me before I can make my final decision. Thx.

Again, my sincere gratitude to those who've submitted positive/helpful comments/suggestions to me. Thx.

 

[patrol]

Thumbs forward works just as well on revolvers as it does autos, and truly does offer better recoil management and a much increase ability to "drive" the gun at speed.

 

[WR Moore]

DrDoctor, your posts confirm that you need a different instructor.

Thumbs forward on semis may work depending upon your hand size and the location and configuration of the controls of the handguns. You may be able to use the system on some guns/models, not on others as your hands may cause malfunctions.

 

[DrDoctor]

"Safe REVOLVER Hand Grasp"

Continental – Please take note of the title of this topic – your detailed description of the grasp you use on a 1911 semi-automatic isn't really relevant to the topic at hand here.