Shield 9 Limp Wrist

[hoghunter]

So I've spent my life denying I limp-wrist. But all of these mini-9s or .380s just give me fits. Swore I'd never get another but the Shield 9 has me really tempted. Are there any self admitted limp-wristers out there with experience with the Shield 9? Last think I want is to break my vow and get the Shield only to get FTE, FTF, brass to the face (had to throw that in for the Glock crowd). I saw a YouTube video of some older man sitting at a table shooting the Shield one handed and he looked as if he had no grip at all on the gun and it worked fine. In the comments he said he had wrist surgery or something. His screen name was something like BigDaddy or something like that. Tough for me to admit I limp wrist at 6'5 250 lbs !!!

 

[olds442guy]

Not sure if limp-wristing will cause the gun to function improperly (sorry), but I would recommend trying to stop shooting that way if you can. I used to limp-wrist really badly too, and if I tried to hold my arms and hands tight, I'd flinch. I did this even when shooting a Beretta 92 (9mm, full size handgun). I started shooting .357 and .44 Magnum and it strengthened my hands and arms after some practice. I no longer limp-wrist or flinch even in those calibers, and shooting .45 ACP and anything smaller feels like a pellet gun. Long story short, you might try going with a bigger, harder recoiling cartridge for some practice. It helped me a lot at least.

Just some friendly advice. Good luck and if you get the Shield, I've heard it's an awesome gun!

P.S. I'm 5'8" and 155lbs, so size has little to do with it, all it takes is practice (a good excuse to shoot more often)

 

[gamma72]

+p ammo will cure that or just stiffen your wrist a little.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Get one of those hand squeezy exercise things and strengthen up your arms a little while you watch TV.

It can also depend on your grip. I find the thumbs forward grip to allow the most surface area of the grip to be covered with the hands and be the most stable.

Vid: Amazing Thumbs Forward Grip for Semi-Automatic Handguns - YouTube

 

[hoghunter]

i've tried this grip and my hands/fingers are simply too long on these small pistols. need to try Hickok45s grip where the strong hand thumb is actually under the support hand.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

i've tried this grip and my hands/fingers are simply too long on these small pistols. need to try Hickok45s grip where the strong hand thumb is actually under the support hand.

Watch his videos again, he uses the above method on most of the semi-autos. The grip your referring to is used on revolvers by many.

Just to second guess myself, I just clicked on his DB9 review and he whips around, shoots and it's thumb over thumb with the first mag and second.

I have long fingers as well , but the thumb over thumb is the most stable grip. I just curl my trigger finger out a little more for the small guns.

 

[gnystrom]

As an instructor I actually see this very seldom. It will cause all types of firearm malfunctions and you need to fix it ASAP. Try to push the gun out toward the target with your gun hand while pulling back with your off hand. That should give you a more stable platform. Make sure your gun arm is straight out to provide resistance to the recoil which will make the gun cycle normally.

 

[ET.]

I own a 40 Shield and also have big hands and long fingers. I actually own a Glock 20 and love the way it feels, if that tells you anything...anyway I don't really change anything when I shoot my Shield. It isn't as small as an LCP or a TCP. I get the same or better grip on it as I do on my Glock 27. The question is whether you are willing to fix what isn't right with your technique or are you going to continue to stay away from smaller handguns because you don't shoot them well?

 

[GnarlyTwoTrack]

How do you know if you're "limp wrist"? I got my first hand gun in April so I don't know. I do all the techniques correct. I've never had any FTF, FTE, etc. Hhmm. At first my accuracy was crazy with the shield but everyone elses was too. Now that i'm used to it I'm fine though. So idk if I have a limp wrist.

 

[Eph6:16]

I specifically fired my Shield 9 with a very light grip trying to limp wrist it and it never failed to function. This was in the first 100 rounds through the gun. Doesn't mean someone won't be able too but I couldn't and I don't have especially strong or large hands

 

[RobzGuns]

How do you know if you're "limp wrist"? I got my first hand gun in April so I don't know. I do all the techniques correct. I've never had any FTF, FTE, etc.

If you had a LimpWrist problem, you'd be plagued with FTextract and FTFeed problems, especially with the smaller (Under 17oz) Single Stack Subcompacts (PF-9, LC9, Nano & DB9, to name a few 9mm).

Allowing excessive muzzle flip, which can cause the slide not to fully cycle, commonly contributes to FTExtract, Stovepipes, etc.

If you have any doubts about your Grip & Shooting technique, ask someone to spot you as you shoot. It's hard for someone to spot/diagnose their own shooting technique. You need someone watching your hands.