Thoughts on How to Properly Grip a Snub Nose Revolver

[hotrod150]

I tried a "high grip", seems very awkward esp when shooting DA. I like to have the curve of the backstrap fit into the palm of my shooting hand. I hang on tight, using the aptly named "crush grip". My off hand is farther forward than shown in the photo of the Miculek grip, the tip of my left thumb is on top of the first segment of my right thumb. My right hand holding the gun is cupped in my left hand.
LH thumb behind the web of the right hand doesn't look like a good idea to me-- too much chance of being bit by the hammer shooting DA or by the slide of a semi-auto. Been there, done that-- not fun. It might work for Miculek but for me-- no thanks.
FWIW I like a two-finger "boot" grip for a j-frame-- in my experience I lose concealability with longer grips.

 

[riverrat38]

"FWIW I like a two-finger "boot" grip for a j-frame-- in my experience I lose concealability with longer grips."

Especially for an alloy pocket gun. I think these guns, like my M442, loose a lot of their function if anything is added to increase the weight or size. In my case, I also prefer a boot grip on my no dash M60. I have not found that a larger grip makes them any easier for me to shoot.

Best,
Rick

 

[Mickey D]

There was a Jerry Miculek video series which include his technique for two hand hold for snubbies where the offhand thumb crosses over the backstrap at or on the knuckle. I couldn't find the video. Maybe there's link to be found.

I try to shoot my snubbies this way also. But I have to be careful when shooting my Colt New Agent not to cross over the thumb. Forgot once and had a nice channel carved out across the left thumb knuckle.

 

[5Wire]

Hmm. My offhand thumb is below the reach of any S&W revolvers I have without or with hammers just as Miculek's appears to be in the posted pic. On my 642 or BG38 or Model 38 when I had one, I keep my pinky folded firmly like a shelf under the butt with maybe a little downward cock to the strong wrist, both of which help resist muzzle flip. Nothing gets dinged. I hit the backstop every time.

On the K, L, and N I usually us a more conventional grip. Same with semis.

 

[L Pete]

That "Miculek" grip for the J-frame was the grip we were taught in the mid-70s at a Firearms Instructors class. All the students started using it, and I have used it for years. I've never had a problem with the hammer biting my left thumb when using a J-frame (I don't use .357 J-frames). We used it for our revolvers in the class, of which, none were J-frames. All students in the class were firing mostly K-frames with a few firing Colts. It worked then, and I guess Miculek says it works now. And no, it doesn't work with autos without turning your left thumb into hamburger. It's a revolver only grip.

 

[Imaposer]

I've seen the technique. As great a shooter as Jerry Miculek is I cannot agree with using this method. If the only handgun you shoot or will ever shoot is a Centennial snub, then it might be OK. However, the left thumb could get in the way of the hammer spur on some revolvers. At best this would be annoying and at worst it could prevent the hammer from moving as far back as it needs to in order to fire. This is beside the fact that if you ever shoot a semi-auto you risk injury to your left thumb from the slide cycling.

I do use this grip technique, and it works great for me. I grip high up on the backstrap of all of my revolvers, from J frames to N frames. I've tried several different placements of the weak hand thumb and I do find that for me, wrapping it over the back of the strong hand helps me lock into the gun better for better control. At least with the J frames. It also helps me lock my strong hand thumb down to avoid it being bitten by the cylinder latch.

Admittedly, I only have three J frames; 1 centennial 640, and 2 bodyguards, a 638 and model 49. I've never tried it with an exposed hammer J frame but my hands aren't very "fleshy" so just looking at my grip I don't believe it would present an issue for me with any of them. Although I generally don't use that grip with them, I know that it doesn't cause hammer issues on any of my larger guns that have exposed hammers .