Weak grip and Ftf/fte

[jtpur]

I understand that a weak grip on a semi auto can cause feeding and ejection problems, but what I do not understand is WHY?

I had several ladies in a concealed handgun class and when I told them this would happen one asked why and I actually could not answer.

Can anyone help?

 

[tomcatt51]

Because, the gun fame needs to be held srcurely. The slide has to move back and the recoil spring etc (connected to the frame) resists that motion.

Think of it as trying to rack the slide without having a secure hold on the grip. Without the grip (frame) held in place it doesn't work so good.

You literally tune the recoil spring to suit the load and the shooters grip strength.

 

[4011]

Never had it happen with my 5906 Colt 1903 are Colt 1908. But with anGlock 17 they have a soft recoil spring as part of their easy to stay on target. You can limp wrist them and have the slide not function. Ask me how I know. Had to requalify twice because of that.

 

[H Richard]

By not holding it rigidly it's like a shock absorber when the gun recoils. your arm moves back and the slide won't travel all the way to eject the round and feed another.

 

[Moonman]

On the 7th day God created the REVOLVER

to cure the Limp-Wristing deal,

I forgot, he made the HEMI first though.

 

[jtpur]

Those were what I explained. I did not know if there was a more technical explanation.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I understand that a weak grip on a semi auto can cause feeding and ejection problems, but what I do not understand is WHY?

I had several ladies in a concealed handgun class and when I told them this would happen one asked why and I actually could not answer.

Can anyone help?

Easy. The slide only has so much energy and with that energy, it must overcome the recoil spring in rearward movement to eject the empty and to strip and feed the next cartridge from the magazine. Thus, the closer the frame stays to stationary, the less likely a malfunction.

As one poster said, if you did not hold the frame rigidly while attempting to rack the slide, you would not get the pistol open.

Think of it another way: If the pistol were allowed to go backwards at the same speed as the slide, the action would not open and therefore, the empty would not eject and the next round would not be stripped from the magazine. While this is not possible absent some frictionless scenario, the more the pistol is allowed to "give" in the hands, the more likely the slide will not have the required energy.

 

[jtpur]

Shawn I liked the way you articulated that. Thanks

 

[shawn mccarver]

Shawn I liked the way you articulated that. Thanks

You're welcome! It was a great question, and I am sure many people had the same question, but were afraid to ask.