Holding a Sixgun

LAH · November 28, 2022, 10:37 PM

Hold your pinky under the grip frame you say.

Shooting demonstration of a single action revolver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lVY...hannel=Creeker

**44 AMP** · November 29, 2022, 04:50 PM

IF you are talking about different ways to hold an SA revolver, there are several and some don't work for some people with some guns.

The pinky finger under the butt works with guns that have the standard size grips, and for recoil levels up to standard .45 Colt, but, for me doesn't work otherwise.

Using the stock grips, and shooting loads that recoil heavier than the regular .45 Colt, the roll of the grip bends my pinky uncomfortably. even painfully..

And then there is the triggerguard slamming back into my middle finger....

For me, the solution is oversize grips, ones that are long enough to get all my fingers on the grip, and also that fill in behind the triggerguard.

I prefer Pachmayr for that. And, I don't squeeze the grip terribly hard, either. Firm enough to hang on is sufficient, and even with Pachmayrs, this allows the gun to roll in the hand enough to make thumb cocking with the shooting hand simple and easy, while still being less than the roll the stock grips allow.

This may not work for you, but it's been working great for me since '83!

Dave T · November 29, 2022, 07:34 PM

This issue is more a matter of hand size that what internet expert recommends it, or condemns it. My first hand gun was a single action (1967) I curled my little finger under the grip because four fingers wouldn't fit on the trigger guard/front strap.

At 74 I'm still shooting single actions (with full black powder loads) and I still curl my little finger under the bottom of the back strap.

YMMV,
Dave

Drm50 · December 1, 2022, 11:55 AM

I’ve found out with all shooting related things such as grips, stocks and even the gun it’self is personal preference. Just because Joe Poo holds his pistol a certain way don’t mean it’s for you.

arquebus357 · December 1, 2022, 04:05 PM

It looks to me like the shooter in the video doesn't have much choice but to let his pinky finger rest under the grip. My hands are not as large as his so that would not work well for me.

Post title should be .. How to hold a revolver if you have large hands.

jetinteriorguy · December 3, 2022, 08:06 AM

My son is a fashion photographer and he holds a pistol like his camera, a teacup hold. I’ve tried to teach him different but it just doesn’t work for him. He’s very accurate, as good or better than me.

**JohnKSa** · December 3, 2022, 08:35 AM

It won't hurt his accuracy, but it will be bad for his recoil control. I'll bet, if you watch him, every time he shoots, he has to readjust his grip before the next shot.

shafter · December 3, 2022, 12:35 PM

The proper grip is the one that works for the shooter. Some techniques have better results for the majority of shooters but everyone is different and it's ok to be different if it works.

jackmoser65 · December 3, 2022, 12:46 PM

I agree with the OP. It also keeps you on target and prevents the grip from shifting around. I also think that this was the way it was originally intended. If not then why did they design the various horse pistols and 1860 with a longer grip?

**44 AMP** · December 3, 2022, 03:30 PM

Quote:

I'll bet, if you watch him, every time he shoots, he has to readjust his grip before the next shot.

I can't think of any way to shoot a single action revolver with one hand that doesn't involve "readjusting" my grip.

**JohnKSa** · December 3, 2022, 04:24 PM

You cock it with the other hand. Watch the cowboy action folks at work with their SA revolvers.

**Aguila Blanca** · December 3, 2022, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John KSa

You cock it with the other hand. Watch the cowboy action folks at work with their SA revolvers.

The Lone Ranger didn't use his other hand to cock his six shooter ...

**44 AMP** · December 3, 2022, 08:22 PM

using the other hand to cock the gun isn't what I consider one hand shooting.

You might consider it only one hand holding the gun, but you ARE using BOTH hands to shoot it.

**JohnKSa** · December 4, 2022, 12:32 AM

Quote:

using the other hand to cock the gun isn't what I consider one hand shooting.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that it was. The point is that if you have to readjust your grip between every shot, that's slowing you down. Great for a day at the range or for slow-fire accuracy, maybe not so great for more serious purposes.

For what it's worth, the post I responded to was about shooting with two hands--using a teacup type grip. That's the context of my initial comment.

**44 AMP** · December 4, 2022, 03:24 PM

Every shooter is a bit different, and some guns are different, as well. I have one semi auto that if I use the "cup & saucer" hold, it WILL jam.

What is best for rapid fire shooting a DA doesn't work the same with an SA revolver. NO, I'm not a speed shooter, never saw much point in shooting faster than I could aim, unless I was on a belt fed gun...

I think people misunderstand the base design concept and therefore have misconceptions and inflated expectations.

The SA revolver is for delivering REPEAT shots rapidly, judged against the speed of its competition when it came out. Beats the hell out of a single shot muzzleloader.

More modern designs have certainly eclipsed the SA's speed (in the hands of the casual shooter) and certainly should be chosen when the most rapid accurate fire possible is the priority.

For me, there's a lot more to pistol shooting than combat type stuff, and there, the SA still shines brightly.

A long, long time back, I was at a local bowling pin shoot and in the "Crank & Yank" (SA) class, shooting a 7.5" Ruger Blackhawk with full house loads (250gr swc over 10gr Unique for just under 1100fps, I cleared 5 pins off the table in 7.02 seconds. Since I was shooting for "speed" I was using my off hand to cock the gun. My time placed 4th......

Same shoot, .44 Auto Mag, 5 pins, 5.36 seconds, not even in the top 10 times.... And .357 Desert Eagle, 7 pins in 4.37seconds, again, not even close to the top times.

If speed is the goal (along with accuracy) the SA revolver isn't the best choice. If speed isn't critical, its a fine choice.

Driftwood Johnson · December 10, 2022, 01:23 PM

Quote:

You cock it with the other hand. Watch the cowboy action folks at work with their SA revolvers.

Not all Cowboy Action shooters shoot that way. In the various Duelist categories, the revolver is held with one hand and the thumb of that hand cocks the hammer.

I have been shooting that way in CAS for over 20 years, and that is how I shoot a revolver, including curling my pinky under the grip. This works just fine with my Black Powder 45 Colt loads, which have fairly stout recoil.

I found out a long time ago that cramming my entire hand onto the grip placed the knuckle of my middle finger in contact with the rear of the trigger guard, which resulted in my knuckle getting whacked by the trigger guard. Just like the guy in the video said, curling the pinky under the grip opens up some space between the trigger guard and my knuckle. The trigger guard has not whacked my knuckle in years.

It may not work for everybody, but it has worked for me for a long time.

Perhaps if I was shooting 44 Mag, or some other really heavy recoiling cartridge I would hold a revolver differently, but not with my Black Powder 45 Colt loads.

**JohnKSa** · December 11, 2022, 02:40 AM

Quote:

In the various Duelist categories, the revolver is held with one hand and the thumb of that hand cocks the hammer.

Yes, there's also Gunfighter where they shoot with a gun in each hand when the stage allows it.

How about a recap...

jetinteriorguy posted this:

"My son is a fashion photographer and he holds a pistol like his camera, a teacup hold. I’ve tried to teach him different but it just doesn’t work for him. He’s very accurate, as good or better than me. "

To which I responded:

"It won't hurt his accuracy, but it will be bad for his recoil control. I'll bet, if you watch him, every time he shoots, he has to readjust his grip before the next shot. "

The point was that the teacup grip (a TWO-HANDED grip, by the way) may work for accuracy but it is a bad grip for any kind of shooting where speed is important because you have to readjust your grip for each shot. If you have to readjust your grip between shots, it is slowing you down compared to just being able to shoot the next shot right away.

I didn't mean to imply that the Lone Ranger fired his gun with both hands, nor that all cowboy action shooters cock their gun with their off hand, nor that the fastest way to shoot an SA revolver is using the same grip that would work for a semi-auto or a DA revolver, nor should my comments be taken as supporting or attacking specific grip variations for shooting SA revolvers involving different placement of the pinky finger of either hand.

jetinteriorguy · December 11, 2022, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnKSa

Yes, there's also Gunfighter where they shoot with a gun in each hand when the stage allows it.

How about a recap...

jetinteriorguy posted this:

"My son is a fashion photographer and he holds a pistol like his camera, a teacup hold. I’ve tried to teach him different but it just doesn’t work for him. He’s very accurate, as good or better than me. "

To which I responded:

"It won't hurt his accuracy, but it will be bad for his recoil control. I'll bet, if you watch him, every time he shoots, he has to readjust his grip before the next shot. "

The point was that the teacup grip (a TWO-HANDED grip, by the way) may work for accuracy but it is a bad grip for any kind of shooting where speed is important because you have to readjust your grip for each shot. If you have to readjust your grip between shots, it is slowing you down compared to just being able to shoot the next shot right away.

I didn't mean to imply that the Lone Ranger fired his gun with both hands, nor that all cowboy action shooters cock their gun with their off hand, nor that the fastest way to shoot an SA revolver is using the same grip that would work for a semi-auto or a DA revolver, nor should my comments be taken as supporting or attacking specific grip variations for shooting SA revolvers involving different placement of the pinky finger of either hand.

Having to readjust your grip may apply to a SA pistol, but we’re shooting my Model 57 using a Hogue Monogrip with finger grooves and no need to readjust your grip. No problem speed wise in DA either. My point was, not one certain grip style works for everyone.

**JohnKSa** · December 11, 2022, 04:39 PM

If you watch him shoot carefully, you'll see that he is readjusting/reacquiring his grip after every shot. Recoil will force his hands apart and he'll have to rebuild the grip.

FrankenMauser · December 11, 2022, 06:27 PM

Quote:

And then there is the triggerguard slamming back into my middle finger

I have never really understood this complaint - especially from people with hands similar size to my own.
Several people in my family will not shoot my SBH, because they claim it splits their knuckles with the square trigger guard. Our hands are reasonably average, arguably a bit on the long side.

I used to think the knuckle busting could be chalked up to bad grip technique - gripping the 'plow handle' too high, and/or not letting the revolver 'roll' under recoil. But I have seen them shoot enough other single action revolvers to forget about that theory.

I don't know. I haven't figured out what is going on.
It has never been an issue for me.

Driftwood Johnson · December 12, 2022, 01:08 AM

Quote:

I don't know. I haven't figured out what is going on.
It has never been an issue for me.

Well, I can tell you where it comes from with me. In my early days of CAS I noticed one guy was wrapping a band aide around the knuckle of his middle finger. I asked him why and he told me it was to keep the trigger guard from whacking his knuckle so hard.

That's when I started curling my pinky under the grip to open up some space between my knuckle and the trigger guard.

Maybe in the spring I will try cramming my entire hand onto the grip with my knuckle pressed against the trigger guard and see if my Black Powder 45 Colt loads whack my knuckle.

**44 AMP** · December 12, 2022, 02:24 AM

With black powder power level loads, its not very likely. Its when you go beyond that (at least for me) that it shows up.

I was working with my then new Ruger Blackhawk .45 and the stock wooden grips. Never noticed anything out of the ordinary with factory loads (the standard load NOT the light cowboy stuff) but when I began pushing my handloads hotter, then it showed up.

it actually kind of snuck up on me, I had pushed some loads close to 1200fps and after firing a couple cylinders of those I noticed my middle finger hurt like hell, and I had no idea why. Figured it out quick enough, and while curling my pinky under the butt did help it added uncomfortable bending of my pinky as the gun rolled in my hand.

Oversize Pachmary grips solved both problems for me. Also backing down and making my standard load just about 1100fps helped, too.

I developed such a fondness for the oversize rubber that I put a set on my Super Blackhawk right after I got it, never tried shooting it with the wooden stock grips, and I've also put them on my .357 Blackhawk as well. Not really needed there, but it gives my SA's a uniform feel. I run the stock wood on my Single Six, no issues there, and there, I do sometimes use the pinky curl as its a matter of space on the grip, not the recoil.

I tend to hold the SA rather lightly, and make no attempt to keep it "locked in a shooting grip" during recoil. Sure, this does slow me down a bit, over the DA revolver shooter, but so does cocking the hammer and reacquiring a sight picture. I feel confident that if attacked I could defend myself with an SA revolver, but I don't carry one for self defense. For that, I carry a DA revolver or a semi auto.

Tinker Pearce · December 14, 2022, 03:33 AM

My hands are large enough that even fully choked up behind the trigger-guard there nowhere for my pinky to go but under the grip-frame. I usually curl it under from the side, but whatever works for you and your hand is the right way for you to do it.

**44 AMP** · December 15, 2022, 02:36 AM

Just out of curiosity, what size glove do you wear??

The original SA grip shape and usual size comes down to us from the 1860s, and while there have always been larger men, back then most men were smaller than many today.

Depending on who makes it, I wear an 8, (really too tight) 8.5 (nicely snug) or a 9 (work glove), and I find the stock grips a bit small, but do fine with "oversize" grips on my Rugers.

RickB · December 16, 2022, 01:21 PM

There was an article in American Handgunner about gripping/shooting single actions, and it described the trigger finger passing through the trigger guard, contacting the thumb, and firing the gun was a matter of squeezing together the tip of the finger and tip of the thumb, which I'd never heard of, but was presented like, "How have you managed to do it the wrong way for so long, when this method has been around forever?"

November 28, 2022, 10:37 PM	#1
LAH Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2002 Location: In The Hardwoods Posts: 1,202	Holding a Sixgun Hold your pinky under the grip frame you say. Shooting demonstration of a single action revolver. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lVY...hannel=Creeker

November 29, 2022, 04:50 PM	#2
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,486	IF you are talking about different ways to hold an SA revolver, there are several and some don't work for some people with some guns. The pinky finger under the butt works with guns that have the standard size grips, and for recoil levels up to standard .45 Colt, but, for me doesn't work otherwise. Using the stock grips, and shooting loads that recoil heavier than the regular .45 Colt, the roll of the grip bends my pinky uncomfortably. even painfully.. And then there is the triggerguard slamming back into my middle finger.... For me, the solution is oversize grips, ones that are long enough to get all my fingers on the grip, and also that fill in behind the triggerguard. I prefer Pachmayr for that. And, I don't squeeze the grip terribly hard, either. Firm enough to hang on is sufficient, and even with Pachmayrs, this allows the gun to roll in the hand enough to make thumb cocking with the shooting hand simple and easy, while still being less than the roll the stock grips allow. This may not work for you, but it's been working great for me since '83! __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

November 29, 2022, 07:34 PM	#3
Dave T Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2000 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 1,458	This issue is more a matter of hand size that what internet expert recommends it, or condemns it. My first hand gun was a single action (1967) I curled my little finger under the grip because four fingers wouldn't fit on the trigger guard/front strap. At 74 I'm still shooting single actions (with full black powder loads) and I still curl my little finger under the bottom of the back strap. YMMV, Dave __________________ RSVN '69-'71 PCSD Ret

December 3, 2022, 08:35 AM	#7
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 25,569	It won't hurt his accuracy, but it will be bad for his recoil control. I'll bet, if you watch him, every time he shoots, he has to readjust his grip before the next shot. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

December 3, 2022, 04:24 PM	#11
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 25,569	You cock it with the other hand. Watch the cowboy action folks at work with their SA revolvers. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

December 1, 2022, 11:55 AM	#4
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,499	I’ve found out with all shooting related things such as grips, stocks and even the gun it’self is personal preference. Just because Joe Poo holds his pistol a certain way don’t mean it’s for you.

December 1, 2022, 04:05 PM	#5
arquebus357 Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2016 Location: Atlanta, Georgia area Posts: 455	It looks to me like the shooter in the video doesn't have much choice but to let his pinky finger rest under the grip. My hands are not as large as his so that would not work well for me. Post title should be .. How to hold a revolver if you have large hands.

December 3, 2022, 08:06 AM	#6
jetinteriorguy Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2013 Posts: 3,476	My son is a fashion photographer and he holds a pistol like his camera, a teacup hold. I’ve tried to teach him different but it just doesn’t work for him. He’s very accurate, as good or better than me.

December 3, 2022, 12:35 PM	#8
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	The proper grip is the one that works for the shooter. Some techniques have better results for the majority of shooters but everyone is different and it's ok to be different if it works.

December 3, 2022, 12:46 PM	#9
jackmoser65 Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2014 Posts: 754	I agree with the OP. It also keeps you on target and prevents the grip from shifting around. I also think that this was the way it was originally intended. If not then why did they design the various horse pistols and 1860 with a longer grip?

December 3, 2022, 08:22 PM	#13
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,486	using the other hand to cock the gun isn't what I consider one hand shooting. You might consider it only one hand holding the gun, but you ARE using BOTH hands to shoot it. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

December 4, 2022, 03:24 PM	#15
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,486	Every shooter is a bit different, and some guns are different, as well. I have one semi auto that if I use the "cup & saucer" hold, it WILL jam. What is best for rapid fire shooting a DA doesn't work the same with an SA revolver. NO, I'm not a speed shooter, never saw much point in shooting faster than I could aim, unless I was on a belt fed gun... I think people misunderstand the base design concept and therefore have misconceptions and inflated expectations. The SA revolver is for delivering REPEAT shots rapidly, judged against the speed of its competition when it came out. Beats the hell out of a single shot muzzleloader. More modern designs have certainly eclipsed the SA's speed (in the hands of the casual shooter) and certainly should be chosen when the most rapid accurate fire possible is the priority. For me, there's a lot more to pistol shooting than combat type stuff, and there, the SA still shines brightly. A long, long time back, I was at a local bowling pin shoot and in the "Crank & Yank" (SA) class, shooting a 7.5" Ruger Blackhawk with full house loads (250gr swc over 10gr Unique for just under 1100fps, I cleared 5 pins off the table in 7.02 seconds. Since I was shooting for "speed" I was using my off hand to cock the gun. My time placed 4th...... Same shoot, .44 Auto Mag, 5 pins, 5.36 seconds, not even in the top 10 times.... And .357 Desert Eagle, 7 pins in 4.37seconds, again, not even close to the top times. If speed is the goal (along with accuracy) the SA revolver isn't the best choice. If speed isn't critical, its a fine choice. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

December 11, 2022, 04:39 PM	#19
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 25,569	If you watch him shoot carefully, you'll see that he is readjusting/reacquiring his grip after every shot. Recoil will force his hands apart and he'll have to rebuild the grip. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

December 12, 2022, 02:24 AM	#22
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,486	With black powder power level loads, its not very likely. Its when you go beyond that (at least for me) that it shows up. I was working with my then new Ruger Blackhawk .45 and the stock wooden grips. Never noticed anything out of the ordinary with factory loads (the standard load NOT the light cowboy stuff) but when I began pushing my handloads hotter, then it showed up. it actually kind of snuck up on me, I had pushed some loads close to 1200fps and after firing a couple cylinders of those I noticed my middle finger hurt like hell, and I had no idea why. Figured it out quick enough, and while curling my pinky under the butt did help it added uncomfortable bending of my pinky as the gun rolled in my hand. Oversize Pachmary grips solved both problems for me. Also backing down and making my standard load just about 1100fps helped, too. I developed such a fondness for the oversize rubber that I put a set on my Super Blackhawk right after I got it, never tried shooting it with the wooden stock grips, and I've also put them on my .357 Blackhawk as well. Not really needed there, but it gives my SA's a uniform feel. I run the stock wood on my Single Six, no issues there, and there, I do sometimes use the pinky curl as its a matter of space on the grip, not the recoil. I tend to hold the SA rather lightly, and make no attempt to keep it "locked in a shooting grip" during recoil. Sure, this does slow me down a bit, over the DA revolver shooter, but so does cocking the hammer and reacquiring a sight picture. I feel confident that if attacked I could defend myself with an SA revolver, but I don't carry one for self defense. For that, I carry a DA revolver or a semi auto. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

December 14, 2022, 03:33 AM	#23
Tinker Pearce Member Join Date: November 30, 2019 Location: Seattle, WA. Posts: 49	My hands are large enough that even fully choked up behind the trigger-guard there nowhere for my pinky to go but under the grip-frame. I usually curl it under from the side, but whatever works for you and your hand is the right way for you to do it. __________________ If you haven't got time to do it right when the hell will you find time to do it over?

December 15, 2022, 02:36 AM	#24
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,486	Just out of curiosity, what size glove do you wear?? The original SA grip shape and usual size comes down to us from the 1860s, and while there have always been larger men, back then most men were smaller than many today. Depending on who makes it, I wear an 8, (really too tight) 8.5 (nicely snug) or a 9 (work glove), and I find the stock grips a bit small, but do fine with "oversize" grips on my Rugers. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

December 16, 2022, 01:21 PM	#25
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,559	There was an article in American Handgunner about gripping/shooting single actions, and it described the trigger finger passing through the trigger guard, contacting the thumb, and firing the gun was a matter of squeezing together the tip of the finger and tip of the thumb, which I'd never heard of, but was presented like, "How have you managed to do it the wrong way for so long, when this method has been around forever?" __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.