"feels good in the hand" - Page 3

Bill DeShivs · November 25, 2017, 08:30 PM

Buck's got it figured out!

tipoc · November 27, 2017, 11:30 PM

Quote:

I consider "feeling good in your hand" different than "feeling good with the gun held out at arms length". "Feeling good in your hand"to me means the grips fit your hands well and the frame size/ergonomics of the gun are conducive to proper shooting, i.e. trigger reach, easy access to safety/hammer. IME, a firearm, regardless of platform that is more pleasant to shoot, is one that is going to get shot more. So while it may not be the most accurate gun you may have, it probably will be the one you are most proficient with overall. Anyone who does not believe how a gun "fits" you dose not equate to accuracy, hasn't shot much shotgun. While shooting slow, taking your time and concentrating, one can be accurate with most any firearm, shooting quickly by point, instinctively and with quick follow up shots, means a gun needs to point well for you....thus fitting you. While I know many folk change their grips because of aesthetics, many change them because of how they feel in their hand. It may be subjective, but being confident and comfortable with what you are shooting can and does contribute to accuracy.

+1 for the above.

Ergonomics count. The longer you shoot the more you get that it does make a difference in helping the shooter.

tipoc

t45 · November 28, 2017, 06:16 PM

I read all the responses. For ME, I like a gun that fits well in my hand. My 1911's fit me well but the one gun that fits the very best that I have is my wife's SR9. I'll take a gun that is comfortable in my hand before one that is not. But that's just ME....

RickB · November 30, 2017, 05:10 PM

If shooting only for accuracy, with time playing no part, then "feels good" doesn't contribute much; if the gun has good sights and a good trigger, the feel won't matter much.
If I'm trying to hit something quickly, repeatedly, then feel becomes more important.

When I was shooting every weekend, for fifteen years, I could do the "close your eyes, raise the gun to eye level, open your eyes, and sights are perfectly aligned" deal with my 1911s.
They were all set up the same way, with long trigger, arched mainspring housing, G.I. grips, and either because the gun was a perfect fit, or because I had become accustomed to it, the "feels good" couldn't get any better.

Two guns that are often described as "an extension of your hand", or "points naturally, like pointing a finger", are the Luger and the Colt Single Action, but neither of them feels remotely natural or "good", to me.
I have to really fight those guns onto the target, as the hand has to be contorted unnaturally to grip them.
That's obviously not a knock on the guns' potential accuracy, just my ability to shoot them accurately.

kmw1954 · November 30, 2017, 06:03 PM

Seems I've said this before but it all boils down to the individual. We all have an entirely different definition of the expression. Don't think there is a right of wrong, only different.

same kinda comes to mind when asked how I feel about the difference between hammer and striker or SA/DA. When I'm baring down on a target those 2 things are the last thing that is going through my mind.

rodfac · November 30, 2017, 07:00 PM

Interesting question. I've noted that I tend to shoot better with a gun that 'feels good in the hand' when not using any sort of a rest.
In my estimation, a good 'feeling' handgun is:,
one whose stocks allow the trigger finger good, unimpeded access and ability to pull without side motion,
is one that has enough barrel length for good sight alignment but not so much to impede concealment nor the draw movement from a good OWB holster,
is one that absorbs recoil so subsequent shots do not promote an unconscious flinch,
and finally, is one that offers just the right amount of muzzle weight to dampen the shooter's natural wobble area without inducing muzzle droop as the shot breaks.
All in all, I shoot better from any field position if the gun I'm handling exhibits the above characteristics.

Rod

5whiskey · November 30, 2017, 11:05 PM

I'll play after reading all responses. "Feeling good in the hand" usually will not make the pistol more accurate if you aim, slow steady squeeze, fire for a 5 round group. I can shoot a Glock 19 almost as good at 25 yards as I can a CZ or 1911, despite the other two "feeling" much better. I do believe it matters a great deal more with combat shooting a!a, draw and fire 3 or 4 rounds as quick as safely possible. I cannot shoot that same Glock as quickly as a CZ. I'm even slightly faster with a 1911 in 45 than the Glock.

DM357 · November 30, 2017, 11:22 PM

Feeling good in the hand is a great thing, but it's quite a bit more of a psychological benefit than a physical one. Most Sigs feel good in my hand because I have a lot of hand filling. The problem is, all that hand filling isn't that great when I have to contort my fingers and change my grip to reach decockers, mag releases and so on. Glock 19s fit my hand almost perfectly..but I can't shoot them well for crap. The most important fit is making sure your thumb knuckle isn't being abused every shot you take, and that you can reach all needed levers/buttons. After that, it's all up to training, fate and preference.

Danoobie · December 1, 2017, 12:20 AM

IMO, the right grips make a huge difference for me. I prefer the
compressibility of Hogues, but if solid wood grips, or checkered
grips feel best for the given user, they should get the grips they need.
Well worth the money, in my book.

DM357 · December 1, 2017, 11:27 AM

I'd definitely say that revolver grip choice is a much bigger issue than semi-auto choice.

Rangerrich99 · December 1, 2017, 06:20 PM

Going back to the OP, I thought of a gun that definitely didn't feel good in my hand that was surprisingly accurate: the Ruger LC9S. My buddy let me try it out for a weekend, and I was extremely surprised at its accuracy in spite of how odd it felt in my hand. With the very first magazine I was able to put all ten rounds in a 3.5 inch group at 20 yards offhand, with 7 holes actually touching. Subsequent mags were about the same. And I never got comfortable with the grip size/shape.

kmw1954 · December 1, 2017, 06:42 PM

Accuracy and feel do not always go hand-in-hand.

I have 2 very different semi-auto pistols. One feels great but is hard to shoot because of the sights. The second doesn't feel as good but shoots much better because of the sights.
If I could take the sights off the one and put them on the other I would have the perfect gun.

Siggy-06 · December 1, 2017, 07:54 PM

Well I have a Hi Power and it feels great in my hands and I shoot it decently. My glock 23 doesnt feel anywhere near as comfortable, but I shoot it even better than the Hi Power. Go figure.

November 25, 2017, 08:30 PM	#51
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,991	Buck's got it figured out! __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

November 30, 2017, 05:10 PM	#54
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,519	If shooting only for accuracy, with time playing no part, then "feels good" doesn't contribute much; if the gun has good sights and a good trigger, the feel won't matter much. If I'm trying to hit something quickly, repeatedly, then feel becomes more important. When I was shooting every weekend, for fifteen years, I could do the "close your eyes, raise the gun to eye level, open your eyes, and sights are perfectly aligned" deal with my 1911s. They were all set up the same way, with long trigger, arched mainspring housing, G.I. grips, and either because the gun was a perfect fit, or because I had become accustomed to it, the "feels good" couldn't get any better. Two guns that are often described as "an extension of your hand", or "points naturally, like pointing a finger", are the Luger and the Colt Single Action, but neither of them feels remotely natural or "good", to me. I have to really fight those guns onto the target, as the hand has to be contorted unnaturally to grip them. That's obviously not a knock on the guns' potential accuracy, just my ability to shoot them accurately. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

November 30, 2017, 07:00 PM	#56
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,625	Interesting question. I've noted that I tend to shoot better with a gun that 'feels good in the hand' when not using any sort of a rest. In my estimation, a good 'feeling' handgun is:, one whose stocks allow the trigger finger good, unimpeded access and ability to pull without side motion, is one that has enough barrel length for good sight alignment but not so much to impede concealment nor the draw movement from a good OWB holster, is one that absorbs recoil so subsequent shots do not promote an unconscious flinch, and finally, is one that offers just the right amount of muzzle weight to dampen the shooter's natural wobble area without inducing muzzle droop as the shot breaks. All in all, I shoot better from any field position if the gun I'm handling exhibits the above characteristics. Rod __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

December 1, 2017, 07:54 PM	#63
Siggy-06 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 1,148	Well I have a Hi Power and it feels great in my hands and I shoot it decently. My glock 23 doesnt feel anywhere near as comfortable, but I shoot it even better than the Hi Power. Go figure. __________________ Flicks just like a lighter, just a different kind of fire.

November 28, 2017, 06:16 PM	#53
t45 Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2010 Location: Foothills, NC Posts: 782	I read all the responses. For ME, I like a gun that fits well in my hand. My 1911's fit me well but the one gun that fits the very best that I have is my wife's SR9. I'll take a gun that is comfortable in my hand before one that is not. But that's just ME....

November 30, 2017, 06:03 PM	#55
kmw1954 Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2016 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 1,524	Seems I've said this before but it all boils down to the individual. We all have an entirely different definition of the expression. Don't think there is a right of wrong, only different. same kinda comes to mind when asked how I feel about the difference between hammer and striker or SA/DA. When I'm baring down on a target those 2 things are the last thing that is going through my mind.

November 30, 2017, 11:05 PM	#57
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,667	I'll play after reading all responses. "Feeling good in the hand" usually will not make the pistol more accurate if you aim, slow steady squeeze, fire for a 5 round group. I can shoot a Glock 19 almost as good at 25 yards as I can a CZ or 1911, despite the other two "feeling" much better. I do believe it matters a great deal more with combat shooting a!a, draw and fire 3 or 4 rounds as quick as safely possible. I cannot shoot that same Glock as quickly as a CZ. I'm even slightly faster with a 1911 in 45 than the Glock.

November 30, 2017, 11:22 PM	#58
DM357 Member Join Date: November 30, 2017 Posts: 44	Feeling good in the hand is a great thing, but it's quite a bit more of a psychological benefit than a physical one. Most Sigs feel good in my hand because I have a lot of hand filling. The problem is, all that hand filling isn't that great when I have to contort my fingers and change my grip to reach decockers, mag releases and so on. Glock 19s fit my hand almost perfectly..but I can't shoot them well for crap. The most important fit is making sure your thumb knuckle isn't being abused every shot you take, and that you can reach all needed levers/buttons. After that, it's all up to training, fate and preference.

December 1, 2017, 12:20 AM	#59
Danoobie Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2017 Posts: 351	IMO, the right grips make a huge difference for me. I prefer the compressibility of Hogues, but if solid wood grips, or checkered grips feel best for the given user, they should get the grips they need. Well worth the money, in my book.

December 1, 2017, 11:27 AM	#60
DM357 Member Join Date: November 30, 2017 Posts: 44	I'd definitely say that revolver grip choice is a much bigger issue than semi-auto choice.

December 1, 2017, 06:20 PM	#61
Rangerrich99 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Location: Kinda near Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,254	Going back to the OP, I thought of a gun that definitely didn't feel good in my hand that was surprisingly accurate: the Ruger LC9S. My buddy let me try it out for a weekend, and I was extremely surprised at its accuracy in spite of how odd it felt in my hand. With the very first magazine I was able to put all ten rounds in a 3.5 inch group at 20 yards offhand, with 7 holes actually touching. Subsequent mags were about the same. And I never got comfortable with the grip size/shape.

December 1, 2017, 06:42 PM	#62
kmw1954 Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2016 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 1,524	Accuracy and feel do not always go hand-in-hand. I have 2 very different semi-auto pistols. One feels great but is hard to shoot because of the sights. The second doesn't feel as good but shoots much better because of the sights. If I could take the sights off the one and put them on the other I would have the perfect gun.