Grip size: Glock vs 1911... and proper gripping technique **updated w/pics**

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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Would someone be so generous as to post some pics comparing the grip width and length of a Glock 17 or 22, vs a single stack 9mm 1911? Perhaps some pics of both beside each other from a rear view?

I have spent a good part of tonight looking up how to grip a handgun properly, and I think I finally got it down. But there's one HUGE problem (that I am pretty embarrassed to admit).... I don't know if my Glock is a good fit for my hands now!!! :eek::redface::eek::redface::eek::redface:

I have what I would consider medium size hands with shortish fingers... and when I grip the gun how I have seen shown as the proper way, I am struggling to reach the trigger with the PAD of my finger (not even the knuckle, as that's COMPLETELY out of the question). I am gripping it so when my gripping arm is perfectly straight, the gun is perfectly centered in relation the width of my arm (if that makes any sense). It seems the rear grip of the gun may be a bit too boxy to fit in the slot of my hand (between the thumb and index) while maintaining proper grip and wrist alignment. I could be wrong.

Maybe I am trying to center the gun TOO much? I am trying to do it like the guy in these pics.... ww w.midwesttraininggroup.net/Tips/get_a_grip.htm

I'll post pics of my grip in a few mins....
 
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Yes, your Glock has crappy ergonomics. It's the wrong size for your hand and forces you to compensate for it's short comings in the grip girth arena. This is pretty much chapter and verse on the Glock pistol, and is one of the reasons many people don't really like them. I love the fact that Glocks are reliable, accurate and a breeze to work on, but I won't own one due to what you see here. Many people still shoot well with Glocks, even though they have to "monkey grip" the pistol. You simply have to adapt to the pistol. The more you shoot the less you'll notice it, but it will affect your speed shot-to-shot and ability to quickly line up targets. At some point this will make a difference (if you compete), but in the meantime simplying shooting a lot will get you around it.
 
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Hmmm..... well I definitely don't like the idea of having a gun that doesn't fit me right. Especially one I paid a decent amount of money for. Maybe I'll sell it and pickup something else. Would an M&P be enough of an improvement to allow for a better grip or would a 1911 be the answer? I have seen the pics of the G17 and M&P9 side by side, and while it does show a slightly slimmer grip, I don't know if it would be enough of a reduction for my small hands.

I know the only way to find out would be to try the both out. But it will be a few weeks before I can get to the nearest store that has both, so I just looking for some experiences other have had. Someone who had the same problem as me with gripping the Glock properly, but found the 1911 of M&P just right.

Thanks
 
Try a Browning Hipower. While the 1911 fits me best, I find myself constantly adjusting my grip.
With the HP the grip doesn't seem to move after every shot.

I also agree with ian in vic that you can learn to shoot any pistol adequately with practice.
 
I see ians and prproulx's point about learning to be able to shoot any pistol acurrately. But since this will be my most expensive pistol and one of my only pistols for a while, I dont want to just make due and settle, I want it to fit me real well. I really like the Glock, and don't really want to sell it, but not being able to have the proper gripping technique bug me, as I feel like I am already limiting my potential before I even start.

A friend at my club has a BHP, I will give it a try this week. How come BHP's arent as popular as 1911's? I thought they were supposed to be an improvement on the 1911 (no linkage suscetible to wear etc).
 
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"How come BHP's arent as popular as 1911's?"

They don't come in .45acp? There is such a mystique with 1911's and the fact that they were so common due to the US forces using them for so long.

They are so easy to customize, fix, get parts for etc.
 
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The HP is good, so is the CZ, if you're able to find someone who'll let you play with their M&P try the small insert. There are several other pistols with adjustable grips (SIG, Walther come to mind) and the 1911 isn't bad either. Try to shoot one of these and see if it feels more natural, BTW the problem with Glocks is much worse when wearing gloves.
 
Well I lucked out tonight. Went with my dad to his handgun range (which I am joining next week), and one if the guys we shoot with brought a Colt 1911 and a Browning HP. Man did that HP fit me like a glove. Everytime I brought it up to aim quickly it was bang on, and the grip was the perfect size for my hand (centered perfectly and I actually could wrap my fingers around it, and had plenty of room for choosing which part of my finger the trigger is pulled with). The 1911 was the same story, though i found the slab style wooden grips a big big. How much of a difference do the rubber grips where the index finger and thumb grooves make? They seem like they would make the grip that much smaller as I felt that was the area that was limting my grip (thought it was still way better than with the Glock).
 
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How much of a difference do the rubber grips where the index finger and thumb grooves make? They seem like they would make the grip that much smaller as I felt that was the area that was limting my grip

If you're talking about the HP plastic grips, I find them a little more ergonomic than the old wooden ones.
The wraparound grips that come on the practical model are good too, and you can remove the backstrap.
newBHP011.jpg
 
Sorry I was a bit unclear there. The wooden HP grips were actually great. It was the wooden 1911 grips that I thought would benefit from the index and thumb grooves as shown in the pic you posted. Does it make a big difference on the 1911's?

How do you guys feel about the BHP? I have read that it is an outdated design. Wha are the advantages the 1911 has over the BHP, and vice versa?

Thanks
 
How do you guys feel about the BHP? I have read that it is an outdated design. :eek:

The BHP is supposed to be JM Brownings improvement over the 1911, although I have read the design was perfected by some french guy.

It is only outdated in that it is only single action and only comes in 9mm but now is available in
.40s&w.

It is the first high capacity handgun as far as I know. The only problem with it is that it has a mag safety that does not allow the mags to drop freely (easily fixed). Some of the controls like the thumb safety are a little hard to engage.

When LE and the military went looking for a hicap auto, they seemed to prefer the perceived safety of the double action first shot to avoid accidental discharges.

All this talk about BHP's makes me want to buy another one!

One question I have is, how do people who carry the BHP for work do so? Cocked and locked?
 
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I did notice that the mags didnt drop free. I also noticed that I could not dry fire the gun without the mag in. Man is that a sharp HP you posted... that's an FN? What the low down on the brands of HPs? FN vs Browning....

I read that the FN model will no longer be imported. True?
 
If you want a new BHP you can get the Hipower Standard with or without adjustable sights.
bhp3.jpg

The MkIII, as in the pic in my post.
Or the Practical, if you can find one. It has the wraparound grips and the hard chrome upper.
I don't like the front dot/rear bar sights on these, but you can get some nice Novak sights put on.
 
CanuckShooter said:
Sorry I was a bit unclear there. The wooden HP grips were actually great. It was the wooden 1911 grips that I thought would benefit from the index and thumb grooves as shown in the pic you posted. Does it make a big difference on the 1911's?

How do you guys feel about the BHP? I have read that it is an outdated design. Wha are the advantages the 1911 has over the BHP, and vice versa?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I have fairly small hands and found that the rubber Hogue wrap-around grips improved the feel and handling of my Norinco 1911-A1 Gov't.
Geoff
 
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