How to grip a pistol

Kolibri to Desert Eagle

Glocks, revolvers and everything in between come in every shape and size, but the same rule decides how well you shoot them: bore axis. That's how high the barrel sits above your hand. The closer the bore is to the middle of your hand, the less recoil you feel, and the sooner your sights come back on target. That means faster, more accurate first shots and follow-ups.

Get the web of your hand high

Forget grip jargon. The goal: a bore axis as low as you can make it. Everyone holds a pistol a little differently, but do this one thing: look at the web of skin between your thumb and index finger, and get it as high on the grip as it will go.

Your thumbs don't do anything

Every pistol has a grip, a trigger and a trigger guard. Hold the grip in your shooting hand, then wrap your other hand around it, firm but not crushing. The thumbs don't go anywhere in particular, as long as they stay clear of the slide. They shouldn't be holding or pushing on the gun at all.

Fingers: whatever gives you purchase

Rest your thumbs out of the slide's way; some shooters point them forward, and that's fine if it works for you. The rest is practice and finding what works for your pistol and your hands. Put your fingers wherever they get a solid hold. Glocks and P80s have a gripping surface at the front of the trigger guard. Using it is up to you; Shawn does on his Glock and P80 pistols, and finds it keeps muzzle flip down and lets him run an RMR or Holosun optic faster.

Go shoot

There's no secret. Get plenty of ammo, go to your favorite range and shoot. Take your favorite pistol, or your newest one, and learn it: how it moves when it fires and how to manage that. Choke up, keep the bore axis low and enjoy it.

Want a pistol that sits lower in your hand? Grip modules and frame work can help.