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How to Grip a Revolver the Way Experts Recommend

how to grip a revolver
Written by Dan Goldsmith
Last Update: August 11, 2023

Got a handgun in your favorite holster, but having issues gripping it? or, looking for the ways to learn to hold your revolver like a pro? If so, you’re at the right place. Whether how to use a revolver or how revolvers work are not something that you would learn automatically. You’ll have to put in some effort here. The first step here is to learn the proper way to grip a revolver.

Once you are done with it, only then you can consider aiming at your target and moving ahead on the expertise ladder. So why waste any more time? Through this article, you are going to find the answer to the question, “how to grip a revolver?”

Reading this article is really going to enlighten you with some tips from the experts regarding the best way to hold a good quality revolver? So be focused while reading it as it can train you for possible future combat with a thief; the tips learned now can help you in the actual fight in future.

Grip a Revolver the Right Way: Handgun Techniques

Grip a Revolver the Right Way

Gripping a Revolver Correctly Is Important, but Why?

Experts always claim that gripping a revolver correctly is one of the most important but difficult steps while learning shooting through a revolver. There are some obvious reasons involving your safety but there are some technical causes of such a statement too. Here we have discussed all of them.

  • If your grip is okay, your aim at the target can be expected so. Gripping the revolver rightly can provide you better safety while using it. Having a revolver in hand is dangerous, especially if you are a novice. If you’ll hold it rightly, then the chances of getting shot mistakenly are reduced to a minimum.
  • The jerk created as a result of shooting can create hand injuries, but if held rightly no such issues are to be expected
  • Getting back to the target with the second shot is easier if you are using the right technique for holding a revolver
  • The reach of your shot can also be enhanced with the use of the right technique. because with a firm grip, the movement after each shot will be minimum.
  • You can also expect a better experience shooting your gun just by learning the right gripping style.
  • It can also help you in self-defense. Others can be scared of you if you are using the right gripping style for holding your revolver

Now, How to Grip a Revolver?

If you don’t have much interest in revolvers already, then you might not know the difference between gripping and grasping. But that is fine. There is always a place where everyone starts. We can help you by explaining the difference. Grasping is the act of holding the revolver whereas “grip” is the part of the gun that you grasp.

So you would have realized there is a big difference between the two. But practically, we don’t use this difference, especially when we are not quite connected to the guns world, right? However, if you want to learn the best ways to grip a revolver, you’ll have to understand the difference that exists between the two and must use it for learning about the right guns and the right ways to use these guns.

1. Grip or Grasp?

Now, when you know the basic difference, let us give you some of the other points of differentiation between the two terminologies to make them clearer for you.

Grip

  • It is the structural part of the gun. It changes with the type of gun that you are considering
  • Upgrading the grip is possible in order to get a better hold of your gun

Grasp

  • It is the technique using which you get hold of your gun
  • You can use various gripping styles, but they must be dependent on the type of gun in your hand and the possible impact that could be caused on your shots.

2. How Can You Grip a Revolver?

Gripping the holder rightly is definitely an art. If you want to be the learner of this form of art, you must pay close attention to the gripping method mentioned below. Each of these steps is necessary to provide you with an overall strength to keep the things right.

Keep the Width of the Shoulder and Feet Apart

With this style of gripping, you’ll ensure a firm posture that will be necessary when considering the jerk that you are going to feel while shooting a bullet from the revolver.

Wrap the Hand (The Dominant One) Around the Revolver Handle

Keeping your dominant hand up on the handle can give you a stronger grasp over the grip of your handle. Make sure that your thumb can cover the opposite side of the revolver to ensure the right resistance to fire the bullet and manage the reaction.

In case, your hand is lower on the group, then you’ll have to face an upward reaction of your hand after the shooting, which will require more time of yours’ to readjust and aim again.

The index finger must be outside the trigger guard and not on the trigger itself so that you don’t fire bullets mistakenly during adjustments.

Place the Other Hand Around the One (Dominant) to Support It

The other hand must be wrapped around the dominant hand to enforce the strength. You must place this hand in a way that the thumb of your non-dominant hand will cover the thumb of the dominant hand. Sometimes, there might be cross-dominance aiming issues.

Keep the Elbows Straight

With all this setting done, now is the time to aim. So, for that, you need to straighten up your elbows and move your arms upwards towards the eye level from where you can set an aim. Make sure to aim from the dominant eye.

3. How Should You Not Grip?

Not every style that you watch in movies or elsewhere around is good. There are a few prominent styles that are recommended by the experts to avoid. Each of these styles has been described below to ensure that you don’t go for these styles by mistake.

4. Teacup Grip

In this style, the support hand of the shooter is below the grip whereas the dominant hand is on the grip. So, imagine this position, and you’ll realize that the support hand is creating problems for the domain hand.

5. Thumbs Crossed

One of the dangerous styles of gripping. Why? Because the slide of the automatic gun can create severe damage to your thumb because, in this posture, you would have placed it just in the way of the slide.

Index Finger in Front of Trigger Guard

If you are aiming to keep the index finger on the front of the trigger guard to manage to recoil, then you are not making a nice move. It will actually loosen your grip and you might not be able to aim properly through this gripping style.

Grip a revolver with your index finger in front of the trigger guard

Gripping the Wrist

You might feel that gripping your wrist can provide you with extra firmness in your hand, but that won’t happen. Both your hands must be on the gun to make it work properly.

6. Also, Don’t Do These While Gripping a Revolver

Revolver is not something to play around with. You must realize that this is dangerous, and a slight mistake can be fatal for you. Here are some of the specific things that you must avoid while gripping a revolver.

  • Don’t load your gun ever unless you know how it works and you are up for a specific mission
  • Don’t point the gun as fun. You might push the trigger mistakenly and the consequences can be disastrous.
  • Don’t keep your finger on the trigger until you are sure about your target and are ready for aiming.
  • Don’t just rely on your target. Do look what is behind it to make sure that a misfire or a leading bullet won’t harm anyone or anything.

Our today’s topic might not feel like one that you should be reading, but believe us, it is. By knowing some of the wrong gripping styles and don’ts, you have actually enhanced your level of knowledge, which can surely save you from the dangerous impacts of being a novice in this field.

FAQs

1. Can I hold a revolver with one hand?

Ans. It’s possible to hold a revolver one-handed. How easily you may hold the revolver with a single hand highly depends on the model, the magazine size, and the nature of the grip.

2. What is the best grip for accuracy?

Ans. The palm grip is usually the best if you use the tracking style of aim. The smooth arm movement allows for better targeting before you shoot.

3. How hard should I grip a revolver?

Ans. Grip your gun tight enough so that only the trigger moves and not the revolver when your finger moves. Don’t grip so tightly that it causes your body shake to transmit to the firearm when you shoot.

4. Is it illegal to have a grip on a pistol?

Ans. You are required to register with the NFA branch of ATF if you install a vertical fore grip on your handgun.

About the author

Dan Goldsmith

Hi, this is Dan. We all know firearms are dangerous, but only when one doesn’t know how to use and care for them. I have 30+ years of experience with different types of guns and for the last 10 years, I have taught numerous people how to hold and shoot a gun while staying safe and keeping the surroundings unharmed.

My neighbors are some of my biggest admirers who enjoy talking to me about their guns, firearms safety and maintenance.

Whenever I am able to catch a moment of free time, you will find me enjoying my family or heading to the range on my motorcycle. I have enjoyed shooting sports ever since my dad introduced them to me as a child.

I like to think of myself as an outdoorsman who lives his life to the fullest. I hope you will benefit from my efforts to create valuable resources on this website. Happy reading!

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