From: rigg@ssdt-tempe.sps.mot.com (Dana Rigg)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: First Gun Suggestions?
Date: 30 Sep 92 23:14:21 GMT
Article-I.D.: spsgate.9209302105.AA14472

-> |> -> Interesting demo I learned:
-> |> -> 
-> |> -> Grip gun (e.g. 1911 .45) normally in one hand.
-> |> -> Move bottom two fingers away from grip, and pull palm of hand away from grip.
-> |> -> You are now holding gun with 2nd finger under the trigger guard 
-> |> -> (its normal position), and the web of your hand between thumb
-> |> -> and forefinger (normal grip here also).  Much easier to show than describe 
-> |> -> verbally.
-> |> -> 
-> |> -> Anyway, pull the trigger. The gun does not leap out of your hand like
-> |> -> a wild animal. Its not the best grip for rapid fire, but it demos the 
-> |> -> fact that that recoil is quite controllable.
-> |> 
-> |> 
-> |> Randy, have you actually tried this with a 1911 .45, or are you speaking
-> |> about something with little or no experience?  I have been shooting a .45
-> |> for quite some time and I would definite NOT recommend that this be done.  I
-> |> think it is rather silly to take chances with, at the very least, dropping
-> |> an expensive, loaded firearm.  A stunt like this can be dangerous, even if
-> |> it is possible.  Let's all try to remember that guns are dangerous and
-> |> should be treated with the proper respect.  The shooting range is NOT the
-> |> place for "I wonder what happens when I do this?" mentality.
-> 
-> As the wording implies, I have actually tried it.  Everyone in one
-> class I took got to try this [so "combat" guns with combat type loads 
-> were in use].  If you hold reasonably firmly (a death grip is not required)
-> with the finger and web of hand, the gun will not, as I said, jump out of
-> the hand.  If the description is not clear, then I take the blame for that.
-> If it makes you nervous, single load the gun.  A person with small hands
-> might have a problem with this (although none of the 10 or folks in the 
-> class I took did).  The teacher was a reputable instructor, who works mostly
-> with law enforcment, but sometimes gives classes to civilians.
-> 
-> This is not a "stunt", or silly unless you are misreading (or I miswrote!) the 
-> description of this demo, and I am surprised anyone who's shot much
-> finds it all that surprising.  The palm of the hand does little to control
-> the upward push of recoil, and I apply less pressure with the last
-> two fingers than with the 2nd finger anyway [i.e. most of the recoil
-> control is via the parts of the hand still on the gun].
-> 
-> I wouldn't try this with a .44 magnum, but for most .45s and 9mms it's not
-> a problem.

Randy, I am not disputing where the recoil pressure goes, what part of the
hand controls it, or even whether or not it is possible to do this.  I am
pointing out that this is an irresponsible thing to do with a firearm because
it *IS* possible (probable in my opinion) to have an accident.  Would you
honestly feel safe standing next to somebody at the range who decided to try
this?

There is no reason what-so-ever to attempt to fire a weapon this way. There
is no situation that I can think of where such a technique would be necessary.
The only purpose of this 'stunt' is to satisfy one's curiosity.  That is what
I was referring to as the "I wonder what happens when I do this?" mentality.
It is analogous to saying "Gee, my finger will fit just right in this light
bulb socket. I'll try it and see what happens."  Let's not all go out and try
this, okay?

Dana Rigg
Chandler, AZ
rigg@ssdt-tempe.sps.mot.com