How to Properly Grip a Handgun for Defensive Shooting

As responsible 1911 pistol owners, it's important to understand how to safely grip and operate our handguns at all times. A proper handgun grip will make all the difference in accuracy, stability and security, especially when dealing with close-quarter situations. There are several acceptable shooting grip configurations, and it's important to choose a grip that works best for you. But, for those who are looking for the most advantageous way to grip their pistols, our good friend Michael Seeklander has put together some of the best instructional videos on the web. Michael has spent years creating and perfecting his arsenal of helpful videos that focus on accurate, defensive rifle and pistol training. He competes competitively throughout the United States and is a respected Law Enforcement Officer and trainer.


In this video, Michael focuses on the proper pressure and hand placement necessary to reduce recoil and side-to-side movement, which increases stability and accuracy. He focuses on the 3 most important aspects of firing pistols: managing the sites, the trigger and the recoil. When properly focusing on these 3 points, it forces the pistol to return to the firing position immediately after the trigger has been pulled. The right amount of pressure depends on how the pistol reacts once fired. The most important aspect, managing recoil, is key to accurately firing multiple shots from one position with the tightest groupings possible. Michael also covers the different types of trigger pulls, as well as how to adjust your grip to maintain accuracy when firing at targets from different distances.

As gun owners, we should always keep our skills as sharp as possible. The more we know about gun safety, the more we can reduce accidents in tactical situations. We hope that by sharing information from one of the best professionals in the field that as many gun owners as possible will be reminded to periodically update their skills to ensure they are operating their firearms with the upmost accuracy and safety. Handgun safety is the most important aspect of gun-ownership and the more informed we are, the more likely we will avoid accidents and understand how to react accordingly in the event of an actual emergency situation. We hope you find these tips informative and incorporate them into your own training routines and the routines of your friends and family. Check out Mike's other videos on proper firearm safety and tactical training procedures for law enforcement and civilians.