Author – Warren Ackerson
Building the Pistol Grip is a step-by-step system of mastering the shooter’s grip on the pistol.
The pistol gets really busy when we press the trigger and touch off the primer, the chain of events is very dynamic: The firing pin ignites the shock-sensitive primer, which then ignites the powder charge. The powder burns and creates 200-250 times its volume in gas in .020 (1/50th) second. The high-pressure gas sends the bullet downrange at about 1,000 feet per second, and the pistol then completes the seven steps of the cycle of operation in about 1/20th of a second. That is pretty fast indeed.
While all of this is happening, we must keep the sights aligned on target so that the bullet can hit the target. Right?
There is one distinct problem, while the trigger is in motion, the sights are in motion too. Here is the problem; the hands are moving, and the mere action of pressing the trigger to the rear is prone to moving the gun and therefore moving the sights.
Well, then we need a very good trigger press, right? Yes, we sure do. And one secret to achieving that really good trigger press rests on the foundation of a good grip on the pistol.
Let me explain; The Glock pistol weighs 22 ounces unloaded. The trigger pull is 5.5 lbs. (88 ounces.) Therefore, the trigger weighs four times the weight of the pistol. This means we need a solid grip to stabilize the pistol against the weight of the trigger pull.
There is a quick snap of energy when we fire the gun. The recoil impulse is only about 15-17 lbs. of rearward energy. Not too much for the hand. However, the impulse is so fast (about 1/20th of a second) that we cannot react to it. This means that we have to have the grip built and ready for that energy, when it comes.
We will use Friction and Leverage to put the gun in a vice. This aids the shooter in counteracting the movement of the gun as the shooter presses the trigger. Remember, when the trigger is in motion, the gun is in motion two.
This system develops specificity of muscle tension to aid in isolating the action of the trigger finger, and in managing recoil so we can get back on target quickly.
The step-by-step process starts with the forearms, which control the wrists. We then apply specific muscle tension to the firing hand, which aims the gun and runs the trigger. Once we have the firing hand properly set, we can focus on the support hand. This is where we achieve the majority of our control on the gun.
The support hand uses a C-Clamp to hold the gun. We then enlist the elbows to apply the Nutcracker, and the Torque Wrench to tighten the palm heels with great mechanical advantage. Once we have this platform in place, we can apply the Pinch Lock to keep the pistol on the centerline.
Shooting a pistol is a complex, fine motor skill, and it is perishable. I have taken many classes from, and been to matches where some of the best shooters show us how it’s done. I stand in awe of those shooters. I have learned from many shooters who are far better than me, some even had the secret sauce. I recommend that you learn from anyone who has good technique.
You can find the book here: https://www.sergeantackerson.com/
Thanks, and be Safe!
Warren began his career with the U.S. Army Military Police Corps, serving three years in Korea. His first year he served on the DMZ, where the mission, and the men were hard. His next two years were with the 142nd MP Company in Seoul. He also served a year instructing at the MP School, and nineteen years in the Army reserve.
Warren transitioned to civilian law enforcement, and he retired as a Sergeant after twenty-three years of challenging and rewarding assignments. He also served as the Staff Training Sergeant for the Minnesota Police Corps.
After retiring from law enforcement, Warren worked for the GLOCK Pistol Company for eighteen years, where he led a team of twelve District Managers in the Central U.S. The thousands of hours on the range with hundreds of police agencies and the shooting public revealed the process that you will find in this guide.
Instructor Certifications and Assignments: Firearms; Pistol, Patrol Rifle, Shotgun, Sub-gun, Sniper, Armorer. SWAT Team Leader, Less Lethal, Control Tactics, Field Training Officer & Field Training Supervisor. Investigations, Crime Prevention, Fitness Trainer, Southern Praying Mantis Gong Fu.
