Pistols with a Compromised Grasp

Those with a concealed carry firearm figure out what handgun features work best for them. Some never find a perfect weapon.

Often it comes down to a compromise. You want a reliable concealed carry weapon but one that is not so bulky it screams, “I’m carrying!”

Every body type is different so the problem becomes even more complicated. Some carry methods work well for one person or pistol and not for others. The trick is to avoid weapons slipping and concealed carry individuals printing.

The most difficult part of a concealed carry handgun to conceal the hand grip and the barrel. A good holster and practice carrying so it becomes natural are certainly important. Choosing a weapon with a short grip will help. It’s a simple fact: Guns with short grips are significantly easier to conceal.  But there’s a downside: Handguns with short grips are harder to handle. They make shooting more difficult too.

So, it’s a tradeoff. Sub-compact weapons have reduced grip lengths. The best ones are scaled down versions of the full-size handguns. However, most users of sub-compact handguns carry an extra magazine or use the larger capacity magazine which adds bulk.

They may also buy extended base pads to attain full grip on the pistol. Grip extensions often cancel the compactness of the weapon. They buy these grip extensions  because many shooters are not comfortable shooting a gun with their little finger dangling under the grip.

Often they trade off a sub-compact and instead get a compact autoloader with a reduced size grip. A good choice is the Glock 26. It takes a full-size magazines and yet it is a compact version of a the Glock. There’s lots versatility. It conceals well and you can carry a full-size reload. If you’re not comfortable with the grip, there are many factory and after-market grip extension options.

With practice and proper technique, you can shoot a compact gun well. 

What Reduced Grip Negatively Impacts

• It’s hard to control the recoil.
• Establishing a good grip rapidly is more difficult.
• Reloading is more of a problem. 
• A weapon with a reduced grip length squirms in your hand. 
• When drawing the gun, the smaller grip is challenging. 
• The compact grip is smaller surface. This makes it more precarious. It’s harder to draw fast.

How to Offset These Concerns

• Learning proper technique is critical.
• Practice and training can alleviate these concerns. 
• Control by tucking your pinky finger under and against the bottom of the grip. 
• Apply contact and pressure against the bottom of the grip with your little finger. This helps make up for the missing grip surface. 
• Assume a solid grasp on the gun with your support hand.
• Make sure you have a solid holster. Use a holster that anchors to your belt at two points. This avoids shifting. It stabilizes the tilt of the gun.
• Look for a holster that utilizes two anchor points with dual loops or clips. This will minimize the tilt of the gun. The exact location of the grip will be more predictable.