10m air pistol - now tightly do you grip pistol

[I. J.]

The rifle jacket is probably illegal in air pistol competitions .....

I do admit to struggling in my straight jacket.

Personally the the grip I use depends on the pistol Im using. Most require a gentle but firm grip with the thumb and little finger being surplus to requirements. Others, like the S.A.M, I hold very gently, almost balanced on my hand. As previously stated - its what suits you. Try different grips until you find the best one.

HTH
Ian

[StayOnTarget]

Thanks Discocom for this question ive just got into air pistol shooting and had the same problem looked more like i was using a shotgun than a pellet gun anyhoo my groups have improved tons and thats down to you and the kind people who spared their time to answer your question.

oh BTW i now hold my pistol like and English gentleman drinking tea little finger pointing straight out and thumb at a relaxed 11 o'clock position.

Cheers!!!

[Bjacobs571]

When I was trained as a pistol coach I was told not to apply any force with the middle finger as this affects the trigger pull.
If you press your middle finger against your thumb as if you are doing the "OK" gesture and then try to move your trigger finger you will feel resistance in your trigger finger. If you then press the next finger down against your thumb you will feel little or no resistance in your trigger finger.
When you pick up the pistol you should push it into the web of your hand so the springiness of your skin will keep the pistol in place with little or no grip. Doesn't work as well once you start getting old.
In my opinion the little finger needs to be in place wrapped around the grip but with no pressure on it.
Your thumb needs to be in a comfortable natural position or it won't be repeatable. I wouldn't recommend applying any pressure with it but I always have it resting on the grip.
Repeatability is the name of the game every shot just like the last how you hold it is less important than doing it the same every shot.

[Discocom]

When I was trained as a pistol coach I was told not to apply any force with the middle finger as this affects the trigger pull.
If you press your middle finger against your thumb as if you are doing the "OK" gesture and then try to move your trigger finger you will feel resistance in your trigger finger. If you then press the next finger down against your thumb you will feel little or no resistance in your trigger finger.
When you pick up the pistol you should push it into the web of your hand so the springiness of your skin will keep the pistol in place with little or no grip. Doesn't work as well once you start getting old.
In my opinion the little finger needs to be in place wrapped around the grip but with no pressure on it.
Your thumb needs to be in a comfortable natural position or it won't be repeatable. I wouldn't recommend applying any pressure with it but I always have it resting on the grip.
Repeatability is the name of the game every shot just like the last how you hold it is less important than doing it the same every shot.

I've been shooting with thumb 'up' which seems to work for me. Agree repeatability is key. Also trying to get in habit of dry firing each day to get more consistancy

[Discocom]

Thanks Discocom for this question ive just got into air pistol shooting and had the same problem looked more like i was using a shotgun than a pellet gun anyhoo my groups have improved tons and thats down to you and the kind people who spared their time to answer your question.

oh BTW i now hold my pistol like and English gentleman drinking tea little finger pointing straight out and thumb at a relaxed 11 o'clock position.

Cheers!!!

Thanks for the kind comment and likewise, all the comments and advice much appreciated, I'm going to start a new thread on stance and head position, as thats the next area I'm experimenting with