Fitting the pistol to your hand

[@WienGolf]

Hello Ben! Those were really helpful explanations, thanks for that! I shared the video in our shooting group, I think it's essential information for everyone, whether you want to tune your gun, think something is "off" or before you buy your first gun.

[@Pedestrian777]

Thank you for providing tons of world-class content for free! One thing I haven't seen nearly enough of is strong hand only-shooting from a USPSA/IPSC-context, so shining some light on that would be VERY appreciated.

[@carmenhenderson4236]

Thanks for great info in the vids lately. Super helpful. I've been really trying to up my dry fire game and you have given me tons of points to work on. And the way you explain it makes so much more sense. I appreciate it!

[@chrisbeard9113]

You videos are full of all the information I’ve been seeking. It’s real world use of firearms and so much truth. You get right to all the important information. Keep it coming

[@MellowFellowOfYellow]

This honestly is a big reason why Glocks don’t “feel great” ergonomically but are very shootable for most people. They do a great job of generally giving you surface to hold onto. I personally cannot shoot Sigs or 1911s well for this reason alone. Just way too thin overall

[@onpsxmember]

There are great palm swell grips for 1911s. If it is juuust right the elliptical cross section can be really nice.

[@impactaustria]

Yeah, Glock seems to be one of the few companies that realized that you need to extend larger backstraps all the way up to underneath the beavertail to also increase trigger reach, and not just the bottom hump to effectively just change grip angle...

[@philmccracken1392]

Sand paper and dremel tools

[@Bane_Diesel]

Could you do a video for holster placement and indexing for a consistent draw?

[@cc2897]

Thanks for that, that was good to hear some more detail about your thoughts on grip and connecting to the pistol.

[@mymainelogcabin]

I fixed both thanks to your advice at a class. Thanks a million Ben👍👍

[@joshuabracke5775]

As a smaller handed shooter (S to M) I usually don't have a problem with the first problem of connection issues but I do have issues on some guns with trigger reach. DA/SAs are usually a no go for me, but I handle Gen 5 Glocks just fine because I can still actuate the trigger good enough without disrupting the sights. To that effect, I usually swap trigger shoes to Overwatch Precision, I find that their trigger reach is slightly better for me, so that's what I roll with.

[@texasranger24]

On da/sa guns i usually run reach reduction kits or a lighter trigger to make my first shot easier. And if you want something surprisingly comfortable, 2011s with a short trigger shoe are perfect for medium sized hands (so smaller man hands or larger female hands) despite their alledged bad reputation of having large and bulky grips. Love my Bul sas2.

[@leaningfree]

I've got "normal sized" palms and short fingers that my wife has nicknamed "kabobs". I carry either a g19.5 or a g45.5 and compete with a g17.5 in Open Carry (I like to compete with same manual of arms as my EDC) and run Overwatch Precision trigger kits in all of my Glocks too. I find it ironic that Glocks end up having the best triggers of any gun I own or that I've even shot (outside of a 1911) because of those amazing OP triggers.

[@joshuabracke5775]

@@leaningfree having the same manual of arms for everything just helps in general so that's a great idea, same with parts/magazines compatibility. I find OP trigger shoes just mainly help with trigger feel and slightly with reach for me, especially with long training days. One of my G19s has probably the best trigger I've felt on a Glock with a oem dot connector while my carry optics G19 has a minis connector with a worse trigger. We'll see how that changes as it gets broken in more and more.

[@texasranger24]

@@leaningfree might have to look into OP for my G17 gen4. As far as striker fired triggers go there is nothing better than the Walther with their dynamic performance trigger. A regular striker cannot beat a precocked one. On the downside, the Walther has probably the worst recoil of any full sized duty gun...

[@kylewalker9805]

These detail videos are money. Thanks for putting them on here.

[@bobb8423]

This is something the vast majority of gun owners pay no attention to.

[@Shadow__133]

It's though on us with compact hands. Even on a pdp f I have trouble reaching all controls. But we work with what we got, right? 😂

[@BratacOfChulak]

I see most striker fire gun brands like car brands , some are more reliable generally than others but it’s also to fit to the person . Like I really hated the original M&P even though it should of been just like a glock on paper the grip was just not there.

[@mikem859]

Thank you very much sir, tried trigger pull with first knuckle after this video and its much easier for me! Thanks :)

[@perrymcfry4696]

I have the same trouble with M&p. Of course you can use bigger back straps which seems to Mack my hand fill like I have a golf ball in it. I’ve tried 3 different M&p but can’t pull trigger consistently. Tried shield and shield pluses but still have too much hand. I wear a size X-Large glove. Then on certain M&ps shield in particular the non performance gun comes with much heavier trigger and everybody thinks they’re shooting 4 lb triggers because of a straight trigger when it close to 7 lbs. Sorry just want to like the S&W but can’t get there. Starting to like glocks better everyday even though not liking handle but do believe in there reliability the more I shoot them. Thanks foe listening.

[@patrickmobley7516]

Any chance we could see how your hands come together on the rear of the gun, seems like a debated subject.

[@rackpull772]

HK got it right with the side and back grip panels

[@LiorIPSC]

It's funny how different our hands are. The Shadow 2 is king of its division but I shoot better with an M&P 2.0 or P320 X5 Legion just because of the subtle nuances of hand fit. Great video!

[@BeauBrewer5.56]

Tape buildup on the side of the Glock grip for my support hand has been a nice mod for me with those guns. Not required but if I like it better why not.

[@SEAKPhotog]

Valuable info. Thank you!

[@bluyetiinc7553]

Makes so much sense.

[@seanwhite304]

I have large hands . Even though i can use my dominat hand to drop the slide home . I still use my support thumb on slide stop so i can have the exact same battery of arms on all modern semi autos . Most 1911s there is way to reach slide stop with dominant hand . Thats why since day 1 my uncle taught me to use support thumb when engaging the slide stop . Even with large hands on 75% of pistols i cannot reach maf release . I use my support hand index finger on bottom of trigger gaurd to bring the mag release closer to me ..

[@therealjb5439]

Best channel on KZbin.

[@rodanone4895]

great video. shadow 2. i also need the gridlocks or bogie palm swells to get enough meat on the grip. I think the 320 legion is my least favorite ergo, slide stop control position, shape and grip shape. i tend to want to ride the stop with my support hand. i tried to correct it with Icarus grips and thumb ledges. they're great guns, but i just couldn't make the platform work for me as well as the CZ or even the Glock.

[@tmarcustv4085]

Great video homie ✊✊✊💪💪💪

[@chippooutdoors5325]

love my urban grey

[@onpsxmember]

So many times information in the shooting world goes nowhere cause one can't convey in detail what they saw, what they do, why they do it and what they feel. You do this so so well and I'm glad you made a few other videos as well. Adjustable trigger reach will be more widespread in time. Like on the Arma Zeka models the shoe can slide to just the distance one wants. Phoenix is also thinking about it maybe 2025 on the single action models cause they offer lots of space in the trigger guard. It is kinda weird that this is so uncommon besides olympic style bullseye pistols for the most part.

[@MGMan37]

Hello Ben, I have freakishly long fingers, even with a CZ with the biggest palmswell grips on Lok's site, the fingertips on my shooting hand nearly reach the palm and leave no room for my support hand palm to get any contact on the grip. Do you have any grip ideas? Should I pull back fingers on my shooting hand to make room for support hand palm, or is maybe a double stack 45 with palm swells in my future?

[@jonasaberg]

With the Shadow 2, a lighter mag release spring could be the deciding factor whether you need to break your grip or not. Would definitely recommend trying it.

[@rodiculous9464]

Ben have you ever tried a VP9L OR? i am thinking you would like it. I must have the same hand dimensions as you because i also have trouble reaching the mag release from a shooting grip (short thumb? Lol) which is why i love the hk mag release which i can do with my trigger finger without breaking grip. I instinctively changed out the grip panels like you did, fat sizes and thin rear. It has 3 swappable panels for each 3 dimensions (both sides and rear), it has finger grooves which most people dont like but it fits me like a glove once set up. I love firing and handling the gun just because it fits so wonderfully.

[@KnownSecrets]

Try using your main hand's index finger for mag release (for me I'm right handed so right index finger goes to mag release), I would go off trigger and sweep down

[@Hawtload]

hand fit is exactly why I replaced the lower on the p365 to an aluminum module with G10 panels. now it doesn't wiggle left and right when it's in my hand.

[@GATSIncTV]

Delightful video. Most people are shooting a gun that's too small for their hands in order to be on trend, then when trends change and they end up with a gun that's much bigger they wax poetic about how much better the gun without actually quantifying what's better. I.e. the jump from Glock to 2011s in the last few years.

[@John.VanSwearingen]

Having done the “gun shop retail” thing when I was younger, most men have an urge to be sized as “large-handed,” even when they’re not. It leads to some interesting choices in pistol fit, to say the least.

[@texasranger24]

I mean i have smaller hands and i still run the somewhat larger Lok brass grips, simply because their shape and texture is superior. Plus, it fits my support hand so nicely. Texture and ergonomic shape beat that quarter inch of added circumference for me.

[@onpsxmember]

I have long fingers but not that meaty palms which sucks buying gloves but also leads to some dfferent grip choices. If the grip is too flat there is no "hill" to fill the shooting hand and none to place the drumstick of the support hand too. It makes such a gigantic difference that 2-3 different side plates should be available to try. On the polymer side the VP9/FSP9 does that well.

[@sirjamiej7889]

if you extend your middle finger straight, you can reach the mag release without shifting your grip.

[@Proton_Decay]

What do you consider to be the ideal location of the front strap relative to your middle finger-through-pinky? Does it really not matter?

[@nathandively8524]

I had to order grips from Europe for my S2. I wear XL gloves and the palm swells from LOK could not work for me.

[@sgtsawhill1]

Found this out the hard way... felt good but didn't fit and hurt like hell.. any recommendations on first gun for IDPA?

[@ShadetreeArmorer]

The feeling you get of things being "right" as you hold the pistol like a hammer isn't right at all if you hold the pistol like a pistol. I really think the default assessment most folks do is "how does this feel in my dominant hand" which is a shame because most of your grip and recoil control comes from your non-dominant hand. My epiphany on this came from doing a lot of shooting with a Glock 21, which feels like you're gripping a 2x4 at first. When I went back to a G34, I realized I didn't have enough real estate for my non-dominant hand and I ended up installing the biggest backstrap available on it.

[@BenStoeger187]

That’s a good journey you went on.

[@21exodus]

Ben what would you recommend as a good starter pistol, e.g. i jus turned 21 and want to carry and do competition.

[@sek5570]

Always go to Hi-point. The #1 gun for cc and uspsa. However, it mig be considered cheating as it is commonly considered unfair advantage

[@myronsawicki3410]

Who makes enlarged grips for Shadow 2?

[@mattmcdonald6267]

Jesus that Shadow looks like it has some serious travel to hit the wall.

[@normanmaynor5705]

Your fingers on your grip hand when your trigger finger is high on the frame are flat on the grip panel my fingers will not fit like that, my support hand forces my fingers flat my question is this a problem and is there a way to fix it. Thank you

[@MellowFellowOfYellow]

Sounds like you might need a smaller grip, but generally your support hand is going to squeeze your strong hand down some. As long as you are consistent and have consistent pressure is all that matters.

[@MW-iv3es]

I have huge hands. The only gun that fits my hand is the desert eagle. I only carry full size. I change nothing from factory. I just learn to operate then as they come. People aren't satisfied with anything always complaining.

[@Ellienollie]

I put my trigger at the first knuckle and a buddy of mine who I haven’t shot with but has a lot of fancy guns and toys was giving me shit for not using the pad of my finger. Insisting that I will shoot poorly. He then placed a penny on his front sight and dry fired and was insisting that of the penny falls it means your trigger pull is poor. He couldn’t do it. I grabbed the penny and did it 3 times in a row on his gun lol

[@Shadow__133]

I "hug" the trigger with the first knuckle, there is a sweet spot where it just feels cozy lol. But for me it does vary with the trigger type, weight and face. A competition straight faced trigger I can get away with just the tip of my finger, as it is more of a click, instead of lever "pull" action of a duty trigger.

[@AlexanderSotelo]

Didn’t even make one mention of the color of the grips or how cool they look on the gun. Homeboy knows nothing about choosing grips for a pistol. 😐

[@davenewman570]

No cap 😂😂😂😂

[@44hawk28]

Years ago, nineteen eighty. My brother was visiting from Texas.There was visiting from texas and he shot competition with a nineteen eleven. They offered to let me shoot it.And I had at that time only shot a couple of them and only A couple of magazines in them at that. He had said that he learned to shoot it right-handed. Because it's a right-handed pistol and he is left-handed. After I put all the first shot of the first magazine into the center of the pistol as fast as it would go off, I then showed him how to shoot it left, had it.After I fired the first magazine Into the center of the paper, I then showed him how to shoot it left.Handed by using your trigger finger to operate the magazine release. After that he became quickly ambidextrous with his own pistol. I told him just put an ambi safety on it. Surprisingly the trigger finger also will drop the slide just as quick as the thumb will.

[@jonwillis9919]

I've owned and shot them all, sold all my Glocks at one point but now after trying all the other brands, I only trust Glock and prefer them!

[@danielgodismyjudge]

#CZLIFE

[@fudj12]

Reposting videos huh?

[@chap23305]

Reposting? This is a new post. He has another video that is similar, but it's a different video