March 15, 2026

How to Hold a Gun the Right Way

Photo: Even small mistakes in your hand placement can throw off your accuracy. Before you worry about the trigger pull, make sure your connection to the firearm is solid. Which of these three is the right way to hold a handgun?

Accuracy starts long before you pull the trigger.

Whether you're shooting a pistol, rifle, or shotgun, the way you hold the firearm determines how well you control recoil, track your sights, and place your shots. Even small mistakes in grip or stance can throw off accuracy and make shooting far more difficult than it needs to be.

The good news? The fundamentals are simple—and once you learn them, they apply to nearly every firearm you'll handle.

So which grip is the one to use in the picture above? It's "B"
For most applications that relate to your caption—where control and accuracy for multiple shots are the goals—the generally accepted and correct answer is B, the "thumbs-forward" grip.

This technique provides the most robust connection to the firearm, using the support hand not just to squeeze but to actively manage the weapon's movement during recoil. It fills all the space on the grip and locks the wrists, which is the key to maintaining accuracy through a string of fire.

The Proper Handgun Grip

A handgun demands control. Because it's fired with both hands in front of the body, managing recoil and muzzle movement comes down to your grip.

Start with your dominant hand high on the backstrap of the pistol. The web of your hand should sit as high as possible under the slide without interfering with it. This helps control recoil and reduces muzzle flip.

Next, bring in your support hand. Wrap it around your dominant hand so that it fills the open space on the grip. Your thumbs should generally point forward along the frame.

The key is firm but balanced pressure. Too loose and the gun will move excessively during recoil. Too tight and you may introduce shaking that affects your trigger pull.

Finally, keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to fire. When you do press the trigger, use the pad of your index finger for smoother control.

Stabilizing a Rifle

Rifles add another point of contact that dramatically improves stability.

Your dominant hand grips the rifle's pistol grip or stock while your trigger finger stays outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot. Your support hand rests under the handguard or forend, helping guide and steady the rifle.

One of the most important elements is the cheek weld—placing your cheek firmly on the stock. A consistent cheek weld keeps your eye aligned with the sights or optic every time you shoulder the rifle.

The rifle stock should also be pulled snugly into the shoulder pocket, the natural space between the collarbone and chest muscle. This helps absorb recoil and keeps the rifle steady during firing.

Controlling a Shotgun

Shotguns generate more recoil than most firearms, which makes body position especially important.

Your dominant hand controls the stock while your support hand grips the forend farther forward. This forward grip helps manage the weight of the gun and improves control when swinging the barrel toward a target.

Like a rifle, the shotgun stock should be seated firmly into the shoulder pocket, not resting against the collarbone. This spreads recoil across stronger muscle and reduces discomfort.

Your stance also matters. A slight forward lean with feet shoulder-width apart helps you absorb recoil and stay balanced after the shot.

Mastering these fundamentals does more than improve accuracy—it makes shooting safer and more comfortable. And once the basics become second nature, every firearm becomes easier to handle.

Until next time, stay locked and loaded.
- Randy, Locked N Loaded

Please add randy@gophercentral.com to your address book or visit here.

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