Proper hold on Hi Power?

[WarPig1976]

For those of you who were trained on the Hi Power. Where you trained to hold the pistol a certain way? I ask because I'm a both thumbs pointed forward guy and I constantly actuate the slide lock with the forward thumb which locks the slide back during recoil. To over come this I have to shoot with what is to me with an awkward hold, forward thumb pointing up and away. Don't have this problem on any other pistol
Curious how you guys were trained if at all to prevent this "malfunction"

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[browningautorifle]

I trained for years with it and own a .40 cal right now. Just look at the way your thumb lies and move it...not to an awkward spot, just a bit. Do you have Pachmyre's on it? Or Hogues? Or what?

[Gil Boyd]

Rather than spend a lot of explaining time, have a look at this image on this article titled the Combat Grip, it may help. You will always notice those combat pistol shooters who progressed from S&W Model revolvers to the Hi Power, by the groove left nicely cut in the top of their thumb.

When it hits the fan they naturally went back to crossing their thumbs behind the hammer, and hey ho the slide did what it does best...............carves skin. So look at the guys hold and work your magic around that. In short get a good firm grip on the pistol grip, and build around that grip with the opposite hand ensuring that hand is not impeding the slide or ejection opening. Hope that helps.

The Combat Grip

[Peter Laidler]

At the Small Arms School, during the later 20 years or so, pistol users were pretty-well taught several ways to shoot but it was left to them as to which method they preferred....., so long as it was safe and they could safely undertake all of the drills that were required.

I used to shoot it, held in the usual way, right handed, arm slightly bent, but cupped at the bottom of the mag/grip with the left hand so that the right thumb nail was sort of held onto the grip by the left thumb. Not quite one of the grips taught but close enough. Nobody ever used to say anything toooo detrimental

[WarPig1976]

Stock grips, it's a Mk3 with the thumb rest. You got the gerbil spinning the wheel BAR. Got it out right now and I realize why I have this habit. The thumb rest is forcing me to ride my R thumb on the safety which is placing the support hand thumb too high on the frame. I'll do some pics, its easier to show than describe. To get where I want to be on the pistol I may have to change the grips.

This was the first handgun I bought when I was 21yrs before I knew anything about the history of this fine weapon, the lines and all steel construction just spoke to me. The Glocks didn't do it for me,,still don't

---------- Post added at 05:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:44 PM ----------

I used to shoot it, held in the usual way, right handed, arm slightly bent, but cupped at the bottom of the mag/grip with the left hand so that the right thumb nail was sort of held onto the grip by the left thumb. Not quite one of the grips taught but close enough. Nobody ever used to say anything toooo detrimental

Sooo, your issue was dropping half spent magazines on the deck?...

[browningautorifle]

I wondered...change for a set of Pachmayr or maybe Hogue finger groove, I've had them both and like them both. That should sort it and also improve the grab appeal for you.

[WarPig1976]

This is what I'm doing
Attachment 56839
This is what I should be doing but I don't like it
Attachment 56840
This is what the grip dictates, loath it.
Attachment 56841
I'll give new grips a try.

[browningautorifle]

I'd try placing the right first and then the left over it. I end up holding the right thumb down with the left thumb. My left thumb is hidden in picture one. Try both sets of grips if you can and just return the ones you don't like, or like less. I had a set of Hogue on my first Mk3 and liked them, the Pachs came standard on the next gun. They're fine too...another thing though, I found the new Mk 3 slide stop is different from the older model. The notch for the retaining ball is different. I had the same problem you had and then changed from new to old model. Problem solved. I had to do a minor mod externally for my .40 though. It solved the problem...

[Gil Boyd]

Now if I was still doing my instructor bit here, I would mention that your grouping on target using that hold could be all over the place.
Now that I know you are not cackhanded but righthanded from the photos, concentrate initially on firing holding the pistol grip firmly into the strap between your right thumb and first finger, push it back into that as tight as it will go, and fire with one hand.
Assess your hits on target and then shoot as Peter suggests cupping the base of the pistol grip and schrolling around your right hand with your left, you will then see the benefit of a tight and firm hold.

I would go further also, in suggesting that you try locked arms out front and also slightly bent arms and then also assess your MPI and the best one of those two holds for you.

The reason it has stayed so long in service is simply it is one of the best handguns in the combat role, and will never let you down as long as, like every weapon you clean it regular.
Good luck and get someone to video you cracking off on the range from the side and also learn for that method too.

[jmoore]

I'm not much help here, being "cackhanded" and all. My major drama firing High Powers either hand or both is the web of the shooting hand gets beat bloody by the hammer. Especially the rowell hammered versions. The spur hammered ones aren't nearly as bad. The only pistols more blood letting are the Walther PP/PPK things. Maybe followed by Mauser HScs, but it's been a very long time with those.

If the pistol in question wasn't a stock milsurp High Power, i'd suggest modifying or replacing the controls with ones that are more ergonomic. Or maybe temporary replacement "racegun" bits. I did it with ambidexterous safeties on old Govn't Models for match duties. Put the old parts back after they weren't needed.