Lefty Grip Question

[pwharve]

Gang,

So I've discovered that in extended firing he in West Texas, the take down lever on the M40 will get pretty darn hot--hot enough to leave a blister on my right, weak side thumb. So, I've been playing with grips.

Can anyone think of a reason I couldn't extend my weak side thumb down a bit and rest it sort of where the strong side index finger rests when out of the trigger guard. All my teachers have always said that the thumb shouldn't be used for grip pressure anyway.

Anyone see any problems with this before I try it tomorrow?

I suppose I could just tape the thumb, but I have enough vanity to not want to look like a dork with a taped up thumb every time I go to the range to play.

TIA,

--pwharve

[IDPA Steyr]

I have had no problem extending my support hand (right) thumb forward of the take down lever. I put a small piece of skateboard tape on the spot where my thumb indexes and it works fine. Without starting an entire discussion on the subject, I find that this grip allows for much better control of the firearm since it rolls your support hand farther around the grip.

[pwharve]

WTH, I'll give it a shot, but I don't think my hands are that big--seems like weak side arm is uncomfortably extended in that position. Always feel different after you try it though.

Did you notice the take down lever getting OMG hot?

Thanks for the tip.

I wish more companies would put a slide stop on the right hand side. It doesn't even need to be a last round hold open either, seating the mag with the meaty part of my thumb and realeasing the slide with the...uh finger finger, has become natural. But, something to make it easier to open and show clear or clear jams would be nice.

Thanks again.

--pwharve

[IDPA Steyr]

The grip does take some time to get used to, it took me about a month before I stopped "reverting." Now I can't imagine doing anything else. Look at photos of Latham or Langdon and you'll see what it looks like. It requires a stance that is more square to the target than the standard weaver stance, but it works.

Regarding the take-down getting hot, when I have a range session, the entire gun gets and stays hot for quite some time. Seems to be normal and have no adverse effect.

Try this trick...I have not used my slide release for a long time. As a left hander, I was concerned about using the Steyr in competition due to the location of the release. I have found that by SHARPLY inserting the magazine after a slide lock, I can get the slide to fall reliably into battery. Makes for a quick reload. I know it works with all the Steyrs my wife and I own. I'd be interested to know if it works for you.

Good luck and good shooting

[matt7184]

Most of the semis ive used will go back into battery if you slam a mag in, including my Steyr, some people dont like this but I do.

[pwharve]

IDPA Steyr,

I tried that grip out today, but I just couldn't seem to make it work for me--I had absolutely no strength in it and I felt like I was hyperextending my week side shoulder. Lotsa limp wristing stove pipes. I use an isoscelese of sorts with a pretty pronounced bend at the knee, a pretty aggressive forward lean, feet just a smidge more than shoulder width, weak side heal just short of even with strong side toes--not quite what Ayoob calls "stress fire" (I hate those super ninja terms), but close. Maybe that's why I couldn't make it work. I do appreciate the tip though.

The barrel/slide do get hot, but I don't touch them much so its not a problem, but a constant take down lever shaped burn--my dealer chuckled--just won't work out for me.

Actually, I sold the M40 back to him today, which is a damn shame because it was a fine shooting pistol--just couldn't adapt any good grips to it--the area beanth the slide needs to be about 1/8th inch narrower for me. Maybe when the A1s come out, I'll look at having one of the Glock customizers see if they can shave it.

I do use the mag trick from time to time on my Glocks, but it won't do that for me reliably, so I've made it a habit of touching with my middle finger.

--pwharve