Gun owners aren’t likely to be eager to use their guns and shouldn’t. The point of owning a gun is for protection. It should only be used when it’s absolutely necessary. When you sense danger, that’s when it’s time to spring into action to protect yourself and your loved ones. While owning a pistol for your protection may be ideal, you must know how to properly grip the gun. If you don’t, you’re putting yourself and the lives of others in danger. If you go by any of the movies and TV shows, then you’re in trouble. Here’s how to properly grip a pistol.

The Gun Is Loaded, Even If It’s Not

A former law officer told Gear Patrol that a gun owner should always assume that their firearm is loaded. There have been numerous tragedies that have occurred because the gun owner didn’t know their pistol was loaded. Before you even begin the steps to properly grip a pistol, being of the mindset that your gun is always loaded is crucial. You do not want to make a mistake because once that gun has fired off, there is no turning back. You want to be smart, not assumptive.

Tip #1 – Use Your Dominant Hand

Well, this almost goes without saying but a two-handed grip is ideal for holding your pistol. You will always get better accuracy with two hands since the gun is more stable. Make sure that your dominant hand is high on the grip. You should wrap your middle finger, ring finger, and pinky finger around the grip’s base. Avoid overlapping but ensure that the fingers are close together. Keep the index finger of your dominant hand extended. Do not put your index finger on the trigger unless you are locked on your target and are ready to fire.

Tip #2 – What About The Other Hand?

For the hand that is not dominant, the best placement for the thumb is underneath your dominant hand’s thumb. The other fingers should rest tightly on the grip’s base. Remember, your grip has to be firm to ensure the gun is as stable as it can possibly be. With the proper grip, the chances of an accurate shot greatly increase.

Tip #3 – Aiming

When shooting a firearm, you should make sure your stance is correct and target the threat with the gun’s front sight. To improve accuracy, your dominant eye should almost be looking down at the front sight.

Nowadays, firearm companies and websites make it easy for gun owners to have access to receivers and jigs. Before you carry your gun out with you, it’s important that you follow the tips listed above to avoid a catastrophe if you are ever in a situation where you have to fire off your gun. Learning how to properly grip your pistol is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid disaster. Before you make that purchase to protect your family, make sure you’re not the reason why they experience tragedy.