Anatomy of a Marksman (Part 2) – How to Grip and Stance a Pistol for Accuracy and Recoil Control

Series: The Anatomy of a Marksman — A Practical Guide to Pistol Accuracy
Part 2 of 6

This article builds on the safety and foundational concepts established earlier in the series by examining stance and grip as the physical platform for recoil control and consistency.

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Your Body Is the Shooting Platform

The pistol behaves according to how the body supports it. Stability does not mean rigidity — it means repeatability.

Stance — Stability Without Excess Tension

Isosceles (Foundational Starting Point)

• Square to the target
• Feet shoulder-width apart
• Knees slightly bent
• Weight forward
• Arms extended naturally

This stance is simple, durable, and holds up well under stress.

Weaver (Push–Pull Method)
Effective for some shooters, but less intuitive for beginners and less forgiving of visual inconsistencies.

Modified Stance
Many shooters evolve into a blended stance. Consistency matters more than labels.

🔰 Stance Check
Balanced. Forward weight. Relaxed shoulders.

Shooting Stances

This diagram compares three common shooting stances: Isosceles, Weaver, and a Modified version. Note the differences in arm position and body orientation, which affect stability and recoil management.

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Grip — The Primary Recoil Control Mechanism

Strong Hand

• High on the backstrap
• Web of hand tight under the tang
• Fingers pull straight back

Support Hand

• Rotated forward
• Fills exposed grip area
• Provides most recoil control

Grip Pressure Principle
Support hand manages lateral pressure. Strong hand stabilizes front-to-back.

⚠️ Common Error
Over-gripping with the strong hand, creating tension and steering the gun.

Grip Pressure Vectors

This diagram illustrates the proper application of force on a pistol's grip. The arrows show the direction of pressure from both the firing and support hands to create a stable and neutral platform.

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➡️ Read Part 3 → Sight Alignment vs Sight Picture: How to Aim a Pistol Correctly

Continue the Series
→ Read Part 1: Firearm Safety and the Fundamentals of Pistol Marksmanship
→ Read Part 2: How to Grip and Stance a Pistol for Accuracy and Recoil Control
→ Read Part 3: Sight Alignment vs Sight Picture
→ Read Part 4: Trigger Control Explained
→ Read Part 5: Practice Methods That Build Real Pistol Accuracy
→ Read Part 6: Defensive vs Competition Pistol Shooting

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