Do you have control of recoil while you're shooting? You may not be managing it efficiently.
In our last blog, we discussed how your stance may be causing more recoil. Read about that first here. Now, let's cover how your grip, firearm choice and firearm assembly may affect your recoil management.
The Right Grip for Less Recoil
One of the most effective ways to control recoil is through proper grip technique. Many shooters unknowingly develop bad habits that increase felt recoil
and slow them down between shots.
One of the worst grip techniques is the push-pull method, where the shooter pushes the gun forward with their strong hand while pulling it back with their support hand.
"The gun is already recoiling backward, so pulling it back into yourself is like leaning into a punch — you’re just helping it hit you harder," John warned.
Another mistake is gripping too loosely, leading to limp wristing, which can cause malfunctions.
"If your grip isn’t firm enough, the slide might not cycle properly, and you’ll experience failures to eject or feed," John explained.
Instead, he emphasizes a firm but balanced grip.
"You’re not trying to squeeze the life out of the gun,” said John. “What you're doing is applying pressure on the back strap of the pistol, pressing the heels of your palms together."
This ensures a firm grip that stabilizes the firearm without over-exertion, preventing fatigue during long shooting sessions.
Firearm Selection: Choosing a Gun That Works For You
A key factor in recoil management is the gun itself. A heavier firearm absorbs more recoil, while lighter, shorter guns can be more challenging to control. Learn about finding the best pistol for you. Or review the best pistols for self defense here.
"If you’re an 18-year-old, 110-pound female who doesn't lift weights, a compact .45 ACP is not for you," John said. "A full-size, all-metal pistol will give you more stability and reduce recoil."
That doesn’t mean bigger is always better for your purposes.
"A Desert Eagle might be great for recoil control, but it’s impractical for carrying all day," John joked. "You have to find a balance between size, weight, and use case."
Firearm Training & Accessories
The best way to manage recoil is consistent training.
"A proper grip and stance reduce not only recoil but also malfunctions caused by limp wristing," John pointed out.
While some shooting skills require a strong mental game, recoil control is largely physical.
"There’s not much mentally involved in recoil management—it’s all about technique," he said.
Dry-fire practice and live-fire drills can help develop muscle memory and improve control.
Additionally, you can switch up the grips on your weapon.
“Some guns, it’s very easy to do that. 1911s, 2011s — like a lot of times, you just have to change out the grip panel or the grip entirely,” explained John. “There’s a lot of modular grips out there nowadays that you can literally remove the frame and trigger and everything from the gun and put it into completely different modules that could be made of metal with extremely aggressive texturing for example.”
If you have a polymer weapon, you can choose from temporary and more permanent options. You can buy grip tape or skateboard tape for a temporary solution. Or if you’re looking for something more permanent, you can look into stippling your grip. Do your own research on this before committing to it, though.
The Bottom Line
Managing recoil may not be easy, as learning new techniques can make it feel uncomfortable at first.
As John sums it up, "Making changes to your stance and grip might be a little uncomfortable at first but with practice, these changes will become second nature. What once was uncomfortable will become the new normal for you, and you will thank yourself for making that change.”
Instead, focus on proper grip, stance, firearm selection, and training to reduce felt recoil and improve accuracy. By doing so, you'll become a more controlled, confident shooter.
