Your surrounding area is clear and safe.
Could this situation be a real shooting?
Or could it be a recreation of a real-life shooting in a training or competitive environment?
What is so important about a pistol’s front strap? You know, that front-facing portion of a handgun’s grip frame, where the shooter’s fingers wrap around when holding the firearm.
Gone are those days.
Now, there are many commercially available options for adding texture to the front strap of your pistol.
Also, many firearms come from the factory these days with texturing on the front strap.
The textured front strap aided in the strong hand, one-handed grip with the .45. Image: Sonia Casasnovas
Of course, there are many pistols with smooth surfaces all around their entire grip.
We then consolidate the grip with the support hand in a vise-like manner.
Without it, the entire grip can fail, making accurate follow-up shots difficult.
The author was thoroughly impressed with the ergonomics, trigger action and natural pointing abilities of the Echelon pistol. Image: Sonia Casasnovas
The more abrasive the texture of the front strap, the deeper its signature will be on your fingers.
This is a sign that you are putting pressure in the right place.
Finger grooves in the front strap is another way to keep the shooting hand from moving.
An aggressive grip texture, like what is found on the front strap of the Springfield Armory Echelon, helps a shoot retain a solid hold on a gun while shooting — even if your hands are slick from sweat or rain.
Firm but not abrasive.
Normally found in some 1911s.
This pattern digs into my hand more aggressively, but the fingers wont go anywhere!
Down — but not out — simulation with the Echelon at 7 yards. When shooting from compromised positions, the texture on the front strap can help stabilize the gun in your hand. Image: Sonia Casasnovas
This is the checkering of the Springfield Armorys TRP series.
Wrap-around Hogue rubber grips: this option is not abrasive at all, yet it melts into my hand.
When I used the rubber grips with finger grooves, it made the grip a little bulkier.
Grip tape: I use Talon Grips for my polymer frame guns.
I get a secure hold of the gun without augmenting the width of the grip.
Also as noted, the TRP series of 1911s come straight from the factory with 20 lpi checkering.
In my view, it comes down to your preference.
The texture just needs to help cement your grip during recoil.
But then again, I would argue that a good part of the shooting equation can.
Why not take advantage of this benefit if it’s possible for you to?
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