Correct grip with a CZ SP01

[Joel Locsin]

I’m using a CZ SP01 Shadow which sort of has a rounded front strap, something like 2 corners. Probably something like a 1911 single stack. I was wondering at what point of the front strap should I consider the ‘corner’ to grab at the 90 degree angle of my middle finger to get the correct 'FF' grip? Should it be the inner corner (near the middle of the front strap) or the outer corner nearer the strong side of the grip? It feels more natural to use the inner but I’m not sure if this would already be over-gripping. On the other hand, if I use the outer corner, my grip tends to wrap too much at the back at the web. Would I be still be having a proper 'FF' grip if I use the inner corner?

Thanks.

[Brad VanHorn]

Sorry about the slow response; I missed this post. I shoot a CZ 75 SA, so I can relate to the grip profile of your SP-01. However, I am offering this only as generalization, because I've never seen your grip on the gun.

If I follow your description, you are gripping the gun off-center. You should grip the gun from front to back in a clamping fashion from the center of the frontstrap to the center of the backstrap. When holding a round profile grip like the CZ, if you use one of the two frontstrap corners you likely will overgrip or undergrip. To get the correct grip, the trigger guard should comfortably lay across, and be centered on, the middle bone of your social finger. It may sit slightly to the left or right of center, but the closer the trigger guard gets to a knuckle, the more likely your grip is out of alignment.

Please let me know if this helps, or if you have additional questions.

I’m using a CZ SP01 Shadow which sort of has a rounded front strap, something like 2 corners. Probably something like a 1911 single stack. I was wondering at what point of the front strap should I consider the ‘corner’ to grab at the 90 degree angle of my middle finger to get the correct 'FF' grip? Should it be the inner corner (near the middle of the front strap) or the outer corner nearer the strong side of the grip? It feels more natural to use the inner but I’m not sure if this would already be over-gripping. On the other hand, if I use the outer corner, my grip tends to wrap too much at the back at the web. Would I be still be having a proper 'FF' grip if I use the inner corner?

Thanks.

[Joel Locsin]

Thanks Brad. I'm glad someone with a CZ chimed in. I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner as I was waiting for an email notification on a new post, but I didn't receive any.

When you say 'the trigger guard should comfortably lay across, and be centered on, the middle bone of your social finger', do you mean the bone portion in between the 1st knuckle (nearest the tip of the social finger) and the 2nd knuckle? If so, when I try this, it ends with my 2nd knuckle corner somewhere in between the 1st and 2nd corner of the frontstrap, and the trigger guard off-center of the bone, and real close to the 2nd knuckle. My hands are quite large, almost 7-3/4" from wrist to tip of social finger, which is probably why it feels more comfortable if I have my 2nd knuckle much closer to the corner of the trigger guard.

Another concern I have is that since the shadow has an extended mag release, when I do the wrist lock, my weak hand palm rests on the mag release and gets scratched with its sharp edges during recoil. Although I'm not sure if you have an extended mag release with your CZ75, would you know how to fix this? With the grip taught by others where the weak hand palm rests on the left side grip panel, it wouldn't reach my palm. On the other hand, it would with the wrist lock grip since the weak hand is more advanced forward.
Thanks again!

[Brad VanHorn]

Regarding the social finger, yes it's the middle bone which contributes to forming the first and second knuckles (when starting from the tip of the finger). It sounds from your description you are overgripping. Overgripping contributes to trigger torque, which usually sends shots to the left (for right handers). Do you know if you have this problem as well?

If you can take some digital photos of your strong hand grip - a good one is to hold the gun pointed up and have someone take a pic as if looking into the mag well - as well as your two hand grip, and send them to me I can probably help you with more certainty. I'm heading south on a day trip to NC, but I will try to take some photos of my grip when I get home, and I can get them to you for a visual reference.

As to the mag release, I do make light contact with the palm of my off hand. If you are getting scratched by sharp edges, then my first suggestion is to have a gunsmith break and polish those edges (or do it yourself if you're comfortable with a file and dremel, which I'm not :) ).

[Joel Locsin]

Sounds great! I'll take those photos too as soon as I can, and send them along with other questions I have as well. Thanks!