(Mods feel free to move this thread to another forum if you feel it would be better suited there).
For decades I've never been very good w/handguns. I've struggled w/different types of actions, sizes, calibers, techniques, etc with only modest improvement to show for it, while in the back of my mind I've always wondered why I've never been able to reach a pistol's mag release w/my thumb w/o altering my grip or copy the thumbs-forward technique well (for example).
Today in a combo "Eureka!" & "Duh! Why didn't I think of this sooner!" moment, my petite wife pointed out that my fingers are about as long as hers but w/a much larger palm.
So, can anyone provide suggestions on how to improve my defensive shooting grip/ability w/the physical makeup of my hands? I've recently purchased a couple of 9mm P320C's which I love and intend to contact SIG about picking up the P250 Compact 9mm/.357/.40 "Small" grip module to see if that helps.
TIA!...
Tomac

Let's see if I can be more specific as to my grip difficulties:
If I grasp the pistol so it fits the web of my hand properly, I can reach the trigger properly as well but the knuckles of my other fingers are at about 1:30 which is back just far enough to prevent me from curling my fingertips enough for a really secure grip. It feels like I could improve my grip if the grip itself was a little smaller.
With my support hand, I simply can't seem to get my palm to make any significant physical contact w/the side of the grip. This way I feel like my grip pressure is almost entirely on the front & back of the grip (could this mean that in reality I need a larger grip?).
Now, if I change my grip so the pistol's rotated a little counter-clockwise, it's not fitting the web of my hand as well but my fingers have a better grasp w/more pressure on the grip from the palm of my hand. There's also more available space on the left side of the grip for my support hand palm, but only the bottom of the support palm seems to make any significant contact w/the grip.
Does that make any sense?

I appreciate the training suggestion and it is something I've been trying to do. Unfortunately, in this part of Idaho the only place offering classes went under before I could attend their handgun classes (however, I did manage to take their carbine classes before that happened).
Tomac

I'm going to take all these suggestions plus do some additional online research then hit the range tomorrow for some experimentation to see if I can find something that works for me. I'll post my results when I get back from the range tomorrow morning. Thanks for all the input!
Tomac

I'm sure you may have already seen this but I think this does the best job explaining the grip. Especially when you're still talking fundamentals. I don't think Travis is the best but I am a fan boy and while watch all the other grip videos, he provides reasoning for why.

http://youtu.be/tMzQIHN-LiI

It's an older video and some of the others address what to do if you can't reach the mag release. Sounds like you're doing a fine job. Never stop learning!

Remember,


Head up. Gun up. Never give up.

What ended up being best for me w/the P320 was hooking more finger around the trigger, almost to the first joint. Still a little low/left but not as bad.
The fix, however, turned out to be going back to the P250; my groups are much tighter and more centered than w/the P320. So, P320's have gone up for sale and I'm back to carrying/shooting the P250.
Tomac

I tend to shoot tighter groups with my P320 but my first shot doesn't go where I want it like the P250. I usually start all of my range sessions with a 3-yard "1 in the hole" drill with a shoot'n see dot. My P250 I can put 4/5 on the dot normally knocking it off the target. The P320 normally starts with shot just wide and then the next 4 centered around that.

The order of importance for me is two handed, dominate hand only, non-dominate hand only. No single handgun shoots best in all three categories. For dominate hand only I like a full sized 1911 or any of my revolvers. Non-dominate hand only I'm pretty good with a snubby revolver or a Glock compact. Two handed I like my P229 or a full size Glock and even a full size P250.

Long ago, dominate hand grip in the holster was everything for me. Getting the right grip before breaking the snap keeper was where I could tell how well I would shoot a string. If I slid or bobbled my grip at the draw, I knew before the first shot broke that either my rounds would be off or my timing would be choppy. I gripped and drew for hours just to get the muscle memory and correct feel. Smooth is fast, I would tell myself over and over. Half stepping till I was sure I was ready for full speed.

This is all well and good on a range or even when playing at a match. As I get older, I have begun working on making certain that I have my gun out before I need it or getting to cover before I touch it. Having it out before I need it gives me the time to regrip if needed or even switch hands if I am on a left side barricade. Drawing behind cover is obviously better than trying to move while sweeping cover garments and thinking about gripping and drawing.

Even when I was younger I wasn't faster than bullets. If someone is already shooting in your direction, being a fast draw isn't really that important.

The grip that works best for you to be consistently accurate with the handguns you carry is about all you can hope for. Perfect just isn't in the cards for most of us.

Be safe.