The Drill:
The 2-Hand Grip Transition is a dry- or live-fire drill that focuses on switching the firearm from a strong-hand shooting grip to a support-hand shooting grip. Both the strong hand and off-hand are used; however, the role of each hand simply switches. This drill is intended to take the shooter out of his or her comfort zone and normal routine by forcing the use of his or her support hand as the primary shooting hand.
The Setup:
Initially, this should be run as a dry-fire drill until the shooter becomes comfortable transitioning from a strong to off-hand grip. To begin, the shooter will need an unloaded and verified clear firearm. A training firearm such as a SIRT or Blue Gun can also be used.
The Skills:
Proficiency in a smooth and, more importantly, safe transition is the fundamental skill that is being developed through this drill: acquiring the ability to effectively put rounds on target if your primary (strong) hand becomes injured during a violent encounter, thus keeping you in the fight.
The Details:
Begin by taking up a normal shooting stance and grip the firearm with both hands, acquiring a good sight picture. Next, release the fingers of your off-hand, followed by the strong-hand fingers. The firearm is now sandwiched between both palms. During this step, it is important to maintain control of the firearm and ensure the index finger is safely riding the slide and off the trigger. Now, the hands simply switch responsibilities. Your support hand becomes your strong hand and grips the firearm first, riding high on the tang. Wrap your fingers around the front of the grip. Your strong hand now becomes your support hand. Your thumb should stack beneath the other, with your fingers wrapping around the front of the grip on top of your support hand fingers. One additional thing to be aware of is thumb position. When initially attempting this drill, you might be tempted to cross your thumbs. This puts them in danger of being hit by the slide. When observing the placement of both hands after the transition, you should see a mirror image of your normal grip. Pick a spot on the wall, or use a target, to keep the muzzle of the firearm as much on target as possible.
Safety Considerations:
Whenever conducting dry-fire drills, safety is of the utmost importance. All live ammunition must be kept locked up, preferably in a different room from where the dry-fire practice will take place. Be sure to visually and physically ensure the firearm is unloaded. If possible, have a training buddy verify the firearm is clear. Designate which wall is your safe direction (downrange), and always keep the muzzle of the firearm pointed that way.
Closing Thoughts:
Shooters generally practice using the same grip, stance, trigger press and sight picture, becoming almost ritualistic to build consistency and muscle memory. This drill will take shooters out of their comfort zones and expand on basic shooting fundamentals. For most shooters, the 2-Hand Grip Transition will be challenging and feel unnatural. Vary your training and keep practicing so you will build the skills necessary to help you prevail in a violent encounter.
