Bad form is bad form, leading to bad results. This is the result of a light grip. A weak grip doesn't counteract a shoulders-forward attitude.

Should be "muzzle flip," as that's the 'springboard' for this feature: I received a screen capture depicting someone shooting a light, powerful revolver. The muzzle was directed skyward, presumably by the crushing power of the load in the lightweight gun. A grimace, closed eyes and the impression of a high-order detonation implied 'punishment.' Muzzle flip is a component of recoil expressed due to a loose grip and/or poor stance. Recoil is a function of projectile weight and mass, velocity and the weight of the launching device. It's something you feel – for every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction. It's like politics. Control of recoil is control of the ultimate force option: If you keep the gun in line – or nearly in line – with the point of ignition, you can reset the action and continue firing. It's a rate of (accurate) fire thing. You've seen videos of the inexperienced types shooting X-frame .500 Magnum revolvers. For one press of the trigger, it appears they're getting the "hammer" – two shots. It has to do with the abrupt jarring impact, trigger finger relaxing due to impact and immediately retightening to keep the gun in hand. The second round is coming out nearly vertical, close to covering the shooter's head. That's a problem. It's potentially a self-resolving problem in a permanent sense.

Standing, unsupported -- shooting a lighter gun -- and there's less flip than the heavier gun before fired supported. This was a matter of grip.

The screen cap did not show that level of threat, but it's still cause for concern. As I make use of remote cameras at the range and they capture images on their own at intervals, I've seen some interesting mistakes that I make. It's a diagnostic tool. The shooter on the screen cap has a very low grip: low on the backstrap and support hand just a bit higher than being a "cup and saucer." This doesn't work. The rule is hand as high as possible on the back strap with the fingers of the non-gun hand atop the fingers of the shooting hand – knuckles pointing to the target. In one image, I'm shooting the Ruger R1911AS with wrists supported over sandbags. It's apparent that my grip isn't all it could be, as the muzzle is about 45 degrees above target line at its peak. When I'd downloaded photos at the time of the article, I remembered that shot: it's not a good technique for shooting groups or anything else. Grip is a component of recoil management – firm and dependent on the size and shape of the gun. There's a thing called "stance" but it's problematic. Operationally, shooters aren't always standing. There are times that a shooter could be seated, downed into prone or supine positions or squatting/kneeling behind a barrier. The thing to remember is to keep the shoulders forward of the midline of the body – if possible. Use the upper body as a brake, leaning forward into the shot. In this way, recoil has to penetrate the grip and push your upper body back.

A good example of "stance" -- upper body forward, leaning into the recoil.

Finally, consider the arms. I'm no fan of locking joints out at extension. Perhaps you are. If it works for you, as long as it's working for you, have at it. I find that as the years accumulate, joints locked at extension are a non-starter. I started arms bent as a matter of modeling behavior I saw in photos. I'm ending up with arms bent as a function of aging joints. In terms of isometric tension, some don't like it. I do. It's on a continuum; using a Glock 18 on full-auto, it's an extreme push-pull with the non-shooting elbow at six o'clock. Same with a .44 Magnum revolver. With a .38 or 9mm, not so much. Control of recoil allows faster follow up shots like natural point of aim ensures the sights return to the same point again and again. Little things can mean a lot. -- Rich Grassi