How To Assume a Good Handgun Shooting Stance & Grip

In this episode of Smith & Wesson's GUNSMARTS series, pro shooter Julie Golob demonstrates the hows and whys of a good stance.

posted on November 22, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Most of the fundamentals of shooting are essentially functions of hand/eye coordination, and most of them apply equally for women and men. However, there are some elements of shooting that go way beyond your contact with the gun's trigger and grip. Specifically, what about your shooting stance? Is the proper shooting stance different for women than it is for men?

In this video from Smith & Wesson's excellent GUNSMARTS series, pro shooter Julie Golob illuminates her stance on ... stance. Although there are several different very specific "poses" that shooters will assume (you'll hear terms like Weaver stance and Isosceles stance bandied about), your primary concern is stability and recoil control. What you're trying to do with your stance is to bring your weight up onto the balls of your feet, lean forward into the gun and use your body's weight and construction to absorb the pistol's recoil. 

For the most part, this looks very similar for women as it does for men. That said, a woman's body is almost always going to have a lower center of gravity than a man's. That's not a bad thing at all; you can think of it as Nature's way of making us stable, and it may actually make assuming a good stance easier for you. Take a look at this terrific video for more surprisingly intuitive and easy-to-assume pointers on your best shooting stance and grip!

Latest

Winchester Super Match Lede
Winchester Super Match Lede

New Gear 2026: Winchester Super Match Competition Ammo

The new line includes match grade center-fire pistol, rifle and shotshell ammunition.
 

New Guns 2026: EAA Witness2311 XXX Double Stack 1911 Series

EAA's goal was to reduce the overall footprint of the double stack 1911 platform without sacrificing performance, interchangeability or capacity.

Where Is Your Gun RIGHT NOW?

A gun you can’t get to when you need it is useless.

Scary Self-Defense Truth: You’re Already Behind

It’s built right into the name—we call it self-defense, not offense. And being on the defensive means you’re already a step behind.

Fiocchi of America's Lanny Barnes Claims High Lady Victory at Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Championship

The Championship is one of the country's premier natural-terrain multi-gun competitions.

Considerations if You Carry at Work

If you want to carry a gun while on the job, what should you consider?

Women's Interests



Get the best of NRA Women delivered to your inbox.