Pick a Pistol

[RenegadeStorm88]

Im looking into buying myself a dry foil with a pistol grip, but i dunno what kind to get, everyone seems to just say i need to try them out to see which ones are the most comfortable, but everyone in my club who has a pistol grip is a lefty so that dosent do me any good, i'd say i have pretty big hands (7.75 inches, 20 cm from the base of my palm to the tip of my middle finger, 3.5 inches, 9 cm across my palm if that helps) I was looking at a visconti medium, i figured it wouldnt be too big to too small that way, maybe just a lil big or a lil small. any thoughts?

[Neinteen]

I fence with a Visconti S and a belgian only because umm long story.

Just try out the Visconti sizes at the store or something. I doubt there would be a problem.

[mrbiggs]

Viscontis are the most popular.

For the most part, you'll get used to what you start with. My high school team used Belgian grips, and most of the fencers on the team, when buying their own stuff after several years, said that they found viscontis uncomfortable. I'd stick to something normal though; no Russians or Spanish Offsets or anything. If you're interested in one of those, I'd definitely recommend trying it out.

[RenegadeStorm88]

Well the thing is there isnt a store in the area, im shopping online

[Neinteen]

Ooohhhhh......

ummmm..... you really should fine someway to try the sizes or something.

[RenegadeStorm88]

I figured you'd say that...

[RenegadeStorm88]

How about this: some people with similarly sized hands, what do you use? im moving from french so the differences from one pistol to another shouldnt be all that apparent i wouldnt think, id imagine whichever one i get id adjust to

[Tomas N]

I end up switching every once in a while between a medium visconti and a PBT epee grip. Every time I do it I swear it will be the last time. I have largish hands and when I first started buying pistol grips, I thought I needed a large or extra large grip. Now when I pick up those larger grips, I feel like my hand is swimming in aluminum.

Tomas

[RenegadeStorm88]

So a medium grip might be better?

[rocky]

Yes, I have average sized hands and I use a small visconti, the medium is much too big for me. So I would suggest a medium visconti for you.

[LeftHanded]

Just try and hold it in the left hand. It will still give you an idea of how the grip feels. I can
't stand visconti because they tecd to twist my fingers upward where the Belgian allows them to lie am little more freely

[edwin012290]

i used viscontis but now im switching to belgians. i find that i can parry more effectively. viscontis, for me, anyway, are more "solid" in beats

[AdamH]

Best foil advice I disregarded for too long:

Pick a grip that feels comfortable, then go one size smaller.

Big pistol grip usually means big blade actions.

I started with french for a year, then picked up a medium visconti when I broke all the club weapons and started scoring a few more points; or rather, any at all.
A year later, switched to a small visconti and picked up a few more points. Currently using a very nice, extra small visconti, pinching the grip with the tip of the index finger and thumb. The edge of the foot of visconti is covered by my pinkie. If it's good enough for a certain wee scottish ninja, it's good enough for me.

Switching to belgian, or something else now is not really an economical option with respect to time. Hand muscles get used to the visconti and I'm happy, jobbing fencer. Looked at foilists with a similar outlook that are much better than me and followed their lead and advice.

edit:

Oh aye, size 8.5 or 9 glove, Allstar sizing.

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

I really like the pistol grip on my H&K USP. You should try one of those.

[Inquartata]

Colt Commander. Or Sig 226.

The Luger points really naturally, as well.

[erik_blank]

In the realm of the Visconti, I personally like the German Visocnti. The Italian Visconti is too 'bulby' for me, and tends to press into my palm too much. The German is flatter and fits my medium sized hand better.

Now to irritate the rest of the croud out there... since you are moving from a french grip, I personally have liked the "Cetrulo" or modified spanish offset for it's similarity to the french grip in handling. Unfortuntaly there has been an ongoing debate as to it's legality and many directors will tell you that it is illegal while others will not. All depends on how you intrepret the rule. As a result, I now have both grips in my bag, so that when the ref's get annoyed with my 'preference' I have something that I can still fence with at a competition.

[LeftHanded]

I would not suggest getting a grip that is too small for your hand. Instead just practice on your blade work and keeping it small. The grip doesn't really effect your blade work. The way you practice with a grip is a bigger factor. You can't practice large parries and then get a smaller grip and have beautifully small parries

[matt9476]

Go to a tournament that has a vendor. Hopefully, it will have a board of different grips and sizes for you to try. That's how I picked mine.

[Shi no Tenshi]

I have hands that are 9.5 cm across, and I use a Zivkovic B grip. At one point in time I had bigger bladework in foil...of course then I trained out of that. The grip will not make your bladwork any smaller, your coordination and training does that. Get something you like the feel of, and that doesn't make your hand cramp. That's all you need.

[RITFencing]

Take the plunge and buy a grip. Seriously, even after shipping, you're out what, 15 bucks if you don't like it?

They're pretty easy to change, and if this is the biggest sunk cost in your fencing this year, count yourself lucky.

EDIT: Oh, and I highly recommend the viscontis, or maybe a german grip with the prong cut down (some assembly required) if you have a really huge paw like me.