As you read this paragraph, refer to figure 11-33. Grip the receiver firmly with the hand and fingers. Wrap the three lower fingers around the receiver (grip), and place the trigger finger on the trigger between the tip and second joint so that the trigger can be squeezed to the rear. Hold your thumb up and along the side of the pistol with enough pressure to steady the pistol and to equalize any  pressure  from  the  other  side  by  the  palm  and forefinger. Once you have a firm grip, maintaining the same degree of firmness throughout firing is important. A change in your grip will change the location of the shot group on the target. A tight grip tends to cause the bullet to strike low and a loose grip to strike high. With a proper grip on the pistol, the muscles of your arm should be firm, but not rigid. Your arm should be straight with your wrist and elbow locked. This will prevent  excessive  up-and-down  movement  of  the weapon. When the weapon is fired, the recoil will be absorbed through the arm to the shoulder. If you are in the  correct  position,  the  pistol  will  return  to approximately the same sight picture after each shot. STANDING POSITION TWO-HAND GRIP.— In this position (fig. 11-34), you face the target squarely with your feet placed comfortably about shoulder width apart. Keep your legs straight without stiffness and your hips level and slightly forward. Relax the muscles of your diaphragm, and make no effort to hold in your abdomen. Grasp the pistol in the same manner as if you were firing one-handed. Place the nonfiring hand under the firing hand, wrapping the nonfiring fingers around the back of the firing hand. Place the thumb over the middle finger of the firing hand. Lock the weapon firmly in both hands (fig. 11-35). Bring the weapon onto the center of the target by shifting your feet. MISCELLANEOUS.—In both the one-hand and two-hand positions, position your head so that you are 11-22 Student Notes: Figure 11-33.—Gripping the pistol (one hand). Figure 11-34.—Standing position (pistol), two-handed grip.