pistol grip

American  

noun

1. a handle or grip, as of a rifle or saw, shaped like the butt of a pistol.

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pistol grip British  

noun

1. 1. a handle shaped like the butt of a pistol

   2. ( as modifier )

      a pistol-grip camera

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Other Word Forms

• pistol-grip adjective

Etymology

Origin of pistol grip

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

But few gunmakers saw a semiautomatic version of the rifle — with its shrouded barrel, pistol grip and jutting ammunition magazine — as a product for ordinary people.

From Washington Post

The pistol grip is useful, she said, because it allows officers to retain a Taser in their hand if someone tries to disarm them.

From Fox News

Officials said the M18 is equipped with a receiver module inside the pistol grip that enables Marines to remove the trigger mechanism and insert it into a new grip size.

From Washington Times

The lower receiver sits above the pistol grip, holds the trigger and hammer, and has a slot for the magazine.

From Seattle Times

The product description for that tactical pistol grip illustrates one common way sellers are able to skirt EBay’s prohibitions.

From Los Angeles Times