Limp wristing

Limp wristing is a phenomenon commonly encountered by semi-automatic pistol shooters, where the shooter's grip is not firm enough and the wrist is not held firm/straight enough to keep the frame of the firearm from traveling rearward while the bolt or slide of the firearm cycles. This condition often results in a failure to complete the operating cycle, properly termed a malfunction, but commonly termed a "jam". This phenomenon can affect metal or poly framed firearms equally. Both semi-automatic rifles and semi-automatic shotguns, if fired without the stock held against the shoulder correctly, may be prone to limp wristing.

Limp wrist is not a major factor in such mechanical malfunction. Of the important variables involved in this type of malfunction, bullet and gas momentum, slide and barrel mass, recoil spring pre-load and spring rate, and shooting hand and arm mass are much more important than the compliance (limpness) of the wrist.