Free hand , kind of an upright Weaver stance, I was shooting 3" at 25 yd . For a compact type pistol with a floating barrel ,bone factory stock , self defense type auto I was satisfied as I had improved on factory groups with 2 factory loads . The 40 might be a field companion but never a primary tool , that's why I have the Ruger in 45 Colts . A long slide 10 mm still calls to me a little.