The merits of the
sideways-grip on a
pistol are measured more
accurately in terms of
style and
intimidation than
mechanical. The people we see in
movies who hold their pistols in this fashion are probably
unconcerned with the
maintenance of their
firearm, and adds to the "
nothing to loose" image.
An interesting gun catalogue i picked up in East Lyme, CT actually sold scopes and sights that attach to the side of the pistol, increasing accuracy in the sideways-grip. The advertisements, of course, point out that firing a pistol in this manner is "unadvisable".