History of the Gas Pedal Grip

 Yes we invented the “opposable” grip concept with the introduction of the Gas Pedal® grip in 1996. The prior history of the Gas Pedal is controversial. Oral history from shouters, unconfirmed, say a similar device was used in the early 80’s but abandoned because it did not work well. GoGun Guys, Master Shooter Cem Esteban, along with an  A shooter sports medical specialist and physics degree holder, and GM, A, and B shooters perfected the “Gas Pedal ® OPP (opposable) grip”, as we know it today, in USPSA competition. Dr. Chet Nierenberg MD was the original inventor and has continuously refined the concept for more than quarter century.

Several Hawaii based teams competed with the Gas Pedal® grip in US Nationals and Area Matches in the 90’s. However, American tradition being what it was, it was not well received then in the USA at that time. But shooters worldwide embraced the concept. Esteban continued making the Gas Pedals by hand until 2010 when CNC machines allowed him to introduce it all shooters with larger numbers of parts made.

Proof of Concept. Since 2010 almost all leaders in USPSA competition have used some form of OPP (opposable grip). Every World Championship since 2000 has used the OPP grip. It won consecutive USA National championship in 2015,2016,2017,2018 2019,2020, 2021, 2022.

The OPP grip started as a Racing concept but was brought to the Carry Gun in 2018 with the Gas Pedal® CG for self defense or Law Enforcement.

EARLIER history: In the early 2000’s a foreign company introduced a similar product which in truth was a “thumb rest”, not a true Gas Pedal® part and unfortunately improperly used the name “Gas Pedal”. To confuse matters more, a non USA, International Shooter used their version, improperly named Gas Pedal to win several World Titles.  Even more confusing, that particular early part was Not Really a Gas Pedal and has design flaws that in many cases make the problems worse and still today, we hear the concept dissed because of the inferior copycat reputation. Hence the early bad rap on the Gas Pedal® was earned by an imitation product, not the real thing.

Today, Most of the top competition shooters worldwide today use the OPP grip but the OPP grip is only just recently being recognized by top shooters in USA as a superior method for some. Its superiority has been demonstrated by winning most National and World competitions, from Junior to Senior. It is a gender equalizer for women shooters who want to shoot heavy calibers and wins ladies championships as well.

And now designed for carry firearms, using same winning tech as used in racing