Finger smasher.

[kennygarza]

I've got a friend with a 12 ga. Remington 11-87, 26" bbl. He has the R3 recoil pad on it, but when he shoots the 3" shells, the trigger guard nails his middle finger. It even stays swollen for a couple of weeks. Anybody else come across this same problem? Any info would be greatly appreciated.
KG

[mnrivrat]

11-87 Gas regulation consists of a bleeder hole in the barrel extension where it fits over the magazine tube. (forward end) In theory when heavy loads are used the excess gas should bleed off by breaking the seal between this bleeder hole and the gas cylinder spring . If this area is carboned up and not allowing the spring to move , the excess gas may be adding significantly to the recoil rather than bleeding off.

Again in theory there should be only a moderate difference between the recoil of lighter loads and heavy loads .

[ksnecktieman]

Is he trying to absorb the recoil with his right hand, by pushing forward on the pistol grip? Instead of using his right hand to pull the gun back into his shoulder? Sounds to me like a case of "flinching"?

[asknight]

Is he trying to absorb the recoil with his right hand, by pushing forward on the pistol grip? Instead of using his right hand to pull the gun back into his shoulder? Sounds to me like a case of "flinching"?

+1

A good case of incorrect technique used here. He should be using his triggger hand to pull the stock INTO his shoulder... NOT trying to use it to reduce or control the natural recoil of the shotgun. He also may need to stiffen up his shoulder a bit, but not to the point of locking his joints. Have him practice his technique with light field loads before moving to the heavier loads. It will work wonders... painlessly.

[byf43]

+1

A good case of incorrect technique used here. He should be using his triggger hand to pull the stock INTO his shoulder... NOT trying to use it to reduce or control the natural recoil of the shotgun. He also may need to stiffen up his shoulder a bit, but not to the point of locking his joints. Have him practice his technique with light field loads before moving to the heavier loads. It will work wonders... painlessly.


+2

With improper form, there is no telling how much pain he can inflict upon himself! (Hand, jawbone, cheek, etc.)

[Preacherman]

A quick-and-dirty "fix" for the trigger guard is to take some Pachmayr Pac-Skin and stick a small strip of it on the outside rear of the trigger-guard. He still has to use correct form (see the posts above), but this will help to avoid too much pain while learning the form! :D

For Pac-Skin, click here (http://www.pachmayr.com/pachmayr/index.htm), then click on the "Snap Caps & Pac-Skin" link at the top of the page. Scroll down that page until you get to the Pac-Skin section.

(Of course, you can use some generic substance instead of Pac-Skin: you're not limited to that product. However, make sure that he doesn't put anything inside the trigger-guard, for fear of snagging the trigger - only outside the trigger-guard!)

[JohnBT]

Okay, I just tried 4 shotguns (SX1, SX2, 1100, 870) and my middle finger doesn't come within an inch or more of the trigger guard. I'm going to make a guess here...tell him to slide his hand back on the stock/pistol grip and pull the trigger with the tip of his finger. If he's crowding the trigger guard in order to wrap his trigger finger around trigger he's going to get whacked.

John