I have not been to any shooting schools yet in my life, and I was wondering if there is a school that teaches that it is okay to rest your finger on the trigger of your handgun while your gun is drawn. It seems to me that double action handguns such as Sig Sauers are made for this because of their heavy first shot trigger pull. Does anyone believe it is acceptable to have your finger on the trigger in case you need to shoot?
resting finger on DA trigger
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crofrog
Member
No, no school teachs this. Having your finger on the trigger at any time before you plan on actually pulling the trigger is not an acceptable practice, and is indeed very very unsafe.
Zundfolge
Member
Its a bad habit to get into.
Sure it seems silly to keep your finger off a heavy DA trigger while you're calmly standing there on the firing line looking down at a piece of paper. However under stress and with a dump of adrenaline in your system, that heavy DA trigger will feel as light as a finely tuned race gun trigger.
Accidental discharges are bad enough when you're at the range or cleaning the gun at home, but when it happens while you've got sights aligned on a target you haven't identified yet in the middle of the night when the S may or may not be hitting the F, the results can be tragic (or at least expensive).
Sure it seems silly to keep your finger off a heavy DA trigger while you're calmly standing there on the firing line looking down at a piece of paper. However under stress and with a dump of adrenaline in your system, that heavy DA trigger will feel as light as a finely tuned race gun trigger.
Accidental discharges are bad enough when you're at the range or cleaning the gun at home, but when it happens while you've got sights aligned on a target you haven't identified yet in the middle of the night when the S may or may not be hitting the F, the results can be tragic (or at least expensive).
cassandrasdaddy
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hands clench
during the fight or flight instinct i've noticed my hands clench automatically a finger on the triggger might scare me when the gun went off
during the fight or flight instinct i've noticed my hands clench automatically a finger on the triggger might scare me when the gun went off
OrvilleYertleson
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...But you don't have to wait until you're arms are fully extended and the sights are lined up to start pulling the trigger either. That's slow and clumsy.
After you have cleared your holster and brought the weapon to position 3 (close to your chest and pointing at the bad guy) you can start to take up the trigger as you push out to positon 4 so the trigger will break shortly after you get your arms fully extended.
Of course this assumes you are drawing your pistol in order to shoot someone right away. I was a little hesitant to start going this but it drastically sped up our times and kept people from jerking through the whole double action pull at the last moment in order to shoot quick. It was also pointed out that accidentally pulling the trigger a few moments early won't hurt anyone but the person you are trying to shoot.
After you have cleared your holster and brought the weapon to position 3 (close to your chest and pointing at the bad guy) you can start to take up the trigger as you push out to positon 4 so the trigger will break shortly after you get your arms fully extended.
Of course this assumes you are drawing your pistol in order to shoot someone right away. I was a little hesitant to start going this but it drastically sped up our times and kept people from jerking through the whole double action pull at the last moment in order to shoot quick. It was also pointed out that accidentally pulling the trigger a few moments early won't hurt anyone but the person you are trying to shoot.
WeedWhacker
Member
mete,
Do you have any further information about the video? I have a copy of a clip of it, showing a male officer cuffing a male suspect in front of a red Corvette... and the female officer nearly shoots the suspect. It looks as though it happened in Las Vegas, and I can make out the license plate of the Corvette, but hadn't found anything else about it...
Do you have any further information about the video? I have a copy of a clip of it, showing a male officer cuffing a male suspect in front of a red Corvette... and the female officer nearly shoots the suspect. It looks as though it happened in Las Vegas, and I can make out the license plate of the Corvette, but hadn't found anything else about it...
This is a nice question. But i always have a wanted to know something. If someone is on the Law Enforcement Business please respond.
When you are in a live danger situation do you point space with the finger on the trigger?
There has always been a discussion if for example you are clearing rooms without any suspect activity if to use the trigger on the gun.
Some cops and tons of people got afraid and shoot inocents people just because of this. Other are the open opinion you should have the finger on trigger if you are pointing anything, that includes clearing rooms, or looking for suspect activity. Does someone really knows what you are teached on Law enforcement agencies????
If you want to know why never have your finger on the trigger look at this:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=g2aVjxA1xjs
I know at least 5 people that shoot accidentally their guns 2 feet from me when there manipulating their gun on the shooting range. Of course they always get beaten up after that.
When you are in a live danger situation do you point space with the finger on the trigger?
There has always been a discussion if for example you are clearing rooms without any suspect activity if to use the trigger on the gun.
Some cops and tons of people got afraid and shoot inocents people just because of this. Other are the open opinion you should have the finger on trigger if you are pointing anything, that includes clearing rooms, or looking for suspect activity. Does someone really knows what you are teached on Law enforcement agencies????
If you want to know why never have your finger on the trigger look at this:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=g2aVjxA1xjs
I know at least 5 people that shoot accidentally their guns 2 feet from me when there manipulating their gun on the shooting range. Of course they always get beaten up after that.
Double Action trigger pull commonly 8-12 pounds
Grip strength when startled up to 40-50 pounds (IIRC)
http://policeone.com/pc_print.asp?vid=94371
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob101.html
Both of the above links discuss this
NukemJim
Grip strength when startled up to 40-50 pounds (IIRC)
http://policeone.com/pc_print.asp?vid=94371
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob101.html
Both of the above links discuss this
NukemJim
Weedwhacker , that's the one . The LEO was carrying a Beretta [12-15 lb trigger].IIRC some comments about it - she was an experienced officer . In my view, looking at the video, she shouldn't have been pointing the gun toward them any way.
Bubbles
Member
I took a shooting/tactics class called High Risk Personnel at Storm Mountain Training Center in WV. The last day of the class we used simunitions in shoot/no-shoot scenarios (and the bad guys shot back). I used a Sig P226 (DA/SA pistol) with a 12 lb DA trigger. That 12 pounds feels like NOTHING during an adrenaline rush.
So I would say no, don't even think about touching the trigger until you're ready to shoot.
So I would say no, don't even think about touching the trigger until you're ready to shoot.
Great links.
I agree:
Your body may instinctively seek what's most natural. Keeping your finger extended along the trigger guard or the frame "is not a 'normal' grip position," Lewinski suggests, "and because it's abnormal there may be an unconscious tendency to assume another less desirable but more natural position."
Most people i invite to a shooting range with no firearms experience, put naturally the finger on the trigger.
I think this also has allot to do that we all played hours and hours as kids with gun toys. I myself played all time with all types of gun toys or BB guns. Your parents or anybody else doesnt teach you To no put the finger on the trigger since its a gun toy. We all have a natural reaction to put the finger on trigger, most of us i think because we played tons of hours with plastic guns, its or natural way to hold a gun or grip. Of course you cant take that bad habit away from one night to the other. It takes some tim and some accidentally shots...
I agree:
Your body may instinctively seek what's most natural. Keeping your finger extended along the trigger guard or the frame "is not a 'normal' grip position," Lewinski suggests, "and because it's abnormal there may be an unconscious tendency to assume another less desirable but more natural position."
Most people i invite to a shooting range with no firearms experience, put naturally the finger on the trigger.
I think this also has allot to do that we all played hours and hours as kids with gun toys. I myself played all time with all types of gun toys or BB guns. Your parents or anybody else doesnt teach you To no put the finger on the trigger since its a gun toy. We all have a natural reaction to put the finger on trigger, most of us i think because we played tons of hours with plastic guns, its or natural way to hold a gun or grip. Of course you cant take that bad habit away from one night to the other. It takes some tim and some accidentally shots...
WeedWhacker
Member
Here's a copy of that video. 
weedwhacker.org/movies/fire_arm_safety.mpg
Where was it being discussed?
weedwhacker.org/movies/fire_arm_safety.mpg
Where was it being discussed?
CAS700850
Member
The FBI used to teach a "finger on the trigger" technique, back around the time they were transitioning from revolvers to the DA autos, especially around teh time they were into the 10mm "light" guns. Experience and time have taught them better. An agent I am personally acquainted with said that they teach straight trigger finger techniques now.
And, I used to be a prosecutor, and then qualified with a Glock, a Sig 239, and a Smith 649 revolver. I can assure you that finger off the trigger does not slow you down significantly, if at all. And, it minimizes the possibility of unintentional discharges.
And, I used to be a prosecutor, and then qualified with a Glock, a Sig 239, and a Smith 649 revolver. I can assure you that finger off the trigger does not slow you down significantly, if at all. And, it minimizes the possibility of unintentional discharges.
So what does the FBI teaches today? When is the time to put the finger on Trigger? When you adquired the visual target and are ready take the shoot and then release it again or when you already now you are going to fire in 30 seconds once you enter that building with someone inside.
Zach S
Member
Off the trigger. Resting you finger on the trigger, of anything, promotes a bad habit. Keep the finger straight, even if using a power/air tool, or anything else gun-like. As for power/air tools, mind your muzzle too, it will help with your muzzle control of your firearms. I know it sounds stupid, but you dont want to stab a loved one with a 1/2 drill bit do you? (and for the record, that hasnt happened to me, and I havent done it to anyone)
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