bad trigger finger???

[dodgensince74]

Maybe you guys can help me out with a problem I have, the gun I have is a Ruger 357 Security Six with packmeyer grips. The problem is not the gun its my trigger(index) finger, I can not bend it at the first joint to pull the trigger. If I try to use my middle finger I can't really pull the trigger like I would like to and the pistol feels awkward. When I use my middle finger I feel like i'm squeezing the gun and trigger towards each other instead instead of pulling on just the trigger plus my index finger is up on the cylinder and tends to get hit with stuff when the gun is fired. What do you guys think would be a good solution to my problem, I was thinking about buying a new gun but figured i'd check if there was something I could do besides going lefty with it. The pictures below show my finger bent as far as it will go, my trigger finger on the trigger and with my middle finger on the trigger.

 

[gathert]

With shotguns you can get a release trigger, where you apply pressure and then let it off to fire. Its a mental flinch thing that some people develop and cant really be fixed. You might want to try lefty and see if it works? And new guns are always a plus

 

[Remo223]

the first pic seems to show the first knuckle bends and the middle knuckle wont.

I have a similar problem. My middle knuckle of trigger finger is stiff and sore from an old injury. I can use it but it doesn't move very fast, especially in cold weather.

What I do is get a revolver with minimal grip and wrap my trigger finger around the trigger as far as possible. It helps to have a really narrow trigger. Now, if you call the knuckle closest to your fingernail the "first knuckle", then what I do is lock my first and middle knuckle and pull the trigger with my third knuckle. To be able to do this you MUST have your finger wrapped around that trigger EXTREMELY far. you need the smallest grip possible. Im talking S&W roundbutt roundtop smooth wood grips that have been shaved down.

 

[BCRider]

There's just no way around it. The lack of flexibility in your right hand index finger is going to be an issue if that first picture is truly the limit of your ability to move it.

And notice how if you use your middle "saluting" finger that your index fingertip is forward far enough to be in danger from the sheet of hot high pressure gasses coming off the front of the cylinder when shooting. So really the middle finger trigger grip is NOT an option.

I don't see any way around it. Revolver or semi it looks like you had best start practicing with that left hand. Or look at surgery to fix the right index finger. At first you'll feel totally awkward and your accuracy will suck meatballs but after some time with it you'll train yourself and you'll likely find you're shooting as well as before.

 

[Jolly Rogers]

I have a fused middle joint in my trigger finger. Work injury. The surgeon implanted the pins to hold the joint at a 45 degree angle. I found that a 1911 can be adjusted to work fine for me by installing a short (1911a1) trigger, thin grips and a flat mainspring housing. As your joint is straighter you may find the medium or long trigger better.
And as your hand size is different, standard grips or an arched mainspring housing may work properly. The 1911 is like an erector set as far as the ergonomics, and can be tweaked to fit easily.
I find the single action trigger in the platform is just about the best around also.
Joe

 

[woad_yurt]

Assuming you meant the knuckle nearest your fingertip when you said "first knuckle," maybe a smaller gun would let you use the bend in your second knuckle?

 

[dodgensince74]

Sorry about the confusion, my knuckle joint works great, the joint towards the end works good also, it is the middle joint that doesn't bend.

 

[BADUNAME37]

My father was having an issue recently where he could not bend one joint of a finger, he had a cortizone shot and within days, his finger was back to normal.

He's about 82 now.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Sorry about the confusion, my knuckle joint works great, the joint towards the end works good also, it is the middle joint that doesn't bend.

Can you exercise it or somehow manipulate it to gain more movement?

 

[JellyJar]

Unless a doctor can fix the issue for you I suggest learning to shoot left hand.

 

[Remllez]

I guess I would just shoot single action...the SA triggers are usually nice and light on those guns. It's a shame to shoot a DA revolver single action but it may be the simplest solution to your problem...learning lefty is easier said than done especially if your right eye dominant.

 

[earplug]

Get a SA pistol

You could learn to shoot left handed. I did it for a year to shoot Bullseye SA only with a revolver.
For much less effort and better results I would get a single action pistol.
I would think that the cylinder release on most revolvers would be a issue shooting left handed. Getting left hand holsters and gear would be another issue.

 

[harmon rabb]

Learn to shoot left handed.

 

[Shadow 7D]

^^^
Or learn to 'grip through and use the second segment instead the the tip of your finger, realizing that you will likely loose some accuracy because of it.

 

[dodgensince74]

Can you exercise it or somehow manipulate it to gain more movement?

no, it won't bend, they could try and put a fake joint in there again but I don't think I want to go that route again.

I'm gonna try to go looking at auto's this weekend to see how they fit my hand and finger, if I find one I like i may sell my 357

 

[mr.scott]

Learn to shoot lefty. I taught myself to shoot with both hands because a lot of rounds causes my right thumb to hurt real bad as it doesn't have the muscle/padding that is naturally there and absorbs some recoil.

I used to get frustrated, so I learned to do it left handed, and am equally proficient.

It also helps incase youre dominant shooting hand is injured

 

[msparks]

Does the finger on your other hand work better? Might try that. With a little practice you can learn to shoot pretty effectively.

I'm a lefty, but shoot right handed. I used to shoot lefty but found I was right eye dominant, plus I had a 1911 and the safety for a righty. So I adapted.

Now I can shoot either hand pretty effectively. I don't practice enough left handed, but I'm sure if I practiced I would be equally as good with both hands.


Just a thought......

 

[BCRider]

With the middle joint of your index finger frozen in place like that I doubt you'll find semis to be any better. The issue is that you lack the flexibility of the finger needed to accurately and safely put your finger through the trigger guard to reach the trigger and to withdraw your finger to the "ready" position along the slide when not actually shooting. With the lack of motion the only way to move your finger in and out of the trigger guard is going to be shifting the gun in your hands somewhat radically to poke your finger through and then to release with a transfer to the other hand to withdraw it.

So basically IPSC or IDPA style shooting or responsible SD shooting where you will want to be able to fluidly AND SAFELY move your finger in and out of the guard on demand and without a lot of fumbling of your grip is just not going to be possible.

As mentioned already by many of us it's time to get comfy with shooting "southpaw".

 

[MidwestRookie]

I agree with going lefty...I feel like i have less muscle confusion when shooting lefty as I'm 99% righty and only use my left hand as an aid to my right hand and nothing else, it's pretty much retarded for anything like writing or swinging a bat...when I hold a gun left handed it feels more natural for some reason...it's actually kinda weird. I don't shoot bad either with a normal 2-hand hold..

 

[Kendal Black]

Something that occurs to me is, you could rig some sort of flash shield on the right side of the revolver, between the barrel-cylinder gap and your index finger, then operate the trigger with your middle finger.

The shield probably doesn't need to be anything complicated--maybe just a length of angle iron along the lower edge of the frame.

 

[easyrider604]

Sorry to hear of your finger problems. If it were me, I would work on my middle as trigger finger technique.

I have been dry-firing a little, using my middle finger and it actually allows a substantially higher hold that is closer to the boreline...which is better for recoil "flip" control.

As well, (and I've read this on the net too) with your forefinger straight, it acts like an index (I guess that's why its called and index finger too) that helps in better pointability, which allows for faster sight/target acquisition.

At first I was laughing about the technique, but there could be something good that is not quite obvious. It does look funny but if it works, who cares?

 

[bruzer]

After reading I have been dry firing the Glock with my middle finger. I feel very confident that with very little practice it could be done in a real life situation. I already know that for me to shoot southpaw it would take VERY MUCH practice. I'll give it a try next time I am practicing live fire.
Mike

 

[easyrider604]

I'll give it a try next time I am practicing live fire.

Good idea. Me too (if I don't forget)

No problem with gas cutting my forefinger on a semi-auto

On a revolver, if I forget to bend my forefinger, it might get a nasty flame-cut. Think I'll cut off a couple inches from the tip of an old leather glove and slip it on. Hopefully it'll be thick enough for a day at the range.

 

[deadin]

Think I'll cut off a couple inches from the tip of an old leather glove

Of course you could also apply that solution to the "non-working" finger.

(Sorry, I couldn't resist......)

 

[BCRider]

Middle finger shooting is certainly an option for a semi. And for SOME revolvers as long as you check that the front cylinder face is far enough forward that there won't be any risk of flame cutting or lead shaving.

The other option is that you may just need to convert to semi auto only due to this finger issue if you're not willing to convert to southpaw shooting.