Finger off the trigger = "indexing"?

[Snowdog]

Last Saturday, America's Most Wanted profiled a bank robber who they say exhibited a method of gun handling called "indexing".
Apparently, while he pointed the gun at the teller, he kept his finger off the trigger and along side the frame (which we all know is the proper technique of handling a firearm when not ready to fire).
They pointed it out as something that is taught to law enforcement officers and military personnel.

So, is that really what this technique is called? If so, I wasn't aware this procedure even had a name.

Thanks in advance.

 

[fjolnirsson]

Yep. Indexing.
That's what they call it in the police academy(at least around here), and I believe the term was used in a class I took recently through Halo.(Local Training center)

 

[Slingster]

I suspect they're referring to a technique of finding a tactilely distinctive feature on the trigger finger side of the gun as a consistent "index" that your trigger finger rests on or next to when not pointed at your target.

Touching the "index" should keep your trigger finger above the trigger guard and on the frame. For example, your "index" should NOT be the trigger guard itself.

For semiautos, the "index" can be the protruding shaft of the slide stop, or the lower edge of the ejection port. On a revolver, I teach that the side of your trigger finger should be in contact with the "index" of cylinder.

 

[treeprof]

Interesting for them to mention that, given that John Walsh doesn't think the general public should have guns anyway ... unless they meet gov't mandated criteria.

 

[BigG]

Indexing actually a mechanical term that means "to line up," like when a cylinder indexes the next chamber to the barrel during the trigger pull. Guess they wanted a cool word to mean "keep your finger off the trigger!"

 

[Boats]

I saw that blurb and I though it was interesting. Though I was in the military, I picked up indexing from my father, who alas, was in the military. Here I thought that about anyone who wasn't a total doofus, kept his finger off the trigger until ready to fire, and indexing was the most comfortable way to do that.

The indexing of the bank robber didn't scream automatically to me "omigod military or police!" What it said to me is that whoever he is, he is probably even more dangerous than a crackhead because he is not a casual firearms user, but probably someone who practices and would likely exhibit better coolness under stress than a true novice.

 

[Steve in PA]

Yup, indexing. Teach it as part of my instruction when qualifying my fellow LEO's.

 

[Zundfolge]

Interesting bit of the media's anti gun bias showing there.

So us "normal" people wouldn't have any idea how to properly handle a gun ... only military and police know what they are doing.

, or :banghead: I can't make up my mind


Well I'm neither and I "index" whether I'm carrying a pistol, rifle, bottle of window cleaner, electric drill, whatever

 

[RTFM]

Zundfolge
...I "index" whether I'm carrying a pistol, rifle, bottle of window cleaner, electric drill, whatever ...

Man I had to LOL at your drill comment. I noticed myself indexing on the cordless last night... Good habits should not be broken....

RTFM

 

[ksnecktieman]

My understanding on "indexing" is not only safety, but also to take advantage of your life time of practice pointing with your first finger. Supposedly your gun should be pointed basically the same place your finger is? That thought makes sense to me too.

 

[Zach S]

Well I'm neither and I "index" whether I'm carrying a pistol, rifle, bottle of window cleaner, electric drill, whatever

I actually picked up the habit from powertools, a chainsaw to be specific...

 

[zahc]

noticed myself indexing on the cordless last night... Good habits should not be broken

The guy at work is always irritated because everytime he picks his cordless drill up it's on 'safety'...I've been using it.

 

[P95Carry]

I'm, relieved to hear other guys mention ''indexing'' their power tools! Thought I was just a solitary freak with that!

I think seeing a bad guy ''indexing'' would probably make me take him (even) more seriously .... only those familiar with firearms and general safety matters tend to display this ..... and it would probably mean the dude had more smarts ..... and skill.!!

 

[Moparmike]

Oddly enough, I find myself "indexing" my mouse. My finger usually hovers over the button until ready to use it, unless I am playing an FPS. Then my finger is on the "trigger."

 

[roo_ster]

I index on all my potentially dangerous tools. Power drills, chain saws, firearms, and ESPECIALLY compressed air nail guns.

Check out THIS report by the Consumer Product Safety Comission. A few stats on power tool injuries:

ER-Treated Injuries 2001: 418,610
Medically-Treated Injuries 2001: 960,880

These are just the ones that get taken to the hospital.

 

[twoblink]

I index for everything as well!

Powerdrill especially! Windex also!

Hey, windex -> eyeballs = blind forever!! And watch where you sweep with that Windex!!

 

[Kobun]

Well, a blast of Windex in the eyes isn't that comfortable.

About the bank robber:
He probably has some shooting experience, and knows that in a stressfull situation it is easy to slip up and pull the trigger.
Not too smart to have a murder charge because someone slammed the door...
He is probably a bit safer to the ordinary sales clerk and customer, but more dangerous for cops and others that tries to stop him, as he will probably use his sights in some way.

 

[Ewok]

Lots of recent pics of military personnel show them indexing their rifles, the BG could be emulating that.

I would have said indexing was what you do when you take a mag out of the holder and position it for insertion....