Finger placement on DOA pistol

[Peakbagger46]

I just bought a Sig P290rs (small DAO 9mm, a long, smooth 9lb pull). Should I place my trigger finger so the pad of the finger contacts the trigger, or should I go for the first joint?

I shoot a j-frame using the first joint of the trigger finger, but use the pad while shooting my Glock. The trigger reach on the Sig seems a bit longer than the J-frame, but still tends to bring me to the first joint somewhat.

Looking for some wisdom here. I have been trained on the Glock, but not other platforms.

 

[ericuda]

I believe the answer will be obtained from the range. I use a slightly different finger placement on all my pistols. I didnt realize this until Imwas constantly shooting my g36 and pps way left. I didnt have enough finger on the trigger. Practice and range time helped me.

 

[beag_nut]

Uh, DOA really refers to "dead on arrival", whereas DAO refers to "double action only"
Just trying to clear the air.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've always shot SIG DAO/DAK triggers using the pad of my index finger...putting the trigger behind the cuticle.

I also taught others to shoot SIGs this way and always advised against using the Short Trigger

 

[Tirod]

Target or defense? DA or SA? There is no one trigger finger placement that is "correct" for all pistols no matter what. One instructor recently noted that a lot of finger pad shooters firing DA were having to readjust their grip to get a good followthru on a longer pull weapon. It was easier to use the joint as you could then move further back without pulling the frame.

It's very much what you decide, what helps is a laser to see exactly how you are pulling thru and if one or the other works better for you. Depending on one expert or another means you need to vet what kind of shooting they do - no sense in taking the word of someone not even using the same kind of trigger in a completely different kind of shooting.

 

[pblanc]

Whichever way you shoot better. Some people have insufficient finger strength to pull a heavy DAO trigger using the pad of the finger. Using the so-called "power crease" affords more leverage. But some people's hands are too small to reach the trigger that way while maintaining a proper grip.

 

[Drail]

I believe that will be decided by how heavy the trigger pull is and how long and strong your finger is (or isn't). I don't think there is one answer that can apply to everyone. My experience that some handguns are much more "ergonomic" than others.

 

[Shaq]

It depends on the strength of your trigger finger. When I shoot a D.A. revolver from hammer down, I have a steadier hold when using the first joint. When I try to use the pad of my finger, the extra effort causes some shaking. With a lighter trigger like a Glock or a 1911, it doesn't really matter. IMO, what's more important is a straight-back, isolated pull that doesn't influence the gun's movement.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Thanks fellows. I did some more dry firing with it. Seems like the center of the finger pad is working the best. I have strong hands so that isn't an issue. Only some range time will tell for sure.

 

[rugmar]

With that particular pistol, if you don't use the pad of your finger it will feel as if you are running out of trigger finger. The pull is very long and very heavy. I tried it both ways and it feels kind of strange using the joint because of what I mentioned above. You really need the little bit of extra pull length you get from using your finger pad.

 

[Drail]

As shaq so wisely pointed out, pulling the trigger straight back is the goal here. Whatever it takes for you to make that happen is "the way".