Nit-picking Col. Cooper's Third Rule

[Kind of Blued]

Personally, when I handle/unholster a loaded gun, I have my finger straightened and pointing as far AWAY from the gun as possible. I guess subliminally, I realize that having my finger touching the side of the frame means that I am applying at least SOME pressure to the frame, which means that I am applying pressure in the general direction of the trigger.

If I pressed hard at all, and my finger slipped, it would move toward the trigger.

I think this is why I keep my trigger finger completely off of the gun, although I didn't think about it until recently.

I have a feeling that most hold their trigger finger against the frame and that I'm in the minority, but I'd like to find out.

 

[Coyote Blue]

I am with you.
Completely off the gun,parellel with the barrel.
Never an exception.

 

[LawofThirds]

There was a study done on officers and most of them would touch their trigger multiple times during video simulations when they weren't planning on firing. This was done unconsciously and most had no idea they had done it.

I've done it both ways, both not touching or touching the frame above the trigger and I've found (By other people observing) that I do not touch the trigger nearly as much when my finger is along the side of the gun. Thus I feel the way I do it is safer.

 

[Keegan]

I rest it on the slide. I don't apply any pressure, my (everybody's?) fingers just naturally bend inward if I completely relax them.

 

[Jimmy Dean]

my taurus has a scalloped recess in the frame, I rest my trigger finger there until I am on target (unless of course I am dry-firing the gun checking pull or slack)

 

[Elza]

Resting on the gun above the trigger.

 

[Ditto_95]

I hold my finger off the gun. I have had SO's say finger when I had it out in the air during an IDPA match. I am sure it was conditioning on his part.

 

[1911 guy]

I keep my trigger finger either on the trigger when ready to fire or on the ejection port when not ready to fire. My opinion is that having a finger hanging out in space deteriorates your control and retention ability.

 

[doc2rn]

I keep my finger off trigger by not touching the weapon at all. Some slim griped over built things like highpoints will have my finger touching slide but that is the rare exception.

 

[MakAttak]

I keep my finger on the slide.

As was said before, a relaxed state for your finger is curled. I don't know what you mean about pressure, my finger is not pressing against any part of the gun, it is resting on the gun- there is no "slipping" toward the trigger for me.

 

[Deanimator]

parallel to the barrel, along the frame.

 

[hankdatank1362]

I LOVE that dished-out area on my Taurus! It's such an easy and comfortable place to park the pard of your finger when not shooting... and I have long fingers.

When shooting my SIG, I leave my finger on the slide-stop hole. I find it to be pretty comfortable.

 

[usp_fan]

I have an "index" point on each of my pistols. usually the back of the slide stop pin. This is wear my finger rests when not on the trigger.

 

[scurtis_34471]

I rest my finger against the frame above the trigger guard.

 

[strambo]

Touching frame above trigger guard.

If it is just floating off to the side either the subconscious action mentioned by the study above can get you (It can anyway no matter where you put it) or the startle reflex can cause you to curl your fingers into a grip on the trigger.

Putting the finger on the frame at least helps with the startle reflex issue.

 

[Technosavant]

Touching frame above the trigger guard. On my semiautos that translates to putting my first knuckle against the slide stop pin where it protrudes through the frame, with the pad just in front of that.

Sticking my finger out into space just doesn't feel comfortable.

 

[Ltlabner]

My finger rests perfectly into the depression with the take-down levers on my Glock 23. This allows me to keep my finger bent slightly, in an area well away from trigger and they provide a noticeable purchase to keep my finger from slipping around.

 

[WayneConrad]

Finger alongside stock/frame

 

[Rovi]

Resting on the 'bump' on the end of the slide release on my CZ-75 TS.
Our IPSC Range Officers will DQ if they can't see clear daylight through the triggerguard.

 

[41magsnub]

Parallel with and lightly resting on the frame, however it ends up based on the gun I am handling at the time. One bad habit I have that I am breaking myself of is on guns with the cross bolt safety in front of the trigger I tend to rest my finger on it.

 

[glockman19]

I rest my finger against the frame above the trigger guard.

+1.

 

[Henry Bowman]

My opinion is that having a finger hanging out in space deteriorates your control and retention ability.

If it is just floating off to the side either the subconscious action mentioned by the study above can get you (It can anyway no matter where you put it) or the startle reflex can cause you to curl your fingers into a grip on the trigger.

Putting the finger on the frame at least helps with the startle reflex issue.

I agree with these statements. But I'm not going to criticize anyone who prefers the "finger away from the gun" position.

 

[phoglund]

Finger on the frame. Contact is assurance of location above the trigger. Held out in space, it could be next to trigger where finger contraction reflex could spell trouble.

 

[Regen]

My HK USP has a pin which is part of the sllide release, above the trigger. I touch the tip of my finger to this pin. I was taught that you should get used to having your finger consistently touch the same part of the gun (other than the trigger) so muscle memory can be developed moving the finger to the trigger.

 

[Dick1911]

I point my trigger finger straight ahead and rest it on the area of the trigger guard/frame. That way my finger is does not impact anything else related to my grip and all I have to do is bend the finger and move it sideways slightly to be back on the trigger.

I think like many of the others that pointing your finger off into space somewhere will impact your grip, aim and the ability to get stay on the target.