Offhand finger in FRONT of the trigger guard?

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doc540

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Maybe it's because I have long fingers and/or play bass guitar, but it seems my most stable grip is hooking the tip of my index finger over the serrated front edge of the trigger guard on my semi's.

Anyone use that type of grip?

If not, why would they serrate the front of the trigger guard?
 
I prefer not to put my finger on the front of the trigger guard, although I have seen many people use that grip. I do not find that it helps with controlling recoil on the pistols I shoot. Not all manufacturers serrate the front of the guard, either. But if it works for you, I certainly not going to recommend against it.

jm
 
Although long fingers make it easy to get the boogers WAY up there, they tend to not fit most firearms well...toss in how far it is from eyeball to front sight, and control IS an issue. Try laying up the backstrap with layers of dense foam until you are comfortable with the grip and finger placement on the trigger, and talk to your gunsmith about making you a back strap...or look into a set of grips.
If you are shooting well with your finger hooked around the front, keep doing it! The only downside I can see is in a SD situation, you may over grip with that finger and pull your shot off, so I tend to lean towards making the weapon fit your hand as opposed to you adjusting to it. I can drive a Toyota (with my knees up around my ears), but I am a whole lot more comfortable in my pickup.....
 
I used the "weak hand index finger on the front of the triggerguard" technique,

until I realized that it was causing me to dump rounds low and left with my 1911.

I was overtightening my grip.
 
I do it

I don't think it works any magic for controlling recoil, and I don't do it because I have long fingers.

I do it to get the left index finger out of the way so that the rest of my left hand can get on the pistol without requiring as much forward rotation. I don't pull down on the trigger guard. It's just a place to put my finger, rather than pointing it straight out. lol. Just cuz 2 guys came along and started teaching a new grip doesn't mean this way of holding a gun hasn't worked for 50 years.

If you're dumping rounds low and left, it has more to do with anticipating the shot than with how you hold your gun. You should go back to the old grip and learn to shoot straight that way, too... you'll be a better shooter, in the end. IMO.
 
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until I realized that it was causing me to dump rounds low and left with my 1911.
Click to expand...

In my experience that is often the end result of this type of grip. What works for you works for you.

With that said, I would try firing the weapon rapidly deployed from wherever you normally carry it. If the rounds dump low, the first thing I would try is to lose the finger on the trigger guard.

If not, why would they serrate the front of the trigger guard?
Click to expand...

Lots of manufacturers put things on pistols that I personally think are of no value. For me, de-cockers, DA/SA actions, multiple safety gee-gaws such as back strap safeties, safety levers, etc. are all things that I don't want on a pistol. For others they are must have features.

So, for the few that might use it the serrations are there. No downside if you don't use them. This is especially true with Polymer framed pistols, since there is little cost in adding the serrations.
 
...but it looks sooo tactikwel.

I train mostly people who have never held a firearm before my class.

It amazes me how many of them put their weak hand finger around the front of the trigger guard without ever being told to.

Dan "More is Caught than Taught" Nafe
 
I do it also , both with autos and revolvers ---- in fact , all my custom Match guns have the front of the trigger guard checkered at 20 lines per inch.

As others above said -- you must pull EXACTLY straight back or you will dump your shots to the left and low.

As to recoil reduction --- not much in slow fire BUT , for me , a BIG help in double taps at very fast speed.

EDIT --- as it costs $50 to $100 for the custom checkering , it must work for me or I wouldn't be spending the money !!!! LOL
 
index finger

When firing your weapon, you will derive NO real or appreciable benefits from placing your support side index finger on the front leading edge of the trigger guard when it comes to accuracy, recoil mangement, speed and precision etc. In fact, you actually weaken your grip some by separating the fingers of that hand. Having said all that...it is certainly your perogative to do so...if you wish.
 
It's a very '80s grip. :)

Look - whatever works, works. Some folks like it and make it work for them, and most folks can't without doing arguably bad things with their offhand.

I prefer to index my offhand index finger just resting against the front/side edge of the triggerguard.

Whatever works.
 
During my recent training at Front Sight, they had the off-hand fingers all wrapped around the fingers of the shooting hand. Not on the front of the trigger guard. Their reasoning was from a safety point. When you had the finger on the front of the trigger-guard it was difficult to tell if you had your trigger finger off the trigger or not. Very very range safety conscience at their courses. Makes a person feel more comfortable :)

Ralph
 
Speaking of 80s, I picked up a couple early-80s issues of Guns and Ammo at a gun show recently, and they really did use that type of grip a lot back then.

I never use it, firstly because none of my pistols have a place for the finger, and secondly because it feels unnatural.
 
When you had the finger on the front of the trigger-guard it was difficult to tell if you had your trigger finger off the trigger or not.
Click to expand...

That is my main objection to this technique.

...that and the loafers with no socks, the silk-tee shirts worn under an Italian sports jacket, with Phil Collins/Glenn Fry music playing in the background...

...but if they show up to class with a Bren Ten, all is forgiven!
 
I started shoot "finger on triggerguard" in late 70's. Was coached away from that in the 90's.

Trouble is, I sometimes find myself using that grip without thinking about it.

After shooting a couple hundred rounds last week my son ask why I had my finger wrapped up on the guard. I realized I had slipped back into that hold without even thinking about it.

Did not seem to impact my shootin one bit.

Shooting grips are like golf grips. You can have a bad one and still get the job done.
 
index finger

An IPSC shooter named Kurt Kirkham was the major domo and leading shooter in the 1980's and promoted the grip. Of course, we do it today...mimic the lead dog..!! A young Brian Enos and Rob Leathem had alot to do with destroying the myth that this grip was the way to properly and accurately shoot a pistol. Enos went on the develop what we now regard as the "Thumbs Forward" grip, used almost exclusively in competitive IPSC competition.
 
I usually end up with my offhand index finger either in front of, or just underneath the triggerguard.

I tend to shoot with a thumbs-down grip, and with the size and shape of my hands, I can't get my offhand index finger to comfortably wrap around my firing hand when using that grip. I do keep my offhand index finger relaxed, however, since I had heard about the low-and-left symptom of pulling on the triggerguard.

With the thumbs-down grip I find I can keep a very firm grip on any handgun without my hands feeling tensed or strained, so the relaxed index finger doesn't seem to be a problem.
 
I use this technique and it works for me. Plus, it seem to annoy the Hell out of folks who don't use it and think I shouldn't, either.
 
To be blunt, the better shooters do NOT put their finger on the front of the triggerguard.

It breaks up the support hand strength too much, resulting in less consistency during rapid fire.

It was tried and worked for some folks, but when better techniques were discovered and it was left behind.
 
My Bersa Thunder has a serrated surface up there just for that purpose, but it feels very unnatural to me. Never shot that way before, so won't start now...
 
Speaking of 80s, I picked up a couple early-80s issues of Guns and Ammo at a gun show recently, and they really did use that type of grip a lot back then.
Click to expand...

I believe those ugly squared off trigger guards, still with use, are a product of that fad.
 
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