Pull Trigger: with finger pad or first joint?

[OrangePwrx9]

Have always heard that the trigger should be pulled with the pad of the index finger. Never paid much attention and did whatever came naturally. Recently I tried to compare my shooting using the finger pad to pull the trigger to using the first joint.

I'm finding that pulling the trigger with the pad of the index finger only works well with single action triggers that are fairly light. Using the pad for double action, heavy single action triggers, or S.A. triggers with creep disturbs aim as trigger pressure increases and/or the trigger moves aft. In those cases, pulling the trigger with the first joint seems to steady the aim.

Wondering if this is common or if my grips are sized wrong for my hand. What's your experience?

 

[grimjaw]

I try to always use the pad of my finger, even in heavier double action types. Enough practice and the action type doesn't seem to make much difference.

 

[Tomac]

On my PX4's I discovered that using the center of the pad of my trigger finger resulted in shooting to the left. Using the right side of the pad w/the joint against the right side of the trigger centered my shots.
This only occurs w/the PX4, w/all others (regardless of action type) using the center of the pad gives the best results.
Tomac

 

[twofifty]

Guessing a HG's 'length of pull' has a lot to do with which method works best for an individual.

 

[Jim K]

Using the pad of the index finger was always taught by the NRA and others who simply assumed that the shooter was engaged in target competition and was firing a light trigger auto pistol or a revolver in single action.

Few people can pull a DA trigger or even a fairly heavy SA using only the pad; it is necessary to shift back to the first joint or the middle pad.

I shift my finger position depending on the gun I am shooting and the circumstances, but in later years fired center-fire revolver exclusively DA.

Jim

 

[km101]

OrangepwrX9,I'm with you. Pad of the finger on single action trigger. Joint of the finger on DA triggers.
Anything else causes me to pull my shot one way or the other. This is the way I learned and it has worked for me for years. No need to change now.

 

[sakata8242]

Never paid much attention and did whatever came naturally

This. You figured out what eludes many shooters, especially new ones, because they rigidly adhere to "rules" based off outdated shooting techniques.

You should use as much finger as you need to ensure a straight, rearward trigger press that lets you keep your sights properly aligned throughout the motion. I too was initially taught what the NRA curriculum teaches -- that you should only use the finger pad -- which isn't necessary wrong, but I quickly found that not all gun/hand combinations are ideal to allow for that, and using the finger pad alone may not allow for enough leverage for a good trigger press in other cases.

There are only two fundamental things that should be emphasized - trigger press and sight alignment. If the sights don't move as you press the trigger back until the shot breaks it does not matter how much finger you use, or if you use a stick or a bic pen. Throw away the useless pie chart that gets posted around; it is meant for one handed Bullseye shooting, not a two handed grip and it it just confuses people, especially new shooters.

I personally like the following chart:

 

[twofifty]

All fine and dandy so long as choosing one over the other (pad - joint) does not compromise grip quality and consistency.

 

[1911 guy]

My hands are shaped different than your hands. Use the portion of your finger that results in a straight pull to the rear without pushing/pulling the firearm to one side or the other. I use the fingertip "pad", just to the inside of center.

 

[Steve C]

You should use as much finger as you need to ensure a straight, rearward trigger press that lets you keep your sights properly aligned throughout the motion.

This is the most important thing to do in order to maximize accuracy when shooting in either double action or single action. Using the first pad of the finger is generally the best way to accomplish this for the average sized individual. Some people have very large hands and using the first joint may be an equivalent option for them.

Unfortunately using the first joint often makes one grip the pistol in such a way the bore is no longer in line with your wrist and elbow. While this may "feel" the most comfortable it throws the shot off. Another issue is that the extra "finger" on the trigger when using the first joint often produces pressure on the side of the handgun from the lower part of the finger and hand that pushes the barrel and the shot out of alignment during the squeeze.

 

[MedWheeler]

KM101 writes:

Pad of the finger on single action trigger. Joint of the finger on DA triggers.

This is what bugged the dickens out of Jeff Cooper when the "crunchenticker" (DA/SA autoloading pistol) became popular. As he'd say, if the finger placement was on for the "crunch", it was off for the "tick", and if it was on for the "tick", it was off for the "crunch."

 

[sakata8242]

I'm cross dominant, so lining up the pistol in my right hand with my left eye ALWAYS puts the bore of the pistol out of alignment with my wrist/forearm. This is a non-issue, and I don't throw the shot off unless my trigger discipline sucks or I slap the trigger. Assuming the sights are properly regulated, the bore points where the sights point when my left eye has acquired a proper sight picture. Whether it's inline with my wrist/forearm or not is irrelevant.

There is no need to make this more complicated than it needs to be. Steady sight picture throughout the entire trigger press = shot going where the sights are. That's it. Regardless of how much "finger" you have on the trigger or how much of your hand is up against the gun If your sights don't move you're not putting pressure on the side of the gun or anywhere else causing you to throw your shot; if you are your sights would what? -- Move!

As I type this I'm sitting here dry firing my DAK and DA/SA Sigs with as much index or middle finger as possible, and even a pen, and I can still complete the press with minimal to no movement of the sights when the hammer falls. Does it feel odd compared to my normal grip? Is my grip completely "wrong"? Yes, but the point is it's of course possible to still have good trigger discipline despite that.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I know the instructors would disagree, but I really do agree with

You should use as much finger as you need to ensure a straight, rearward trigger press that lets you keep your sights properly aligned throughout the motion

Well put Sakata8242. Everyone's hands are a bit different, and people need to practice and do what works for them. When an instructor, or anyone, says you should do this or that, or makes a statement that a particular technique is correct or proper, you SHOULD TRY IT. And then make your own decision if it works for you.

I can already hear the words coming......

 

[Vodoun da Vinci]

Shoot a lot- Use what works best for you with the guns you shoot. For me? I use the pad for SA and more finger for DA. My Beretta PX4 always gets the first shot DA and I break the rule by pulling it with the pad as are subsequent SA shots.

I rarely ever shoot "target" for precision and literally 90% of my shooting is "move and shoot" while point shooting. So my techniques and what works for me may not work for someone who is shooting .22 target pistols or concentrating on some other type of sport shooting.

VooDoo

 

[Comrade Mike]

Depends, most guns I use the pad. My model 36 I use the first knuckle joint as it is much easier to control the double action.

 

[glove]

Finger pad.

 

[jmr40]

Unless the trigger pull is very light I prefer to use he joint. The pad has too much "give" and results in inconsistent sear release. The "give" in the meaty part of the pad makes the trigger "feel" mushy to me. The bony part of the finger in the joint makes the trigger "feel" more crisp, works better for me.

On guns with very light trigger pulls the pad is better most of the time.

 

[larryh1108]

Some fingers are long, some short. Some fingers are thick, others are like pencils. Some guys can crush a walnut in his fingers and some can't crush an egg. The point is, every hand is different and to say one way is the right way doesn't cut it.

Everyone should consider how the gun fits the hand, how the reach fits the fingers and the strength needed to pull the trigger and find out what works best for your own, individual needs. Every hand is different and every gun is different and every trigger is different. Use what works for you. There is no right way.

 

[GRIZ22]

Whatever works best for you.

 

[JohnBiltz]

Should be whatever works for you with whatever gun you are using. If I'm shooting a Glock its the first joint otherwise I tend to push left. I shot a HK USP a few months ago and that worked best with the pad.

 

[tuj]

Brian Zins (multi-time national NRA conventional pistol champion) uses the crook of his first joint because he says there is less compressible flesh between his bone and the trigger, so it gives him a better feel. I personally use the pad of my finger (but I'm nowhere near Zins level) and I shoot Expert-level scores like that.

Short answer: whichever works best for you.

 

[wally]

For me, depends on the gun. Try both use what works best for you!

 

[Pofficer]

Pad for me, unless shooting a DA revolver.

 

[BCRider]

It depends on the gun. I've got some where my grip and finger motion puts the neutral pull point on the pad and somewhere a neutral pull point puts the trigger in the fold of my last joint. And some that sit in between.

I know how I pull the trigger so I put my finger through the trigger guard than hold it for trigger pulling and draw it back. Where it touches the trigger is where it touches the trigger. This generally works pretty well. Sometimes I need to fudge it slightly one way or the other.

 

[tnxdshooter]

On rifles and shotguns I've been trained to use the first finger pad. On handguns I've been trained to use the finger joint.