question for uspsa and idpa shooters out there

[mwcharger]

I have a question about proper trigger pull. when i used to shoot nra and cmp highpower rifle competitions i was always taught to use the tip of your finger to pull the trigger. however when i shoot a pistol i find the using the finger tip causes me to pull shots to the right.

should i use the crease of the finger instead (or dare i suggest the mid-joint) if it keeps the sights steadier? It just seems to go against anything ive ever been taught about trigger control.

 

[Owen]

get a timer and some targets, and shoot. Figure out which works better for you. Finger length is different for everybody, and handguns aren't generally very adjustable in this regard.

FWIW, I use the tip of my finger on my G17, but I have fairly small hands.

 

[EddieNFL]

however when i shoot a pistol i find the using the finger tip causes me to pull shots to the right.

Are you left handed?

 

[9mmepiphany]

depend on the gun and the trigger action. my default position is to have the trigger located in the middle of the finger nail bed...less is better...this is with a DA trigger stroke on a Sig 220ST



i'd think your pullling shots has more to due with your grip than your trigger stroke

 

[Nasty]

I have always trained with the trigger centered in the middle of the pad...right over where the central loop of your fingerprint should be.

The tip lacks both strength and control (sensitivity) while the joint is *too* strong and lacks control (sensitivity).

 

[David E]

It's a combination of 9mmephiphany and Nasty's posts.

It depends on the gun. If it's a DA or DAO, put the center of the trigger in the center of the first joint.

If it's a Single / Safe Action, put the center of the finger pad on the center of the trigger.

 

[9mmepiphany]

It depends on the gun. If it's a DA or DAO, put the center of the trigger in the center of the first joint.

i'm curious why you would use so much finger on the trigger.

post #4 shows how i place my finger for the DA trigger stroke...center of trigger on the center of pad (finger nail bed)...which is how i also shoot my Kahr or revolver

 

[David E]

For strength/leverage.

Most people do not have the finger strength to smoothly pull a DA trigger unless the trigger is placed in the first joint from the tip of the finger.

 

[Dire Wolf]

I find that my shots drift to the side if I use too much strength in my strong hand. When shooting with both hands, I hold the pistol 80-20. 80% of the aiming is done with my weak hand. The strong hand holds about 20% and I focus on pressing the trigger strait back.

I have created a website for IDPA that has a Target Analysis Guide in it. Check it out at ShooterReady.net. I have always found this guide helpful.

Hope this helps.

 

[Sam1911]

Most people do not have the finger strength to smoothly pull a DA trigger unless the trigger is placed in the first joint from the tip of the finger.

Jerry Miculek shows in his revolver technique videos that you should adjust your strong hand grip on the revolver to place the 1st joint on the trigger. (Unfortunately, myoutdoortv.com has now taken that series of videos down, but they were GREAT!)

He also cautions that 70% of his grip strength comes from the SUPPORT hand.

IMHO, if there is something that CAN be taught about revolver shooting that Mr. Jerry doesn't teach ... I don't need to know it.

I know we all say, "do what works for you" or "you have to find the techniques that are most beneficial to you" or similar things. And maybe that's true, sometimes. But with a skill like this, and a (THE?) master like that willing to explain how he does what he does, I don't care if my fingers fall off first, I'm going to do it HIS way until I'm good enough to show him where he's wrong!

 

[MrBorland]

Jerry Miculek shows in his revolver technique videos that you should adjust your strong hand grip on the revolver to place the 1st joint on the trigger. (Unfortunately, myoutdoortv.com has now taken that series of videos down, but they were GREAT!)

JM shows no less than 3 ways to pull the trigger, with rapid fire using the pad, and more finger (e.g. first joint) for accuracy.

http://www.shootingusa.com/PRO_TIPS/MICULEK4/miculek4.html

should i use the crease of the finger instead (or dare i suggest the mid-joint) if it keeps the sights steadier? It just seems to go against anything ive ever been taught about trigger control.

In the case of a DA revolver, I use the 1st joint over the trigger for accuracy work. When I speed up, say for IDPA, my finger naturally tends to slide down and out on the trigger, so I use the pad. IMO, either position can pull or push the sights if you don't train yourself to pull the trigger straight back. Dry fire is good for this.

 

[jmorris]

I have a question about proper trigger pull. when i used to shoot nra and cmp highpower rifle competitions i was always taught to use the tip of your finger to pull the trigger. however when i shoot a pistol i find the using the finger tip causes me to pull shots to the right.

I am going to assume you are not talking about revolvers as you have “pistol” in your post. I don’t have any IDPA/USPSA pistols that require enough effort to fire to justify anything other than using the pad of the finger. If you are pulling shots I would suggest lots of dry fire practice, if it persists a trigger job followed by more dry fire.

Also unless you are shooting open try for cadence fire. You are looking more for controlled pairs than double taps. So your shooting and transitions from target to target sounds more like: Bang..Bang..Bang..Bang..Bang..Bang than Bang.Bang….Bang.Bang….Bang.Bang. This will allow you to have all aimed fire.

 

[benEzra]

I use a DA/SA semiauto in Limited 10 (my S&W 3913LS) and I use the crease of the first joint, not the pad.

 

[David E]

I am going to assume you are not talking about revolvers as you have “pistol” in your post.

There are DA/SA pistols out there, too. That's why it matters what the gun is.

That said, it's also important to apply 70% of the grip strength with the SUPPORT hand, as has already been mentioned.

 

[Sam1911]

JM shows no less than 3 ways to pull the trigger, with rapid fire using the pad, and more finger (e.g. first joint) for accuracy

Yes, but his reasoning and explanation of the benefits of each was much more developed in the video than that page. Real shame that isn't still up.