Trigger Finger Location

[Bridge]

I'm trying to decide on the optimal location of my index finger on the trigger of my DA/SA Sig pistol, and would like to get the thoughts of more experienced shooters. The SA pull is very smooth and comfortable using the pad of my finger. I can also use the pad of my finger on the DA pull but get better leverage using the distal joint. It's my impression that you should maintain a consistent position on the trigger. The problem is that if I consistently use the pad of my finger I get fatigued after a number of DA pulls. But if I use the distal joint it quickly gets bruised. Maybe I should just use gloves.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

Every person has different size hands, and pulls the trigger differently. I spent my whole life using the pad of my finger on rifles, but always shoot a little left when it came to pistols.

After taking a pistol training course, they told me to put the trigger right in the first joint of my finger. Low and behold, dead center shots the whole rest of the session. Since you're talking about a DA pull, I would - as Massad Ayoob once put it - "Grip it and rip it." Whatever is comfortable and effective is your best bet. If the two don't get along, just keep on shooting and chalk it up as another fun day of shooting!

 

[OptimusPrime]

I was trained to use the middle phalanx, or "second pad." That has always done me very well and my finger never gets fatigued or sore. It seems like the pressure gets spread out more that way and I get much better control of the finger muscles as well. Works for me.

 

[Bridge]

That's very interesting. Does it limit your choice of handguns because of the shorter reach?

 

[9mmepiphany]

While I learned to shoot using the first joint...I'd put the crease right up against the right side of the trigger...when I was shooting revolvers. When I changed to shooting DA/SA pistols like the SIG 220/226...and as I became more proficient...I changed to placing the trigger behind the nail bed. The shot to shot consistence is worth it.

This is a SIG 220ST wearing Hogue aluminum grips; it is before I start the DA trigger stroke:



How many DA trigger strokes do you have in a string of fire...usually just one?

How many strings of fire does it take to tire out your finger?

 

[Bridge]

9mmepiphany, you make a very good point about the number of DA strokes in a string—normally just one: the first. Actually, the reason finger placement came up as an issue for me was that I was doing a lot of dry-fire practice, which, of course, means that I was always "shooting" double action. After twenty consecutive dummy shots fired DA using just the pad behind the nail, my finger would get tired. Then, when I switched my finger position to the crease of the distal joint, after twenty shots in DA, the inside of my last knuckle would feel bruised. (Poor me!) I'm doing only dry-fire now both because of the weather and because I'm trying to conserve ammo. When I'm at the range my finger rarely gets tired pulling the trigger—first DA, then SA—positioned exactly as you describe. Can't wait for spring and for the end to the gun control madness!

 

[OptimusPrime]

That's very interesting. Does it limit your choice of handguns because of the shorter reach?

I don't rightly know. I guess I never thought about it, just kind of the way I did it. But I do have a mix of grips and setups. Or my fingers are long. Everybody's hands are different I guess.

 

[OptimusPrime]

Hey Bridge I just went into the gun room and took a real look at my meager collection to see what was what. I realized that on my revolvers, I naturally cocked them and went to SA mode and that brought the trigger back of course; easy to reach. On my other pieces, I paid attention to how I gripped and sure enough, my natural placement was on the middle phalanx. Not always square in the middle, but always further than the crease of my joint.
In other words, from my firing stance with my booger hook on the bang switch, I can see the entire pad and joint crease sticking out past the trigger.
Try it, see if it's comfortable for you too. Good luck.

 

[Bridge]

OptimusPrime, I think Hickock45 uses the same part of his finger to pull the trigger as you do. At least it appears that way in his review of the Sig p229 http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=relmfu&v=8HKKLbxT8VQ. Mind you he has much bigger hands than I do. Thanks for the input.

 

[wally]

I find it varies with the pistol.

Dry fire with a cheap laser sight will help sort it out quickly.

 

[Blackstone]

I was always told the nice fleshy padding of my first phalanx, just below the nail.

 

[otasan56]

I have noticed on my G17 that if I just use my fingerprint to squeeze the trigger I will get horizontal stringing. If I use the back of my knuckle, the stringing goes away, and I get a one-hole group at ten yards.

 

[Ehtereon11B]

I use a different part of my finger for handguns, rifles, and shotguns. The main factor is how far I am shooting. For handguns I use the fleshy part of my index finger before the first joint. Similar to the picture of the (SIG?) posted above.

Shotguns are a little more forgiving for accuracy so I use the space between my first and second joint. Most comfortable position.

Rifle shooting where accuracy or long distance (~600 meters) is the goal I put the trigger almost into my last knuckle. This gives me much better accuracy as it truly is more of a "squeeze" action as it should be using most of my index finger, rather than a pull.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I have noticed on my G17 that if I just use my fingerprint to squeeze the trigger I will get horizontal stringing. If I use the back of my knuckle, the stringing goes away, and I get a one-hole group at ten yards.

How quickly are you shooting?
Does it make a difference when you shoot more quickly...2 to 3 shots per second?

I can shoot accurately using either finger placement, when I take my time.

When working to shoot more rapidly, while maintaining accuracy, finger placement becomes a larger factor.

 

[tuj]

I shoot bullseye mostly, so this largely applies to off-hand shooting, but I find that with a lighter trigger, anything around 3lbs or under, I like to use the pad of my finger. I feel I get more sensitivity on the break. When I shoot a trigger that is heavy, like a 4.5lb or so, I use the crook of my finger where there is less compressible flesh. If I'm shooting a DA/SA, I still use the pad of my finger for the heavy first pull.

Brian Zins (10-time NRA bullseye champ) uses the crook of his finger.

 

[Outlaw Man]

I have that recurring nightmare where I have to shoot and I'm not strong enough to pull the trigger with my index finger, but I still practice with the pad of it.

Since I sold my PF9, though, I don't have anything that requires me to expend a lot of energy to pull the trigger. That, or I'm not shooting enough....

 

[BYJO4]

I place the pad between the tip and first joint of my finger on the trigger. That has always worked best for me.

 

[otasan56]

Quote:
Originally Posted by otasan56 View Post
I have noticed on my G17 that if I just use my fingerprint to squeeze the trigger I will get horizontal stringing. If I use the back of my knuckle, the stringing goes away, and I get a one-hole group at ten yards.
How quickly are you shooting?
Does it make a difference when you shoot more quickly...2 to 3 shots per second?

I can shoot accurately using either finger placement, when I take my time.

When working to shoot more rapidly, while maintaining accuracy, finger placement becomes a larger factor.
__________________




No, slow fire.

 

[Steve C]

The optimum location of the index finger on the trigger is the location where you can press the trigger directly in line with the barrel through out the squeeze without applying pressure to the side of the handgun with any part of the finger. The goal is to provide no deflection to the sight alignment through the trigger pull.

Learn to get a good aligned grip on your handgun where the barrel aligns with your arm and then find where your finger falls on the trigger to allow you to accomplish this. Best placement is a bit variable depending upon the firearm and the shooters biometrics.

This will provide some guidance.
Todd Jarrett IPSC Pistol Grip Lesson - Google Video

 

[481]

Best results (at least for me) come from using the distal half of the first pad of my trigger finger placed as low as it can placed on the face of the trigger (comfortably and within reason).

 

[Deus Machina]

It depends on the gun and the shooter., and this is one of the reasons I love my CZ.
Some people complain about the 'long trigger reach,' but I have no issues and I wear gloves a size smaller than many.
I used to shoot with the pad of my finger. But the reach of my CZ naturally puts the crook of my first joint right on the edge of the trigger, so I end up pulling it with the first joint and closest section of the pad, and this has tightened up my groups a bit.
Another vote for the CZ having the world's best-designed grips. It's almost organically tuned.