Trigger finger placement

[Steelharp]

Guys, teach me. I have to admit, I don't get to shoot as much as I want to, and haven't been at it a lifetime, either.

I know the SA 1911 trigger (what I shoot best) is to be used with the pad of the finger. With the limited experience I have with other pivoting style triggers whether SA or DA (revolvers, BHP's, CZ's, etc.), it seems to me that I do better when the trigger is in the first joint. The DA pull needs more strength than I can deliver with my pad, anyway. Is this just lack of experience on my part, or is this a generally correct thing?

 

[Don Lu]

I cant say lack of exerience, but Ive always used the pad of my finger no matter what type of handgun Im shooting. keeps the pull smooth and the POA/POI right were it should be. That is the way I learned to shoot and I have never tried using the joint or any other part of the finger besides the pad. Maybe you need one of those thingies to streghthen you finger..what is it called.something like the "palm-master or finger-blaster"

 

[earplug]

Pulling the trigger

Pretend to pull the front sight through the rear sight when your pulling the trigger.
Helps to keep you focused on the front sight and keeps your trigger finger under control.

 

[10-Ring]

I try to be consistent from gun to gun to limit differences. So, I use the pad of my index finger to shoot with

 

[Wolfpackin]

My first handgun was a .40 S&W semi-auto and I was taught and trained using the pad of the finger.
I recently purchased my first DA revolver and read somewhere, possibly here on THR or David Keniks book Armed Response, that one should pull the trigger using the first joint of the trigger finger on DA handguns. I have found this works better for me in practice.
So, I would say: pad for SA and first joint for DA.

Bottom line is whatever works best for you.

I'm no expert, perhaps one or an instructor will chime in as to what the most effective and preferred method really is.

 

[MGB]

What I learned is to bend you finger at the first joint and notice the kinda flat spot (aka the pad area) that is the area that goes on the trigger when shooting a pistol single action, or a rifle. For double action take a high firm grip on the backstrap of the weapon. Put your finger into the first joint on the trigger, and add pressure until the cylinder rotates and the hammer is back then slow down, but continue to add pressure until it goes bang. Semi autos are more like shooting single action, but usually require just a bit more pressure to get the bang. You hold the back strap of the grip firmly in against the plam with direct rearward pressure from the middle of your other fingers on the front strap, but don't add sideways pressure from you finger tips. It is all about pressure in a direct rearward line from the front site through the rear up your arm to your shoulder. You don't pull the trigger you just increase pressure on it, and no matter how much shooting you do it should always be a surprise when it goes bang. I know it is always a surprise when I punch the 10 out

My 2 cents, hope you get a bang out of it

 

[JoeHatley]

it seems to me that I do better when the trigger is in the first joint

After decades of shooting double action revolvers, I'm used to using the 1st joint also. So when I installed a new trigger in my SW1911, I had the maker ( www.ccactions.com ) polish off the front serations on this Ball Bearing Trigger.



Sorta makes an old revolver guy feel at home when shooting a semi-auto.

No hard rules. Just do what works best for you...

Joe

 

[WarMachine]

On single-action firearms I use the pad.

When I am shooting double action I use the first joint.

There is no right or wrong if your finger placement isn't interfering with sight alignment during trigger pull. Use what works for you.

 

[CU74]

There is no "right" or "wrong"

Find YOUR "right" trigger pull by doing some dry firing and some practicing at the range. Dry fire - keep a close eye on the sights as you pull the trigger - the sight picture shouldn't change if you're pulling straight back. Range fire - the target will let you know which trigger pull is your best.

Whichever you find to be YOUR best, practice, practice, practice................

 

[Steve C]

...it seems to me that I do better when the trigger is in the first joint.

The question is better in what way? When you use the first joint do all the round go center target? For accurate shooting you need to pull the trigger directly to the rear and no part of your trigger finger should touch the pistol grip. Any pressure on the side of the pistol from your trigger finger will inevitably throw the shot to the left if you are a right handed shooter and the right if you are a left handed shooter. If you have long enough fingers so that when you put your first joint on the trigger your finger is free from touching then it could work for you but for most of us that doesn't work. In the illustration below picture "A" on the left shows my finger on the middle of the first pad with a proper clearance from the side of the pistol. The picture "B" on the right shows how my finger is against the side of the pistol when using the first joint which would apply pressure to the right side of the pistol when the trigger is squeezed and throws shots to the left.

 

[Steelharp]

Steve C, nice photos. My fingers are quite long; at the first joint, I look like your photo "A." At the pad, I kinda have a chicken wing going out there... I really have to go past the first joint into the second pad to look like "B."

 

[CountGlockula]

Steve C:+1

If there's still spacing on your grip, because of long fingers/big hands I suggest getting a Hogue grip.

 

[geekWithA.45]

The unique combination of you and your gun results in a unique biomechanical shooting machine.

Everyone's hands and fingers are going to be different (length, width, strength, etc), and therefore a delivered from on high One True Way To Do It...isn't gonna work.

If it's reasonable, and it works, keep doing it.

 

[Rod B]

First pad of the index finger works for me. I tried using the first joint of the finger & it felt very awkward.