trigger finger question

[Korbin]

I was taught that my trigger finger should be no further than the first knuckle on the trigger. With almost any handgun I hold, my hand's natural tendency is to stick my trigger finger through the trigger guard so far that the trigger is at my second knuckle almost.

To compensate I have to either arch my index finger out or just pull the trigger from somewhere in the middle of my index finger. It feels awkward and only the largest handguns seem to fit my hands.

I'm 6'1' and sort of lanky. But I didn't think my hands were bigger than average. Anyone have experience with this?

Can you recommend a handgun that has a lot of space between the trigger and the grip?

 

[dmazur]

I think I remember something about trigger position for shooting the 1911, and that if you didn't use the tip of your finger you could "pull the sights off" as you pulled the trigger, as it is difficult to create a straight-line pull with your second knuckle.

This was considerably before anyone started making 1911's with longer triggers, triggers with adjustable overtravel, etc. so the caution may no longer be applicable.

A 1911 with a long trigger is one solution for those with large hands.

(I happen to have the other problem -- relatively small hands. I replaced the factory long trigger on a Colt 1991A1 with a short trigger, similar to the length used in the 1911A1 issue pistols. Then I didn't have to stretch to reach the trigger.)

 

[GRIZ22]

Korbin,

What you say is generally true however, how well do you shoot sticking more of your finger through? If it's safe and works for you don't worry about it.

 

[23Glock]

Without actually seeing you hold a handgun, I can only speculate on a few things. Your hands may be large, but I doubt they are so large that you should be pressing the trigger with your second knuckle. It sounds like your strong hand may be rotated too far forward and you may want to try getting "behind" the gun. Here’s what I’ve found: proper placement of the beavertail into the webbing between your thumb and index finger almost always dictates the rest of your grip, unless you have unusually large or small hands. Try this: Put the handgun centered in the webbing between your thumb and index finger. Now naturally wrap your other fingers around the grip and index the trigger. Put the gun down by your side pointed to the floor. Let your arm and wrist relax - don't try to point it specifically at anything. You should have a good alignment of the front and rear sight pointing straight at your elbow. If the gun is canted too far left or right, trying rotating the gun in your hand until the front sight is pointing at your elbow. If you are holding it like this and can STILL get your second knuckle on the trigger, then you have wicked long fingers…

Todd Jarret does a far better job explaining this than I do, with video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48

You may not want to change how you’re used to holding the weapon if it’s perceived as uncomfortable, but in training I’ve found that once put in the proper position, I have learned to like that position better.
Give it a shot.

 

[BCRider]

Search Youtube for "tod jarret trigger". There's an excellent vid there on trigger finger placement. EDIT- Beaten to the punch by 3 mintues thanks to Glock23

I suppose we can compensate for anything but if I tried to shoot like you're suggesting I'd end up hitting the target in the alley next to me. When I follow Todd's advice I end up shooting far more consistently and to POA. If I forget and the contact point slips away from the pad of my finger and towards the first joint my groupings pull to the left just like the "shooting circle" says it will.

 

[bluetopper]

Get an X frame S&W.

 

[dagger dog]

The placement of the finger on the trigger depends on wether you're shooting pistol or revolver or for that fact a Contender type pistol.

Plus if you're shooting a double action revolver or pistol, the finger will be placed differently for single or double action shot.

The first joint of the finger tip where you see your fingerprint, the padded portion is usually placed on the trigger for a controlled single action short pull, where the double action pull of the trigger takes more pressure than the tip can afford, and the area just behind the pad to right at the first joint is needed to pull through the stiffer double action, that of the mechinism of cocking the revolver and turning of the cylinder. The double action pistol takes a little less pressure due to the fact that the pressure used is only to pull through the striker or hammer and doesn't need to rotate a cylinder.

 

[Korbin]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll see if I should tilt my right hand back a little bit.

I've been shooting a J-frame revolver, but I also use my friend's semi-auto pistols (HK, Sig).

It's funny you mentioned hitting the target to the left. All day today, no matter what I shot, I was just to the left of the bullseye.

I'll try to use the advice and see what that does for me.