Trigger Finger

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Sharpie1

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I was discussing guns [in general] with a second cousin of mine a while back, when he told me something I found most peculiar [and quite humorous].

He told me that he was discussing the art of shooting with a Deputy Sheriff one day, and the Deputy offered his opinion on proper shooting technique.

He [the Deputy] said that the best way to shoot a handgun [or evidently any gun] was to use the middle finger to pull the trigger - and to align the index finger down the frame of the gun so as to "point" at your target. This way [according to the Deputy] - using the sights is unnecessary! :eek:

How convenient! You just point at your target, and [this is a quote, mind you]..."your bullets will go wherever you're pointing"...

*sigh*

I still laugh at this sometimes. In fact, I'm laughing at it right now.

I am an NRA [pistol] instructor - and let's just say I don't think I'll be teaching this "technique" any time soon.

Does anyone advocate this shooting technique? :uhoh:

--tadyson
 
Tadyson, yes, I have heard/seen that technique being taught but can't remember the site. Obviously not a site that I bookmarked:D Thats not to say that someone who practices this at great length wouldn't be able to shoot well. I suspect this is something where YMMV:D
 
It works if you make it work.

It's not a wrong technique, not inherently dangerous to the shooter, pistol or targets. I can't see why you'd laugh it off and dismiss it tadyson. Be open minded to realise your way isn't the only correct way - no matter what your credentials.
 
Yeah, works REAL good 'specially on wheel guns when the fanger is a tad longer than the cylinder! Y'all give 'er a spin!
 
i'm from the old school?

don't show me your fancy guns or fancy holds unless you can show me a good target first...

:D
 
My uncle is a longtime LEO. Used to be the first one in on drug busts, has been in lots of police special ops groups and is currently lieutenant investigator for Harris County DA. He's also been to a ton of different firearms classes on tactical shooting and otherwise and taught some as well (I think). He's taught me all the tactical things I know about shooting.

The pointing thing is used somewhat but the trigger finger is still the pointer finger. They teach that you draw the gun with your finger along the frame pointing forward and point at what you want to shoot at as you lean forward and then pull your pointer finger back and squeeze the trigger with it. So you're pointing but not at the same time you're shooting. I guess everyone already knows this really but that's the only pointing method I've heard of.

brad cook
 
DrPsycho Wrote:

It's not a wrong technique, not inherently dangerous to the shooter, pistol or targets. I can't see why you'd laugh it off and dismiss it tadyson. Be open minded to realise your way isn't the only correct way - no matter what your credentials.
Click to expand...

DrPsycho:

Yes, it is dangerous - to other shooters....because if I were at a public range and saw someone shooting this way, I would be laughing so hard I would have to get down on the ground - flat on my back to be able to continue breathing - else I would probably suffocate from the uncontrolled laughter. This would both bother me, and my shrieks of laughter may startle other shooters - especially new shooters.

When it comes to new things - especially ways to improve shooting technique, I am always open to them - But this one is just...let's say - misinformed...for so many reasons.

Let's think on it a second, shall we?

Revolver - with finger going right down beside the cylinder? I don't even think we need to go into that one. Go ahead and try it - unless you value your finger.

Semi-Auto - what is that "thingy" that goes back, then forward real fast when shooting? Also - the ejection port is over there. The finger may interfere with gun operation - and, the slide operation may interfere with your finger - e.g. - slice it.

Grip - Imagine how you would be holding the gun with this technique. It seems as if there would be quite an ordeal getting your finger on the trigger in a hurry when you're ready to fire. It just isn't natural.

Also, the gripping of the gun is put in jeapardy. It could more easily be taken from you - and you could more easily drop it.

Let's take a full-size semi-auto for example. You want as much grip support as possible. When normal people are shooting, they have the middle finger, the ring finger, and the pinky finger gripping the handgun on the grip - and of course the thumb. This is pretty stable.

With this "nouveau" technique, only the ring finger and pinky finger are gripping - and the index finger is really doing nothing but putting itself in the way. This grip could also cause feeding problems - after all, it would be the ultimate of "limp-wristing".

Trigger Squeeze - I can't even begin to imagine all the problems this would create with trigger squeeze affecting accuracy.

Just think about it.

TD
 
That is just basic point shooting, but done poorly. My glock shoots pretty much wherever I point it due to the grip angle. It was designed that way, so if I wanted to do the afformentioned technique, I could use my index finger and just point the gun at what I wanted to shoot, but since I want to be sure of my target, I will continue using my sights.
 
I think I'll give it a try the next time I'm out to see if it will work for me or not before opinionating on it. It'll cost me nothing to do so.
 
Actually, this is a legit technique that is old and well known. Probably the most famous example of its use was by Jack Ruby when he killed Lee Harvey Oswald.
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Here is a close up:
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I've also seen a patent for a device that is basically a piece of angle iron attached to the side of pistol (as opposed to a revolver) frame that you are supposed to put your index finger along to point at your target and use the middle finger to pull the trigger. The attachment was to keep the slide from ripping your finger when it cycles.
 
The method of shooting is a valid one, certainly more often seen on autoloaders than revolvers... My brother happens to shoot this way on my P99 and P22... without problems...

My coach, who holds a long record of Moscow competition championships, says anyway the gun is held so as to be comfortable and controllable is fine... Markmanship is about repeating the same movements over and over, that's all... So

Sure, if you have thick fingers, it probably not a good idea, but then again, you shouldn't have any problem pointing the weapon... My brother shoots this way because he has small hands and thin fingers. Thus he can get away with this method of shooting, ESPECIALLY on a Ruger 22/45, where there is, as tadyson put it, "....that "thingy" that goes back, then forward real fast when shooting..." Unfortunately, that 'thingy' is no where near you fingers. There are alot of weapons that allow for all number of techniques to manipulate the firearm in a safe manner.

tadyson, laugh all you want and teach it not if you wish... But as a professional marksman, I wouldn't want to be on the other end of ANY gun my brother happens to be holding... He isn't going to win any competitions but dead is dead... whether its a 10 or a 9 ring hit...
 
Good Idea or Bad ...

I won't judge. But I understand that hand guns with the best 'natural aim' are designed so that the barrel is closest to where your index finger would be pointing if it was in fact extended ...
 
Jack Ruby was shooting that way because the distal end of his index finger was amputated in an accident or fight many years before. He was using his middle finger because he COULDN'T use his index finger.

To me, it's one of those things that sounds OK at first, but the more you think about it the more problems it has. You are using the weakest two fingers of your hand to control recoil and resist disarming attempts. The index finger can bind the slide or (on small guns) block the ejection port. Long fingers and short revolver cylinders can be problematic. The middle finger has less precise muscle control than the index finger. How do you put your middle finger in register along the frame (if not ready to shoot) without shifting your grip? How well does this work if your grips are slippery with sweat, etc.?

Not for me.
 
It seems to me that if you shoot a revolver with the index finger extended out beside the cylinder and pull the trigger, the gases escaping between the cylinder and the forcing cone on the barrel would burn your finger badly. From that point you would't have a choice but to shoot with the middle finger.:rolleyes:
 
My old boss, an army reservist (used to be active) shoots this way. Fine with me, I can outshoot him any day. The problem is when he teaches brand new shooters to use this technique without a warning to watch the slide against their finger :banghead:
 
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