Trigger question - striker fired guns

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

Rittmeister

Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2002
Messages
513
Location
Cincinnati OH
I just returned from a LGS, at which I looked over a few pistols in which I have an interest. I was helped by a salesperson with whom I've spoken before but I doubt he remembers it; the place is a large store/range operation and they do a lot of business.

As I was checking out the HK VP9, he was pointing out the interchangeable grip panels etc; I took it in my usual two-handed grip to dry fire to check out the trigger pull. He watched what I was doing and remarked that my finger's position on the trigger was likely to cause me to shoot low and left with striker-fired guns.

I typically shoot with my right index finger positioned so that the joint of my finger is on the trigger. This works for me and I find it most comfortable, despite knowing that many advocate shooting with the pad of the finger on the trigger. I have no problem shooting to point-of-aim with a variety of guns. While I confess I typically don't like the trigger pull of striker-fired guns, I feel I must mention that my "variety" includes a number of Glocks, Ruger SR9, Springfield Xd, etc, owned by friends and family.

His argument though was that my positioning of the joint would cause me to shoot low and left with striker fired guns. He couldn't really give me a reason when I inquired further. Having had successful shooting sessions with a number of them (and shooting in my usual way) I felt that if there were a problem it would have shown up - and that it would be a more universal problem, i.e. if I shot low and left with a striker-fired gun I also would with my 1911, Browning HP, CZ, etc.

I realize this is a small thing and I don't know if it has any truth to it but I admit I'm curious. Can anyone give me any reason his statement might be true?
 
My assumption would be that due to a typically long trigger pull, shooters tend to push the gun as the near the end of the trigger pull. For a righty that means low-left, for left low-right.

For a seasoned shooter with good trigger control, it shouldn't be much of an issue
 
There is no difference in trigger control for striker fired pistols but, as Newfallguy says, the greater depth of sear engagement makes for a longer pull.

(The reason striker fired pistols need greater sear engagement than, say, a 1911, is that the sear is in the frame and the striker in the slide. To ensure safety if wear or tolerances open the gap between the two parts, makers provide a longer sear engagement.)

Jim
 
I think it would be different for everyone. I mostly use the pad of my finger.
But with my little G42 with its stiff trigger pull I was shooting way low left.
I started using the joint. Shoots great now, stiff trigger and all.
 
Some so-called "experts" over-complicate a trigger pull (and shooting, in general). Others are of the "My way is the only right way" mindset. If you are consistently hitting the target in the right place, whatever part of your finger that you're using to pull the trigger is the right part....for you. After all, it's hits that count.

In a defensive situation where you came out ahead, I doubt your adversary will say, "I'm not going to bleed or fall because you used the wrong part of your finger on the trigger."
 
I would ignore the comments. If you place the "power crease" of your trigger finger on the trigger face, and have become accustomed to shooting that way and are accurate, there is no reason to change.

Hickok45 shoots Glocks in competition and shoots that way. Judging from his videos he seems to do pretty well.

Most owners of double action only pistols and double action revolvers shoot that way because it affords additional leverage to deal with the long, heavy trigger pull. Some traditional double action pistol shooters do so as well.
 
Depends on the hands and the gun. Its been my general observance with Glocks that using the finger pad tends to push the gun left so I put more finger on the trigger. But everyone is different. Big hands on a small gun is very different from small hands on a large gun.
 
Use whatever works for you. When I shoot my Glock 19 and Walther PPS I need to use the part of my trigger finger just before the first finger joint because my hand is kind of cramped on those two pistols. With my SIG P226 and HK30L I use use the pad of my trigger finger toward the tip.
 
Thanks for all replies. I wasn't worried about my shooting methods - just curious whether there was anything to this guy's statement. I like to hear differing opinions but based on my own experience with quite a few different types of pistols, his statement seemed like nonsense.

On a different note, I found the trigger pull of the P320 to feel much nicer to me than the VP9 - though the VP9 was better than any Glock I've shot. Just my opinion though ;)
 
I agree with your assessment of trigger action. SIG P320 better than HK VP9, both better than stock Glock by a fair margin.
 
Shaq said:
Some so-called "experts" over-complicate a trigger pull (and shooting, in general). Others are of the "My way is the only right way" mindset. If you are consistently hitting the target in the right place, whatever part of your finger that you're using to pull the trigger is the right part....for you. After all, it's hits that count.

In a defensive situation where you came out ahead, I doubt your adversary will say, "I'm not going to bleed or fall because you used the wrong part of your finger on the trigger."
Click to expand...

Perfect. I butted heads with a high ranking soldier in the Army because I was teaching "wrong" trigger technique to some new shooters. My stance was use as much finger as you needed to hit the target reliably and consistently. When all my students scored in the top 40% at the range, the argument lost all merit.

I've heard plenty from gun "experts" at gun stores. Some of it had merit, other advice sounds like a spoofed magazine ad. If you shoot well with trigger X and shoot the same with trigger Y, then the gun shop expert advice goes out the window.
 
This guy also went on about the reset. I know if you really pay attention to where the reset is, theoretically you can shoot faster. I've tried this and I find that what I do is miss really quickly.

The other thing I have to remind myself is that this guy is a salesman and is hoping if he throws enough cool-sounding info at me that I'll buy the gun (ANY gun). As with most things a salesperson's advice should only be ingested with a large grain of salt.
 
+1 on doing what works for you. Depending on your grip and hand size, you might not even have much of a choice.

Hickok45 shoots Glocks ... that way.
Click to expand...

I know how Hickok must feel, having briefly owned a Daewoo DP-51, which has an extraordinarily short trigger reach at the point it breaks. I could either shoot it with the joint of my trigger finger, or I could curl my finger around in an arthritic little U and press the trigger with the point/nail of my trigger finger. There's no way I could physically put the pad of my finger on the trigger and get it to break, because my finger can't physically bend enough, even with my thumb wrapped all the way around the left side of the gun as far forward as possible and the backstrap of the gun pushing way up to the middle of my palm.

I've tried this and I find that what I do is miss really quickly.
Click to expand...
I find this is automatic. It's like when you have your sights on target and you pre-stage the trigger while feeling for where it's going to break, then really "bear down" on the sights at that point. If you ever do that (and a Glock has the kind of trigger where you might want to), you may find you are doing this automatically on follow ups. The thing about the stock Glock trigger is it is very distinct and the trigger break is strong enough to where you're not sitting on a hair trigger as a result of stopping after the reset. The Glock trains my finger, not the other way around. First time shooting an FNX, I accidentally doubled it, because my finger was used to a Glock. (Note the FNX has a really light trigger pull between the point of reset and trigger break. Actively feeling for the reset point on an FNX could be trouble!)

I wouldn't say this allows you to shoot faster or slower, because I think most people manage to safely prestage the trigger by the time the sights are back on target, one way or another, with any gun. It's just on a stock Glock, the point of reset is where you can stop and start prestaging, and your finger might automatically learn this if you shoot one, much, for good or for bad. The Glock has a true two stage trigger and distinct reset, where the first stage is completely optional on followups.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
quick question - spongy striker triggers
Replies
8
Views
901
schmeky
S
P
  • Locked
best striker fired trigger?
Replies
23
Views
1K
polik6887
P
Sarge7402
  • Locked
Striker fired pistols?
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
rpenmanparker
rpenmanparker
M
  • Locked
Striker Fired Trigger Pull Technique
2
Replies
30
Views
4K
Ankeny
A
Corpral_Agarn
  • Locked
DA/SA and "Learning Different Triggers"
2 3 4
Replies
76
Views
4K
Mike J
M
Back
Top