Use middle finger for trigger pull?

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

blinkjr

Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2011
Messages
48
Alright, first off I'm pretty new with shooting, especially handguns. The other day I was dry firing my gun (Sig SP2022) with the purpose of pointing without aiming. I would then check the sights to see if I was actually aimed at my target. That made me wonder if I could place my index finger on the frame pointing forward and use my middle finger to pull the trigger. I believe your brain is pretty good at getting your finger to point to what you are looking at, so I thought this might help in getting me on target quickly. Well, it seemed to do so in my limited experimenting. But, realizing putting your finger near the slide might not be a smart thing to do.

So, has anyone ever tried this, or seen someone else do it? Do you think it would be helpful? Could something be added to the frame to protect you index finger?

Is this just a really stupid idea?

Thanks!
 
The three extra fingers you have left over would best be used while wrapped around the grip to control the gun.

Most folks have very little grip strength in the third and little finger, and that is all you have left to hold the gun and control recoil if you are using your middle digit to pull the trigger.

Bad idea.
Fogadaboutit!

rc
 
Other people have done this with success. I haven't tried it with a real gun, but it worked dang well throwing empty cans in the air and popping em with an airsoft pistol.

Do a search for "point shooting" on youtube and you'll likely find a couple videos showing this technique.
 
As a matter or safe handling I use my pointer as my trigger finger. For my semi autos the "finger on the frame" trigger control is about the same as what you are describing.

I tried what you are describing once because I could point more readily. Firing that way took a nice bite out of my finger. Train how you will actually use the gun and quick target acquisition will become second nature.
 
Can you imagine: "Yeah I shot him! And I pulled the trigger with this." The ultimate form of contempt.

I suppose you could train yourself to shoot using your middle finger. That would be interesting.
 
Don't try it with a big magnum revolver or you are going to get hit in the face with the gun when you can't hang onto it with your two weakest fingers.

rc
 
You need three things to have good shot placement: Grip, Trigger press, and sight picture. You can get the job done if one isn't there, as long as the others are good. To me, it seems that using your midle finger would have an adverse affect on grip and trigger pull.

The "point shooting" methods I'm "familiar" with:

1- pretty much what your doing, except instead of pointing with your finger, use your whole arm.

2- try shooting with masking tape over your sights. Its a good drill for anyone, and you'll get used to shooting without sights.

3- not point shooting persay, but "index" the gun. This is the method I sometimes use with my LCP. The idea is instead of looking at the sights, you look at the back of the gun. You'll be able to see if its angled off to the side or tilted upwards.

Hope this helps,

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson
 
it kind-of sort-of works on a limited number of handguns in a limited number of situations with a limited number of shooters

the people who designed your gun would probably laugh at you if you presented the concept to them, the gun is designed to be fired with the index finger on the trigger and the middle wrapped around the grip - don't fight that.
 
The only good reason I can think of is, if you don't have an index finger for some reason.

rc
 
I owned ONE handgun that this made sense with - a High Standard .22WMR derringer. It was a 2 round over/under with a very round grip. It needed to sit down into your palm to get a good grip. It was a BUG all the way - accurate to the muzzle. Stick it in their ear and pull the trigger, twice!
 
only guy i've known to do this lost his right index finger in an accident. he compensated by using his middle finger on his right hand for the trigger. he had trouble with large or high-powered pistols for the above stated reason (two weakest fingers for grip), so he shot with a two-handed grip almost exclusively.

he also learned to shoot with his left hand. when shooting with his LEFT hand, he still used his index finger on the trigger because, in his words, "It's the only one i got left, an' i wanna keep it."
 
Many folks have tried it over the years with the the result being it's current popularity. Other than for folks missing their strong hand index finger tip, the trade off of compromising the grip isn't worth it.

The only successful employment of the technique I've seen taught was with a bolt action rifle, where the index finger's function was to flip up the bolt handle up after each shot...Google: Mad Minute...but that was more about maintaining a higher rate of fire than pointing

A a practical matter of pointing at a target using your strong hand, consider that you can point at the target with your thumb in the thumbs forward grip
 
Nothing new, its in fact the preferred way to use a "mouse gun" as long as its such you can't wrap your index finger around in front of the muzzle!

http://www.pointshooting.com/

The position of the laser activation buttons on the S&W Bodyguard 380 appear to have been placed with this technique in mind.
 
It was placed in order to keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot something.

It is taught in every gun class in the nation.
Finger goes in the trigger guard when you decide to shoot, Never before.

rc
 
I use index finger, but for breaking dry firing i will use all my fingers on both of my hands.
 
I've used my middle finger to pull the trigger on my AR before. The trigger is pretty creepy and I seemed to get a smoother pull with my middle finger.
 
In spite of some of the replies there is really nothing wrong with using the middle finger, EXCEPT that the index finger can get in the way of the slide in an auto pistol and be hit by escaping gas and powder from the barrel cylinder gap should you use that hold with a revolver.

I would recommend finger exercises (OK, you guys, quit smirking, it is not a joke) to build up the muscles of the index finger and of the hand/fingers in general.

Jim
 
For long range precision, I have a wierd grip. I use the tips of my fingers on the front of the grip. I keep my thumb on the same side as my fingers, insted of wrapping around. I was taught this by Todd Hodnett. It keeps me from twisting or pulling the shot when I apply pressure to the trigger. I have tried the middle finger pull and it feels fine to me. It would take alot of practice, but I could get used to it.
 
There was a guy on here a year ago or so it seems who was bitten by a spider hiding behind a doorknob, and lost use of his index finger. I think he said he was training and getting good using his middle digit. It probably takes a lot of practice.
 
How I do point shooting is a little different. I don't know if anyone does it the same as me, and everyone I've talked to locally can't seem to do it, but I think it's the lack of understanding my concept.

What I do is raise the pistol the way you normally would (here's where it gets tricky for some, because I am cross-eye dominant, but can shoot with both eyes equally, and shoot both eyes open).

Here, we'll break it down better:

1. Raise pistol like you normally would.
2. Elevate it and center it with your nose.

Now this is where it gets really tricky. When you have your pistol centered about your nose area, you get that whole "double vision" or "double pistol effect." This is what I aim to accomplish.

3. You're going to center your target between both front sights in your "double vision" and if you do it right, your "double" rear sights will have the "double" front sights and your target centered between them at roughly the same elevation of your sights.

With this technique, you're mainly focusing on your target, such is point shooting, so I'm told. I can actually be pretty accurate with this, and I'll probably make a video of it soon, as soon as I'm able to get out and shoot.
 
Wow - thanks for all the replies / feedback!

I was in a hurry to get to a meeting when I posted my original question, so I probably did a poor job of explaining myself.

I would never attempt this with my gun in its present form. Only if I had some form of barrier between my index finger and the slide would I consider doing this. To those who say I need the middle finger on the pistol butt, I thought of doing this with a two hand hold. And the index finger along the frame would (I think) accomplish two things: 1) help in pointing to sighted target, and 2) help combat against the twist of the gun to the right (trigger finger on the right hand) as I pull the trigger.

I realize this is quite unconventional/unorthodox, but just wondered if it had been tried by anyone.

Thanks to all who have responded. THR readers are extremely helpful.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
Using the middle finger as the trigger finger
2 3
Replies
54
Views
9K
GBExpat
GBExpat
Z
  • Locked
  • Poll
Using middle finger to drop magazine
Replies
8
Views
2K
jon_in_wv
J
A
  • Locked
Finger On Trigger Guard
2
Replies
34
Views
4K
pangris
P
S
  • Locked
Trigger Finger Placement
Replies
4
Views
453
CWL
C
O
  • Locked
The Mechanics Of Shooting Low And To The Left.
Replies
10
Views
721
JohnKSa
JohnKSa
Back
Top