Author Topic: Anyone ever try using the middle finger to squeeze trigger? (Read 1772 times)

BRL · « **on:** July 23, 2009, 12:13:16 PM »

I was bored the other day and took out two of my revolvers to dry fire, something I rarely do unfortunately. One was a Ruger Redhawk and one was a Taurus Titanium Tracker. I really took notice as to how I gripped both and how each felt...something I have never really done at the range before. I realized something. The bulk of the Redhawk sits above my hand VS the Taurus that sits lower in my hand and doesn't feel "top heavy". The cylinder of the Redhawk is almost completely above my index finger which makes the gun feel unstable whereas the Taurus wasn't and didn't.

So, I moved my hand up on the grip on the Redhawk and squeezed with my middle finger. The gun felt much more steady in my hand and my sight picture was much easier to hold on. I was impressed with my new grip.

But...will it work at the range?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2009, 12:20:31 PM »

Yes and no.
Yes it will work.
But you will have harder recoil on big bores.
you also have to worry about where you put your finger and if the gasses from the cylinder don't hit your finger on the frame.
Same goes with an auto. You can not lean your finger on the slide and moving the finger off the gun adds small amounts of wiggle.

Hodr · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2009, 07:38:40 PM »

I had an uncle teach me to do this when i picked up a new handgun. He said it would allow me to point a finger and (index) gain control quicker.

blindhari

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2009, 01:30:38 AM »

I had to for about a year when i was having problems with my middle knuckle getting beat up by heavy recoil. they operated on it twice and it was so senistive to being bumped that i found the middle finger was better served using it to pull the trigger. It works fine if you practice. I shot a few game animals that year like that. In the long run i found that the trigger finger works best and the middle one is better used as a traffic signal.

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2009, 01:39:00 AM »

I've tried that technique and don't care for it. With a snub nose you burn the snot outta your index finger and with semi-autos the slide is liable to slice your finger. After trying that technique I realized why they call that finger (#2 on the hand, just to the right or left of the thumb, hand dependent) either the trigger finger or the index finger and these two anatomical indicators are the result of man's development of firearms.

Hey, we didn't call it anything until we got a trigger for it to pull, so then we called it a 'trigger finger'. When we found out that continued manipulation of a trigger by a trigger finger actually causes the cylinder to 'index' to the next round, we called it the index finger.

Now, when I was a kid, we used to set up dried out cowpie on edge and shoot at them till they busted up and we used to refer to our 22s at the time as 'pooper shooters' but now that term refers to another of our anatomical body parts, so once again we have man's development of firearms and related fun to thank for medical terminology................................................ why do I feel like this is the 'Cheers' episode where the Mailman explains his theory of evolution and alcohol.............

BRL · « **Reply #5 on:** July 24, 2009, 08:17:25 AM »

Thanks for the replies. I may try it at the range next time. I don't see a problem with my index finger getting in the way as I simply point it straight out and rest it just under the cylinder along the frame. I will take notice again before actually shooting that way.

My loads aren't very hot, .44 255 grain, or sometimes 265 grain, at 1,100 fps. But, I wonder if I'll have more control and be able to steady on target at longer range better.

S.B. · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2009, 03:11:56 AM »

Quote from: BRL on July 23, 2009, 12:13:16 PM

I was bored the other day and took out two of my revolvers to dry fire, something I rarely do unfortunately. One was a Ruger Redhawk and one was a Taurus Titanium Tracker. I really took notice as to how I gripped both and how each felt...something I have never really done at the range before. I realized something. The bulk of the Redhawk sits above my hand VS the Taurus that sits lower in my hand and doesn't feel "top heavy".

Are you suggesting you prefer the Taurus to the Ruger because of the balance point?
Steve

HHI-7420 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2009, 08:36:16 AM »

BRL, I feel that the middle finger is more important to your grip than pulling the trigger. Try this if you don't agree: grasp someones hand like you were going to shake hands. Take your left hand and pull out on your middle finger. Now try to squeeze the other person's hand. Doesn't work too well does it. Pat

Siskiyou · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2009, 12:18:19 PM »

I tried the “middle” trigger finger option out of necessity. Before I ever went to a police academy I would practice double and single action with my Colt 357 Magnum. The Colt 357 Magnum shares the same action and trigger with the Colt Python. The trigger has grooves in it. The grooved surface did not present a problem when shooting a 60-round PPC, but if training and qualification extended to hundreds of rounds the grooved trigger started to chew up finger. My LE training focused on double action fire, single action was discouraged. Some departments modified their revolvers to single action only.

My first option was to switch to the middle finger. I did not find that satisfactory. My second option was tape on the finger. I was reminded of that the other day when I had it out for a cleaning.

The best option was the “smooth” double action trigger on the S&W K-frame.

I consider the idea trigger finger is the index finger. Went trained using different option in case we were injured, but the middle finger was never a primary option.

BRL · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2009, 06:25:59 AM »

Hey Steve, I don't prefer the Taurus to the Redhawk. I've owned the Redhawk for almost 20 years and the Taurus for only 3. I've only shot probably 50 rounds through the Taurus. I just happen to notice the (as you put it) the balance point, an accurate phrase by the way. I do notice that the Taurus is easier to hold steady on target and recover from recoil. Also, I noticed the center of the frame sits lower with the Taurus than the Redhawk. I am pretty accurate with both at close range. However, I'd like to start handgun hunting and was planning on using the Redhawk. About 2 months ago I took the Redhawk out for a spin at 50 yard targets...wow, I sucked. I couldn't hold on target at all and my groups (if each round hit the paper) would have been 12". Obviously, I need practice more than a new gun. But that led me to thinking if I might be more accurate with the Taurus due to its balance. The "middle" trigger finger felt good when dry firing, but I'm sure it will be a different story when firing live rounds.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #10 on:** August 07, 2009, 04:21:38 PM »

i use the middle finger as a triger finger

only with a derrenger

just point the index finger
as it is lieing beside the 2 barrels
pull the middle finger

amazing how accurat that is

no guns here · « **Reply #11 on:** August 11, 2009, 12:11:53 AM »

Nope... but have tried revolvers (.38's in a .357) upside down and pulling the trigger with my pinkie... worked okay for hitting stuff at 7-10 yards. Wouldn't want to try it with anything that kicks much though. Saw it on tv once and had to try it.

NGH

Doug B. · « **Reply #12 on:** August 11, 2009, 01:06:22 AM »

I've seen people use their middle finger for other things too!

45-70.gov · « **Reply #13 on:** August 11, 2009, 05:13:11 AM »

Quote from: Doug B. on August 11, 2009, 01:06:22 AM

I've seen people use their middle finger for other things too!

i have used my middle finger to cause rounds to be fired at me

this is not a good corse of action

bobg · « **Reply #14 on:** August 11, 2009, 05:54:54 AM »

I drove armored truck for Brinks for a while. When we qualified we had to fire six rounds with our off hand. I can't squeeze the trigger with my index finger on my left hand. Had to use my middle finger. It didn't seem to hurt my score to much. But i still didn't like the way it felt.
bobg

hbar2989 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 22, 2009, 04:24:49 PM »

Been doing it since 1987 when I lost my trigger finger. I got used to it, and don't even think about it now. My m&p 9c fits real good.

S.B. · « **Reply #16 on:** August 23, 2009, 03:39:49 AM »

Quote from: hbar2989 on August 22, 2009, 04:24:49 PM

Been doing it since 1987 when I lost my trigger finger. I got used to it, and don't even think about it now. My m&p 9c fits real good.

Never quit inginuety(sp) of the American spirit at it's best! I appauld you sir.
Steve

docmagnum357 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 26, 2009, 05:20:18 PM »

On another forum, which will go un named, There is quite a bit of talk about using the index finger to pull the trigger, while letting the trigger finger lie along the frame, "pointing" to the target. They also talk a lot about moving while shooting, and hitting people over the head with a pistol. i got out of there because of anti Gubment stuff....that and i was wondering when they were going to start promoting a bayonety on a pistol. Seems like they thought that a pistol shouild have a flashing red light, cigareete lighter, and OSHA approved back up beeper.

docmagnum357 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 26, 2009, 05:24:36 PM »

Sorry, hit the wrong button. Anyway, the tequnique is almost useful if you are shooting a "baby Glock" or some other abomination that was sold with part of the grip missing. It allows a person of normal size to get a higher grip, to help with the enormous increase in muzzle flip these guns have. Since sights become less and less useful the shorter the sight radius is, ....It might be useful. Personally, I would just get a handgun that fit my hand to start with, and if it was for Concealed carry, i would get a darn holster that was proper, too.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #19 on:** December 28, 2009, 01:41:43 AM »

Never tried that & dont think I will...

I have practiced refining my trigger control with a tip learned from the guy's shooting the masters. What some of them would do is to keep a short dowel in their pocket with the lenght being the same as where the grip frame bottoms out in the palm to the front of the trigger. Several times a day, one could use this to practice centering that dowel in the middle of the first joint of the index finger.

It works suprisingly well...I dont carry a dowel anymore but am always consious of centering that trigger and pressing it straight back.

S.B. · « **Reply #20 on:** December 28, 2009, 02:23:35 AM »

Quote from: glanceblamm on December 28, 2009, 01:41:43 AM

Never tried that & dont think I will...

I have practiced refining my trigger control with a tip learned from the guy's shooting the masters. What some of them would do is to keep a short dowel in their pocket with the lenght being the same as where the grip frame bottoms out in the palm to the front of the trigger. Several times a day, one could use this to practice centering that dowel in the middle of the first joint of the index finger.

It works suprisingly well...I dont carry a dowel anymore but am always consious of centering that trigger and pressing it straight back.

Randy, Sounds like a deal to me but, diameter of dowel? Picture of dowel in use would really help, also, Please? Surprised someone hasn't come up with this before now. Like'd to use wrist weight to build my arm muscles up when shooting bullseye. Gil Hebard started me doing this. Thanks, pays to have intelligent friends.
Steve

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 28, 2009, 11:10:25 AM »

I tried it with smaller caliber handguns, but it just does not work with big bore handguns. You need the extra finger to control the recoil. I will keep using my trigger finger as long as it is there.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #22 on:** December 29, 2009, 01:39:02 AM »

The dowel diameter need not be much Steve, the likes of a standard #2 pencil should be fine. Lenght is determined roughly by what you are shooting with the dowel fitting between your curved trigger finger on one end and your palm on the other with the dowel being perhaps between your index & middle finger on the palm side.

This is just a simple exercise that let's one get a feel for centering up that trigger in the middle of the first joint where it is suppose to be instead of in the finger joint it'self or the outside edge of the finger.
It really does work as it makes you concious (spell check Matt) of the sensitive area in the middle of the pad. Once the dowel is in place, you can practice pressing it straight back.