Anyone use the middle finger to pull the trigger?

[okjoe]

Here's a link to a U-tube video showing aerials (pop cans tossed in the air), being shot and hit using the index finger for aiming and the middle finger on the trigger. The gun is an airsoft gun. You must be very quick and accurate.

YouTube - Point Shooting aerials is easy

Noticed that there is a post about a 1911. Here's a link to a very short historical and informational video on the 1911. YouTube - 1911 - A Fatal Flaw

Here are some pics from range visits. Usually use a rental. And I usually shoot as fast as I can point and pull the trigger. Always use safe gun handling practices and COMMON SENSE.

S&W 40 cal

If you are going to be shot and/or killed, there is an 80% chance that it will happen at less than 21 feet, and under conditions and in circumstances where traditional marksmanship won't or can't be used. So knowing and using a shooting method that is very fast and "accurate" at close quarters, would be good.

Do not expect quarter sized groups.

 

[Raider]

I have used the middle finger technique for fast bolt action rifle shooting. I would never use it with a handgun unless I had a damaged index finger.

Charlie

 

[silvercn]

I carry for defense.
I would not suggest shooting with your middle finger.
When you add too many details to drawing, and shooting,
you end up messing it up. In a SD situation, this mean you are done.

You fight how you pratice. repetition makes perfect.

maybe this simple chart can help you correct your shooting error.
(see attached pic)
If it helps.. i do the same thing.

Our Firearm Instructors did I simple exersize the other day.
You grip the firearm, and have your buddy pull the trigger, when you say your on target.
If his trigger pull is even you will hit your target whre your aiming.

This showed me that I was putting too much finger in the trigger.
In turn, I would be inadvertantly pushing the gun to the left (right hand shooter).
When i put the trigger on the tip/pad of my finger....
ALL MY SHOTS HIT CENTER!!!! it was instant gradification!

Now I just need to keep praticing that way....
so it becomes second nature....... pratice, pratice, pratice.

 

[Model29Lover]

Too much finger in the trigger or squezzing left with your support hand, or just jerking the trigger could be causing the trouble with your trigger finger. I would try to fix that problem before using a technique that is harder and has its' own problems as well. I am not a fan of that technique.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I do that only with this gun - it helps me to get a higher and more solid grip on the gun, laying the index finger alongside the twin barrels. "Point and shoot."

 

[P&R Fan]

I have a client who is an older lady who is left handed. She recently bought a S&W 442 revolver and was showing it to me. She had shot it a few times and said she did pretty well with it. She shot it with her right hand and pulled the trigger with her middle finger. Apparently the BC gap didn't cause a problem for her. When I asked her why she used her non-dominant hand and middle finger she said that was where she was strongest. She also throws darts (not very well) with her right hand, although for almost everything else she uses her dominant (left) hand.
I suspect age may be an issue, as well as her small stature, but she says it works for her. We plan to go shooting soon so I guess I'll see first hand.

 

[okjoe]

Looks like that pocket pistol has spent some time in one or more pockets. Slick rig.

Copied and tried to blow the pic up to see the caliber, but it did not show up for me.

 

[Last of the Mohicans]

I didn't know that it was a recognized technique. Years ago I broke the last joint on my "bird" finger. The result is that I can only partially bend that fingertip. It's a royal pain when shooting handguns and I have to modify my grip somehow to compensate with many handguns. I have often considered the notion of resting my trigger finger alongside the frame and using that broken finger to actually pull the trigger. I may well try it now.

 

[shotslow]

Thank you for the replies. I have solved most of the problems I had shooting the 45 M&P by installing an Apex Tactical sear and striker block. And use a conventional shooting method. I also got a M&P 9mm PRO. Installed same parts. Not as dramatic a result, but an improvement. I will play with the middle finger point shooting a bit. But doubt I will adopt it. An interesting thread non the less.

 

[buckyjames1]

Lot's of people believe its always the triggers finger for Low-Left hits.
A 7'oclock consistent hit can also be contributed to squeezing to hard on primary brace hand

To expand on point:
Take right hand and simulate "gun in hand", "finger on trigger".
tighten grip with slight emphasis on Middle(3rd) finger.
Notice how grip will slightly shift left.
Now add a slight hesitation or anticipation of shot, which have tendency to pull shots low.
If you are performing "From the draw" or quick "Double tap" type shots, a shooter may have the tendency to over grip and get caught in the moment.
If you have a grouping and a descent pattern, this can be remedied. Just means a slight concentration and relaxing needs to be accomplished.

Hope it helps

 

[Crown Vic]

Middle finger as Trigger finger.

After twenty five years of lessons, reading and practice I still couldn't cure missing down and left. Recently, out of the blue I wondered about switching trigger fingers. I read the blogs and practiced dry-firing. It felt comfortable and natural. After I was sure I was safe I went to the range with the 4 semi-autos I use most (3-9mm and 1-40 cal) I was amazed at the positive results. I still wasn't perfect but I was a lot more accurate and my shots were evenly dispersed closely on and around the aiming point. It was also much easier to hold my sights on target between shots.
Surely there will be negative responses to my blog, but remember that shooting like many other sports and activities is not a science, it's an art. Picasso and Rembrandt are both wonderful artists but their techniques and styles are very different. Remember, "More than one way to skin a cat". If you're cursed with small hands or having accuracy problems you might give it a try. Practice dry firing for a while until it feels natural and comfortable before you go to the range. Be careful, be safe and have fun. I hope it works for you as well as it did for me. And finally, Massad Ayoob recommends it for shooters with small hands. Which of you critics claims to know more about guns than Mas?

 

[BloodyThumb]

I used my middle finger to trigger a heck of a fist fight once...

 

[OttoLoader]

My suggestion works for me. I am right handed.
Everyone hand dimensions are slightly different.
Each must experiment with the sweet spot combination.
Here is mine.
Establish stable base or hold.

Wrist. Be sure to get a consistent and steady hold cuch that the wrist never breaks during the trigger pull cycle.

Hand. Use your hand to finess the pressure on the front strap and backstrap so the pistol stays in line on target during the trigger press cycle. Really concentrate gripping force inline with barrel. Also no death grip or variation.
Trigger postion
Get terms straight . Some saty too much meaning closer to the hand farther from the tip.
Others mean too much as being closer to the tip. I will not use that term.
Next fo not assume everyone must use the pad of their finger.
Now in dryfire try trigger finger placement at different position until you establish the break point that result in the muzzle remaining on target. Press trigger straight back not off axis.

For me the pistol is level and inline with wrist and elbow. Not off axis and in middle of the web.
Yrigger finger is usually on the middle segment not near the tip.
As you described having short fingers smaller hand. I would work in first getting ge grio stable and in line, then try different trigger finger placement likely closer to the tip pad.

Note I use this method with any size gun. But tge combination is different.

I can get very good and consustent hits with pocket .380s, j l n x frame S&W revolvers. Glocks M&Ps 1911s.
There is no one size fits all .
Trend small guns pocket 380 j frame trigger finger position is far away from the tip. Larger handguns trigger position is closer to the tip.

Also just plain jane stock guns, grips, triggers etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[BC38]

After twenty five years of lessons, reading and practice I still couldn't cure missing down and left. Recently, out of the blue I wondered about switching trigger fingers. I read the blogs and practiced dry-firing. It felt comfortable and natural. After I was sure I was safe I went to the range with the 4 semi-autos I use most (3-9mm and 1-40 cal) I was amazed at the positive results. I still wasn't perfect but I was a lot more accurate and my shots were evenly dispersed closely on and around the aiming point. It was also much easier to hold my sights on target between shots.
Surely there will be negative responses to my blog, but remember that shooting like many other sports and activities is not a science, it's an art. Picasso and Rembrandt are both wonderful artists but their techniques and styles are very different. Remember, "More than one way to skin a cat". If you're cursed with small hands or having accuracy problems you might give it a try. Practice dry firing for a while until it feels natural and comfortable before you go to the range. Be careful, be safe and have fun. I hope it works for you as well as it did for me.

I'd give this one multiple "LIKES" if I could.
Doing something differently is not synonymous with doing it wrong, contrary to the sometimes popular majority opinion.
As long as you do it safely do what works for you.

 

[nate-dogg]

Several years ago my wife and I went on a date night and did gocart racing and I wrecked and broke my strong hand index finger. Didn't let that stop me from shooting, I just used my middle finger instead. I even shot a deer that year with my middle finger lol.

 

[Super Trucker]

I have found trigger placement on the trigger effects where the bullet goes.
I have small hands and found that if I keep my finger tight against the side of the gun then allow it to go through the trigger guard and let the finger touch the trigger where it does (closer to the joint in the finger), my shots improved drastically.
This was explained to me that because I kept my finger tight to the gun it did have a way to pull the trigger on an angle making the shots be off centered, keeping the finger this way only allows straight back pulls.

If you pull the trigger with the tip of your finger that usually leaves your finger extra room to pull at an angle. I hope this makes sense, it is easier to just show you then to try and describe it.

 

[kreuzlover]

After twenty five years of lessons, reading and practice I still couldn't cure missing down and left. Recently, out of the blue I wondered about switching trigger fingers. I read the blogs and practiced dry-firing. It felt comfortable and natural. After I was sure I was safe I went to the range with the 4 semi-autos I use most (3-9mm and 1-40 cal) I was amazed at the positive results. I still wasn't perfect but I was a lot more accurate and my shots were evenly dispersed closely on and around the aiming point. It was also much easier to hold my sights on target between shots.
Surely there will be negative responses to my blog, but remember that shooting like many other sports and activities is not a science, it's an art. Picasso and Rembrandt are both wonderful artists but their techniques and styles are very different. Remember, "More than one way to skin a cat". If you're cursed with small hands or having accuracy problems you might give it a try. Practice dry firing for a while until it feels natural and comfortable before you go to the range. Be careful, be safe and have fun. I hope it works for you as well as it did for me. And finally, Massad Ayoob recommends it for shooters with small hands. Which of you critics claims to know more about guns than Mas?

Down, and left, is usually caused by a bad flinch. And Ayoob is not a full-time lawman, and I don't think he ever was. Remember, believe half of what you see, and none of what you hear. I like Ayoobs writing, but learn to take everything with a grain of salt.

 

[Dino1]

If I was shooting constantly low and left with a particular firearm I would adjust my sights to hit POA. If you don't have adjustable sights you can add them, but if you don't just drift your rear sight to the right a little bit and compensate your aim with the front sight to gain elevation for the low shot. With enough practice it will become second nature and you won't even think about it. Another possibility is the sights are a little off on your gun, I have seen this numerous times. which is why I have a sight pusher to correct this. I have an M&P .40 that did the same thing, I put an Apex Forward Reset trigger kit in it, but the gun still shot to the left, I drifted the rear sight ever so slightly to the right and now it shoots dead on. And that trigger kit is nothing short of awesome. Next to my Kimber Eclipse Target series 1 it is one of my favorite range guns.

 

[gwpercle]

My Uncle had lost most of his index finger in a farm equipment when he was a teenager ... so by default his middle finger became his trigger finger . Hunted his whole life and was a good shot ... I wish I could hit flying game birds like he could .
If using your middle finger works for you ...roll with it !
Gary

 

[kreuzlover]

My Uncle had lost most of his index finger in a farm equipment when he was a teenager ... so by default his middle finger became his trigger finger . Hunted his whole life and was a good shot ... I wish I could hit flying game birds like he could .
If using your middle finger works for you ...roll with it !
Gary

Exactly! I've seen folks on TV shows that use their FEET to shoot bow & arrow! If life hands you lemons, make lemonade.