Trigger finger problem

[Cal44]

Somehow I managed to injure my trigger finger on my right (dominant) hand.

The finger still works, and the pain isn't great so I likely wouldn't even notice in a self defense situation.

But at the range where I might shoot 100+ rounds it would be bad.

Question:

Does anyone shoot use another finger on the trigger? Say the middle finger perhaps?

Perhaps learn to shoot left handed?

The only small gun I have that I can shoot half way competently left handed is my Sig P238 but it has the safety lever on the left side and that would slow me down. Plus long, heavy triggers my carry J frames hurt more.


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[GnarlsR2]

My trigger finger got a little tender at the range one day. I was told it’s “trigger snap”, but it’s my old hands don’t have those 30-year old leather-like callouses and that super-stud steel grip.

I was fooling around and put my middle finger in the trigger guard and had to place the middle finger pad on the trigger because my middle is too long. I don’t have big hands, but I wear a large glove. My 2-finger grip with the pinky and ring fingers felt a little light. My trigger finger was on right hand side just below the slide, on my P365 Micro. I didn’t try shooting with that grip, I put on my PIG shooting glove.

On my Panther, the same grip will work, however my right hand trigger finger extended to the mag release and the Magpul BadAss Lever, so I had to be extra careful in the placement.

It would definitely work and actually is probably something to try just in case something prevented the use of your dominant hand trigger finger.

 

[WardenRoss]

Your post reminds me I need to practice with my left (weak) hand.

On our old qualification course, we had to shoot four-rounds, out of 50, with our weak hand. New course is all dominant hand.

I wish you well finding your solution.



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[WR Moore]

Long ago I learned to shoot with either hand. I've had several injuries that made the dominant hand useless for trigger operation. Dry fire is your friend.
ETA: learning to do some additional things with the "other" hand is good. Combing your hair, shaving, brushing your teeth and ...other sanitary tasks.

 

[Wdbutcher97]

Try putting a band aid over the sore spot for cushion the next time you go to the range or a very thin leather glove on that hand. This might help if the pain isn't in the joint. As we all get more "seasoned" we sometimes need to compensate for a few things.

 

[GypsmJim]

Buy a piece of tygon tubing in a size that will fit tightly over the trigger. Cut it to length. Give it a try. It may take some getting used to. Consider it to be a poor man's trigger shoe.

 

[URIT]

I agree with your assumption that during a life threatening situation you will not be bothered by your finger pain. Without knowing the exact nature of your injury or your range training focus I can only guess at some options.

I've used Vive hand exercise balls for years to strengthen my old hands and I use their finger exercises too.
They work wonders. Hand Exercise Ball - Forearm & Finger Strengthening — Vive Health

I'd also consider modifying my range exercises to limit my round count to 50 like many pistol qualifications. I find the cost of range time to be a wallet pinch, but I spend less on ammo and get a more focused workout, which balances things in my mind.

I train for self-defense now, so I've shelved the usual scoring targets and use 6" paper plates, 3X5 cards, 3" square Post-its along with small post-it products. I've even used greeting cards.

Good luck!

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Somehow I managed to injure my trigger finger on my right (dominant) hand.

The finger still works, and the pain isn't great so I likely wouldn't even notice in a self defense situation.

But at the range where I might shoot 100+ rounds it would be bad.

As you age you need to slow down and know your limitations.

At one time I may shot 300+ rounds of 45 ACP in competition. Today 50 centerfire and 50-100 rimfire on the Range is manageable for me but YMMV.

I have other Senior friends who just shoot 50 rounds of rimfire and 5 centerfire rounds when they go shooting.

 

[minconrevo]

Several months back, I seriously jammed my trigger finger. After a couple weeks, with no major improvement, I got into see my primary doc. He looked it over really well and suggested we give it a little more time. Said if that didn't do it, he'd refer me to a hand specialist. Took another couple weeks in my case for things to return to normal.

 

[Aukula1062]

I would.see a orthopedic doctor that specializes in hands if you haven done that already. Yes you can shoot with a different finger. An officer I worked with had a severe hand injury when he was very young. His index finger was was missing from the first joint up and the rest of his fingers of his hand were pretty rough but he was a very good shot, qualified expert in the Marine Corps as well. Training and the right firearm if a medical solution is unavailable.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

I'm a revolver guy and was in the police academy way before departments started using auto loaders. Tactically weak hand competence is a must in a hit the fan situation with injury to the dominant hand.

The goal was to group as well with the weak hand while taking 50% longer to shoot that station. Overall for the class I'd say results were abysmal to the stated goal. Personally I took that training to heart and 50 years later I can still shoot pretty good with the left. And, I'd say that added time was just about right.

For me then and now the key was a firm grip with the three lower fingers and trigger control that allowed staging with each shot. Here intense dry fire practice shows up on the target.

 

[chief38]

I required stitches on my trigger finger about 30 years ago and refused to stay home during our monthly Cowboy Action SASS match. My solution was to use my middle finger. What made it difficult was that I was shooting a pair of Single Action Army Revolvers that do require cocking before firing. I practiced a little at home before the match and wound up doing well despite the handicap. Thankfully for the next match everything reverted back to normal.

 

[Shibadog]

I’d also suggest you give shooting with the weak hand a try. It’s a skill imho that everyone should have. Should your dominate hand be injured in an incident you should still be able to defend yourself. I’m a southpaw, but I CAN (and do) shoot right handed regularly. If I take my time I’m about as accurate. On timed sessions I’m a bit slower and not as accurate but I can still hit a target pretty quick @10 yards.

 

[Brian Parrish]

I'm a revolver guy and was in the police academy way before departments started using auto loaders. Tactically weak hand competence is a must in a hit the fan situation with injury to the dominant hand.

The goal was to group as well with the weak hand while taking 50% longer to shoot that station. Overall for the class I'd say results were abysmal to the stated goal. Personally I took that training to heart and 50 years later I can still shoot pretty good with the left. And, I'd say that added time was just about right.

For me then and now the key was a firm grip with the three lower fingers and trigger control that allowed staging with each shot. Here intense dry fire practice shows up on the target.

Because of tunnel vision it is not uncommon to take hits to the weapon hand. The assailant sees the gun and focuses on it. He sends rounds toward it without meaning to necessarily. Even so when you shoot your gun is right out there in front of you so it could get hit. Therefore, if there is time in your training regimen, it is fun to throw in some realistic scenarios involving a disabled weapon, a disabled hand, a bloody slippery hand, etc.

 

[gym cat]

Have you considered seeing a hand specialist? You never Know.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I've been noticing the same issue. I really believe it's from using that finger a lot with my phone.
I do run a few left handed cylinders if I have time to make sure I can hit something 10-15 yards. It ain't easy, but as mentioned above, it's good practice. Especially if you have a hangnail on your finger and need Mr. Lefty Hand.

 

[David Sinko]

Over the years I have dry fired tens of thousands of times with each hand. I have had various motivations for doing so but the primary was to keep my job if something had happened to my dominant right hand. When we qualified we were given two chances to qualify. I qualified first with the right hand and always did Round 2 with the left. Our qualification did not have any real time constraints and I often shot a higher score with the "weak" hand than I did with the dominant. Not better, just higher score; there is a difference when shooting a rather underwhelming course of fire. Even so, other officers resented this as they were afraid I would set some kind of precedent that they would have to follow. The non dominant trigger finger can be quickly strengthened through vigorous dry fire.

 

[gwpercle]

If your trigger finger gets injured ... use the one right next to it ... the middle finger ... to pull the trigger .
It's not as hard as you think ... it may be easier for some than shooting left handed .
It's something to try at the range and see if it's a feasible / doable option .
Gary