Using your middle finger

[dennab]

No, no, not the "bird".

I am referring to a somewhat controversial technique of using one's middle finger for trigger pull. For those of you who've tried this or have read the articles/studies, I am curious to know your thoughts, pros/cons, etc... Not looking for speculation, looking for real experience.

There are some real intersting physiologic advantages behind using the middle finger vs the index finger. See point shooting article link below:

http://www.pointshooting.com/mfinger.htm

I picked up my 1911 today and with some dummy rounds, tried the technique. Middle finger on the trigger, index finger resting naturally on right side of slide, just below the ejection port. Wow, it feels....right!

Ok, chime in....

[Rob454]

I tried dry firing on a snap cap. Feels weird and I doubt I would be able to hold the gun correctly while actually firing. glad it works for you.

[professorhard]

Don't think there's any real reason to do it unless your index finger is gone or non-operational.

[dennab]

I added the article that suggest come clear advantages....

[CSDGuy]

I just hope that if you use that particular technique on your 1911, you don't rip the pad of your index finger off or abrade badly during actual shooting. I just point with my thumb... It's alongside the frame, in the same position every time and works whether or not I'm shooting one handed or double handed, pistol or revolver. Oh, and with revolvers, I don't have to worry about the cylinder gap and finger injury...

[dennab]

Good point. I tried a simulated middle finger grip on my Glock and it seemed to be positioned a lower on the port. On my Beretta 92FS, no issues either.

[Tanner68]

This guy appears to be doing it....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m1yN-3n0FU&feature=related

[orangeusa]

Ayoob discusses this in Combat Handgunnery. Basically he said it was a tried and disproven as a method of shooting unless you've lost your index finger..

But whatever works for you, no one will disagree with.

.

[jdewolf]

There's no wrong way to shoot, per-say. I'll note it's not for me and there's a lot of weird facts in that article.

As such, placing the first pad of a finger on the trigger may cause you to miss your shot, and particularly in a rapid fire situation where the possibility of your being able to squeeze the trigger smoothly until each shot breaks will be very questionable.

This is how I shoot and have no problems at all.

Placing the crease between the first and second pad of the finger on the trigger, or placing the middle pad of the finger on the trigger can reduce the amount of arc that is introduced when the finger is flexed to pull the trigger.

Ultimately putting it behind the first knuckle is *more* comfortable, but I found more accurate to use LESS finger on the trigger.

It is longer than the index finger, so it is easier to place the crease between the first and second pads of the middle finger on the trigger, or to place the second pad on the trigger.

Ultimately if you need a longer finger, you CHOSE THE WRONG WEAPON. Simple as that... and I'm not talking about a SHTF situation where you pickup some randomly weapon off a dead guy as the zombies are coming to eat your brain. If that was the case I don't think you're going to be too concerned about "hmm I wonder what part of the finger I have on the trigger... maybe I should use a weaver stance... maybe I should go iso... should I use my middle finger? should I use my index finger? do I have any fingers left? There's a million "what-ifs"...

Blah blah. I'm pissed that Rampage lost. Would I ever shoot with my middle finger? If my index was otherwise disabled/missing... sure

[Sinixstar]

That thing that would be an advantage for me - is the alignment of my finger to the trigger. I try to get as high a grip as I possibly can without the slide scraping my hand. Sometimes I feel like my index finger has to point downwards to reach the trigger as a result. Middle finger is definitely more naturally in line with the trigger. It's a pretty minor/subtle thing. I don't know if it would make that a big a difference.

Everybody's different, so I imagine this would really be kind of a personal thing.

[Interloper]

Well...every gun you own was designed to be fired with your index finger.

[dennab]

Sinixstar - you make a good point. When gripping using the middle finger, my hand seems to have a naturally higher axis on the grip. I also notice my grip is more stable w/ less pressure. I realize that all these little nuances are personal choice but it's something very interesting to consider.

[9mmepiphany]

i remember when that was first suggested, i think it was back in the 70s, and i did try it.

the downside to using your middle finger to manage the trigger is that you are compromising your grip and will have more tendency to "milk" the grip with your remaining fingers, also you will tend toward using too much finger on the trigger

posted byTanner68
This guy appears to be doing it....

it's use on the Enfield is to increase the speed with which the bolt can be cycled. the principles of holding and shooting a rifle don't transfer directly to a handgun

[Jonathan Doe]

You can apply a little more leverage with your middle finger than the index finger. I had my cadets who had hard time pulling double action on a Beretta try it. It seem to me that they were able to shoot a little better than using the index finger.

[evidens83]

Never even tried this but I'm sure it will be uncomfortable. Muscle memory!