Finger on or off trigger during WW2

[Fifty226]

Lol, I asked this same question to my Grandpa (RIP) years ago.
It went like this.

Me: How come in all the old pictures you guys always had your finger on the trigger.

Grandpa: *insert your not to bright look* Cuz that's how you make the bullets come out.

Me: didn't you worry you might shoot your buddy?

Grandpa: we weren't that stupid, and he owed me money most of the time so I couldn't shoot him.

lol welcome to life in my family.

Haha well, thats the old school way of doing things

[SanPedroShooter]

Many pictures of soldiers, or anyone really, posing with a gun before the mid twentieth century will show them with their finger on the trigger.

Not sure how that translated into actual practice in the real world, but finger extended seem to be a more recent phenomenon

[Kyle1886]

My issue rifle was the M1, and the M3 carbine sniper rifle (briefly) (1959-63). Push forward, pull trigger=bang.

Push the safety forward with the trigger finger, pull (press) the trigger rearward to quickly fire the rifle. That's how I was taught many moons ago, so yes, the finger was in proximity of the trigger guard, if not in it.

Respectfully
Kyle

[Kourosius]

My issue rifle was the M1, and the M3 carbine sniper rifle (briefly) (1959-63). Push forward, pull trigger=bang.

Push the safety forward with the trigger finger, pull (press) the trigger rearward to quickly fire the rifle. That's how I was taught many moons ago, so yes, the finger was in proximity of the trigger guard, if not in it.

Respectfully
Kyle

Thank you very much, sir. And thank you for your service.

[Jester3]

Yes

Lol, I asked this same question to my Grandpa (RIP) years ago.
It went like this.

Me: How come in all the old pictures you guys always had your finger on the trigger.

Grandpa: *insert your not to bright look* Cuz that's how you make the bullets come out.

Me: didn't you worry you might shoot your buddy?

Grandpa: we weren't that stupid, and he owed me money most of the time so I couldn't shoot him.

lol welcome to life in my family.

Yup, Grampa had it right, things were basic and to the point then, no nanny state. During Vietnam, we were given all of the safety basics, plus most of us grew up around guns, all that safety s*** goes out the door once you are in country.

[Subotai]

Lol, I asked this same question to my Grandpa (RIP) years ago.
It went like this.

Me: How come in all the old pictures you guys always had your finger on the trigger.

Grandpa: *insert your not to bright look* Cuz that's how you make the bullets come out.

Me: didn't you worry you might shoot your buddy?

Grandpa: we weren't that stupid, and he owed me money most of the time so I couldn't shoot him.
lol welcome to life in my family.

And Grandpa is correct. Only because of retards do we have this rule.

[Jester3]

+1

And Grandpa is correct. Only because of retards do we have this rule.

Roger that!

[bohoki]

finger off the trigger is old as balls

but it wasnt till the 90s that it took the meaning keep your finger out of the trigger guard

i can keep my finger off the trigger and keep it in the guard that area is huge

[SGTKane]

I grew up with my Grandfather, and when he handed you a firearm, there was no need for rules. You knew it was locked, cocked, and ready to rock because to him (a vet of both theaters in WW2) there was nothing more useless than an unloaded, unchambered gun.

[k1dude]

I was taught to shoot and hunt by a whole bunch of WWII combat vets including my father. Everyone had their finger on the trigger the whole time. In Vietnam, fingers were on triggers. I didn't start the practice of finger-off-the-trigger until the 90's.

[SuperSet]

If you're a professional, any lackadaisical approach to firearms handling should piss you off. Did you know that having a negligent discharge is prosecuteable in the UCMJ? Did you know that almost 100 service members have been killed in Iraq alone just from NDs?

[cold100onhw1]

If you're a professional, any lackadaisical approach to firearms handling should piss you off. Did you know that having a negligent discharge is prosecuteable in the UCMJ? Did you know that almost 100 service members have been killed in Iraq alone just from NDs?

Very true. I had a guy in my platoon ND while on a night mission in Afghanistan. Nobody got shot, thank god, but we had to haul ***** out of the village since everyone and there mother was awake. Its important to follow all the safety rules in modern combat.

[Burbur]

I grew up with my Grandfather, and when he handed you a firearm, there was no need for rules. You knew it was locked, cocked, and ready to rock because to him (a vet of both theaters in WW2) there was nothing more useless than an unloaded, unchambered gun.

This is how I was taught too, and to a lesser extent still practice. If the recipient isn't to be trusted with a loaded gun, especially if you inform them it is locked and loaded, they can't be trusted with any firearm.

As is eye protection, ear protection, and Rule #2

We never wore eyes or ears as a kid, and I grew up in the 80s. Still having a hell of a time teaching my dad #2. It's just as much of a courtesy as it is a safety.

[fighterpilot562]

Lol, I asked this same question to my Grandpa (RIP) years ago.
It went like this.

Me: How come in all the old pictures you guys always had your finger on the trigger.

Grandpa: *insert your not to bright look* Cuz that's how you make the bullets come out.

Me: didn't you worry you might shoot your buddy?

Grandpa: we weren't that stupid, and he owed me money most of the time so I couldn't shoot him.

lol welcome to life in my family.

I like your grandpa lol, but I have always wondered this too.

[toby]

Trigger disipline did not come into play until dumb people started buying firearms and accidents started happening. Reason for it's beginning.