middle trigger finger?

[simonstough]

ok the other day my wife and i were at bass pro, she loves the little laser rifle game so i got change for her to play. while she was shooting i noticed that instead of using her index finger to manipulate the trigger she uses her middle finger, she still does very well but the only other time i've seen a middle finger used to operate a trigger is in sniper when the dude gets his finger cut off. does anyone else do this? should i try and teach her the "right" way to shoot?

 

[red04montels]

if that's what's comfortable to her i see no reason to change it personally.

 

[crazyjennyblack]

If she does well at it and observes the safety rules, I wouldn't see a problem with it. Plus, she may have some sort of past injury to her hand that causes using the index finger to be uncomfortable. As much shooting as there is in popular culture, I'm sure she is aware of the "right" way to do it, so she probably has a good reason for doing it the way she does. If you do mention it, be sensitive and understanding!

I have a friend who lost her little finger and ring finger years ago, and for some reason she has pains in her index finger related to the accident. So she uses her middle finger, practices a lot, and does very well.

 

[Skirmisher 263]

That was a technique used by a few high power shooters of years past. It allowed a bolt action shooter to "flip" up the bolt with the index finger and complete the loading sequence faster for timed and rapid fire.

 

[vaupet]

If you search the net, you can even fing movies of people firing their lee enfield with their little finger to go fast, thus holding the bolt in a pinch between tumb and index finger

 

[9mmepiphany]

The post #4 is referring to the technique which was used during the Mad Minute. In the original (pre-WW I), the goal was to make 15 hits, on a 12" target, with a bolt-action rifle in one minute...at 300 yards. The record, set in 1914, was 38 hits.

The extended index finger allowed the bolt to be flipped up as soon as the shot was fired

 

[patmccoy]

Use of the middle finger for operating the trigger was also taught in the army for a time in the late 1960's, as part of the"Train Fire" system of snap shooting.

I've used it successfully with some folks wanting to use shotguns for home defense. The pointer finger lays along side the action, and the supporting hand also has the pointer finger extended forward under the forearm. Just point both fingers at the target and shoot. Fast and accurate at short to medium distances.

If she's comfortable with it, let her shoot.

 

[Sam Cade]

Should i try and teach her the "right" way to shoot?

Yes.

The muscle memory developed by letting her actuate the trigger with her middle finger is going to be counterproductive if/when she begins to learn to shoot and manipulate a sidearm.

 

[Zoogster]

I did it when I was a young child playing with various toy guns with either longer reaches to the trigger or heavier pulls or resistance. For example the simple squirt guns that squirt further and faster if you pull them quicker.
The middle finger overcomes longer reach, and is stronger and easier to overcome resistance with. As such it can also manipulate difficult trigger pulls faster. Rapid firing a poor fitting or heavy triggered gun.
As I got a little older my index finger was plenty strong and long enough.
However if her finger is not then the issue could be better remedied with a firearm with a shorter reach to the trigger and/or a lighter trigger pull.

I would teach her to use the proper finger. Proper safe handling of the firearm would be different using the middle finger as you don't just rest your finger on the trigger as you can get away with on a toy or video game, and maintaing a strong grip on the firearm without resting the middle finger within the trigger guard would be more difficult.
There is also recoil to manage, and you need a higher quality grip on a real firearm than a recoiless toy that the middle finger on the grip or stock will help to give.

 

[Captains1911]

It's how Jack Ruby shot Oswald.

 

[David E]

Post #9 nailed it.

 

[gdcpony]

I also use it on any rifle that doesn't have a thumbhole stock. It just feels right to do so. I think it gives me a better pull and maybe it does have to do with the length and pull weight, but why is it a bad thing? I say if she shoots fine that way let her go.

I use mine on my service rifle and my AR's. I have since I first shot. You can say I need retrained if you want, but as the highest shooter in my unit, I don't think I need it.

 

[mr.trooper]

Middle finger has been used for trigger in many point shooting systems since the days of black powder.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

This has my interest so I will try it the next time I am at the range. I think there are a number of positives to be gained by using the middle finger including perhaps an advantage due to "point and shoot" with the index finger extended and perhaps better trigger control. Just because we have always done it a particular way is not a sound reason not to try something different. What if our founders had that thought process ingrained in them????

 

[gdcpony]

Agreed, Steel Horse, I am a USMC coach and often have a shooter who is having trouble with "punching" switch to my style. Other than one of them dumping his magazine by accident (on an M-16 this puts your index finger on the release), and the "odd feeling" complaint from those who have never done it before, it works to cure the issue. I have yet to have a shooter under my charge fail to qualify and run a 10/50/40 Marksman, Sharpshooter, Expert percentage.

Not that I urge a shooter who is doing well to just swap for a benefit that may not be there either. It is entirely situation and shooter.

 

[ErieLurker]

Did my best shooting with the service rifle using the middle finger with the sling wrapped around my (trigger) forearm.

 

[BSA1]

Bad idea when it comes to shooting a revolver as the tip of the index finger may well extend to the barrel/cylinder gap. Good news is the index finger won't be too long about shooting it this way. Let's not even talk about the bad...train her right.

 

[pureadrenaline]

Bad idea when it comes to shooting a revolver as the tip of the index finger may well extend to the barrel/cylinder gap. Good news is the index finger won't be too long about shooting it this way. Let's not even talk about the bad...train her right.

It is true that you don't want your finger around a revolver's barrel/cylinder gap. But I am getting a busted knuckle from shooting my S&W Model 29 and have considered using my middle finger on the trigger. I don't think my index finger reaches the gap. I am about to try my third grip to correct the problem. After that it may be middle finger trigger for me... and maybe a fireproof finger cover.

 

[Manco]

should i try and teach her the "right" way to shoot?

Yes, if and only if there is no compelling reason for her to use her middle finger to pull the trigger. In general one should simply do whatever works the best, regarding everything--don't let others who are different dictate to you the "right" way to do things just because their way works the best for them (if even that). On the other hand, when there is no valid personal reason to do things differently from the norm--especially when equipment is expressly designed to be operated a certain manner--then one should train to do things normally to help avoid problems.

If your wife can shoot just as well with her index finger (with some practice to get accustomed to it), then she should do that because it helps avoid certain problems that have already been mentioned, such as being injured when shooting a revolver. When shooting handguns of any type, using the index finger also allows for a firmer grip, which is always a good thing.

Otherwise, if she has some physical issues to overcome, then have her do whatever works the best for her. For example, I've heard about people who use the index fingers of both hands to shoot double-action revolvers--maybe this is not ideal, but if it is demonstrably the best method for them, due to limited strength, then I for one would not tell them that they're wrong. I have even suggested that certain people consider single-action revolvers (like the Ruger Vaquero) and learning to "slip-shoot" with their support-hand thumb. Is this as ridiculous as it may seem at first glance? Well, for those who can neither rack a slide nor pull a double-action trigger reliably, perhaps not--whatever works the best for you.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

About 10-12 years ago a gentleman by the name of John Veit would post on various discussion boards promoting use of the middle finger for working the trigger, a technique he called "Point & Shoot". If anybody's interested his website is - www.pointshooting.com

 

[SleazyRider]

It's how Jack Ruby shot Oswald.

That is interesting, and I'd appreciate knowing your source of information. I'm certainly not refuting you, it's just that events related to the assassination are interesting to me and I like examining new sources.
Thank you!

 

[wally]

I like it with the sub compacts for fast and close shooting, as long as the index finger is not long enough to get in front of the muzzle or barrel cylinder gap. If you never try it, you'll never know if it works for you or not.

AirSoft pistols can be a good starting point here, as well as for practicing drawing and shooting from a holster.

 

[W.E.G.]

I use my middle finger when shooting the "straight-stock" 1903 Springfield.

I lack flexibility in my wrist joint.
My wrist is in a much more comfortable position if I work the trigger with my middle finger.

 

[justashooter in pa]

lots of auto-pistol shooter use middle finger under the theory that laying the index finger under the slide pointing forward at the target helps in rapid point shooting due to acquisition and hand eye coordination overlaps.

 

[wally]

lots of auto-pistol shooter use middle finger under the theory that laying the index finger under the slide pointing forward at the target helps in rapid point shooting due to acquisition and hand eye coordination overlaps.

I find it more than a theory, it works for me. Never know if it works for you if you don't try.

Was awkward at first but didn't take long before I was getting better hits faster. Having a shot count timer helps with the proof.