The only guy I knew who shot with his middle finger (who is/was a very fast, accurate comp. shooter) had no 'pointer' finger.

 

I have tried it and yes it's tough to convert muscle memory to this. So I didn't pursue it.

Historical note: British soldiers were trained to shoot the Lee-Enfield with their middle finger as the trigger finger so as to cycle the bolt action faster. They were expected to fire 15 rounds a minute. Many broke 40 rounds a minute. Try it.

 

... So I'm wondering if there is some other way to correct my problem.

If by "your problem" you mean shooting low/left, I have the same issue. Seems this is a trigger control problem. I posted on this last week and replies all indicated I just need to practice dry firing and keeping the front side on target throughout the pull. Easier said than done.

 

i too have thought about this, but i wondered what would happen when your index finger got hit with the ejection port! seems like it could get cut/bruised real quick.

ked:dunno:

 

Different (trigger) strokes for different folks. I have no reason to try it (my clumsy forefinger'd probably get in the way anyway), but if it works for you I'd say go for it.

 

i too have thought about this, but i wondered what would happen when your index finger got hit with the ejection port! seems like it could get cut/bruised real quick.

ked:dunno:

Hitting the ejection port is not a problem for me since I'm left handed. I've tried shooting my Sigs with my middle finger as the trigger finger and I actually shoot better with that grip. FYI, I asked Mas last week about this method of shooting and he doesn't think it's a good idea. He says you sacrifice a good grip on your firearm using this method since you are only holding the stock with your pinky and ring finger. I did find it easier to shoot my da/sa Sig with the middle finger since it is longer and stronger than my index. I'm still on the fence about this method and may give it another try. Control of the firearm isn't a problem while shooting two handed, but may be shooting one handed.

 

Go here, a site about what you are asking
www.pointshooting.com

 

In firing with a pistol, or revolver, the proper finger with which to draw the trigger is the second finger, not the index finger, as generally used. The index finger should be placed horizontally along the barrel, on the side of the weapon, which is most important—which, as a means of securing steadiness and leverage, tends not only to reduce the difficulty of the pull, but also tends to prevent depression of the muzzle, which is sure to take place if the forefinger is used, particularly when the trigger has the minimum five-pounds' pull.

H. Onslow Curling, Hints on the Use and Handling of Firearms Generally, and the Revolver in Particular (1885).

 

Just to add one other comment.....

I've only tried this method of shooting (Aimed Point Shooting) one time at my range with my da/sa Sig. The first pull of the trigger is around 10lbs and sometimes I pulled that shot. Using my middle finger for the trigger finger had three noticable benefits for me: 1) Since my index finger was laid on the top of the frame, just below the slide, I noticed that my control and point of my pistol was more true....following the direction of my index finger, 2) since my middle finger is longer and stronger than my index finger, I was able to place the first joint of my middle finger on the trigger where before I couldn't reach that far with my index finger and 3) my following shots in sa tended to be more accurate also. Instead of squeezing or pulling the trigger, it felt to me more like I was just tightening my grip on the pistol stock. In my experiment, there was no denying that my shots came easier and more accurately. Of course, the trade-off is that you only grip the stock of the pistol with your pinky finger and your ring finger, undeniably probably the two weakest fingers on your hand. I also dry-fired some of my revolvers to see if this hold would work on them. The only problem I had was with some of my pocket guns....the grip was a little convoluted.

 

i too have thought about this, but i wondered what would happen when your index finger got hit with the ejection port! seems like it could get cut/bruised real quick.

ked:dunno:

Keep it on the frame and that won't happen.

I don't use the middle finger as common practice, but I have done it so I could see how it worked and it makes point shooting a little easier since you are actually pointing at the target in some semblance of a real point.

If you accept that people focus on the threat (weapon) and the shooters hand migt get hit (happened to one of our LTs) then being able to use the nonstandard finger might be a skill worth having. I wouldn't put thousands of rounds down range for practice, but I would try it out. Hell, who hasn't used their pinkie to run plate racks once in a while.:whistling:

 

Keep it on the frame and that won't happen.

So you say. :animlol: You ain't factored in my "clutziness". :supergrin:

 

H. Onslow Curling, Hints on the Use and Handling of Firearms Generally, and the Revolver in Particular (1885).

In 1885 they treated VD with mercury as well. :whistling:

Having shot thousands of blackpowder rounds in revolvers all I can say is that man was an idiot as with hot BP gases escaping a person would do this only once. :supergrin:

 

So you say. :animlol: You ain't factored in my "clutziness". :supergrin:

You could sharpen the edges of the ejection port and that would trim your finger to the perfect length.:tongueout:

 

Yeah, I wouldn't shoot this way all the time. I just don't understand what I'm doing wrong that the middle finger trigger pull fixes.

I suppose the first thing to try is the dry fire practice since it's the cheapest and easiest method.

 

I have never fired any gun with my middle finger so this may be way off base. But I have been shooting for a long long time and I have adjusted to and "learned" many different triggers on many different guns. I think that the main issue here would be muscle memory. Shooting skill depends a great deal on it. If you train and practice using your father's grip you will probably improve to a point that surprises you.

The holster and Gen 4 backstrap are different issues in my mind but I can see how they play a part in your over all situation. I believe, based upon my own success, that if you determine to do so and are willing to be patient and keep at it you can adjust to any trigger or reasonable grip.

Good luck.....

 

the theory behind this back when it was taught was that by pointing at your target when you pull the trigger you were more likely to hit it. it makes sense and is a proven technique, honestly not sure why it stopped.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't shoot this way all the time. I just don't understand what I'm doing wrong that the middle finger trigger pull fixes.

I suppose the first thing to try is the dry fire practice since it's the cheapest and easiest method.

Hold your hand out like you are holding the pistol.
Open your fingers.
Turn your hand in, palm up in front of your face without adjusting the cant of your wrist.
Look at your palm.
Curl your trigger finger in like you are pulling the trigger.
Curl your middle finger like you are pulling the trigger.
Notice a difference in the paths, notice how the rest of the hand moves, even slightly with the trigger finger?
If the rest of the hand moves, then the gun can move. The greater the movement, the greater the error.

 

Your miracle fix was temporary. You probably would have experienced the same success had you shot left (assuming you are right) handed.

The way to correct your all too common problem is with dry practice and shooting with a purpose.

For fully digited folk there is no good reason to start shooting with the middle finger.

MF

 

Your miracle fix was temporary. You probably would have experienced the same success had you shot left (assuming you are right) handed.

The way to correct your all too common problem is with dry practice and shooting with a purpose.

For fully digited folk there is no good reason to start shooting with the middle finger.

MF

hes right, theres no magic grip or stance that will fix your problems. the only way to get better at shooting, is by shooting.

 

Okay, the general cause of shooting low left is not having enough inger on the trigger. Your middle inger is longer (ya with me so a?) but its not generally as dextrous as the pointer so you dont have the ine control that you would otherwise have.

Rotate your hand around the grip so that you have the crease o the irst joint o your index finger at the edge o the trigger. I'm guessing you'll say "Voila" and be done shooting low let.

 

I suppose the first thing to try is the dry fire practice since it's the cheapest and easiest method.

Ball and dummy drill.

 

use the dummys for failure drills, not trigger/shoot training. put rounds down range in large quantities, thats what is going to fix your issue.

 

use the dummys for failure drills, not trigger/shoot training. put rounds down range in large quantities, thats what is going to fix your issue.

Dummy rounds are good for failure drills, yes.

They are also good for making sure that you are pulling the trigger the same way (and not flinching or attempting to compensate for recoil) when you think it might go BANG as when you know it won't.

The ball and dummy drill is absolutely a legitimate training tool for shooting and for trigger control.

Putting rounds downrange doesn't necessary make you better. It's the old saying "practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect.". Putting lots of rounds downrange the wrong way will only serve to reinforce bad habits.

 

Dummy rounds are good for failure drills, yes.

They are also good for making sure that you are pulling the trigger the same way (and not flinching or attempting to compensate for recoil) when you think it might go BANG as when you know it won't.

The ball and dummy drill is absolutely a legitimate training tool for shooting and for trigger control.

to a point yes, but there is no substitute for experience, and that only comes from shooting, A LOT. if your a bullseye shooter, i agree with you completely, when combat shooting is your only worry, grouping isnt so important, its keeping rounds on target that is. which only comes from shooting.

 

I thought I was the only one that tried the middle finger. It works, but I shoot better with my index finger.