Don’t Flip ’Em The Finger

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This is a big “no-no.” Get that finger off of the trigger.

One of the easiest ways to determine whether a person is dialed in with firearms, and handguns in particular, is to watch where they place their trigger finger when they handle a firearm. The next time you go to a gun shop or gun show, notice how many people instantly put their fingers on the trigger. Folks new to guns will almost always put the finger to the trigger, and many will go ahead and pull it to make it click — often resulting in a loud noise. If you want to be tagged as a rank amateur, put your finger on the trigger as soon as you pick up a handgun. But standby to suffer the consequences.

Better? Keep your finger out of the trigger guard, register your finger firmly against the side of the frame or slide, and keep it there until you bring the handgun up or out to shoot. The instant your handgun comes off-target, the finger comes out of the trigger guard and back to the “register” position. Don’t simply hinge your finger out of the trigger guard so it can easily slip back to the trigger with a simple closing of the finger. If you slip or fall, are startled or fear loosing the handgun, you’ll naturally try to grab the pistol. If your finger goes to the trigger with the grip strength you normally apply to retain the handgun, it might go off. Oops.

Perfect Placement Is Paramount

Some trainers teach to actually place the tip of the trigger finger against the protruding tip of the slide lock on an auto pistol so you will know right where the finger belongs. Doing this on a 1911-type pistol may push the slide stop out of position, just far enough to cause the slide stop to engage the disassembly notch and lock the pistol. This can happen to other auto pistols as well. My advice is to avoid doing this unless you want your pistol to choke. It’s best to place your finger on the slide of your pistol, or on the frame below the cylinder of your wheelgun.

If you are involved in physical activity where weapon-retention is an issue, or moving in or around people, keep your finger out of the trigger guard. When covering a threat, don’t place your finger in the trigger guard unless you believe you need to shoot. If you’re committed to shoot, then having your finger on the trigger is fine. However, if you haven’t made up your mind — or are not sure — keep your finger out of the trigger guard and pressed firmly against the slide or frame of your handgun.

Under the stress of a life and death encounter you will have much more pressure on the trigger than you realize. If your pistol has a 5-lb. sear release, 2 lbs. of pressure will already be applied and you won’t even know it. Trigger manipulation is the art of releasing the sear to fire an accurate shot. Trigger control is all about the art of restraint — knowing when and what to shoot. If you work with your finger on the trigger you have short-circuited the process of trigger control.

A startle response — a bump or shove, or even a loud noise or shout — can start a chain of events that can allow you to trip the trigger and end up with disastrous results. Act like a pro and don’t allow yourself to put your finger in the trigger guard —unless it’s part of the firing stroke. What’s the best part of all this? You don’t even have to go to an expensive shooting school to learn this critical skill.

No one is so good they can violate this rule. If you aren’t dialed in to this fact, start changing your gun-handling habits. Now.

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