Position Your Finger Somewhere Other Than the Trigger
Craig DouglasDescription
For several decades, shooting instructors in every discipline have repeated the mantra, “keep your finger off the trigger.” While experienced shooters usually find a place to keep their finger when they are not actually ready to shoot, the truth is that novices may not have any idea exactly what “off the trigger” means. Craig Douglas joins Rob Pincus to discuss his idea of “keep your finger somewhere other than the trigger.” This directive actually informs the shooter that they need to find a specific place for their trigger finger when they are not shooting.
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6 Responses to “Position Your Finger Somewhere Other Than the Trigger”
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I carried Glocks for nineteen of my twenty-six years in LE. I always tried to index my trigger finger on the takedown latch if it was a prolonged situation with my gun at a high ready, or if doing a building search I would actually put it up on the bottom of the ejection port. There are too many studies and instances of a sympathetic response (balance disruption, startle effect and sympathetic grip effect) that make keeping your trigger finger well out of the trigger guard unless you decide to shoot. You have to practice this way and it is tough to do when your stress level is up in anticipation of finding someone in the next room you are clearing. Discipline is what it is about. I've seen too many bad shoots from cops with their finger dangling too near the trigger and negligently fire that resulted in damaging something or hitting someone when it wasn't called for. Not worth it. Great topic and easy to teach the way it was presented. Thank you.
Good presentation IMO. Even some of us more experienced 'shooters' or CC'ers need to reinforce the basics. This is a good one
great tip! I have a piece of gun tape on the side of my frame I use as tactile location point. I also like the use or re-phrasing keep your finger on the tape dont use the terms you are trying to avoid it is a subconscious thing and has proven very useful I find it the same as when checking for clear, make sure you say to yourself I am checking for a clear or empty chamber and mag well! don't say I am looking for bullet in the chamber you my find yourself dropping the slide a chambered round thinking it was empty do to the fact your looking a bullet.
great tip! Have a piece of gun tape on the side of my frame I use as tactile location point. I also like the use or re-phrasing keep your finger on the tape dont use the terms you are trying to avoid it is a subconscious thing and has proven very useful I find it the same as when checking for clear, make sur you say to your self I am checking for a clear or emty chamber and mag well! don't I am looking for bullet in the chamber you my find yourself dropping the slide a chambered round thinking it was empty do to the far your looking a bullet.
Great tip, as a relative new shooter I have to think about my trigger finger location. I put a piece of skate board tape on the frame of my M&P 40c, it helps me alot by giving me something I can feel with my finger.
Very instructive, I like the positive position of where the trigger finger should be when you don't want to discharge the gun, that way it won't creep or move around, it will stay put and provide for a better safety position.