Portion of digest on paper on shooting follows:
THE ANATOMY OF THE FOREARM AND HAND
The anatomy of the forearm and the hand was then studied to determine how our muscles and tendons work. Several interesting relationships were found.
1. The muscles and tendons used to flex the index finger are mechanically separated from those that flex the middle, ring, and little fingers. That allows the index finger to be flexed independently to pull a trigger.
2. The muscles and tendons that are used to extend the index finger, are isolated in the lower forearm. That allows the index finger to be extended and locked independently for pointing.
3. When any finger is flexed, one tendon is used to move the tip of the finger, and another is used to move the middle part of the finger.
First, the tip of the finger is curled back by one tendon.
Then the middle part of the finger is flexed by another tendon. It pulls the middle part of the finger straight back, and the middle joint of the finger is used as the pivot for that action.
4. The tendon in the middle finger that pulls the middle part of the finger towards the palm, also passes from the base of the middle finger through the center of the palm. That keeps the pulling force centered and straight back.
5. The middle finger can be flexed or extended individually.
FIELD SHOOTING WITH THE INDEX FINGER
When using the index finger to shoot, one can induce error by having too much or too little of that finger on the trigger. As the trigger is pulled, the curling action of the finger tip can cause the gun to be pushed or pulled off target center.
The amount of error is relative to the trigger weight. More error is introduced with double action firing when 10 or more pounds of force are needed to cock and fire the weapon, than there is with single action firing, when 3 or 4 pounds of force are needed to fire the weapon.
FIELD SHOOTING WITH THE MIDDLE FINGER
When the middle pad of the middle finger was placed on the trigger, the force needed with double action to cock and fire the gun, felt much lighter than the measured 12 pounds.
With single action, the 4 pound force that was needed to fire the gun, felt like simple air resistance.
Also, as the middle pad of the finger was on the trigger, the curling action of the tip of the finger did not affect the fall of the shot.
Another benefit was that the centerline bore was more closely aligned with the web of the hand. That provided for both a natural pointing of the weapon and better control of recoil forces.
Novice shooters with limited hand strength, had a problem pulling the trigger smoothly with double action when the index finger was used to pull the trigger. That was not true when the middle finger was used to pull the trigger.
In new shooter training, all shooters were exposed to the technique. Some experienced shooters converted to it when they saw their improvement in speed of target acquisition and accuracy even when the weapon was not in the line of site.
In entry drills against live targets, that were generally moving, the method allowed for fast accurate shots during dynamic and highly stressed encounters.
In live fire entries, shooters did well even when the bullet traps were set anywhere from 3 to 7 feet off the floor and scattered about the building at varying distances.
In the immediate area, accurate shots were made with the pistol at waist level while moving.
When shooting instructors, students, and new shooters used the technique with a weapon in the line of sight plane and below it, the ratio of hits to shots fired went up significantly.
Last edited 10:32 PST
[This message has been edited by okjoe at aol.com (edited March 19, 2000).]
THE ANATOMY OF THE FOREARM AND HAND
The anatomy of the forearm and the hand was then studied to determine how our muscles and tendons work. Several interesting relationships were found.
1. The muscles and tendons used to flex the index finger are mechanically separated from those that flex the middle, ring, and little fingers. That allows the index finger to be flexed independently to pull a trigger.
2. The muscles and tendons that are used to extend the index finger, are isolated in the lower forearm. That allows the index finger to be extended and locked independently for pointing.
3. When any finger is flexed, one tendon is used to move the tip of the finger, and another is used to move the middle part of the finger.
First, the tip of the finger is curled back by one tendon.
Then the middle part of the finger is flexed by another tendon. It pulls the middle part of the finger straight back, and the middle joint of the finger is used as the pivot for that action.
4. The tendon in the middle finger that pulls the middle part of the finger towards the palm, also passes from the base of the middle finger through the center of the palm. That keeps the pulling force centered and straight back.
5. The middle finger can be flexed or extended individually.
FIELD SHOOTING WITH THE INDEX FINGER
When using the index finger to shoot, one can induce error by having too much or too little of that finger on the trigger. As the trigger is pulled, the curling action of the finger tip can cause the gun to be pushed or pulled off target center.
The amount of error is relative to the trigger weight. More error is introduced with double action firing when 10 or more pounds of force are needed to cock and fire the weapon, than there is with single action firing, when 3 or 4 pounds of force are needed to fire the weapon.
FIELD SHOOTING WITH THE MIDDLE FINGER
When the middle pad of the middle finger was placed on the trigger, the force needed with double action to cock and fire the gun, felt much lighter than the measured 12 pounds.
With single action, the 4 pound force that was needed to fire the gun, felt like simple air resistance.
Also, as the middle pad of the finger was on the trigger, the curling action of the tip of the finger did not affect the fall of the shot.
Another benefit was that the centerline bore was more closely aligned with the web of the hand. That provided for both a natural pointing of the weapon and better control of recoil forces.
Novice shooters with limited hand strength, had a problem pulling the trigger smoothly with double action when the index finger was used to pull the trigger. That was not true when the middle finger was used to pull the trigger.
In new shooter training, all shooters were exposed to the technique. Some experienced shooters converted to it when they saw their improvement in speed of target acquisition and accuracy even when the weapon was not in the line of site.
In entry drills against live targets, that were generally moving, the method allowed for fast accurate shots during dynamic and highly stressed encounters.
In live fire entries, shooters did well even when the bullet traps were set anywhere from 3 to 7 feet off the floor and scattered about the building at varying distances.
In the immediate area, accurate shots were made with the pistol at waist level while moving.
When shooting instructors, students, and new shooters used the technique with a weapon in the line of sight plane and below it, the ratio of hits to shots fired went up significantly.
Last edited 10:32 PST
[This message has been edited by okjoe at aol.com (edited March 19, 2000).]
