Trigger Finger = Middle Finger - arthritis?

T

TXAZ

New member
I was thinking of a relative who has significant arthritis in his pointer finger, making shooting painful. Is there a reason he couldn't use his middle finger, which is apparently unaffected as his trigger finger? The Sig he shoots is big enough for him to get his middle finger onto the trigger, and apparently is stronger than his pointer finger.

Any reason to believe he would be less accurate once adjusting, or if anyone has tried this before?
 
The way I see it, if his trigger finger isn't a viable option then go ahead and try the middle finger. It will certainly present some challenges, but as long as he can handle the weapon safely and with reasonable accuracy, why not?
 
Some people even feel that using your middle finger allows more instinctive "point shooting". If the index finger is extended along the side of the frame parallel to the bore, the gun will point naturally to wherever the index finger is pointing to.
 
There is no reason not to try it. His accuracy may get better, it may get worse but you won't know until tries. As far as long term shooting accuracy, you won't know until he puts some time into it.
 
It will work significantly better than using the arthritic finger. As a matter of fact, every one of us here has seen either a still photo of a handgun (or the film of the same incident) being used successfully against a live target, and achieving a one shot stop, with the shooter utilizing his middle finger to manipulate the trigger. He was missing the end of his trigger finger.

Jack Ruby's shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald.
 
I don't do it all the time, but sometimes I practice using my middle finger as a trigger finger during dry-fire. I do this in case of an injury to my other finger, just in case.
 
Got a buddy who shoots with his middle finger. Thats just what felt more comfortable for him and he cant hardly hit squat with his first finger. I cant do it. I can shoot better left handed than with my middle finger right handed.
 
I've heard it referred to as the "Vermont Technique" of point-and-shoot. When you pull the trigger with your middle finger, you are quite literally pointing your index finger at the target. Once upon a time, someone somewhere thought that was a good idea. It's unorthodox to say the least, if not also unsafe.
 
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Well, it'd be more effective than simply displaying his middle finger. ;):rolleyes:

But seriously, it will probably work as long as he can grip the weapon securely. I've tried it before and it works fine for me (although I'd need to retrain my trigger squeeze to be as accurate, which I'm pretty confident is possible). Shooting with the other hand is one alternative if middle-finger triggering doesn't work out for some reason (it's not uncommon to be able to shoot with either hand anyway, which is what I do in case my "strong" hand is injured).

teeroux said:
If this guy can shoot and shoot safely with no arms I think your friend can get by just fine using his middle finger on the trigger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlMz2sCDCA4&feature=related
Click to expand...

If this guy isn't careful, he might get a case of hammer toe. :) I'm actually more impressed that he can load a magazine with his feet :eek::cool:, especially considering how many people struggle with that when using their hands. I bet he writes better than some people, too. :D

jersey_emt said:
Some people even feel that using your middle finger allows more instinctive "point shooting". If the index finger is extended along the side of the frame parallel to the bore, the gun will point naturally to wherever the index finger is pointing to.
Click to expand...

Who knows, it may help some people overcome their issues with the grip angle on Glocks and some other pistols, as well.
 
As others have mentioned, the middle-finger technique has always been around, if not always in vogue. On a grim note, Jack Ruby shot that way.

The only gun on which it might cause problems is the 1911, in which case the index finger could push the slide stop loose during cycling.
 
I've used this method for decades and started with a 1911A1. You'll have to tape down the grip safety and have a tiny hole drilled in the portion of the slide lock pin that extends beyond the Right side of the frame. Install a tiny clives pin/wire lock through the hole.
I switched to a Glock to avoid this problem.
 
certain designs

Certain handgun designs facilitate that method.

CZ for example, has a frame that envelopes the rails of the slide and might provide a larger (and safer) place to rest the index fingers. I have a M&P 40c that also provides a nice spot for the trigger finger to rest. I also have a Beretta 92 clone that would NOT be comfortable to shoot that way.

Watch out for the cylinder gap on revolvers!
 
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