Trigger Finger Placement and Shooting Small Single Stacks

T

TunnelRat

New member
Hi all,
I realized it's been a long time since I posted. I had a question for those that own and frequently shoot small "pocket sized" single stack pistols. I recently picked up a Glock 43 (I know some don't consider it a true pocket pistol, but here I am using that term for single stack pistols smaller than a subcompact). When I took it to the range I was immediately struck by how far to the left I was hitting at 10 yds (probably about 3 inches). I'm not a perfect shooter and I didn't think it was the pistol so I did some experimenting. In doing so I found that if I used the first joint of my finger rather than the pad of my finger the point of impact was basically center. My guess is because of the very short reach to the trigger if I use the pad of my finger I am actually pushing the pistol to the left as the trigger is breaking. I've read of this happening before but honestly as someone with stubby fingers I've never encountered it.

I'm curious if others have found this as well, and if so how do you just change your shooting style for those particular pistols? It's basically force of habit at this point for me to use the pad of my finger.

-TR
 
I found the exact same thing with my G43. I actually adjusted my trigger finger placement when I shoot all my Glocks. The trigger safety tucks perfectly in the first joint, very comfortable for me, and more importantly it doesn't shoot left.
 
I've discovered the same, shooting a SIG P938, though I'm surprised that I'm pushing rounds to the right (lefty), when I'd have thought the shorter trigger reach would send the rounds the other way.
When I shoot strong- or weak-handed I ride the trigger much closer to the first joint, and that allows the trigger to come straight back, but that feels very odd when I'm shooting two-handed.
 
TunnelRat said:
Hi all,
I realized it's been a long time since I posted. I had a question for those that own and frequently shoot small "pocket sized" single stack pistols. I recently picked up a Glock 43 (I know some don't consider it a true pocket pistol, but here I am using that term for single stack pistols smaller than a subcompact). When I took it to the range I was immediately struck by how far to the left I was hitting at 10 yds (probably about 3 inches). I'm not a perfect shooter and I didn't think it was the pistol so I did some experimenting. In doing so I found that if I used the first joint of my finger rather than the pad of my finger the point of impact was basically center. My guess is because of the very short reach to the trigger if I use the pad of my finger I am actually pushing the pistol to the left as the trigger is breaking. I've read of this happening before but honestly as someone with stubby fingers I've never encountered it.

I'm curious if others have found this as well, and if so how do you just change your shooting style for those particular pistols? It's basically force of habit at this point for me to use the pad of my finger.

-TR
Click to expand...

"Low and left". Yep, I struggle with it, with my XDS.

Run through dot torture a time or two. Take your time. See what it shows. Running through it once will consume a box of 50 cartridges.

Lucky Gunner, how to shoot small pistols well
 
I'm curious if others have found this as well, and if so how do you just change your shooting style for those particular pistols? It's basically force of habit at this point for me to use the pad of my finger.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I've experienced with the S&W Shield. Using "proper" trigger finger technique puts my shots pretty far left.

I don't, however, experience this with some other "micro" nines, such as the Kahr MK9/PM9/CM9, presumably because of the longer DAO trigger pull. Proper technique on those pistols yield proper results.
 
With my PPS I use my first finger joint and it works perfect for me that way - dead center of target. I don't even think about it anymore when picking up my PPS. My Glock 19 is pretty much the same.
 
Yea I did go slow with it and really concentrated. That was the bizarre part because I'd get what I felt were clean presses and the impact was still shifted and throwing in dry fires in between didn't catch me flinching (I'm pretty good at calling my shots these days).

I'm at a bit of a crossroads with it I guess. With my fingers using the first joint on my double stack Glocks frankly isn't natural for me so it's not a technique I'd adopt for all my pistols. At the same time I'm realizing that my Glock 26 isn't really hard to conceal and honestly I can shoot that very well without much effort, certainly compared to the 43 right now.
 
I do the same. I think it's probably because using the pad of the finger makes the angle at the second joint very sharp with a pistol that small. That second joint will be at a very small angle and stuck out very far if I use the pad of my finger. Using the first joint alleviates that: the second joint will be at a wider angle and not stuck out so far. That makes the angle of the trigger pull more normal.

Congratulations to the OP on his G43. I am very fond of mine.
 
My pocket gun is a Sig P238. I place the pad of my finger on the trigger, but I initially dry fired it a lot to get a feel of it. I don't recall having a problem when I first got it, but I don't recall what I had for lunch yesterday, either. ;)

My primary carry is a G26, and like you I find it easy to shoot with no adjustments in technique. I looked at the G42 and G43, and decided on the little Sig because the smaller Glocks weren't different enough from the G26, and the P238 was a better fit for my pockets. Plus it is just so darn cute.
 
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