Gun Question: My son is going to be a local production of Miss Saigon in a couple of weeks, and there is some dispute about placement of the trigger finger. As we see on TV and in...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

My son is going to be a local production of Miss Saigon in a couple of weeks, and there is some dispute about placement of the trigger finger. As we see on TV and in movies, the trigger finger is often placed next to, rather than on, the trigger for safety reasons. If you're in a battle situation, you want your finger on the trigger, right? Is there a general rule about that?

Also, when did that "finger near the trigger" practice begin? It seems like a relatively new thing on TV.

Chris F. Loc: San Francisco

There is no safety on many of the models sold today. My finger is on the trigger only when I'm ready to shoot. A battle situation would be one of those times, especially if someone is in my house uninvited. LOL! Everything has to look cool on TV.

jerryc41 wrote:

My son is going to be a local production of Miss S... (show quote)

Spindrift62 Loc: Dorset, England. U.K.

While we are on the subject of gun firing methods, when did the ridiculous sideways on, barrel sloping towards the ground become the norm? I never had many dealings with automatic pistols, but wouldn't the shell casing be ejected into the shooters face with this sloppy droopy hold which now seems to be the regulation hold for all criminal types on TV?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Spindrift62 wrote:

While we are on the subject of gun firing methods, when did the ridiculous sideways on, barrel sloping towards the ground become the norm? I never had many dealings with automatic pistols, but wouldn't the shell casing be ejected into the shooters face with this sloppy droopy hold which now seems to be the regulation hold for all criminal types on TV?

I remember first seeing that sideways grip on TV years ago. They tested that on Mythbusters. Totally useless way to fire a gun, but it looks cool on TV. :D

pbearperry Loc: Massachusetts

Your finger should only be on the trigger when your sights are on the target and you are ready to fire.That way you will not have an accidental discharge.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

pbearperry wrote:

Your finger should only be on the trigger when your sights are on the target and you are ready to fire.That way you will not have an accidental discharge.

Makes sense. In a "tense situation," wouldn't you be concerned about the time it takes to get the finger on the trigger and then pull it? On TV, I see police entering a house and going room to room with their fingers off the trigger. And we all know that TV is totally true to life. :D

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

I was taught to have my finger on the trigger guard until I was ready to shoot - then place it on the trigger and squeeze - this was taught in our basic gun safety class in school - 1958...

In boot camp ('69) we were told to keep our fingers off the trigger until we were on target and ready to fire - especially with full auto selected...

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

jerryc41 wrote:

Makes sense. In a "tense situation," wouldn't you be concerned about the time it takes to get the finger on the trigger and then pull it? On TV, I see police entering a house and going room to room with their fingers off the trigger. And we all know that TV is totally true to life. :D

I believe in real life in that situation the finger would be on trigger. Makes more sense.

Bangee5 Loc: Louisiana

I have a Glock 19. I am told that I should chamber a round at all times but for safety shake I don't. Of course I keep finger off trigger until ready to go on target and fire but if my intent is to search and destroy shouldn't my finger be on trigger?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Bangee5 wrote:

I have a Glock 19. I am told that I should chamber a round at all times but for safety shake I don't. Of course I keep finger off trigger until ready to go on target and fire but if my intent is to search and destroy shouldn't my finger be on trigger?

If I thought I might be facing a bad guy, I'd have my finger on the trigger.

edfed Loc: Melbourne. Florida

jerryc41 wrote:

My son is going to be a local production of Miss S... (show quote)

Jerry,

I was in Nam and when we were on patrol, we kept our finger on the guard and not on the trigger. If you inadvertantly stepped in a hole with your finger on the trigerr, two things could happen: One you could fire your weapon and alert the enemy to your position, and or two, you could accidently shoot your fellow solider in front of you. Obviously. neither one a good senario.

Chris F. Loc: San Francisco

Ah! So true, it makes me sick. And yes, very possibly so that you could catch a shell in the face as it's ejected. But as Jerry says, TV portrays this as looking so cool!

Chris

Spindrift62 wrote:

While we are on the subject of gun firing methods, when did the ridiculous sideways on, barrel sloping towards the ground become the norm? I never had many dealings with automatic pistols, but wouldn't the shell casing be ejected into the shooters face with this sloppy droopy hold which now seems to be the regulation hold for all criminal types on TV?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

edfed wrote:

Jerry,

I was in Nam and when we were on patrol, we kept our finger on the guard and not on the trigger. If you inadvertantly stepped in a hole with your finger on the trigerr, two things could happen: One you could fire your weapon and alert the enemy to your position, and or two, you could accidently shoot your fellow solider in front of you. Obviously. neither one a good senario.

But for either one you'd be sent home, right? :D

pbearperry Loc: Massachusetts

Bangee5 wrote:

I have a Glock 19. I am told that I should chamber a round at all times but for safety shake I don't. Of course I keep finger off trigger until ready to go on target and fire but if my intent is to search and destroy shouldn't my finger be on trigger?

Having the finger on the trigger before you have decided to shoot is dangerous.If you trip and fall or you are startled,you may discharge the gun accidently.Basic rules of safe gun handling.People who don't practice this are the ones we read about in the news.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

This step #5 in Gun safety:
Rule #1 Accidents happen - when it is with a fire arm - like motor vehicles - many are fatal.
#2 all guns are loaded till you check for-sure yourself.
#3 never point the barrel in the direction of some one while handling or checking a firearm
#4 if the gun has a safety - use it.
#5 keep you finger OFF the trigger till ready to shoot.

At 15 I was shot with an "unloaded gun" while hunting and am lucky to be alive.