Trigger finger discipline and safety question

[Tard]

When you have the trigger finger outside the trigger guard, it should be actually up on the frame of the gun so a sudden contraction of your finger (like being suddenly startled) won't allow the finger to 'jump' to the trigger.

Something I learned in the past year, that same finger should actually be slightly arched, not straight, on the frame. This gives you a lot more strength to keep hold of the gun should it be grabbed. Try it, you have much more control if your finger is arched.

[MyFlippinXD]

They have been advertising the use of SERPA holsters for this specific reason as well as others, but it might help you! How 'bout simply trying to practice trigger finger safety drills. Presenting the pistol while moving towards cover with your finger in the safe position etc...

[Barbarossa]

I come from a shotgunning background, and I'm used to a manual safety. On my Remington 870 the safety is on the rearward portion of the trigger guard. When I'm wing-shooting, my finger is always on that safety button rigth before I fire (behind the trigger). Great tips and tools presented in this thread, I think I need some practice keeping my finger straight.

~Barbarossa

[Cpig]

I know this thread is getting old but it brought up a trigger finger discipline memory from Iraq.
We were training an Iraqi Infantry unit and they had a very good commander. The Iraqis were experiencing a lot of ADs/NDs (accidental/negligent discharges) so we were stressing the importance of keeping your finger off of the trigger to them daily. Nothing seemed to be working so we told our frustrations to the Iraqi Commander. The next day, one of his soldiers had an AD on the range; the Commander immediately ordered the soldier to his office. The Iraqi Commander told the soldier to place his trigger finger on his desk -- he then grabbed his AK, drew back and smashed his finger with the butt of his AK! The soldier's finger was broken in several places........... but he never had another AD.

[xdtramp]

The topic of safety never gets old, great post.

[titanwolf]

Glad I read this

thanks

Practice, practice, practice.

[XD CHAMP]

Hey MCB, I practice mag changes for thirty minutes a day. Its during this time that I watch for things that need correcting and make the needed changes. Have a friend watch and see if they can pickup on things that need improvement. We all know that when the timer goes off its what we did in pratice that stays with us, not what we intend do to that counts. Good luck and be safe.

[FunkyD]

Another idea is to keep a snap cap in the chamber until you have gained the proper trigger-finger discipline.

I did this with my Kel-Tec for a couple weeks until I got up the cajones to carry it with a live round in the pipe. Nothing like knowing the fact that all that stands between you and a BANG is a pull on the trigger (stiff DAO pull, but no manual safety), to keep your finger away from there when carrying it or transferring it from car to holster, vice-versa, or wherever!

[Tard]

Originally Posted by [TASF]Overkill

Shoot with a friend who keeps an eye on it and yells at you every time you screw up. Seems to work on the people I shoot with.

That's it, right there.

[DJ_Ryan]

Originally Posted by mcb

The fact that the XD does not have manual safety I have become more aware of my somewhat lacking trigger finger discipline. I know that you should only have your finger on the trigger when address a target.

mcb

Interestingly, I think one could make the argument that having a manual safety makes for a less safe gun. I can imagine one becoming complacent with a safety. Also, why would one want one? So they can handle the gun with a magazine loaded? An earlier post made the excellent point that one should become conditioned to drop that mag and rack as soon as the gun comes out of the holster.