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Last competition at DPC, my shooting was consistently off. I guess I do shoot more to left and low. I am trying to all the time use the middle of my first trigger finger pad to activate the trigger.

However, today while cleaning my pistol, it came to mind what if my trigger finger is longer than the average, and as a result my finger is pushingthe pistol to left and low while pushing back? Should insteaad the middle of the second pad?

Beiruty wrote:Last competition at DPC, my shooting was consistently off. I guess I do shoot more to left and low. I am trying to all the time use the middle of my first trigger finger pad to activate the trigger.

However, today while cleaning my pistol, it came to mind what if my trigger finger is longer than the average, and as a result my finger is pushingthe pistol to left and low while pushing back? Should insteaad the middle of the second pad?

What kind of gun?

WildBill wrote:

Beiruty wrote:Last competition at DPC, my shooting was consistently off. I guess I do shoot more to left and low. I am trying to all the time use the middle of my first trigger finger pad to activate the trigger.

However, today while cleaning my pistol, it came to mind what if my trigger finger is longer than the average, and as a result my finger is pushingthe pistol to left and low while pushing back? Should insteaad the middle of the second pad?

What kind of gun?

HK P30.

yes, what kind of gun? 1911s can be adjusted with different sizes (lengths?) of trigger, I believe. and of course many newer polymer guns have interchangeable backstraps to adjust grip which would in turn adjust trigger finger placement.

Beiruty wrote:

WildBill wrote:

Beiruty wrote:Last competition at DPC, my shooting was consistently off. I guess I do shoot more to left and low. I am trying to all the time use the middle of my first trigger finger pad to activate the trigger.

However, today while cleaning my pistol, it came to mind what if my trigger finger is longer than the average, and as a result my finger is pushingthe pistol to left and low while pushing back? Should insteaad the middle of the second pad?

What kind of gun?

HK P30.

The reason that I am asking is because I installed a "short trigger" for the same reason on my SigP239. I don't know if your HK P30 has a similar option.

dry firing helped me when I was having a lot of trouble staying on target

I reread the title and you mentioned flinch. That is a common problem that doesn't have much to do with the length of trigger finger. IMO, it is probably one of the most difficult problems to fix. Dry firing is one way to approach it.

zero4o3 wrote:dry firing helped me when I was having a lot of trouble staying on target

I guess, I should do the same. I just did some dry fire, and best is to keep using the middle of the first pad to pull the trigger. It was harder to use the first joint to pull the trigger and using the anything from the second pad was also harder.
Maybe I need to work on my grip.

Just to clarify, we are talking about accuracy at 10-15 yrds to 25 yrds. For example, one of the stages there were targets at 10 yrd, 15yrd and 25 yrds, and at 25 yrds, only 2/6 rds where on paper.

Beiruty wrote:

zero4o3 wrote:dry firing helped me when I was having a lot of trouble staying on target

I guess, I should do the same. I just did some dry fire, and best is to keep using the middle of the first pad to pull the trigger. It was harder to use the first joint to pull the trigger and using the anything from the second pad was also harder.
Maybe I need to work on my grip.

everyones different, but for me it was about tryign to develop good muscle memory, and I feell ike I have noticed improvment

zero4o3 wrote:

Beiruty wrote:

zero4o3 wrote:dry firing helped me when I was having a lot of trouble staying on target

I guess, I should do the same. I just did some dry fire, and best is to keep using the middle of the first pad to pull the trigger. It was harder to use the first joint to pull the trigger and using the anything from the second pad was also harder.
Maybe I need to work on my grip.

everyones different, but for me it was about tryign to develop good muscle memory, and I feell ike I have noticed improvment

I wish they made a lighter trigger pull on a P238.. at least to be 5lbs instead of 8.

Nooowww, back to the subject.

Should insteaad the middle of the second pad?

The part of the trigger finger you need to use is the part that allows you to press the trigger straight back to the rear with as little disruption to the sight picture as possible. When it comes down to it, it's all about leverage, and since each individual is different, your best leverage point will differ from others, and may even change when using different guns.

Right handed shooters who consistently shoot left to point of aim are often times "pushing" the trigger due to a lack of leverage. This can often be fixed by "adding" trigger finger, which provides better leverage, and allows the trigger to be more easily depressed to the rear. Shooting to the right of point of aim, is often times caused by "pulling" the trigger due to using too much trigger finger.

Find your "sweet spot" by dry firing. Adjust accordingly until you find the spot that provides you with the best leverage without changing your sight picture. With frequent dry fire practice, you will develop the "feel" for the spot you need, and can use live fire as a confirmation.

Beiruty wrote:However, today while cleaning my pistol, it came to mind what if my trigger finger is longer than the average, and as a result my finger is pushingthe pistol to left and low while pushing back? Should insteaad the middle of the second pad?

I have a tendency to put too little of my finger on the trigger, which results in pushing the gun to the left during the trigger pull. I've been working on improving that using a .22 handgun and concentrating on placing my finger correctly and pulling straight to the rear when firing.

Shooting consistantly low left is normally a function of "slapping" the trigger for a righty. I ran into the same issue when I first started shooting IDPA. I was throwing shots low right (I'm a lefty). What helped me was for a while I really concentrated on feeling for the trigger reset and make sure I kept all of the take up out before firing the next shot. I'm now to the point that as soon as I fire a shot that I got sloppy with my trigger control and slapped the trigger, I know that the shot is low right before I even see the hole.

Here's a good target to help work on handgun shooting:

http://www.reloadbench.com/pdf/files/Ta ... Handed.pdf

Lots more available here:

http://www.reloadbench.com/pdf.html

I have a terrible time with flinching. Dry firing can help. Have a friend insert a dummy round in your magazine. That can sometimes help. There are a number of other things that might help. Try googling "flinching".