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What exactly does "index" mean?
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:03 pm
by UpTheIrons
Maybe I'm not high-speed-low-drag enough, but I'm clueless as to how this word is to be used, and what exactly it means in the gun culture. Some of the uses I've seen are:
Index the cylinder on your revolver,
Index your finger on the frame of your gun,
Index your body to the target...
So, any idea from where these terms came? Is it a catch-all word, or is there some history of it that I'm unaware of?
Re: What exactly does "index" mean?
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:34 pm
by 74novaman
Just a guess, but most good grips are supposed to make sure your index/trigger finger is aligned on the gun for a good steady trigger press. Maybe that's the origin? I've only ever used it as a reminder when someone has their finger on the trigger....a gentle reminder of what finger they're not paying attention to properly by saying "index!" makes them think about the offending finger.
Re: What exactly does "index" mean?
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:42 pm
by G.A. Heath
Index in this case essentially means to place one object at a predetermined position in relation to another object.
Re: What exactly does "index" mean?
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:49 pm
by The Annoyed Man
I don't know original etiology, but "index" is a starting point, as well as being our primary finger. On a website, the starting document is always going to be something like "index.html" or index.php" or whatever file extension you're using. "Index" can also mean "to line up with," which is the meaning when we talk about indexing a revolver's cylinder. It can also mean a method of organizing things, such as a library index card and an index filing system. 5"x7" cards are called index cards for that reason because you use them to organize data.
Here is a page with some useful definitions:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?all ... hmode=none
Re: What exactly does "index" mean?
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:56 pm
by Divided Attention
UpTheIrons wrote:
Index the cylinder on your revolver, IIRC this means to advance to the next slot/hole - happens each time you cock the hammer
Index your finger on the frame of your gun, This has always meant laying your trigger finger alongside the gun instead of inserting into the trigger gaurd... this is the best way to keep your booger hook off the bang switch until your sights are on your target.
Index your body to the target... sorry, this is not one I am familiar with.
So, any idea from where these terms came? Is it a catch-all word, or is there some history of it that I'm unaware of?
Re: What exactly does "index" mean?
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:34 pm
by UpTheIrons
Thanks, guys (and gal!). I had an idea that what G.A. had to say was pretty close to the origin, I just couldn't connect it in my mind today. As always, this is my favorite place to go for odd gun esoterica.
Re: What exactly does "index" mean?
Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:24 pm
by FishInTx
Whe I saw the title I immediately thought of auto index reloader.