Offhand Index Finger

[PegLeg45]

When using your normal firing grip, where do you place your offhand index finger?

I've been shooting for over twenty-five years and have always used the 'finger on the front of the trigger guard' grip. It has always been comfortable and works for me well. I was talking a while back to a guy who had recently went through a handgun instruction course and he said they distinctly preferred the finger under the guard grip to help reduce felt recoil. A LEO friend says they also teach under the guard hold. I have never had an issue (I have tried both grips) with recoil control but have found on smaller framed pistols such as the Glock 27 and 26 that it is just more comfortable and provides a higher grip. I use the same grip on full sized guns like the 1911 also. I have been called "Old School" at the range (I'm not even 41 yet) for using this grip style.

Am I really that outdated?

I ain't changing what works this late in the game but was curious as to what you folks have to say.

Thanks,

PegLeg
 

[Big Frank]

I have big hands but I can't get a good grip on the front of the trigger guard. My fingers aren't THAT long. I always put my index finger on top of the middle figer of my shooting hand, as high as possible, tight against the bottom of the trigger guard. The three fingers of my firing hand fit into the four fingers of my non-firing hand. The exception is on my Contender. With certain calibers the trigger spur will whack my knucles, so I put my non-firing hand down lower.

[long762range]

I was taught that 80 % of the grip pressure should be made by the off hand.  The index finger locks the grip together under the trigger guard and allows for an easier second shot. 

[MikeBjerum]

My first trip to shoot at a large match had me in contact with Rob Leatham, Angus Hobdell, Matt Burket and a less known but funniest guy I've ever met John Farko, and everyone of them preached finger rolled in and locked under the trigger guard.  Practice the grip of locking hands together in the same position over and over and over.  More than one even advocate getting the hands in position and having someone draw lines across where the two hands come together to make sure you are locking in the same every time.

* My apologies for butchering the name spelling 

[alfsauve]

Most of my guns, up until the P-99 and the XD had rounded trigger guards, so placing the offhand index on them was rather fruitless.   

[Sponsor]

[cookie62]

The few classes I have taken they've always taught to put under the trigger gaurd. The reason I've heard the most is it will cause you to pull your shots with it on the trigger gaurd.


a couple pennies worth

[warhawke]

I've noticed that most of the people who do well with their finger on the guard also either put too much finger on the trigger or PUSH the gun to the off hand side when pulling the trigger, so they get results from have two bad habits that cancel each others out.

This is called POOR TRAINING!

[Ichiban]

Todd Jarrett's point of view (that he's had a bit of success with) - it's about the thumbs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48

[alfsauve]

Also, in the event you ever shoot a T/C (which I do) then putting the finger on the trigger guard can cause you to unlock the breech.   

[m25operator]

As usual, I'm a bit weird, with pistols, I use the full hand over hand grip with both thumbs forward over each other, that is 90% of the time, the other 10% comes from grip size or a .22 conversion, rimfire slides won't tolerate even the slightest rubbing from  either hand or thumb, so I do the trigger hook on those guns, but the finger does not pull back on the trigger guard, if anything, it supports just under the dust shield for weight. With double action revolvers, I always use the trigger hook method, to keep my left thumb ( I'm right handed ) from coming in contact with the cylinder while it's rotating, and with the smaller 5 shot guns, keep the thumb away from the cylinder gap. Try both grips on a revolver and just look and you will see what I mean. You can get a right side visual from my Avatar. Again, the finger does not pull the trigger guard, if anything it supports the forward weight.