Using your thumb to assist with a trigger pull?

noise626 · July 15, 2008, 01:59 PM

I wanted to run this by the group for thoughts:

A few days ago, I was at the range breaking in my 1911 when i spied an older fella next to me also shooting a Mil Spec 1911. He was spooky accurate (as most older fellas with 1911s tend to be) but I noticed that his thumb was in the trigger guard.

When I was done shooting and he was taking a quick reloading break, I asked him about that. He said that due to an injury to his trigger finger, he did not have as much strength in it as before, which made pressing even the lighter pull of the 1911 more difficult. So, he decided to try using his thumb to apply the pressure on itself trigger finger. So far, he's been able to shoot pretty effectively.

Does any one else shoot like this? I am of the mind that if a technique works and you are accurate and comfy with it, use it. Even though I know more than a few instructors would would not be pleased with it. Then again, I have a tendency to respect the hell out of older fellas with 1911s

.

rduckwor · July 15, 2008, 02:21 PM

Assuming he's right handed, he was using his left thumb on the left side of the gun to press his (right) trigger finger?

Sounds strange, but as you say, old guys with 1911's deserve our respect. No doubt he met than gun somewhere other than at home in a time of great stress and has known it a very long time. It probably saved his life in a theatre of war somewhere.

If it works, do it.

RMD

Dwight55 · July 15, 2008, 07:21 PM

Noise, . . . you will find as you get older, concessions have to be made to age. Fortunately for your friend, his was an easy fix, . . . or at least one he could figure out himself.

My arthritis hurts every time I pick up my 1911, . . . but I just grin and go on down the road, . . . knowing that I know folks who cannot even pick it up. I may get there one day, . . . and then again, . . . maybe I'll figure out another way to pick it up. Got a drawer full of velcro

May God bless,
Dwight

threegun · July 16, 2008, 05:46 AM

He's getting the job done..........who are we to tell him anything.

I tend to look at folks who have "weird" ways of doing things no different than my way if they are getting it done. Its only when we become competitive that certain ways may be better/faster than others. At this point getting the job done might still not be enough. Thats a horse of a different color though.

July 15, 2008, 01:59 PM	#1
noise626 Junior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 8	Using your thumb to assist with a trigger pull? I wanted to run this by the group for thoughts: A few days ago, I was at the range breaking in my 1911 when i spied an older fella next to me also shooting a Mil Spec 1911. He was spooky accurate (as most older fellas with 1911s tend to be) but I noticed that his thumb was in the trigger guard. When I was done shooting and he was taking a quick reloading break, I asked him about that. He said that due to an injury to his trigger finger, he did not have as much strength in it as before, which made pressing even the lighter pull of the 1911 more difficult. So, he decided to try using his thumb to apply the pressure on itself trigger finger. So far, he's been able to shoot pretty effectively. Does any one else shoot like this? I am of the mind that if a technique works and you are accurate and comfy with it, use it. Even though I know more than a few instructors would would not be pleased with it. Then again, I have a tendency to respect the hell out of older fellas with 1911s . __________________ "It could mean you're the evil man. And I'm the righteous man. And Mr. 9mm here, he's the shepherd protecting my righteous ass in the valley of darkness." Jules - Pulp Fictio

July 15, 2008, 02:21 PM	#2
rduckwor Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2008 Location: L.A. - Lower Alabama Posts: 365	Assuming he's right handed, he was using his left thumb on the left side of the gun to press his (right) trigger finger? Sounds strange, but as you say, old guys with 1911's deserve our respect. No doubt he met than gun somewhere other than at home in a time of great stress and has known it a very long time. It probably saved his life in a theatre of war somewhere. If it works, do it. RMD __________________ RMD

July 15, 2008, 07:21 PM	#3
Dwight55 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 2,568	Noise, . . . you will find as you get older, concessions have to be made to age. Fortunately for your friend, his was an easy fix, . . . or at least one he could figure out himself. My arthritis hurts every time I pick up my 1911, . . . but I just grin and go on down the road, . . . knowing that I know folks who cannot even pick it up. I may get there one day, . . . and then again, . . . maybe I'll figure out another way to pick it up. Got a drawer full of velcro May God bless, Dwight __________________ www.dwightsgunleather.com If you can breathe, . . . thank God! If you can read, . . . thank a teacher! If you are reading this in English, . . . thank a Veteran!

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July 16, 2008, 05:46 AM	#4
threegun Junior member Join Date: March 1, 2006 Location: Tampa,Fl Posts: 4,000	He's getting the job done..........who are we to tell him anything. I tend to look at folks who have "weird" ways of doing things no different than my way if they are getting it done. Its only when we become competitive that certain ways may be better/faster than others. At this point getting the job done might still not be enough. Thats a horse of a different color though.