Trigger position with a handgun is important for aiming properly and staying safe while using your firearm. As for where to place your finger, when you’re not purposefully shotting, place it along the frame of your firearm above the trigger guard. Below, the firearms education professionals from Online Texas LTC, the experts to turn to when you want to take a high-quality license to carry Texas class, take a closer look at what to consider with finger and hand position as you prepare to use your gun.
Why the Frame Is the Safest Spot for Your Trigger Finger
One of the main rules of firearm safety is to keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire. This does a few things, all of which revolve around safety. The main mistake many firearm owners make is resting their finger on the trigger when they’re not ready to shoot, which also results in the key reason for negligent discharges.
Leaving a finger resting on the trigger when you’re not intentionally shooting can result in the trigger being pulled when it wasn’t meant to be. For example, if you trip and fall while holding the gun and your finger is on the trigger, the trigger could be pulled. Or if you’re holding the gun with your right hand and grab something with your left, sympathetic reflex could result in pulling the trigger with your right.
Your finger should always be outside of the trigger guard and resting along the frame. The only time your finger should come into the trigger guard or be placed on the trigger is when you’re on target and ready to shoot. Even with a manual safety on the gun, this rule still applies 100 percent of the time.
Practicing Your Finger Position
This may not seem like much of a big deal for some gun owners. However, it can be surprisingly helpful to take some time to practice putting your finger on the frame and keeping it there until ready to shoot, even if practicing by dry firing. All shooting ranges and firearm classes require this rule to be followed, so the more you practice it, the more it will come naturally and you’ll adhere to it during a class or at the range.
Holster Preferences & Finger Position
Regardless of the style of holster you use, your finger will always need to be resting on the frame of the gun until you’ve completed your draw, are on target, and are ready to shoot. This is the same for appendix carry, strong side carry, small of back, shoulder holsters, or any other method. Placing your finger on the trigger during the draw is an extreme safety risk and could result in a negligent discharge into yourself or someone else.
Like many other techniques that can be practiced at home with an empty and unloaded gun, drawing safely from your holster should also be practiced at home. Dry fire practice had been shown to significantly help with firearm skills, even if you don’t make it to the range often.
Whether you use a gun for hunting, self-defense, or competition, make sure you have the proper training to handle, use, and store it safely. You can count on the firearms education pros at Online Texas LTC for the highest-quality training available. Whether they’re looking for LTC proficiency testing or they want information on how to get a handgun license online, Texas residents should call us today at 512-675-2206.
