Small hands and trigger finger placement

[TheBigCountry]

I shoot a Walther ppq m2. I've learned that the best placement of my finger on the trigger is to bury my finger instead of just using the tip. I'm a much better shooter when I do this. However, with my "on the small side" hands if I get a good high grip into the web of my hand, I can no longer reach the trigger enough to bury it, only to use the tip to f my finger. Generally I wind up moving my hand closer to the trigger guard and it's than offcenter on the rear of the gun.
Here's my question- is this something I can fix to shoot a larger gun better? I'm very tempted to try a Walther pps since I can have a good grip and still bury my finger on a single stack. I can only have 10 found mags so I'm not giving up a lot in rounds vs the ppq. I don't want to try and fix a software issue with new hardware though.
Thank you

[spinmove_]

Exactly how much less accurate are you with shooting with the tip of your finger?


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[TheBigCountry]

Exactly how much less accurate are you with shooting with the tip of your finger?


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Its noticeable, shots are pulled to the left

[spinmove_]

Details, please. How far to the left at what distance? How much of the tip are we talking? Are you consciously having to stretch just to even reach the trigger?

Just a thought, this might be a good case for actual in person instruction.


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[octagon]

When you bury your finger to allow you to shoot well what is the problem? Are you slower on multiple shots because of your hold affecting recoil management? If it is in reaching controls can you reach the controls with the gun more centered in the web of the hand?

[TheBigCountry]

Details, please. How far to the left at what distance? How much of the tip are we talking? Are you consciously having to stretch just to even reach the trigger?

Just a thought, this might be a good case for actual in person instruction.

i guess around 2-3" left at around 10 yards. It's just difficult to keep a proper grip and bury my finger, so sometimes I'm readjusting my grip in the middle of multiple shots which isn't good. I've been to multiple training courses and I've learned to find a medium between grip and finger placement but it sometimes leaves me inconsistent.


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[TheBigCountry]

When you bury your finger to allow you to shoot well what is the problem? Are you slower on multiple shots because of your hold affecting recoil management? If it is in reaching controls can you reach the controls with the gun more centered in the web of the hand?

There's no problem when I bury my finger, the problem is keeping it buried while maintaining a good grip during multiple shots because it's a real stretch of my hand. Sometimes I can not bury it and shoot well, I'm just a better more consistent shooter with it buried. I can reach all the controls, it's just getting my trigger finger deep while still staying centered and high in the web of my hand that is difficult

[octagon]

It sounds like you need a smaller gun and some one on one instruction to help get the best out of it for your personal build/handsize. I too have short fingers and struggle to reach some triggers on double stack guns including Glocks when I use the standard hold with gun centered in web of my hand. I have adapted over the years and used a short reach trigger when I was issued Sig P226 double stack gun. I recently found the smaller reach and thinner guns of CZ P10C and Beretta APX which give the double stack capacity I prefer but have much smaller grip for easier reach of trigger while holding the gun well for recoil. Before chasing a different gun get someone who is capable of helping you with what you have and a change may not be needed. I tried for years and didn't have a problem qualifying or performing with less than optimum grip but finding a slimmer gun has been incredible for confidence and ease of improvement. Good luck. If you aren't already doing so start using a timer and some specific drills to test speed and accuracy so you can set a baseline and see what makes a difference and how much. This goes for gun and technique changes.

[TheBigCountry]

It sounds like you need a smaller gun and some one on one instruction to help get the best out of it for your personal build/handsize. I too have short fingers and struggle to reach some triggers on double stack guns including Glocks when I use the standard hold with gun centered in web of my hand. I have adapted over the years and used a short reach trigger when I was issued Sig P226 double stack gun. I recently found the smaller reach and thinner guns of CZ P10C and Beretta APX which give the double stack capacity I prefer but have much smaller grip for easier reach of trigger while holding the gun well for recoil. Before chasing a different gun get someone who is capable of helping you with what you have and a change may not be needed. I tried for years and didn't have a problem qualifying or performing with less than optimum grip but finding a slimmer gun has been incredible for confidence and ease of improvement. Good luck. If you aren't already doing so start using a timer and some specific drills to test speed and accuracy so you can set a baseline and see what makes a difference and how much. This goes for gun and technique changes.

Thank you for that reply, definitely helpful. I think I'll go handle a cz 10 and see how it feels.

[Clusterfrack]

A different gun is one option. Another is hard work in dryfire to debug your trigger pull. Many M/GM and other top shooters use the middle of the pad to press the trigger. I'll try to find Surfs excellent Advanced Trigger video and link for you.

Edit: found it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L6-eJTS_5qg

[spinmove_]

Pretty much what Octagon said. Sounds like a fitment issue. Either live with the reduced recoil management or find a gun that fits you better if you want to keep sinking your finger in that deep. Personally I think you should try learning to shoot with less finger and work on establishing a solid grip.

I strongly suggest looking into good quality one on one instruction on this. I don't have the biggest hands in the world and shoot my G19 using the part of my finger directly behind my fingernail. Not quite to the tip, but pretty close.


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[TheBigCountry]

A different gun is one option. Another is hard work in dryfire to debug your trigger pull. Many M/GM and other top shooters use the middle of the pad to press the trigger. I'll try to find Surfs excellent Advanced Trigger video and link for you.

Edit: found it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L6-eJTS_5qg

Excellent video! Trigger reach is what I'm talking about, never heard that term until that video. It also clarified that what I mean by bury my finger is using my middle pad compared to using the first pad. I've never buried it completely. Thanks from r the info

[Clusterfrack]

You can shoot well using the first pad.

[TheBigCountry]

Since dry fire and practice is free I'll start there and see if I can improve my shooting without changing guns. A one on one lesson will be helpful too I'm sure. If after some time the problem is still there I'll try a pistol with a shorter reach. Thanks guys

[LDM]

I shoot PPQ's.
On the PPQ if you bury the trigger finger too far, the angle of the finger will prevent engaging the safety lever in the center of the trigger. It feels like the trigger is frozen and of course the pistol will not fire until you shift your finger. I have had this happen when I improperly gripped the pistol or it shifted from firing. Not good.
If you use the first pad of the finger or even first joint crease, it is unlikely this will happen.

[zacii]

I find that using the pad of my index finger gives the best accuracy across platforms.