Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Stock grip questions

When I shoulder a rifle in a comfortable manner with a secure grip, my right index finger will contact the trigger some where in the middle of my index finger not the finger tip. My finger tip actually sticks out to the left of the trigger. To have my finger tip contact the trigger, I have to loosen and shift the grip of my right hand. I have tried several stock configurations including palm swells, closed grips and open grips with pretty much the same result. I shoot with the middle of my right index finger.

Sorry for the poor pic but it illustrates my finger position on a RAR.



1. Is this a "problem"?
2. If I wanted or need to fix my finger position what type of stock would be better suited to my grip or what modification to the action inlet would need to be made?

If this were me, I would set down at a solid bench. I would have the gun on target, wanting it to stay on target without my grasp. Then I would get into the gun gently and see what happens to the cross hairs when you dry fire. To keep the cross hairs from moving, one must pull the trigger straight back. This will give you a visual of what is happening.

I do this in testing new loads so I can get a good picture of how I am gripping the gun and pulling the trigger. When I get no movement from dry firing, I am ready to test my loads.

Hope this helps.

Just chop off your index finger at the last joint; then you're good to go.

Seriously, it doesn't matter where the finger contacts the trigger as long as the pressure is applied straight back. For most folks without giant hands pulling the trigger with the middle of the finger would result in applying pressure to the left, pulling shots to the left.

It's usually more of a problem with handguns.

Sounds like the first suggestion is to do some testing to see if it is really a problem. Makes sense, I'm 46 so this isn't anything new.

For the sake of discussion, if this turns out to be a problem or I just because I want to...what would I need to change on a stock?

Get a savage varmint rifle. Do not know the model, but I have a heavy barreled, laminated stock 22-250. A [bleep] couldn't wrap a hand around that 4x4 piece of chitt.

This must define a 1st world problem. Even w/ my old arthritic joints and stubby thumbs I find it possible to shoot a variety of non-custom firearms w/ a generous application of dryfire.


mike r

Hey guys give your guns to Mikey, he can shot anything...

Didn't know I posted my question in the subsistence hunting forum, Settler Mike!

SWJ, unless you are shooting a high recoil rifle, it is certainly not necessary to do a full grip on the rifle. thus you can use the center of the finger as is commonly recommended. Simply test a few different grips/holds to find out what works.

Thanks, Fred.

Says the guy seeking shooting instruction on the internet.


mike r