Within the firearms world, there is much misinformation and misunderstanding.
Gun owners, especially those in the military, seem content to regurgitate “tribal wisdom” rather than research the facts or conduct actual measurable shooting tests.
This paper was compiled to address a number of popular myths about small arms and marksmanship prior to a shooting event hosted by First Army. Copies were distributed to all in attendance. In addition, copies were given to everyone attending the Small Arms Instructor Academy at Camp Bullis, Texas. It proved popular and useful so I’m making it available here.
Download the PDF:
Firearm User Network 
Aug 09, 2011 @ 15:23:13
As Lones Wigger once said to me,”Practice makes Perfect”…NO, “Perfect Practice makes Perfect!”
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Aug 10, 2011 @ 08:33:43
Excellent information!!
When conducting training at a new unit, it is amazing to just sit back and listen to what is being presented by their “experts”.
This will be forwarded to my NCOs so they can distribute to the uninformed.
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Aug 10, 2011 @ 09:28:48
Re: Marksmanship Myth Buster
Very good explanation of the subject matter.
Re: finger placement on the trigger:
Based on my understanding of how our bodies work relative to finger placement on the trigger, when you first squeeze or pull the trigger, the end of your finger does not move directly back against the trigger. It moves in an arc.
That happens because of the physical arrangement of the muscles and tendons of the fingers which are put into play when a finger is flexed.
They flex the middle portion of a finger first. And as the middle knuckle is its fulcrum, the first movement of the end of the finger will be an arc with its center point being, the middle knuckle.
It is only after the middle portion of the finger has flexed some, that the end of the finger begins to flex more directly back against the trigger.
As such, placing the first pad of a finger on the trigger may cause you to miss your shot, and particularly in a rapid fire situation where the possibility of your being able to squeeze the trigger smoothly until each shot breaks will be very questionable.
Placing the crease between the first and second pad of the finger on the trigger, or placing the middle pad of the finger on the trigger can reduce the amount of arc that is introduced when the finger is flexed to pull the trigger.
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The following will probably be considered by some to be heresy, but if effective shooting is the aim, it can be of value:
Using the middle finger to pull the trigger has been around since at least 1804, and it can help in shooting effectively because:
1. It is longer than the index finger, so it is easier to place the crease between the first and second pads of the middle finger on the trigger, or to place the second pad on the trigger.
2. The tendon used to flex the middle finger, runs more directly from the front to the back of the hand than the tendon used to flex the index finger. So less torque will be introduced if the middle finger is used to pull the trigger. That can be important with a heavy trigger pull, such as with a double action gun where the trigger finger is used to both cock and fire the gun.
3. The middle finger also is also stronger than the index finger which helps to make for a smooth and sure pull of the trigger even with considerable resistance.
4. Using the middle finger to pull the trigger, allows for direct communication with the nerves that control the flexing or bending of the fingers. That is not true when the index finger is used to pull the trigger.
For more on the use of the middle finger for shooting, see:
http://www.pointshooting.com/1amiddle.htm
For a chronology of its use since 1804, see:
http://www.pointshooting.com/1achrono.htm
And for why the US doctrine and dogma is to use the index finger on the trigger, see:
http://www.pointshooting.com/1911flaw.htm
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Jan 15, 2016 @ 07:13:49