Tips on how to work the lever with out busting up my finger.......

[Rube Burrows]

Hey guys. I have not been able to get out to any matches or anything yet but love shooting my cowboy guns. I was wondering though. When shooting my lever action I sometimes jam my finger into the trigger tearing the skin sometimes. I was wondering, besides gloves is there any other tricks to shooting it so I dont bust up my finger?

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

1.  Leather wrap on the lever.  There are threads around on cascity.  I double wrap a leather shoelace from front to back.
2.  leave your pinky finger out behind the lever.  This places your trigger finger better for when its needed.  It might need a bit of thought, and practice.
3.  Of course, keep the butt to your shoulder.  Put a bit of rearward pressure against your shoulder.  If it is a smooth metal carbine butt plate, a suede leather boot will help it stay in place.

I'm sure others will chime in.  When you attend a match, keep a close eye on the better competitors.  Better still is to find a mentor to help you with personal tips.

[August]

You're not gonna like my answer.  I've cut my trigger finger many, many times in the heat of a match.  I've practiced a lot.  I've thought about every alternative to the way I can operate the lever.  You're not gonna like my answer, but here it comes.....




Slow Down!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Maybe that's why I'm so slow!  I haven't cut my finger enough!

[Dr. Bob]

What Sir Charles said!  Gee, I haven't cut my finger at all.  Course they time me with a sun dial!

[Missouri Marshal]

Keep yur finger out of the trigger guard until the lever is completly closed.

[Sod Buster]

Yup.  What Missour Marshall said.

It is also one of the three most important rules of gun safety:

2. ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger.

http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp

[Russ T Chambers]

I didn't realize I was unconsciously extending my trigger finger alongside the gun until I saw this picture of myself.  The action has just closed after cycling.  The empty case can be seen just above the front of my hat brim.

[Tensleep]

Russ T's picture tells the entire story.

[Rube Burrows]

Thanks guys. I was just dry firing. I was trying to get in the practice so when on the range it would be more natural. Right now im just using my 94 and its pretty stiff but after Xmas I am planning on getting a 73 and a 92. The 73 will be more for the CAS shooting and the 92 I will be having Mike make up like the Rifleman's rifle. Just for fun.

I had a 66 and really liked it but traded it off.   That was a smooth rifle.

I will practice more (of course) with my finger beside it.

Thanks for the tips guys. I have been shooting and collecting guns all my life but have never attended any matches of any kind so this should be fun. I do know that if I practice and just run slow and steady I will eventually (Hopefully) be half decent.  


Thanks for the pic Russ T Champers.

[Daniel Nighteyes]

Yup, I also extend my trigger finger while working the lever, though its a little hard to see in the pic.  I didn't know I wuz doin' it either, until I saw of couple of pics.



Ah-hem!  I've got TWO empties in the air! 

[Daniel Nighteyes]

This pic shows it better, I think.

[Rube Burrows]

Good pics NightEyes.

I like them irons in the holsters too. 

[Leo Tanner]

I guess for those of us who are used ta workin around machinery, keeping clear of "pinch points" is second nature.  I hadn't even thought about this til I read the thread an picked up one of my rifles.  Sure enough, trigger finger points forward while cocking and returns when the lever hits home. It feels natural when throwing the lever with my two middle fingers for the index to follow along and then return when I'm pulling it back in.  Never cut maself. (yet)


Leo

[Delmonico]

The late Jeff Cooper said it best:

"Keep your danged finger off the danged trigger untill the danged sights are lined up on the danged target."

Always thought that said it best.