Holding the Gun

Before we can expect to mount the gun correctly we must know how to hold it.  The rear hand is positioned so that the trigger is pulled with the pad of the index finger.  This keeps the middle finger away from the trigger guard, preventing it being knocked when the gun recoils.  Notice that when waiting for a shot the trigger finger rests against the trigger guard or action body, never on the trigger. This safe position is known as the index point.  The finger only moves from the index point to the trigger after the safety catch has been pushed forward into the firing position, prior to the shot being taken.

The thumb curls over the top of the stock grip and sits on the middle finger this leads to a firm rear hand grip, without undue force being applied and allows good control of the gun.  The thumb must not be left on the safety catch, since it risks being injured by the top lever when the gun recoils.

The leading hand should be positioned such that the gun’s centre of gravity is midway between the hands.  On a well-balanced gun this means the leading hand is positioned at the very end of the splinter fore-end of a typical side-by-side, and in the middle of the large fore-end found on most over and under’s. Notice that in both cases that the gun is held in the fingers of the leading hand, not in the palm, the back of the hand pointing out rather than down.