I was 11-years-old back then and what bothered me most about this photo was that it appeared that Jack Ruby used his middle finger to trigger the revolver instead of using his index finger; I had never seen anyone use a middle finger to trigger a handgun. Later on I was able to confirm that Ruby did indeed middle finger that Colt Cobra and that it wasn't some weird photo illusion.
A few years back (before I began boycotting YouTube) I ran across a guy who had to learn to shoot handguns using his middle finger because he had somehow managed to shoot his index finger off. There was also an online gun guru (that I lost track of) who advocated using the middle finger to trigger handguns (said it was more natural).
I've only tried it "dry fire" and I never found it to be comfortable or natural. I wondered how much burn the index finger would get from the flash-gap.
Do any of you have any idea(s) why Ruby used that method?
Do any of you shoot like that?
(Links below appended to original blog post)
https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/jack-ruby-shot-oswald-1963/
http://www.theppsc.org/Staff_Views/Aveni/Vermont_Technique.htm
https://www.ammoland.com/2016/06/flash-sight-picture-point-shooting-aiming-techniques/#axzz7XtpbyJrP
https://www.usacarry.com/point-shooting/
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I'm just curious.
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JZ
At the range Ruby was shooting how he pulled the trigger really didn't matter.....he would have had to TRY to miss Oswald at that distance.
ReplyDeleteIve never tried the middle finger as a trigger finger. I too would imagine it would be uncomfortable, unless, like the person who lost their index finger, did out of necessity. Maybe after consistent use it would become "feeling normal". Good story, I'd never heard Ruby fired in that manner.
ReplyDeleteOne, you can point the gun with your index finger.
ReplyDeleteTwo, this grip helps to obscure the gun by setting it lower in the hand and partially covering it on one side with the index finger, and the other with the thumb. Ruby had choked up on that grip; look how high his thumb is positioned.
I've heard that called a mafia grip. Or a mob grip. Obscures the gun from casual view like anon said. Also, you can instinctively point your index at an object accurately, so that may play into it as well. I'd imagine having that high a grip on the piece would also guard the hammer spur from catching the pocket hem on the way out. Smith hammer spurs are danged sharp. I'd imagine the Colt is too. Unless you have a Lindberg special. (I forget what the "inventor's name is)
ReplyDelete