Lads,
Need some friendly advice. Over the past few years I've had a Zastava 458WM, CZ550 458Lott and currently a Rem700 Capstick. All three have touched up my trigger finger about 1cm below my knuckle when shooting. Not sure if its a bolt ergonomics issue, stock/pistol grip issue or I'm holding the pistol grip too loose? Anyone else had the same problem and found a satisfactory solution? Recoil itself is rarely an issue with me but getting constantly hit between knuckle and first joint (enough to skin it) is annoying. My hands aren't overly large either.
Cheers...
Con

I've never had that happen to me with any rifle, including my .470 Capstick. It has happened with shotguns with double triggers.

Try rounding the edges at the front of the trigger guard a bit.

If that isn't enough, you may have to go to a custom trigger guard.

George

That has never happened to me with any rifle up through 600 NE. I suspect your finger needs to go on a diet as this tends to happen to guys with stocky fingers.

sausage fingers...

stay away from the finger foods

a custom trigger guard is in order

quote:

Originally posted by Con:
Lads,
Need some friendly advice. Over the past few years I've had a Zastava 458WM, CZ550 458Lott and currently a Rem700 Capstick. All three have touched up my trigger finger about 1cm below my knuckle when shooting. Not sure if its a bolt ergonomics issue, stock/pistol grip issue or I'm holding the pistol grip too loose? Anyone else had the same problem and found a satisfactory solution? Recoil itself is rarely an issue with me but getting constantly hit between knuckle and first joint (enough to skin it) is annoying. My hands aren't overly large either.
Cheers...
Con

Well I have a similar issue with My 500NE (Searcy) double, but in My case it's the front trigger wacking My finger when I pull the rear trigger. I've found just putting a bandaid (or tape) between the knuckle and first joint on My trigger finger cures the problem, well at least it doesn't draw blood then.

Sausage fingers ... diets Just to clarify it's the bolt that's wacking my finger not the trigger guard. My hands would be classed as "workers hands" not "pianist".
Cheers...
Con

Longer grip? I dont understand where or whats wacking your finger. What about a longer more open grip stock?

I have the same problem and as a result I prefer a straight bolt handle. My Brno 375 and CZ 416 Rigby have been so modified as has my Ruger 416 Rigby. Don't have the pain anymore. I shoot back trigger first on my 470NE and have no problem with it. In fact even on a new Mdl 70 257 Roberts I'm having built I had the bolt handle replaced with straight one.

I have had this happen actually, and it does if I hold my Whelen wrong. It isn't a heavy recoiler but has the dog leg bolt handle and a more closed grip, which was popular for so long on american styled stocks. If I take a tight grip on the stock and don't ride up the back of the pistol grip I am fine, offhand is never a problem it seems to be on the bench when I don't always hold it just the way I should. At some point I will get the handle straightened.

First thing is get a different handle on there as suggested, you probably have handles that are swept back, have straight ones put on (straight out to the side, still facing down though, not straight out like old mausers). After that you could go to more open grips which should change the angle at which your hand grips, therefore lowering your fingers.

Red

I have this happen but only when shooting my rem 700 PSS .300 rum prone the rem bolt gets me exactly where you said.................it's like christine it's drawn blood once and now loves it

Ooooh, the bolt handle.

Two solutions:

1. Have that awful-looking CZ bolt handle sawed off and an "Obendorf" bolt handle added in its place. Dennis Olson of Plains, Montana specializes in this excellent bolt handle that has a straight drop rather than a sweep so that it does not rap the knuckles.

2. Grip the rifle more tightly with your right hand. That will cause your hand to move with the rifle under recoil. The only reason the bolt handle can reach your knuckles right now is because your hand remains stationary while the rifle travels rearward during recoil (loose grip).

Question: are you tall, and therefore could the LOP be short for you?

I ask this because I have had your exact problem but only with military rifles that have a short LOP. I'm only 5'9", and rarely have problems with any standard stock length. However, most SMLE's have a short butt stock designed to be used with winter clothing. If I'm not REAL careful, me SMLE's will whack my knuckle really hard.

I put a lace-on pad on the gun and my problem disappered. By increasing the LOP about 1+", I am no longer riding up on the gun. My right hand can drop back just enough to avoid getting hit.

Give a lace-on pad a try before you experiment with more expensive options.

FWIW