Weird story perspective? one character to be 'the protagonist' of the chapter and I will refer to them as that: 'with the guy who promised to keep him safe one trigger away from death our protagonist found his hand reaching for the gun in his own pocket'---thoughts? Is it weird to read?

It's awkwardly worded, to be honest. In addition, are you going to keep referring to that person in that same manner all throughout the book? If so, that's a bit much to keep saying that awkward phrase over and over.

Just keep it simple. That will make it simpler to follow what you're trying to say.