Shooting a Handgun with a DA Trigger - a bit long

[twofifty]

Then either the hammer/trigger spring is too strong, or your trigger finger too weak. Either one is fixable.



Maybe you don't mean this, but for clarification, the trigger pull should NOT begin as soon as the hand grasps the gun. My "start point" is when hands come together in front of the body. Then you can put the finger inside the triggerguard and begin the DA pull. This takes a LOT of practice, of course.



Why is it only for competitvie shooting? When a deadly threat exists, getting a shot off ON target FAST is a good thing.

There is a BIG difference between reacting to a deadly threat that will kill you in the next couple of seconds and dealing with a suspicious person that doesn't require shooting (yet). No one is suggesting that each time you draw the gun you begin the trigger pull, but in the face of an immediate deadly threat, it sure makes sense to practice it to the point of mastery if a DA gun is your defensive handgun of choice.

I think we are in agreement.

In my situation, the effort required for the DA pull (10#) is 'great' compared to the effort required for the SA (3#). Neither are a problem, but they require a different approach.

My preference in a competition draw is to take up the trigger during the presentation, from the moment my WH joins the SH on the grip. Certainly, an LEO would benefit from this technique if s/he were faced with imminent deadly force. LEOs I've seen shoot at the range are very sequential in their method; much time is wasted after their presentation taking up the full brunt of their gun's trigger weight while trying to keep the gun steady. Fine in most circumstances, but too slow if they get in real trouble.

Don't get me wrong, I realize that having to fill reams of paper for each shot fired is no fun, nor is being sued....when I hit a no-shoot, all I lose is 10pts.

 

[twofifty]

9mmepiphany:
"it's like there is a string connecting your shoulder to your trigger finger. as your arms move out, your trigger finger moves back...like Tai Chi where the whole body moves together."

That's a great image, I'll use it from now on.

 

[lions]

When firing in DA, your trigger is in constant motion. Resetting the trigger and stroking through again. Your focus is on getting the sights to the next target at the same time that the shot breaks.

I gave this a try today as I was shooting and all I can say is thanks for the great advice! I picked up a S&W 19-4 a while back and have just been shooting it SA because I struggled so badly in DA. Today I was able to shoot just as accurately in considerably less time. I now have a new appreciation for DA triggers.

 

[Autolycus]

Tag for later.

 

[jad0110]

The DA trigger stroke requires that you concentrate on a smooth stroke…you are usually rewarded with a surprise break.

A SA trigger is known to be short and lighter. This tempts shooters to snatch at the trigger…when that sight picture is “perfect”…and causing miss through flinching.

Awesome post. Gotta agree 100%. I'm one of those that shoots my revolvers better DA than SA for this reason. I suppose there is a "counterbalance" effect of the firm pull that allows greater precision for me than a lighter trigger. And though I do better with my 5" 1911 than any other auto I've tried thus far, I still don't shoot it nearly as well as my 2" S&W Model 15.

I guess for me, the cadence/timing of shooting a DA revolver by keeping the trigger constantly in motion (Jerry Miculek speaks of always keeping the trigger running) fits my shooting style better than waiting for the sights to catch up with the trigger on my 1911.

To each his own though.

 

[9mmepiphany]

i've had to like to this thread 3 times in the last week, so i'm goinng to bump it to the top this once for folks who missed it the first time.

i hope this doesn't violate any forum rules