TWAW Trigger Pull Technique
By Andrea Stump
TWAW Chapter Leader
Sterling, Colorado
This summer we’ve spent time going over shooting fundamentals and basic range drills. This article, adapted from The Well Armed Woman Blog, will dive deeper into an important aspect of the shooting technique- the trigger pull.
One of the first things to consider for proper trigger pull technique is how the gun fits your hand. You want to get as close as you can to having the pad or the first joint of your trigger finger on the trigger. This will not only give you better leverage on the trigger, but it will also help you to have a clean and straight trigger pull, front to back. Not having “enough” finger on the trigger will tend to result in shots going to the left and having the finger too far onto the trigger results with shots going to the right. Choosing a gun that fits your hand and finger length is critical. It is helpful to do some research and physically try some guns before you make a purchase.
When you go to shoot, your trigger finger should be extended along the frame of the gun until you have sighted your target and are ready to shoot. Once you decide to pull the trigger, keep the trigger moving, do not try to control it or “stage” it. Pull firmly and with consistent pressure, trying not to anticipate the trigger break (gun firing). Some people would say that the trigger break should “surprise you”. Once the gun fires, keep your finger on the trigger and let it come forward, so the trigger resets and you are ready to shoot again.
It is very common and natural, especially with women new to shooting, to adopt some common mistakes with the trigger pull. One such mistake is to “jerk” the trigger. This really is a mental issue, not a physical one. If left uncorrected, missing your target will be an ongoing issue and minimize your effectiveness in protecting yourself or the satisfaction of hitting your practice targets. Anticipation and timidity are the culprits here. Be confident in your sight, commit to pulling the trigger, and pull it smoothly and firmly. There are other poor techniques that cause poor accuracy. One way to help determine the cause of your inaccuracy is to use a pistol correction chart, which identifies potential reasons for missing (ie. gripping too hard, anticipating recoil, etc.).
I highly recommend practicing your trigger pull with dry fire practice first, in order to get the feel for a nice, smooth pull. One helpful drill to make sure you aren’t jerking your trigger is to place a penny on the top of the muzzle of your gun while you dry fire practice. The goal is to be able to keep the penny motionless on the gun while you pull the trigger. If you notice yourself consistently missing on the range due to issues with trigger pull, dry fire practice is a great way to re-train your technique.
To find out more about shooting technique, personal safety, gun ownership, and other methods of self-defense, please join us for The Well Armed Women (TWAW) Sterling chapter meeting on September 18th from 9 am to 11 am at Logan County Shooting Sports complex, 12515 Highway 61/2nd Amendment Way off Highway 61 Sterling, CO. Come join us for a fun morning on the range!
TWAW Shooting Chapters exists to educate and empower women in a safe and non-threatening environment for their effective and responsible self-defense with a firearm. Prospective members are welcome to attend their first meeting before joining. If you would like to become a member, you can join online at www.twawshootingchapters.org. Women over 18 interested in learning more can contact Jennifer Everhart at twawsterling@gmail.com or visit TWAW Shooting Chapters, Inc. website at www.twawshootingchapters.org. You can also like us on Facebook @twawsterlingcolorado or stop by Boondocks Army Surplus at 324 N 4th Street in Sterling and pick up a flyer.