A couple of years ago, age caught up to me and I started flinching so bad while shooting trap and skeet that I was ready to give up the sport. I finally relented to many others advice and went to release triggers. This resolved the problem and my scores returned. Now, I find myself with the same problem while shooting handgun competition at my club. I have tried all the usual remedies. (Lighter trigger, softer loads, adding weight etc.) My question is: Has anyone safely converted his or her handguns to a release trigger? I obviously would not convert my self-defense handgun but would consider this for my target guns if safe and doable. No one I have talked with seems to have an answer to this.
Bad flinch
- Thread starter Overhill
- Start date
I have no experience with release triggers.
What has been the best way to overcome flinch for me
A combination of dry firing and focusing on follow through(calling the shot)
The dry fire is a reprogram thing.
If I focus on the sights,total sight alignment concentration,begin trigger pressure,and concentrate on calling the shot,where were were the sights pointed at recoil?
It works for me
What has been the best way to overcome flinch for me
A combination of dry firing and focusing on follow through(calling the shot)
The dry fire is a reprogram thing.
If I focus on the sights,total sight alignment concentration,begin trigger pressure,and concentrate on calling the shot,where were were the sights pointed at recoil?
It works for me
This is not an ordinary, jerking the gun slightly when pulling trigger. I have been using 22 rimfire and even when dry firing, i will jerk the gun a couple of feet at times while slowly pulling the trigger. If i practice while releasing the trigger, the flinch is gone and the front sight stays on target. It is a nasty thing to see. I really do not want to give up shooting the handguns after all these years. Thanks to all that have responded so far.
Wow, that is far more of a flinch than I had envisioned. Have you by chance made an appointment with your doctor yet to get a referal to a sports medicine specialist? There may be an issue there that could be addressed with physical therapy.
As for the original premiss, I have never seen a handgun with a release trigger. I am hopelessly out of my depth on that one. Good luck.
As for the original premiss, I have never seen a handgun with a release trigger. I am hopelessly out of my depth on that one. Good luck.
You're going to have to completely reprogram your brain and your trigger finger. Figure on months of work to break your habit and get a new habit (non-flinching) established.
I'd start without a gun at all--just holding an imaginary gun and moving my trigger finger as if it were pulling an imaginary trigger. I'd do that a LONG time before I even touched a gun again or started dryfiring.
Shooting during your reprogramming period will set you back. You shouldn't even CONSIDER going back to the range until you can dryfire consistently with no trace of a flinch.
When you do go back to the range you should limit your shooting severely and dryfire at least 10 times between each shot until you're not flinching at all. Double up on your hearing protection too--plugs and muffs.
You really screwed yourself up by going to a release trigger in your shotgunning instead of beating the problem then.
I'd start without a gun at all--just holding an imaginary gun and moving my trigger finger as if it were pulling an imaginary trigger. I'd do that a LONG time before I even touched a gun again or started dryfiring.
Shooting during your reprogramming period will set you back. You shouldn't even CONSIDER going back to the range until you can dryfire consistently with no trace of a flinch.
When you do go back to the range you should limit your shooting severely and dryfire at least 10 times between each shot until you're not flinching at all. Double up on your hearing protection too--plugs and muffs.
You really screwed yourself up by going to a release trigger in your shotgunning instead of beating the problem then.
No disrespect in what I am going to say.
The problem is not in anything mechanical.The fix is not in hardware.
I sure hope you do keep shooting!!
I keep referring to gunshy bird dogs lately.
At their own speed,they have to re-discover fun.Treat yourself like a gunshy bird dog.Some self-preservation behaviors aren't in the thinking part of the brain.They are in the part of the brain a lizard has.The dry fire without the "threat" will help you make a new groove,like a new groove i a record that skips.A pellet gun,maybe?
+1 on the ears.
One more thing,when you do try shooting,maybe even with .22 CB longs,have a little mantra about focus,give the sights total concentration....then,if you begin to feel the quiver and cringe,DO NOT FIRE. Stop,lower the gun, breathe,and re-approach.If it persists,revert to dry fire.
Do not let the flinch-demon have any more success,as you will easily retrain yourself to flinch.Sort of like having a cigarette after you quit.
Those other remedies like heavier gun,lighter trigger,etc,are like taking heroin for pain. Shooting at the wrong target,it ain't the gun.
The problem is not in anything mechanical.The fix is not in hardware.
I sure hope you do keep shooting!!
I keep referring to gunshy bird dogs lately.
At their own speed,they have to re-discover fun.Treat yourself like a gunshy bird dog.Some self-preservation behaviors aren't in the thinking part of the brain.They are in the part of the brain a lizard has.The dry fire without the "threat" will help you make a new groove,like a new groove i a record that skips.A pellet gun,maybe?
+1 on the ears.
One more thing,when you do try shooting,maybe even with .22 CB longs,have a little mantra about focus,give the sights total concentration....then,if you begin to feel the quiver and cringe,DO NOT FIRE. Stop,lower the gun, breathe,and re-approach.If it persists,revert to dry fire.
Do not let the flinch-demon have any more success,as you will easily retrain yourself to flinch.Sort of like having a cigarette after you quit.
Those other remedies like heavier gun,lighter trigger,etc,are like taking heroin for pain. Shooting at the wrong target,it ain't the gun.
As John said, reprograming yourself more than likely be a long process. Is it the loud bang or the recoil that you think is causing flinch? A drill you may try is one used for trigger control. Get a D/A handgun that has a long trigger squeeze and a slight 'pause' just before hammer releases.Try this,Step 1:With empty gun practice squeezing trigger to pause and releasing not tripping hammer. Do this to the point that you can literally close your eyes and pull trigger to pause,then release. Step2: (Empty gun) Pull trigger to pause, hold at pause,then when you get ready continue pulling till hammer falls. Do this concentrating so that you know exactly when the hammers going to fall. No surprise`s! Step 3: Same as step 1,(you`re not firing) only with loaded gun. Step 4: You guessed it same as step 2. only loaded gun and you`re going to fire. You should by the end of Step 2 have full confidence in the fact that you have full control over the exact time gun will fire. Concentration in each step about what your doing is key to the drill. Not when gun is going to fire. I`ve got a Para Ord. LDA trigger I use for this drill and its helped me. Hope this helps. Don`t want to loose a fellow shooter. Goodluck!
chris in va
New member
Every time I start developing a flinch, I swap out my slide with the 22 adaptor.
I've read of Free Pistols that have been set-up this way, but have never seen one. You might want to call Scott Pilkington at Pilkington's Competition Equipment or Larry Carter at Larry's Guns in Maine. Both of these guys work on a variety of match pistols and would probably be able to advise you on the possibility of a conversion on yours.
Had you ever injured your hand or wrist?
Does this occur whenever you make a similar motion with your index finger?
What I'm wondering is whether it could be the result of tendon a/o nerve damage.
Had you ever injured your hand or wrist?
Does this occur whenever you make a similar motion with your index finger?
What I'm wondering is whether it could be the result of tendon a/o nerve damage.
I've had problems with flinching on and off over the years. Oddly, the problem shows up only when I fire revolvers single action or when I shoot a single action semi-auto (a 1911). I've never had a problem shooting double action revolvers or semi-autos or striker fired guns. I very rarely shoot single action but, when I do, the problem recurs from time to time. Here's what I do: (1) lots and lots of dry fire. Hundreds of shots a day. I don't look at the target but at my front sight. The object is to do it without seeing the sight move at all; (2) shoot exclusively .22 revolver until I'm as comfortable with it as I am dry firing; and (3) then, and only then, return to a larger caliber. When I first return to the larger caliber I work pretty much exclusively with a revolver. I put only four or five rounds in the cylinder and give it a good spin without looking at the gun, before closing the cylinder. Then, when I fire, I once again look only at the front sight. I pay no attention to the target because my objective is to fire the gun without seeing the front sight drop. When I'm satisfied with that, I'll pronounce myself cured -- until the next time, that is.
If that compitition is combat there two things, one is an actual flinch and the other is anticipating the next shot. I would put a snap cap in the gun, if it's DA, and run the course dry. Start slow then increase speed. Force yourself to focus on each target and follow through.
Thanks so much for your advice gentlemen. I have no physical injuries however i do have quite a bit of arthritis in my hands as a result of my advanced age.
I will definately try all the methods suggested.
I think most of you and myself included believe it is mostly in my head.
But were kind enough to not come out and say it.
Thanks again and god bless.
I will definately try all the methods suggested.
I think most of you and myself included believe it is mostly in my head.
But were kind enough to not come out and say it.
Thanks again and god bless.
Overhill, With respect, one more thing. A huge part of my dads life was shooting. He shot competition all over the U.S. When he was home he shot some more. At 64, while not competeing anymore (shooting was his past-time) he had a stroke which took his whole right side out. He shot right handed. With almost constant self rehabilitation he went from no movement in his arm to where he`s at today at 77. Wished I knew how to post pictures as I am very proud of him. He once again shoots a 1911 45 better than me
. Keep your confidence and you`ll succeed. Goodluck!
. Keep your confidence and you`ll succeed. Goodluck!I freely admit that the only thing between me and true marksmanship greatness is my own brain.
I have good vision and a very steady hand. If I could make the most of my physical abilities I'd have turned pro by now.
The best group I've ever shot is a perfect example. I had ten .22LR rounds left in the box at the end of a range trip and I didn't want to take them home. So I ran the target out to 25 yards, loaded the rounds and fired a group one handed. Not rushing, not really taking my time, just shooting when the sights settled--took me maybe 7 or 8 seconds to empty the magazine. And I wasn't really trying, I was just getting rid of the rounds.
I brought the target back in and nearly fell over when I saw it. All 10 rounds went into less than 2 inches. Clearly I have all the tools to be an exceptional pistol shot--but my brain keeps getting in the way...
Over the years I've managed to shoot some other groups that measure under 2" at 25 yards. But never again one-handed and only 5 shot groups--never another 10 shot group that good.