First of all, make sure the pistol is properly fitted to your hand. You didn't mention what you are shooting, but John Lawson has a good comment on the curved vs flat housing for the 1911, which might be of interest. This goes with proper alignment of the pistol in the hand so that the big muscles and torso absorb the shock in proper line with the with longitudinal axis of the slide. Since not everyone is put together exactly alike, you may have to play with the grips a little and the loads you are shooting. Even then, you might just be shooting the wrong pistol for your body type. Its the little muscles that are likely to be abused, and remember that torture, and will automatically begin to bring the big muscles into play to avoid this strain. Big guys with big muscles can sometimes overcome this with brut strength and not feel the stress as much (pain is good! It reminds you that you are still alive!
), but the average persons body will start to feel it with strained muscles and aching joints. Poor technique will only make it worse. Generally speaking it is the little muscles that react to the strain first, causing you to jerk the trigger rather then squeeze. I don't know how many rounds you are shooting in 20 minutes. If you are going through 200 rnds in 20 mins.,that would be one thing. If you are going through 20, that would be another. If you are practicing for self-defense, that would be one thing. If you are shooting competively, that would be another. Time frame in conjunction with the number of rounds shot is important. You might try using a pistol with a stronger trigger pull then your own, and then go back to yours and then see if that makes a difference. It does for me. Limit the number of rounds shot. Do not continue to shoot, if you feel any strain or pain! Stop when you reach the limit you set for yourself. Work up to it. Once the small muscles have learned, they have to be untaught that it not painful to shoot. The .22 method works great, unless you go out to the range and restrain those muscles again through poor technique/poorly fitted pistol and excessive range sessions. Pratice, practice, practice is not the solution.(sorry George. got to disagree here)Proper pratice with a purpose with a well defined goal is. Golf and shooting have a lot in common. They are 90% mental, and 10% physical. I guess that is why I like them both. The proper preparation and mind set, combined with the proper equipment will always make for an enjoyable experience. 18 hole in one day with my clubs will result in a good score. 54 holes in one day regardless of the clubs or cart would be torture and lousy scores, and I assure 18 the next would not be fun either!
[This message has been edited by ak9 (edited January 14, 2000).]