Trigger-cocking?

A

azredhawk44

Moderator
I've heard of something recently called "trigger cocking."

It's when the hammer is down, the shooter pulls the trigger smoothly and quickly just enough to advance the cylinder so it locks in line with the bore, the hammer is held in the back position in such a way that only another tiny bit more squeeze is necessary to let the hammer come forward and fire the cartridge.

All this is controlled by the trigger finger.

With the trigger held back like this, you finesse your point of aim on your target and then let it have it. (obviously you don't just hold it in place like this as you scan for a target...unsafe..., you start this process as you bring sights on your target.)

How many of you DA revolver shooters can reliably do this? Is it worth mastering, or should I focus on just pulling the trigger and not so much on what the cylinder and hammer are doing?
 
The S&W hammerless (concealed hammer) revolvers are set up specifically to allow what you describe, but DA artists have been doing it for years. Is it worthwhile to learn? I don't know. If you want to do most shooting DA, I would say it is, but if you plan to used DA only for a fast shot at close range, it wouldn't be worth the time to practice the technique.

BTW, there have been a few true trigger cocking revolvers; the best known are the British Kynoch and the Starr percussion revolver. These actually can be set up to either pull straight through on DA or for the DA pull to cock the hammer, with a separate sear used to release the hammer and fire the gun.

Jim
 
How many of you DA revolver shooters can reliably do this? Is it worth mastering, or should I focus on just pulling the trigger and not so much on what the cylinder and hammer are doing?
Click to expand...

I've always called it "staging the trigger", and I can do easily with my S&W revolvers.

No (IMO), I don't think "as a practice" it is worth mastering. However it does demonstrate a level of trigger control in general. Of course trigger control is a big part of shooting double action well.

I try not to focus on the trigger/cylinder/hammer or anything else but the front sight. Seems to work okay for me.

Good Luck....

Joe
 
IMHO It may be OK, but a good DA trigger is faster and without the hours of practice. On the other hand, I used to be very good at fanning a SA. (I know, it isn't good for the gun) It took allot of time and effort to master. I don't carry a SA today, but if I did, fanning it is still not as fast, or near as accurate as learning a good DA trigger... :)

PS: If you are stuck with a long DA trigger pull your SOOL in a gunfight... :eek:
 
Nice idea for target shooting, but pistoleros like Bill Jordan, who taught gunfighting, are opposed to the practice.
S&W revolvers lend themselves to staging, Colts (in my limited experience), do not.
I would never consider this method for personal defense.
JT
 
Training Technique

I believe if you read Ed McGivern's book, "Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting," you will find that he recommends that beginning revolver shooters stage the trigger this way when they are first learning double action shooting. It's only a brief step before moving on to smooth double action shooting, in his method.
 
I agree with everyone. It's not worth the bother. Best to stick with the straight shot. Perhaps in a slow fire situation (say 50 yards) it might be OK.
For the regular competition shooter it is just an unnecessary complication. The key to getting a good result is to do the same thing every time. Eliminate as many variables as possible.
 
Trigger Cocking

Works great for Smiths, not as well for other guns. Good way to learn trigger control and, once mastered, does not really slow you down that much. This method of accurate DA shooting is aided by using contact cement to affix a pencil eraser behind the trigger; trimmed to act as a trigger stop. As to self defense usage - you never know when you will need to make a very accurate shot and having the ability to "re-aim" helps.

Just my experience and, yes, I have done this for many years.
John
 
For informal gravel pit target practice with my Charter Bulldog 44 I start the bobbed hammer back with the trigger and catch the hammer with my thumb and cock it for single action shot. Accuracy is better than you would expect and you learn how your handgun feels. As in all shooting you really need to pay attention to what you're doing and I don't think I would try it in the excitement of a real life situation. It's just another exercise to learn more about weapons. Tom.
 
PPC shooters have long used rubber trigger stops to help stage the trigger for the 50 yard line. As fancy as a stop screw with rubber tip or as simple as a piece of eraser glued behind the trigger and trimmed to give the desired feel.
 
I can do it quite well with my SP101 with the factory trigger/no mods. Takes practice but can be mastered fairly easily.
 
trigger cocking?

I'm coming in late on the discussion, but it sounds obscene and possibly painful! I'm not going to try it.
 
"trigger-cocking" is a synonym for "double-action". That is, the trigger both cocks the action and fires the gun (performing a double action) with each pull of the trigger.

What you describe is called "staging the trigger" or "trigger staging". It's theoretically possible with any double action firearm but is much easier with some than others. I've never seen it actually recommended, although I have heard many people talking about it.

IMO, you'll be more accurate and it's easier and just as fast to cock the hammer. On the other hand, if you need to shoot double-action then you shouldn't be pausing in middle of the trigger stroke, the trigger pull should be one smooth action.
 
As they say different strokes for different folks. Staging the trigger is great for long distance target shooting in DA. That pause allows you to fine tune your aim. Other than that, which hunting also fits in, there is not much use for staging the trigger.
 
Staging the trigger is great for long distance target shooting in DA. That pause allows you to fine tune your aim.
Click to expand...
The problem is that it's not really any faster than thumb cocking and isn't as accurate. It also leaves you in a somewhat precarious situation if a cease-fire is called while you're during your "pause". I guess if you're in some sort of competition that won't allow thumb cocking it makes sense...
 
Other than that, which hunting also fits in, there is not much use for staging the trigger.
Click to expand...
Hunting seems like an extra-tricky situation for staging a trigger. You may have been sitting for hours, may be half-frozen or half-awake, may have gloves, may be in a not-quite-perfect position or posture. It seems easier to just pull the hammer back and shoot SA to accurately kill a deer.

Regards.
 
Did that years ago but

The only gun that I felt was safe enough to do that was a python.
When you pull the trigger through the double action there was a place where the pressure decreased and you could hold it there place it on the target and with a squeez little more than the single action it would go off.
BUT who cares.
I dont mean to be-little any one but where will you use it unless your competion shooting with wheel guns.
Its not the safest thing to do and you better know where the gun is pointed with utmost care before doing it.
 
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