[kennedy]

I am used to DA/SA auto, but just bought a S&W .40 DAO and can`t shoot it, what is the correct way to shoot? steady trigger pull or pull trigger and stop just before it lets off to get on target? I have been shooting a 25 yds, is that out of reach for a DAO?

[MrTuffPaws]

Steady trigger pull and pratice pratice pratice.

When I first got my mak, the DA pull on the thing had me shaking the gun like a can of spray paint. After hours of dry firing, and building up hand strength doing so, I can now actually hit the target with it.

[Bravo11]

I have a KelTec P11 9mm that I regularly carry because its easily concealed.
At the range I pull the trigger back until it gets ready to drop then go to a squeeze and line up on the target. If I practice drawing and firing I just do my best to keep it on target X while pulling the trigger. My KelTec has an extremly long and heavy trigger.

[Fumbler]

I shoot a DAO auto the same way I shoot a DA revolver ;)

BTW, you should never even put your finger on the trigger until you are on target.

[swingcatt]

Fumbler, what Ted is talking about (sorry Kennedy, couldn't resist!), is reffered to as "squeeze cocking". Instead of taking the entire DA trigger up in a smooth consistant pull, when you start to pull the trigger back to fire, you take up most of the DA pull quickly, effectively bringing the hammer (or striker) back to a resonable position. Then your last bit of trigger pull is similar to a SA trigger. It's sort of treating it like a set trigger. I agree that you should always follow the gun safety rules, but in this case, he has allready identified a target and is ready to shoot. I see what you were thinking tho.

Kennedy, what I teach in class is a steady pull on the trigger for the first shot. As you know, after that it is all SA. Squeeze cocking tempts you to jerk the trigger in the second stage of the trigger pull. Also under stressfull situations, you will underestimate where your break off point is and end up with a stray discharge.

SC

[JohnKSa]

Steady pull.

The other technique is called staging and I've never seen it recommended for self-defense.

[10-Ring]

I shot alot of rounds through a revolver before I got used to shooting DAO semi autos...shot my 1st IDPA match using a DAO USP 9 ;)

[Fumbler]

Fumbler, what Ted is talking about (sorry Kennedy, couldn't resist!), is reffered to as "squeeze cocking". Instead of taking the entire DA trigger up in a smooth consistant pull, when you start to pull the trigger back to fire, you take up most of the DA pull quickly, effectively bringing the hammer (or striker) back to a resonable position. Then your last bit of trigger pull is similar to a SA trigger. It's sort of treating it like a set trigger. I agree that you should always follow the gun safety rules, but in this case, he has allready identified a target and is ready to shoot. I see what you were thinking tho.
Yeah I know what he's talking about. Just poking fun of him for saying you pull the trigger partway back before getting on target.
I do this myself at the range while shooting long distances for fun.
I do it a lot, but I don't trust myself to do it well in the field because I don't think I would have as much control as I would like in a high stress situation. Because of that I don't practice that method with the intent of doing it in self defense.


BTW Kennedy initially asked if 25 yards is too far for practicing DA.
No, it is not too far.
However don't overlook the importance of practicing at a variety of distances. You're a lot more likely to encounter a threat at 3 yards than 25, so shoot human sillhoette targets at that distance too.

[tbeb]

I use a steady pull for combat practice. When testing ammo for accuracy, I slowly pull the trigger to the point just before the hammer drops, get a perfect sight picture, and squeeze the trigger. I've done a lot of revolver shooting so DAO's are no big deal for me. Today I fired my new 9mm CZ DAO for the first time. My groups at 7 and 10 yards were okay. I tried 13 yards and groups sucked. I never shoot at 25 yards because I'm not that good.

[9mmepiphany]

25 yards certainly isn't too far to be shooting. i don't think you can really see if your sights are porperly regulated at much less distance than that.

back when we carried wheelguns, when i was back in my 30s, part of our qualification course was 12 shots from 50 yards

[Clean97GTI]

Steady pull.

You have to work on keeping the gun steady whilst pulling the trigger.

A little drill I worked up for my self goes like this.
First, make sure the gun is unloaded. You will be praticing dry fire.

Next, insert a wooden dowel about 2 feet long into the barrel of the gun. I found that wrapping the dowel in a little duct tape work perfectly for keeping it stationary in the bore.

After that, set up a piece of cardboard or the like with a 3" or so diameter hole in it. Place the end of the dowel in the hole and practice dry firing.

The idea is not to touch the edges of the hole while squeezing the trigger. Do it over and over until you can keep it steady. This works great for dry fire practce on DA/SA guns as well. Helps steady the transition from DA to SA.

Remember though, there is no substitute for actual practice.

[MrMurphy]

Smooth straight pull, just a steady "snap" all in one motion.

[obiwan1]

Steady pull is taught to all Fed agents at FLETC. In defensive shooting you won't have the time for staging. They do shoot at 25 yds and even hit the target :what: Former INS officers use a Beretta 96d with a looooonnnggg trigger pull and do fine with it. Yes they would prefer a shorter lighter pull but that's what they have so they deal with it.

[Black Snowman]

Grip strength makes a differance and practice. I'm getting much better with DA trigger pulls. Dry firing is your friend here.

[Frohickey]

Same way you shoot a double action revolver at IPSC/IDPA.

Steady pull.

[Gunz]

It took me a long while to get adjusted to the different DAO weights out there. For a light, long stroke of the 92D, I actually made the error of stacking the trigger to a point where I know the hammer would break and drop. While it gave me a fake single action, it did help me get tight groups. But as the other list members said, steady pull of the trigger in a rolling motion is the best. The heavier Smith and Wesson DAOs require a firm rolling pull with the index finger. Short-stroking or stacking the short SMith trigger positon does no good. The pull for the ParaOrd pistols are in another universe. They are SOOOOO light, you just roll with it and the hammer falls before you realize it. It is THAT light and sweet. WHen I shoot my 1086 or 4586, I know I have to invest in a steady heavy pull iwth the pad of my index finger. With the Para, it is barely a squeeze. The rest part is also something I learned the long and hard way. Some DAO pistols need a long reset if they have a long trigger distance (92D), and the SMiths have a very short reset. It takes a lot of dry fire.....

[Mordoc]

You might try the following. It works for me.
This is assuming you are right handed and are shooting with a two hand grip.
I hold the gun in my shooting hand and then wrap the left hand around the frontstrap over the shooting hand. I pull slightly to the left with my left hand. I find this offsets the pull to the right imparted by pulling the trigger with my right hand. With practice it is quicker than it sounds. I find this works well with my 4586.

[RON in PA]

Everyone has advocated a steady pull, me too. Smith and Wesson, in their semi-auto pistol manual, states that a steady pull with no staging is the proper way to shoot a DA trigger.

[Big Mike]

Smooth straight pull in my S&W 6946=accurate and controlled fire. Mike

[Preacherman]

I'm glad you titled this thread "How Do You Shoot A DAO?" I saw a similar thread on another forum, a few years ago, and it asked "How does one shoot a DA?" Led to some misunderstandings... :D

[walking arsenal]

If your smith and wesson .40 is one of the sigma versions then it might be the nature of the beast some models have an atrocious trigger pull depending on what gen they are.

[bubbygator]

I agree with Clean. While the finger pull can be discussed & practiced, it is really grip/wrist strength and control that holds the pistol/revolver steady on target. Drill to assure you are staying "on-target" during the finger action.

[RyanM]

Just for the sake of playing the devil's advocate, let me quote Colonel Grant-Taylor. "...normal Army weapon training methods talk about how to squeeze the trigger. Forget the trigger. Concentrate on squeezing the orange."

Naturally, the "orange-squeeze" method is only practical out to 7 yards or so, but it's much faster. And at ranges of 7 yards and closer, you need as much speed as you can muster.