Should I learn a particular trigger action first?

[gwine]

Now that I've finished the NRA Pistol course I'm hoping to go to a gun range and rent a few handguns this weekend to see how they feel. While we were out on the range during the course, during one of the exercises, the instructor made a comment about how I was releasing the trigger after every shot instead of letting the trigger out just enough to enable me to shoot another round. Can't remember which gun it was - either an Springfield XD-9 or a Glock 9mm (sorry - can't remember the model .)

My question is this. Is it better to learn to shoot a particular action before learning another one? You might remember from my previous thread on "do you get what you pay for" that I'm not stuck on any particular type of gun or caliber, except cheaper caliber costs = more likely to spend time at range practicing. I know revolvers come in SA and DA, and autoloaders come in at least 3 flavors (with variants.) But I was thinking that maybe learning a certain action first might help me to develop better shooting habits.

I know some of you have a favorite action so comments about why you like your style along with comments about why (if indeed I should) I should learn one before another are both welcome.

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

What your instructor was talking about was trigger reset which you'll master in time. Just release the trigger more slowly until you feel it reset.

 

[10-Ring]

IMO, once you master the DA of a quality wheelgun, you can shoot anything....but really, as long as you dedicate the trigger time to master the trigger on your chosen firearm, you'll be fine.

 

[Il Duca]

Start with the worst: Glock . Seriously though, learn whatever you are interested in first. If you want a DA, learn DA, or SA, etc. I think DA should be learned early on, you tend to develope better trigger control with alot of practice with a DA. Myself though, I love SA.

 

[ugaarguy]

As someone who started out on semi-autos, and now primarily shoots 1911s & a BHP, I agree with learning the DA revolver. I own three now, and I feel that becoming proficient with the trigger of DA revolvers I've gotten better at shooting the SA autos.

 

[gwine]

What your instructor was talking about was trigger reset which you'll master in time. Just release the trigger more slowly until you feel it reset.

So is it wrong to release the trigger all the way and then press to fire again? Or am I better to go to a different action (DAO or SA ?) type until I am ready?

I am intrigued by the DA revolver idea. Does this mean that I would be pressing the trigger both to cock the hammer and to fire the round, but I could still cock the hammer manually with my thumb and then press the trigger (more lightly?) to fire the round?

Hope I'm not sounding like too much of a neophyte. Because, I am.

 

[sm]

Learning to shoot a revolver double action only - makes one a better shooter.
Period. End of Story. Etched in Granite.

 

[1911 guy]

DA revolver teaches trigger control.

The above posters are right. Learn to shoot a DA revolver and everything else is gravy.

As for releasing the trigger to reset, that depends. Do you carry the same gun and only that gun all the time? If so, learn to do as your instructor showed you. If you carry several firearms, ignore it and carry on with your bad self.

 

[gwine]

As for releasing the trigger to reset, that depends. Do you carry the same gun and only that gun all the time? If so, learn to do as your instructor showed you. If you carry several firearms, ignore it and carry on with your bad self.

Don't even have a handgun yet. Hence the questions. I'm just trying not to start any bad habits that will make it more difficult for me. You might be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but getting him to unlearn one is going to be more difficult.

I'll make sure and check out a revolver or two when I'm at the range this Saturday.

 

[RustyShackelford]

YES- DA only...

If new to shooting/handguns, I say learn basics from a high quality DA only weapon.

A HK P-2000 LEM, SIGarms DAK, S&W DA 990L Beretta 96D/92D etc.

Rusty

 

[SolaScriptura139]

If you have extra money, you could get a .22 DA revolver and use that to work on your trigger finger. With a .22 you could get in more ammo and shooting time and you'll have the DA trigger to work with. And you could pick up a Springfield XD-9 for defense, carry, and range work.

 

[CZ52GUY]

re: Trigger Action Fidelity

Hello,

I'd say your instincts are correct. Most of the new shooters who come through our club that do well...they pick a platform and stick with it. Those that struggle...the ones that show up with a different gun every range session and very different trigger actions at that.

Not all of us can afford a safe full of guns (although I'm happy to have my share ). If you are looking to invest in your first firearm, and you have specific intentions for it (e.g. CCW), then you should get a pistol that is well suited for that purpose.

You indicated that you received instruction on either Springfield XD or Glock. Did it have an external safety on the back of the grip? If so, it was an XD. Think about whether you were comfortable shooting it. Do you have some level of familiarity that would make it easier to get your feet wet as you continue to practice and pursue additional instruction? Similarly if it was a Glock.

We all have our pet platforms, and good people will argue over which is best. Guns (handguns in particular) are like shoes, either they fit or they don't. Find something that fits, stick with it. Get additional instruction, practice, practice, practice.

At some point, the urge to try other platforms will be irresistable. That's okay, but for now, find something that works for your intended use, and stick with it.

Good luck!

CZ52'

 

[gwine]

Actually I used both the XD and a Glock. We had 3 sessions on the range. First session was sitting down and using a wooden vee to brace the gun. Second session was standing and using both hands. Third session was one hand while standing. All 3 sessions had 2 sets. First set was 5 shots inserting the cartridge one at a time. Second set was loading all 5 then shooting them. I used the XD on the 1st and 3rd session and the Glock on the 2nd. Truth be known, my best (and not that good) was the one handed stance. Of course, by then I was getting more comfortable with the routine, but let's face it, 30 shots all together does not make for that much practice.

Looked at a used S&W 686 .357 magnum yesterday. At $500 I would rather buy a .22lr revolver first and get the experience with it, then go for a 9mm auto down the road. The guy at Gander Mtn. discouraged the idea of a .22lr, but what does he know. I'll swing on over to the revolver section and keep getting ideas. The .22 threads have been useful, too.

And yes, I do want a 9mm, but I'm content to wait. This is Wisconsin, after all, so concealed carry is not an issue for now, and I've got an 870 12 gauge waiting at home for anyone who wants to see what it looks like from the front.

 

[benEzra]

So is it wrong to release the trigger all the way and then press to fire again? Or am I better to go to a different action (DAO or SA ?) type until I am ready?

Releasing the trigger all the way only makes it a fraction of a second slower to fire a second shot. The downside of consciously trying from the outset to do that, is that if you don't release the trigger far enough, your second shot won't fire. Which is worse.

My personal opinion is, don't worry about learning trigger reset until you pick a gun. Then train on that gun.

I am intrigued by the DA revolver idea. Does this mean that I would be pressing the trigger both to cock the hammer and to fire the round, but I could still cock the hammer manually with my thumb and then press the trigger (more lightly?) to fire the round?

Yes. Double-action pistols (semiautos) also work that way for the first shot, if the gun has a hammer that you can thumb-cock.