Transition from a revolver to semi-auto

[Texas Tass]

When I tested for my CHL (Texas), it was with a revolver (Charter Arms .38sp). I am getting certified next week to carry a semi-auto. I've been to the range twice with a friends .45 Semi-A and keep pulling slightly off center to the right. The instructor feels I am using too much of my finger to pull the trigger and that is throwing me off center(he says to use only the tip). My question is when one has become proficient with a DA revolver, how hard is it to transition to a semi-auto. I need to use more finger strength with the .38, and it's become a hard habit to break. Will this go away with practice, or will it always be an issue if I keep shooting the .38?

All advice is appreciated!

Tass

 

[CAnnoneer]

If you are accustomed to DA revolver trigger pull, why not use DA semi-autos? Ruger P89 is available in DAO model and there must be others too.

 

[Tylden]

Tass....me and you are in the same boat. I took my CCDW class a few weeks ago with a S&W .357 revolver and just bought my first semi-auto this weekend. Fortunately, here in Kentucky the class covers both revolvers and semis, so I don't have to retest or anything. I have noticed the same thing with the trigger. A friend of mine thought the trigger on my semi auto felt a bit heavy compared to what he's used to....but to me it is LIGHT compared to my wheelgun. All I can say is practice and more practice until I get used to it.

 

[Majic]

By shooting revolvers in double action your hand has plenty of strength. Just use the pad of the index finger on the trigger and in no time you will be able to judge how much pressure to apply to the trigger. Just remember a SA semi-auto will at first feel like almost no pressure is needed, but you will quickly develop the touch.

 

[DragonFire]

From the way I've been trained, and experienced for myself, the trigger pull for a revolver is exactly the same for autos.

I use the same finger position whether I'm shooting revolvers or autos. The whole fingertip should sit on the trigger, with the first joint just on the edge. Maybe your finger placement has been wrong on the revolver? If you feel you need more finger to pull a revolver trigger, than something else (your revolver's trigger? your grip? grip size of revolver?) is wrong. Even a "heavy" trigger should be able to be pulled smoothly back by using just the finger tip.

The one problem I have, is that I prep the trigger on my revolvers, and wasn't doing that on my autos. In SA, that caused me to fire before I was ready at times. A DAO solves that problem, but it also isn't terribly hard to prep the trigger on an auto, but does take some practice.


You will be best with whichever type of gun you shoot most, but you should be able to shoot both well.

 

[Texas Tass]

Thanks for the input...

I've been able to practice a few more times and am starting to get the feel of a Semi-A. Thanks for your insight!

Tass