trigger discipline/press carry over to firearms

[stonebuster]

I've been practicing my trigger press skills with a pellet air hand gun which is very accurate. I've isolated my major problem with my groups are due to my trigger press not my sight picture or the slight movement of the front sight when aiming. I've had much improvement with my groups concentrating on front sight focus and trigger press with the air gun. At the range I've also seen good improvement with regular firearms although not as much as with the pellet gun at home. Recoil and distractions at the range are probably the reason. Do you air gunners feel practicing trigger discipline and other shooting skills with your air guns significantly carries over to your regular firearms?

 

[MutinousDoug]

Yes. If your pellet gun has a decent, clean breaking trigger and is decently accurate; it can do a lot to teach you sight alignment and trigger control. I shoot a Hammerli Model "D" PCP pistol with a trigger break of a few ounces and a Sheridan Bluestreak. There is no reason to flinch and the pellet dwell time in the barrel will reveal lack of follow through that will carry over to firearm shooting.

 

[Mizar]

Recoil and distractions at the range are probably the reason.

Recoil should be enjoyed and anticipated, like a cold beer on a sunny August afternoon. And that comes with practice. But yes, airguns (said in general) teach for a great trigger discipline as one can bypass all of the "distracting" factors associated with firearms.

 

[JohnKSa]

I learned how to shoot with airguns--both rifles and handguns. When I started shooting firearms I was already a very good shot--but none of my airgun work had prepared me to deal with recoil or rapid follow-up shots.

So yes, it will carry over and can be very valuable. But it won't totally substitute for firearm practice.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

I have been shooting with air rifles and Pistols for decades. And yes, they are a tremendous benefit.Especially in developing good Point and shoot skills. I have my own little course set up in my back yard and a back stop in my garage. All the fundamentals can be employed with a air gun. And of course in Europe, Iron Plate shooting with air guns is a huge hobby. And some of those guys are really good.

 

[fpgt72]

Recoil should be enjoyed and anticipated, like a cold beer on a sunny August afternoon. And that comes with practice. But yes, airguns (said in general) teach for a great trigger discipline as one can bypass all of the "distracting" factors associated with firearms.

Very easy to say...some of us are held together with spit and bailing wire....in my case wood screws and metal plates (they really look like wood screws...and do you know they can back out)

Anyhoo.....

Recoil for some is something that has to be avoided, unless you like pooping in a bag. For me just about anything prone is out, standing I have been told nothing with any "kick"....well what the hell does that mean, shoot it if it hurts don't do it again.....what about that bag thing you just said....life has risks, choose your risks.

Well gee thanks doc.

 

[stonebuster]

I never thought practicing with an air gun would be a substitute for range time with my firearms but an inexpensive way to practice trigger/aiming skills between range trips that would carry over. It seems to work and I appreciate the replies. fpgt72, arthritic issues have limited my range time and 357mag use. My doc gave me the old "if it hurts when you do that, don't do that. That'll be $150."

 

[BilliamB.]

Absolutely. Airgun trigger time pays off for me when I shoot firearms. Closing groups on one closes them on the other--at least for me. And with air rifles, you can shoot, shoot and shoot some more for the cost of a few good .308 FA rounds. There is just no substitute for real trigger time with real-time target feedback. JMHO.

 

[readyeddy]

I use a springer rifle to practice standing unsupported. It forces me to use a consistent hold and follow through. I feel it does carry over to the powder burners at the shooting range and in the field.

The low cost per shot and the convenience, which allows more frequent practice, also helps with form, breathing, trigger pull, and mind clearing. It's also a more efficient use of time, given there's no travel time to and from the shooting range and no cease fires.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

You are right on the money. Love the Springers. And I love the one shot, one kill, of the Springer. The ability to take your time, focus on the wind, the gun, etc. Even with firearms, I have never been into the AR etc. of so much wasted ammo I see go on all the time at such a high cost.

 

[fpgt72]

I never thought practicing with an air gun would be a substitute for range time with my firearms but an inexpensive way to practice trigger/aiming skills between range trips that would carry over. It seems to work and I appreciate the replies. fpgt72, arthritic issues have limited my range time and 357mag use. My doc gave me the old "if it hurts when you do that, don't do that. That'll be $150."

Sound like we may be in the same boat....just got back yesterday from the Dr after inflicting pain....how can they stab you in the legs with needles and they say you will feel better....i really hate Dr....and surgeons are worse...there is a reason they wear a mask.

When you think about it it is all the same skills as shooting a "real" gun, All but spring powered air rifles use the same thing...get better with one and you get better with the other....and you are right it has helped me as well, my shooting is much better, it also scratches the itch.

 

[fpgt72]

I use a springer rifle to practice standing unsupported. It forces me to use a consistent hold and follow through. I feel it does carry over to the powder burners at the shooting range and in the field.

The low cost per shot and the convenience, which allows more frequent practice, also helps with form, breathing, trigger pull, and mind clearing. It's also a more efficient use of time, given there's no travel time to and from the shooting range and no cease fires.

The only thing with MOST springers is that huge powerful spring...does not matter if it is a gas spring or metal, you have a great deal of force going on there, and the recoil both ways on powerful springers is not something you can control....this is where you see the artillery hold comes in, and it is a very VERY...as in VERRY different skill. You are really just holding the gun enough to make sure it stays where you want it to...after you pull the trigger you need to let it jump all over the place....just like an artillery piece....thus the name. This skill is different from every other form of projectile flinger humans have come up with, you master shooting a magnum springer you can shoot anything.

What is suggest is if you do not want to do PCP and the expense that goes with that are CO2 guns (really the only choice for hand guns) or MSP type guns, but for us old guys that pumping is not the same as when you where 12.

Breathing, trigger control, follow through....everything but recoil is there, and if you are a 22LR shooter not a lot of difference.

 

[stonebuster]

The only thing with MOST springers is that huge powerful spring...does not matter if it is a gas spring or metal, you have a great deal of force going on there, and the recoil both ways on powerful springers is not something you can control....this is where you see the artillery hold comes in, and it is a very VERY...as in VERRY different skill. You are really just holding the gun enough to make sure it stays where you want it to...after you pull the trigger you need to let it jump all over the place....just like an artillery piece....thus the name. This skill is different from every other form of projectile flinger humans have come up with, you master shooting a magnum springer you can shoot anything.

What is suggest is if you do not want to do PCP and the expense that goes with that are CO2 guns (really the only choice for hand guns) or MSP type guns, but for us old guys that pumping is not the same as when you where 12.

Breathing, trigger control, follow through....everything but recoil is there, and if you are a 22LR shooter not a lot of difference.

I've been using modified 1377s, carbine and pistol configuration with iron sights, for practicing skills since they're quite accurate at 50-60 ft. Four to five pumps is plenty to get accuracy at that distance. I've been hitting small pill bottles( got plenty of them), 2 1/2 " diameter sauce jar caps consistently from 50-60' when I don't slip up on technique. Not great but much improved from the tips I've gotten on the High Road forums.

 

[BilliamB.]

The only thing with MOST springers is that huge powerful spring...does not matter if it is a gas spring or metal, you have a great deal of force going on there, and the recoil both ways on powerful springers is not something you can control....this is where you see the artillery hold comes in, and it is a very VERY...as in VERRY different skill. You are really just holding the gun enough to make sure it stays where you want it to...after you pull the trigger you need to let it jump all over the place....just like an artillery piece....thus the name. This skill is different from every other form of projectile flinger humans have come up with, you master shooting a magnum springer you can shoot anything.

What is suggest is if you do not want to do PCP and the expense that goes with that are CO2 guns (really the only choice for hand guns) or MSP type guns, but for us old guys that pumping is not the same as when you where 12.

Breathing, trigger control, follow through....everything but recoil is there, and if you are a 22LR shooter not a lot of difference.

The "artillery hold" doesn't work for all springers. Even Tom Gaylord, who originally popularized the term "artillery hold," suggested that using the "Vulcan death grip" is advisable when shooting super-duper gas spring magnums such as Beeman CrowMags/Theoben Eliminators. Such rifles deliver a violent forward impulse, followed by a relatively noticeable (for an air rifle) rearward recoil; the resulting reciprocating motion is what gives them their reputation as scope busters.

That said, you are absolutely correct: if you can master a magnum springer, you can shoot anything.