Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

[George Collins]

As I lay on my bedroom floor dry-firing, I had one of those moments - you know, where you think you might have discovered something that no one has ever thought of before. I got all twitterpated with twitterpations and then the forebrain bitch-slapped limbic system. The limbic system asked, "What the effin heck far was that all about?"

The forebrain sternly lectured the limbic system about premature twitterpations, especially when associated with new discoveries for every new discovery we've ever had had long ago been discovered by someone else who is now filthy-effin-rich and living on a beach in Monaco surrounded by 19-year-old blonde-locked, bikini-clad gold-diggers.

But as I lay there pondering, the twitterpations just kept runnin up and down my left leg and totally ruining my sight picture. So, if there's anyone out there that can help me quell these rogue twitterings, I would appreciate ANY help you might be able to provide (my preference though would be from a 19-year-old blonde-locked, bikini-clad gold-digger although at this point in my life I'm willing to negotiate).

Okay, so here's my question: Why do we squeeze triggers the way we do?
Is it possible that a better, as-yet-undiscovered-way might exist?
Is it possible that one could keep every part part of their trigger hand free of the gun and use only the thumb and index finger to manipulate the trigger by pinching? To make sure that I am creating an accurate as possible mental image, imagine (for a RH Shooter) the R thumb pressing forward onto the posterior surface of the posterior aspect of the trigger guard while the index finger is placed in the conventional fashion and presses to the rear in conventional fashion. i.e. a pinch. No part of the hand touches the gun except in these two spots and they are each pressing perfectly in midline and thus present minimal opportunity to disturb the sight picture.

As I lay there (prior to the twitterpations twitterpating me), I must say that my preliminary impression was, "Dad-damned-gum but this feels as natural as my arm around the waist of a 19-year-old blonde-locked, bikini-clad gold-digger." When I squeeze the trigger, there is ZERO movement of the crosshairs. I mean they are ABSOLUTELY motionless.

Is this is unique discovery? Or is this common knowledge to everyone but me? Or is this something that has been tried and found to work shittier than a 19-year-old blonde-locked, bikini-clad gold-digger?

 

[Dirty D]

Re: Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

If it works for then it works for you, I will have to try it.

I've often pondered using the cable release from my 35mm camera to remotely actuate the trigger.

 

[patches]

Re: Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

wat?

Well, if you want my two cents I think that this method would drastically reduce your ability to control recoil. I'm assuming that the rifle is set up with some type of rear monopod? Are you putting a shoulder into the rifle? Would you use this method for BR shooting? I am assuming not, being that you are laying on your floor practicing. If you are wanting to follow up and see if you hit the target(or watch the round hit the target i.e. gong in my case) your method would make that pretty difficult due to the lack of recoil control.
Maybe you have too much time on your hands or maybe somebody else will chime in and declare you a genius and you single handedly changed the sport of precision rifle competition but I'm assuming it has been tried in the past.
I have a feeling this may be a special thread.

 

[deersniper]

Re: Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

Buy the online training. It is worth a lot more than they charge.

-dan

 

[George Collins]

Re: Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

Yes to the monopod but I also played around doing it without the monopod.
I do put my shoulder into the rifle. (I "load" the bipod cause them folks that know more about it than I do say one should. I have no idea why I do beyond them saying that I should and I figure that if I do what they say I'll look like I know what I'm doing even if I don't.)
I would try it if I shot bench rest but to date, all I've shot off of is the red dirt of Mississippi and its Talahalla mud.
I saw a vid of LoneWolfUSMC (who is a brother of mine) demonstrating his shooting technique and it looked as if he only used his fingertips to contact the rifle and he had them all placed in the midline of the rifle. I said to myself, "Dude, LoneWolfUSMC has a video of him shooting so he must know what he is doing."

I am the father of seven children ages 5 through 19. What is this "time" thing you speak of?

Some one PLEASE declare me a genius. Please, please, please, PLEASE, PLEASE declare me a genius.

What is a "special thread"?

 

[George Collins]

Re: Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

Dan,

I am actually planning on signing up for the online training the next time my wife lets me have some money out of my paycheck. Until then, if you know the answer to the question, please don't keep a brother in suspense. I just want to know: do I fall into the great inventors category destined for 19 year-old, blonde-locked, bikini-clad gold diggers or must I keep my day job?

 

[GSRswapandslow]

Re: Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

the finger/thumb method is a very old benchrest technique

 

[George Collins]

Re: Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

GSR,

So I'm a genius but must remain a poor one?

No bikinis?

No Monaco?

Man, Y'all know what I hate? Smart people. Suckers are ALWAYS inventin shit before me.

Oh well, at least I know I ain't crazy so that's gotta be worth something.

 

[Alaskaman11]

Re: Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

Wow, after reading this, I'm wondering how my crack did you get into! But hay, if it works for you, use it.


And keep having fun.

 

[Captain Moroni]

Re: Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

first off quit the red bull. The two finger squeeze is an old benchrest "trick" for the lack of a better word. The BR guys dont realy give a shit where the reticle goes during and after recoil, if you do learn how to properly use a trigger.

 

[bohem]

Re: Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

This is an old old bench rest trick before the advent of 2 oz triggers that could reasonably be functioned with only the index finger.

It is not very good for shooting a heavy recoiling (compared to the 6PPC or 222 Rem) tactical rifle, nor is it conducive to watching your hit/miss and making self-correction calls.

I've used it on my 30-06 a number of years ago on the advice of a guy who was probably born just after God flooded the Earth. I think he got some mild amusement from watching the 19 year old smack himself in the face by shooting a 30-06 free recoil.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

Free recoil is generally a very bad idea for a "tactical" rifle.

However if you are able to actuate the trigger, hit the target, keep your sights on to observer your effects on target, and cycle the bolt to ready the rifle for another shot, then gas on with your technique.

 

[RayDBonz]

Re: Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

Dude! You need to shut off the twitter, facebook, and all that other crap when you get your rifle out!

And please, switch to decaf. I mean seriously.

 

[George Collins]

Re: Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

Dr. Bill,

Sorry bout all that. I write as I do and have always done for one of the things that I wish to avoid, if possible, is a cliche.

I mean, doesn't everyone get tired of posters posting the same posts that have essentially been previously posted? A post-post posting if you will.

Given that, I posted my post, which given the number of posts posted here, possibly could nave been a duplicate post. Being the cliche-avoider, I saught to spice up my post by posting my possibly cliche post is as funny as way as my limited literary skills would allow. I never knew posting such a post could possibly prompt so many people to post posts alluding to my intake of caffeinated beverages in the post meridian hours.

Now that I have finished my post concerning all those posts about my post, I think it post-time to post this post.

So, there it is. My post is now posted. I hope to look both forward and backward to your posts.

 

[George Collins]

Re: Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

LoneWolfUSMC,

I saw a video on youtube of you shooting. The one titled Remington 700 Trigger and Bolt Manipulation. In that video, it appears as if you have each of your five finger tips in contact with the midline of the weapon with most of your hand separated from any contact whatsoever. A technique that I have tried to emulate. With an attitude of the most sincere student, how is it that you are achieving any significant level of recoil management with such a light grip? Even if one were to grip their rifle with force enough to crush a black walnut, how does that reduce felt recoil? Wouldn't tension in the triceps muscle be the only thing one could do with their arm via their grip that could materially influence felt recoil? Such seems counterproductive to accuracy/consistency.

BTW, it was your video that went into my frame of reference when I went through the mental gyrations and cipherin's that ultimately led me to the point where I thought I could post my question here without feeling completely insecure (I mean, even us Marines would rather not be laughed at if avoidable nes pa?).

Please don't take anything here as being argumentative for I assure that is not my intention. I am truly seeking understanding. I plan to test this trigger squeeze at my next range session but until then, my curiosity is freakin killing me and I have to take a 6-year old daughter on a canoe trip down the Chickasawhay River all day tomorrow.

 

[bohem]

Re: Alternate ways to squeeze a trigger

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Free recoil is generally a very bad idea for a "tactical" rifle.

However if you are able to actuate the trigger, hit the target, keep your sights on to observer your effects on target, and cycle the bolt to ready the rifle for another shot, then gas on with your technique. </div></div>

I tried it once, I don't shoot free recoil for anything now. I'm not into the BR game though.