Trigger Control is for Everyone

In the world of shooting sports, precision and accuracy are paramount. Whether you’re engaging in competitive shooting or pursuing shooting as a recreational activity, mastering the art of trigger control is crucial. Trigger control is for everyone. It directly influences the trajectory of your shots, ensuring consistency and increasing your chances of hitting the target with precision. In this article, we will explore why trigger control is important and how it can elevate your performance to new heights.

Every firearm has a trigger, and trigger control is an essential skill for shooters, especially beginners, as it directly affects the accuracy and precision of your shots.

Trigger control can be defined as the technique of smoothly and deliberately pressing the trigger of a firearm without disturbing your aim or sight picture. More on that later but mastering trigger control helps you maintain control over your gun and enables you to consistently hit your target. And who doesn’t want to hit their target consistently every single time?

But before we talk more in-depth about actual trigger control, let’s talk a little about the importance of a proper grip as it relates to this subject. A proper grip equates to control, and control is our goal! To be in control, it is imperative that you establish a firm and steady grip on your firearm. A proper grip includes gripping the gun with your firing hand like you are making a fist, while ensuring the web of your hand (that area between your thumb and index finger) is sitting high and centered on the backstrap of the gun. The next step to proper grip is to wrap the fingers of your supporting hand around your firing hand with the meaty part of your supporting hand pressed against the open space on the grip. No area of the firearm grip should be visible between your fingers or between your hands.

The proper grip of your firearm enhances stability and control, and once you are consistently practicing proper grip this will allow you to focus on the key elements of mastering trigger control.

So what are the key elements? We’re glad you asked! Below are the key elements you will need to include in your routine during practice as you work on your shooting skills.

• Prepping the Trigger: This means taking up the slack or initial travel in the trigger mechanism which means applying gentle, steady pressure on the trigger until you feel slight resistance. It’s also important to note that different firearms have varying amounts of slack, so it’s essential to become familiar with the specific trigger characteristics of your personal choice of a firearm.
• Trigger Press: The trigger press is the deliberate and controlled action of smoothly moving the trigger straight to the rear without disturbing your sight alignment and sight picture. And remember to avoid jerking, slapping, or snatching the trigger, as these sudden movements can cause the muzzle to move, leading to inaccurate shots.
• Follow-Through: This is the continuation of using a proper technique after the trigger press is complete. Meaning you should keep your sights aligned and maintain your focus on the front sight for a brief moment after the shot breaks. This step ensures that your aim remains steady for your follow-on shots.
• Resetting the Trigger: After the shot breaks, the trigger should be released to its forward position but not fully – you only need to release it until you hear or feel a click. This “click” is called resetting the trigger. Remember, the reset point will be different for every pistol, so be sure to practice with each one! Once reset, you are ready for your subsequent shots. Maintaining a consistent rhythm and smoothness in resetting and prepping the trigger for follow-up shots is key to hitting that bullseye you are aiming for!

As mentioned earlier, you should also consider sight alignment and sight picture as you work on trigger control. Staying focused on your target, whether using target focus or front sight focus, is essential to a successful outcome. A smooth and deliberate trigger press, free from any jerking or flinching, allows you to maintain proper sight alignment and sight picture throughout the firing process. By minimizing disturbances to your aim, trigger control enables you to consistently place your shots on target

Trigger control requires mental discipline and focus.

By consciously focusing on the task at hand, specifically the smooth and deliberate trigger press, you can enter a state of heightened concentration. This level of mental focus promotes improved shot execution, helping you block out distractions and perform at your best in shooting sports. Furthermore, mastering trigger control is one of the best ways to build confidence and competence in your shooting skills. As you develop this proficiency, your shooting performance is almost guaranteed to improve. Improvement drives confidence and certainly impacts your overall mindset which translates into better performance on the range. But remember, trigger control is a skill that requires practice and patience to master. By following the key principles such as focusing on maintaining a steady grip, proper sight alignment, and a smooth trigger press, you’ll steadily improve your shooting accuracy and develop the muscle memory necessary to become an even better shooter. You can learn more about Shooting Fundamentals, Shooting Best Practices and Defensive Shooting by finding a USCCA Course near you. And DON”T FORGET, prioritize safety and remember those firearm safety rules! ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot!

For more information on firearm safety you can read this previously posted article, Safe Storage by Responsible Gun Owners, at Shoot Like A Girl or this article, The Four Basic Rules of Firearms Safety, on our sister page Safe LivinG.