Working the Stall Point

How many times have you been on the flat bench pushing a heavy weight when you reach that stall point. You know, the weight sort of stops moving upward and now you have a real problem on your hands…literally.

The Old Two-step

I use this as a reference for working the trigger, applying solid trigger management skills. For most triggers we see in classes we ask students to perform a “two-step” process. The first step is moving the trigger finger from the trigger index onto the trigger in the correct position. A big mistake we see is when students grip the firearm incorrectly. Griping the firearm incorrectly would be in a manner that does not allow your trigger finger to be isolated on the trigger and allow for a positive crush grip. Too many times students will grip high up on the backstrap in an effort to “control recoil”. The problem with this approach is generally speaking your trigger finger will be at such an awkward angle it will rub against the frame. When it does, it causes the firearm to move prior to discharge. The next issue is realizing physics are at play during the recoil impulse. Applying grip pressure high in your grip near the trigger guard gives you less control due to leverage. The further away from the fulcrum or in this case squeezing with the last two digits near the bottom of grip, the more leverage you will have hence greater recoil management.

Trigger Movement

People like to argue those points, but results speak for themselves. Once you can reprogram the student with the proper grip and applying power in the proper location you should be golden. Once this is achieved, it frees you up to work on the more difficult part to trigger management; which is the trigger’s movement. Getting back to the bench press analogy from earlier and specifically the stall point. A lot of problems we see are a result of student failing to move the trigger smoothly, straight to the rear with minimal disturbance to sight alignment. A lot of times, a student will move the trigger until they run into the stall point. The stall is caused by either incorrect programming or not having enough strength in the trigger finger to finish the job.

Single, Smooth Trigger Movement

There are some techniques that have you working the trigger in an incremental manner. These should be avoided and replaced with a single, smooth movement. The incremental movement can intensify the stall point. Resulting in a “jerk” on the trigger causing sight alignment disruption. The first solution is to correct your grip with trigger finger placement the top priority. Once properly placed the student should have the power necessary to control the trigger in a smooth, single movement. The stall should all but disappear or the excuse for said stall at least. Leaving you with the opportunity to move the trigger correctly.

Eliminate Error Potential

How fast you move the trigger is not really the issue, it is disturbing the sights you must avoid. If you move the trigger so fast you disturb the sights it is either caused by an improper grip or improper placement on the trigger. That is not an excuse to just smash the trigger, but if you have a powerful grip or what we call a crush grip it does eliminate much of this. Leaving you with the last culprit; trigger finger placement. Return to the bit about trigger finger placement from above plus the trigger finger’s positioning, but those are for another discussion at another time.

Working your trigger hard is normal, doing so with sloppy or incorrect technique is not an excuse even if you see marginal success. It is nothing more than a house of cards instead of solid combative fundamentals.

The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive and unrealistic. John F. Kennedy 35th President of the United States