Mastering the Double Action Trigger pull.

[SilverTauron]

Once upon a time I paid my ammo tithes at the altar of Jeff Cooper and the Model 1911 A1 pistol."Double Action is a Solution in Search of a Problem", and so on and so forth. The problem I encountered with the good Colonel's words is that a lot of quality firearms made and sold today use a hammer fired Double Action trigger component.

I have thus made the decision to face my weakness head on. Having the 1911 turned me into a single action vampire afraid of the sunrise of Double Action trigger pulls.Rather than hide in the crypt of denial, I now wish to master the Double Action pull in the same manner I can shoot in Single Action.

I realize practice is key, but tips from you guys who have walked this path before will be greatly appreciated. I use a high thumb grip in a Weaver stance for my shooting, and in single action mode it works great with a consistent group of hits. In double action my shots are an inconsistent mess. I go from pushing the shot, to hitting where I aim, to pushing right, to not even hitting the paper, and back again.Ive tried rolling the trigger, staging the pull, and it seems all for naught.

I stand thankful for any advice offered here.

[sargenv]

Double action? Um, get thee a S&W revolver and start shooting matches.. ICORE, USPSA, IDPA, etc.. it's amazing how good you'll get at DA after a few thousand rounds..

[Mstrty]

^^^ This.
Do you think there is any other explanation that several top Master USPSA shooters fail at shooting a stock out of the box (anything) firearm while other Double action shooters can shoot anything. (sorry I was using my outside voice).

Dont get me wrong I have my fair share of 2lb triggers. You are still wise for wishing to dump the 2lb trigger for actual trigger skills.

[Rhythm of Life]

Shoot slower.

[9mmepiphany]

The secret is to keep the trigger moving once you have started your press. Keep the speed that the trigger is moving constant. Don't speed up when the sights are on target (that's anticipation) and don't stage the trigger before the letoff (that's setting yourself up to jerk the trigger)

It isn't hard and doesn't even take many rounds to learn...despite what folks who can't do it will tell you. Just align the sights on target and start pressing the trigger to the rear until it lets off...ignore the movement of the sights. It is exactly the same process that you use to press off a perfect SA shot...just over a longer trigger travel; I think of it as rolling the trigger back

Something I've used with clients is to have them combine the DA trigger stroke with the Press Out to the first shot.

See if this article by Ernie Langdon helps:

http://www.craigcentral.com/fearnot.htm

[sargenv]

and one reason I suggest people get a revolver and shoot action games with it.. it's amazing how accurate one can become with other platforms if you have to shoot a 6-10 pound DA revolver trigger all the time.

[MossbergMan]

DA trigger control

The secret is to keep the trigger moving once you have started your press. Keep the speed that the trigger is moving constant. Don't speed up when the sights are on target (that's anticipation) and don't stage the trigger before the letoff (that's setting yourself up to jerk the trigger)

It isn't hard and doesn't even take many rounds to learn...despite what folks who can't do it will tell you. Just align the sights on target and start pressing the trigger to the rear until it lets off...ignore the movement of the sights. It is exactly the same process that you use to press off a perfect SA shot...just over a longer trigger travel; I think of it as rolling the trigger back

Something I've used with clients is to have them combine the DA trigger stroke with the Press Out to the first shot.

See if this article by Ernie Langdon helps:
http://www.craigcentral.com/fearnot.htm

^ this 100%. Only addition is, if shooting a DA/SA semi-auto practice the transision double to single action. Dry practice is invaluable in developing proper trigger control. Be patient with the first shot or dry press.
Your sights moving around the target is normal, what you do not want is the front sight moving in the rear sight notch during your normal aiming movement. "Trust your wobble" and embrace the DA. I shoot PPC at 50 yards all double action so it can be done....it just requires dedicated dry practice.
Good luck.

[SilverTauron]

Thanks for all of your words, especially 9mm epiphany. I went to a field and shot 100 rounds, and was able to hit the can multiple times in double action. That advice to keep the trigger moving was key, because prior to that my DA shots were a mess. Thanks a lot again guys, I can now carry my DA/SA guns with confidence in being able to make an accurate first shot now!

Another reason I ask you experienced people is because I live in a rural part of South Dakota, and on account of this state not requiring any CCW training for a permit and having lots of wide open spaces to shoot, few instructors find it profitable to teach in this state.

[hoss_hk]

http://pistol-training.com/articles/...le-action-shot fwiw

[gun fu]

Good tips!

I use 92F for Production. Try prepping the trigger as you practice, after some time, it will develop into 1 deliberate press w/o changing contact area on your trigger finger. IE always use first pad of finger on both DA and SA shots.