How do you pull the trigger on a revolver?

**knifezoid** · 11-01-2010, 12:38 PM

Yes I know it should go backwards, lol! But what I find myself doing for
double action is I pull it right before the hammer releases, pause for a
moment and then go the rest of the way. Sometimes I apply to much
pressure and the gun goes off earlier than I intended. So is it better
to pull smoothly all the way through?

**Parker** · 11-01-2010, 12:42 PM

Revolver the cylinder, then drop the hammer. It's called staging the trigger.

Trying to do it all at once will as you note detonate before you are expecting it and I am guessing you mean the sights are not entirely aligned with the target.

Every revolver stages differently. Practice with one you know and get to love it, feel it, know its every nuance.

**DaBird** · 11-01-2010, 01:58 PM

Hi Zoid,

Good stuff from Parker like always !!!

If I may ad ---- there are really only two ways to shoot a revolver in DA.
The first is as our buddy Parker explained and it IS called "stageing" , as least that is all I've heard it called.

The other is a "controlled " even pressure ALL the way , from start to finish.
With my "slicked up" competition S&Ws , you can BARELEY feel the cyld. turning or the hammer going back --- with a slick action like this -- it is VERY hard to "stage" the trigger.

Helpfull hint ?? I used to Superglue a cut off end of a pencil eraser to the INSIDE of the trigger guard --- you pull HARD , feel the back of the trigger come into contact with the eraser as the cyld. goes into full lock-up, and because the eraser is "spongy" you can hold the HAMMER at almost let off , refine sight picture , give a "micro-squeeze" and BANG !!!

Hope you can understand what I am talking about ---- I know my WIFE CAN'T

**knifezoid** · 11-01-2010, 05:41 PM

That's a good idea DaBird. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing it wrong.
For me this was the easiest and most effective way to fire (staging), even though sometimes I'd apply a bit too much pressure.

I think that's why I like the Glock trigger over the XD/Sig type triggers. Feels like
you can "stage" them more if that makes any sense at all.

**Ken Brock** · 11-01-2010, 06:13 PM

straight to the rear in a smooth and continuous manner without disturbing sight alignment

**Bruce** · 11-02-2010, 08:32 PM

You don't PULL a trigger,

You SQUEEZE a trigger!

**Ken Brock** · 11-02-2010, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by Bruce

You don't PULL a trigger,

You SQUEEZE a trigger!

I prefer the term "press the trigger"

does it make a difference? probably not but I got in the habit of saying it

**aus71383** · 11-02-2010, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by knifezoid

Yes I know it should go backwards, lol! But what I find myself doing for
double action is I pull it right before the hammer releases, pause for a
moment and then go the rest of the way. Sometimes I apply to much
pressure and the gun goes off earlier than I intended. So is it better
to pull smoothly all the way through?

You will learn through practice how your gun's trigger feels - shooting earlier than intended is obviously not good.

It seems there are basically three different ways to shoot a double action revolver.
1 - Uninterrupted double action pull. This would be the fastest and least accurate way. Smoothly pull the trigger straight through. Keeping your sights perfectly aligned while doing this will probably not be possible, but you can keep your front sight post on target and you'll still hit fine if you are at a reasonable range.
2 - Interrupted double action pull. Sort of medium. This is what you're doing - you're trying to be slow and accurate while still shooting double action. This is a good thing when its appropriate - like at the range, or if you almost shoot but decide not to for some reason. Also if you really dislike cocking the hammer...
3 - Single action. Slower but the most accurate. Obvious of course, but you don't have to think about holding the trigger in just the right spot or shooting too early - you just cock the hammer then fire in a smooth short squeeze when you want.

I don't think there's such a thing as a wrong way to pull the trigger - as long as you hit the target you're doing alright. But you will be faster if you just pull straight through smoothly without stopping, and you will be more accurate if you just cock the hammer. With my double action revolvers (which for me are for self defense) I only practice shooting with straight through trigger pulls, because if/when I end up using them, that's how I'll be pulling the trigger.

Austin

**TWBryan** · 11-03-2010, 07:48 PM

I dry fire practice this way,as well as shoot this way. Set your sights on target (point in safe direction if dry firing).Pull the trigger slowly back ,doing your best to keep the sights motionless,when the hammer falls do not release the trigger;slowly let the trigger up at the same pace you pulled it all the while keeping your sight motionless. Practice this over and over,and you will note that it gets easier,and you get faster at it. My ccw is a Ruger sp101 with a dao hammer. This is the only method I've found to develop good double-action revolver shooting.