Mastering Trigger Pull: The Real Secret to Better Shooting

Ben Stoeger, an expert firearms instructor, details the components and purpose of standard shooting tests. These tests are designed as tools for individual skill development, emphasizing complex drills like position changes and convoluted engagement orders to build proficiency beyond simple target acquisition. Stoeger highlights that the goal is self-improvement, not just external rewards, and that high scores reflect significant dedication and training.

This expert-level guide from Tenicor explains the nuances of trigger prep in firearm training. While essential for accuracy at distance, over-reliance on trigger prep for every shot is identified as a beginner trait. The instruction emphasizes developing a smooth, consistent trigger pull that fires the shot without disturbing the firearm's aim, a critical skill for experienced shooters.

This video challenges the perceived divide between competitive and tactical shooting, arguing that both disciplines share the core goal of accurate and fast target engagement. Instruction from an experienced shooter emphasizes that principles learned in competitive shooting, such as precise aiming and speed, are directly transferable to tactical situations. The key takeaway is to integrate marksmanship and tactical training, avoiding pigeonholing one's practice to a single application.

This video from John G. Johnson, a firearms instructor, addresses the common issue of improper trigger pull affecting 99% of shooters. He demonstrates the critical difference between a trigger 'pull' and a trigger 'press,' emphasizing that a smooth, controlled press is essential for accuracy, even more so than grip or sight alignment. The guide includes dry-fire drills using the HTS Dry-Fire Bullet Insert and live-fire examples to illustrate how a proper trigger press leads to tighter shot groups.

This video demonstrates the 'recon by fire' technique for engaging steel targets in a dark forest environment at the Moons Out 2026 event. The instructor, exhibiting advanced tactical knowledge, highlights the challenges of low-light target acquisition and the importance of audible feedback from steel targets. The guide emphasizes compensating for 'hide-over-bore' issues, a critical skill for accurate engagement in varied terrain.

Joel Park, an experienced firearms instructor, emphasizes that an outcome-focused mindset can hinder progress in shooting. He advocates for a process-oriented approach, urging shooters to concentrate on the mechanics and execution of each step in a drill rather than solely on the final score or time. This method, honed through years of competitive shooting and instruction, helps identify and correct fundamental flaws for more effective skill development.

This video compares buckshot and birdshot for home defense scenarios, highlighting their effectiveness and penetration characteristics. At close range, both are lethal, but birdshot offers a safer option due to reduced over-penetration risk through interior walls. The Remington 870 is featured as a suitable platform.

This video provides a detailed guide on how to field strip a 1911 pistol, presented by Roy Huntington of American Handgunner. It covers the essential safety checks, step-by-step disassembly including bushing rotation and slide removal, and a reverse reassembly process. An alternative 'cheat' method is also demonstrated for quicker disassembly, along with tips on using bushing wrenches and a strong emphasis on firearm safety rules.

This video showcases a museum-quality, first-generation 1873 Colt Single Action Peacemaker revolver discovered via metal detecting in Arizona. The firearm, manufactured in 1875, exhibits significant authentic patina and wear, including a thin muzzle from holster carry, indicating heavy historical use. Its discovery among homestead ruins highlights its deep burial and preservation.

This guide advocates for a '5-minute clean' approach to modern firearms, emphasizing that intensive cleaning is often unnecessary and can cause premature wear. It details a streamlined process focusing on essential areas like the barrel chamber and slide rails, using minimal solvent and oil. The video also warns against common mistakes like over-oiling magazines, promoting efficient maintenance for reliable function.