Practical Pistol Show 232

Published on February 8, 2018
Duration: 21:29

This segment from the Practical Pistol Show discusses a common dry-fire technique for double-action pistols that can be detrimental. Instructor Ben Stoeger explains that performing a full double-action pull for every simulated shot, rather than a short reset, can lead to shots going low and left during live fire due to excessive trigger pressure. He advocates for a dry-fire method that simulates the trigger reset without a full release, which better prepares shooters for the feel of live fire.

Quick Summary

For double-action pistols, avoid full double-action dry fire for every shot. Instead, perform a full DA pull for the first simulated shot, then a short reset for subsequent shots. This technique better prepares you for live fire by not training excessive trigger pressure, which can cause shots to go low and left.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Cold Weather Anecdote
  2. 00:59Welcome to Practical Pistol Show
  3. 01:33Defining 'Cool' in Practical Shooting
  4. 03:10Dry Fire Technique Discussion: DA vs. Short Reset
  5. 04:34Detrimental Effects of Full DA Dry Fire
  6. 07:55Why Short Reset is Preferred
  7. 10:23Dry Firing Different Platforms
  8. 11:04Wear and Tear on Guns from Dry Fire
  9. 13:42Question: Trigger Prep During Draw
  10. 15:00Trigger Prep During Draw: The Technique
  11. 17:24Ben Stoeger's Take on Trigger Prep
  12. 19:57Simplifying Trigger Prep for Speed
  13. 21:03Show Wrap-up & Question Submission

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best dry fire technique for double-action pistols?

For double-action pistols, the recommended dry fire technique involves a full double-action pull for the first simulated shot. For subsequent shots, only partially release the trigger to simulate the single-action reset point, then press again. This avoids training for a full, heavy pull on every shot, which can negatively impact live-fire accuracy.

Why is full double-action dry fire considered detrimental?

Full double-action dry fire, where the hammer falls on every simulated shot, trains the shooter to expect a long, heavy trigger pull each time. This can lead to excessive trigger pressure during live fire, causing shots to deviate low and left, especially on faster follow-up shots.

Should I dry fire with a different gun than my match gun?

It's generally not recommended to dry fire with a different firearm platform than your primary match gun. Differences in grip, trigger feel, and ergonomics can lead to inconsistent training. For serious competition, having a second identical match gun is ideal for consistent practice.

Is it safe to start pressing the trigger during a pistol draw?

Yes, it is common and often necessary for maximizing draw speed on close targets to begin pre-staging the trigger (rolling the double-action back) as the gun comes out of the holster and the grip is formed. As long as the firearm is pointed in a safe direction towards the target, this is considered acceptable practice.

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