TRIGGER TIME TV - SEASON 8 - EPISODE 9 - TRIGGER JERK MYTH

John "Shrek" McPhee debunks the myth of 'trigger jerk,' explaining it's an illusion caused by body movement, not the trigger finger's strength. He details the stages of a trigger pull and emphasizes that the rapid sear break (less than 0.1 seconds) makes it impossible for the finger alone to move the rifle significantly.

Quick Summary

Firearms instructor John "Shrek" McPhee debunks the 'trigger jerk' myth, explaining it's an illusion caused by body movement, not the trigger finger's strength. He notes the sear break is under 0.1 seconds, making finger-induced movement impossible; instead, body lean pushes the gun down.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Trigger Jerk Myth
  2. 00:10John "Shrek" McPhee Introduces Topic
  3. 00:15Common Misconceptions about Trigger Jerk
  4. 00:36Body Movement vs. Trigger Jerk
  5. 01:00Military Training and Trigger Squeeze
  6. 01:12Human Finger Mechanics
  7. 01:23Stages of Trigger Pull
  8. 01:51Timeframe of Sear Break
  9. 02:02Importance of Grip and Stance
  10. 02:24Trigger Jerk as an Illusion
  11. 02:47Demonstration Setup
  12. 03:25Demonstration with Nick McGarry
  13. 03:50Target Analysis
  14. 04:08Conclusion: Trigger Jerk is an Illusion
  15. 04:49Final Thoughts from Sheriff of Baghdad

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary cause of what people call 'trigger jerk' in shooting?

According to John "Shrek" McPhee, 'trigger jerk' is an illusion. The actual cause is typically body movement, where the shooter leans into the rifle as they present it, pushing the gun downward and causing the shot to break as the muzzle is descending.

Why is the concept of 'trigger jerk' considered a myth by firearms instructors like John "Shrek" McPhee?

McPhee explains that the time it takes for a trigger sear to break is less than one-tenth of a second. He argues that a human finger is not strong enough to move a rifle significantly in such a short timeframe, making the perceived 'jerk' a result of larger body movements.

What are the stages of a proper trigger pull according to firearms expert John "Shrek" McPhee?

McPhee outlines four stages: taking out the slack, breaking the sear, over-travel (which he notes is often imperceptible), and resetting the trigger. He emphasizes that the critical phase for accuracy is the sear break.

How important are grip and stance in preventing shooting errors attributed to 'trigger jerk'?

John "Shrek" McPhee states that proper grip and stance are paramount, accounting for about 90% of shooting proficiency. A stable platform is essential for managing weapon movement and ensuring the shot breaks cleanly without unintended body input.

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