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What to do about flincing.

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tabura79

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I shoot on occasion with a buddy a mine who is starting to flinch while shooting skeet. I notice him getting worse at practice last weekend. As far I can remember he never had such a problem. I would like to help but not sure what to say or do. I'm afraid to say anything, as it might make it worse. Any suggestions?
tabura79
 
#8 ·
Good info above. If the flinch is caused by losing focus on the target, a release may not help. If the flinch is caused by fear of failure, cumulative recoil, or other reasons, a release may well help.

I would suggest he train himself or get training to increase focus on the target. If barrel gets over and obscures target, an adjustment to gun hold and modification to gun movement must be made.

If, after making sure target is visible and in focus until after the shot is fired, and issue is not resolved, it may well be time for a release.

A release is not the end of the world. I have been shooting a release about 16 months, and am well satisfied with the change. I got to where the trigger finger would not move before I transitioned. Tried the middle finger, shot a 96 on the skeet field with my Model 12 Skeet. Guess what? on the last round, I began to have trouble making the gun fire.

When it is time for a release, nothing else will work.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Hello Shooting Coach,
I read your response with respect to my flinching post/thread. My buddy (Larry) is a very temperamental guy and a little short on patience, but a really nice guy once you get to know him. This is why I'm a little reluctant to suggest any solutions to him. Your advice makes a lot of sense to me, especially in that order that you have stated. I will first suggest to him off the field and more importantly without his shotgun in hand, and go from there. Thank you for your input on my situation, much appreciated.
Respectfully,
tabura79
 
#13 · (Edited)
I am battling flinching. It started small (1 per 25) and it suddenly became unmanageable in May (10x unable to pull the trigger out of 25). I liked the feeling of the gun going off and I was unaware of any recoil sensitivity but evidently, my unconscious has another opinion. I am doing the following as I tried a release and it would be a long road. I am not saying no way but I did not enjoy shooting it. Here is what was suggested to me from this forum and from other knowledgable sources. First, lay off shooting for a bit and when you return, do not shoot as much. Use a Terry Jordan wall chart to dry fire. Shoot a 20 gauge or a 28 for a while. Go to lighter loads, 1 oz 1200 fps max but 7/8 oz preferred. Make sure that your hearing protection is as effective as possible. Wear gloves. Relax while shooting. Slow down everything like call, soft eye focus, etc. Look hard for the target and stay under the bird as Shooting Coach said. I know if I move the barrel and I block the target, I flinch. Check trigger weight and increase if possible, going as high as 5 pounds. Some people try pulling the trigger with their middle finger (that was another no way but it works for some). I just picked up my gun today from having a soft touch recoil system installed and I am looking forward to trying it. Get the best available system if you want to try to avoid a release like soft touch, g squared, pro soft, stock lock. I have a graco on another gun and that has been some help but you get what you pay for in this area. Before today I am down to 1-2 flinches per 100. Unfortunately, my average has dropped about 10 to 15 birds per event. I have lost smoothness as I move to the target but I am hoping that I will get some back with this new system. It has been a rough few months and I wish your friend luck. If he does nothing there is a good possibility it will get worse.
 
#15 ·
I went for about 10 years flinching at least 2 -3 times a round of Skeet or Trap. I went to a Double release and I don't flinch anymore. My averages have gone back up considerably. I had almost considered quitting shooting as it got to the point it wasn't fun anymore. I now am back to having fun and it saved my shooting. I use the same gun for all clay target shooting and I have no issues.
Pat
 
#16 ·
Check out the Bob Newhart video clip on You Tube which provides great guidance if you are troubled with flinching. As Bob explains in the video, if you have a problem with flinching follow these two words:
STOP IT! Very simple: STOP IT!
 
#17 ·
Through personal experience I can give this input. Go ahead and spend countless $$ on recoil devices, having trigger work done, changing guns, adding weight to barrel and stock, shooting lighter loads and on and on.. Then after spending all those dollars, experiencing frustration and embarrassment due to poor scores you will finally relent to a release trigger. Better off going release right away. Saves money and frustration. Good luck. Ed
 
#18 ·
Hauxfan said:
Candy8, you could try all of those methods to help you quite flinching, but the one tried and true thing that will work is a "release" trigger.

As they say..............."sooner or later".............

Hauxfan!
Click to expand...
I too have a flinching problem. It’s a timing flinch, and I shoot a release trigger. Those that believe it’s a cure all may be in for a rude awaking. Pull trigger or release, flinching takes all the fun out of the game for sure. Shoot well..

Jon Reitz
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
Ok so it seems like the cure all for the awful flinching condition, is to install a release trigger. I've only shot a release trigger one time, about 18 years ago just to see how it feels. However I'm not sure where to start. How much does a release trigger cost, which type and or brand to get? What kind of modification's will the shotgun require from the gunsmith? Will you have to shoot (Larry) a release trigger permanently? Please clarify. Thank you.
tabura79
 
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