[DavidB55]

When you have been around the clay target sports long enough you too will know that most of the pull cords, divits in front of the 16 yd. line and plastered trap houses were caused by accidental rellease trigger people.I'm just happy they kept their gun pointed in a safe direction.

Exactly how long do I need to be around the sport of trap? I've been shooting a release trigger for 20+ years in a variety of makes and models and have not one accidental discharge. I have however seen a lot of cords shot in half and trap houses attacked by both release and pull triggers. I can honestly say that neither poss a greater threat then the other. Y'all need to stop bashing release triggers and call accidental discharges what they are, a failure by the handler to control their weapon.

 

[DavidB55]

IF you utilize a release for what ever reason you SHOULD understand that anything mechanical could fail. Did you ever have a release pull through? Or did you ever have a pull trigger hang fire or a discharge upon closing of the action.

Triggers malfunction for one reason only. The failure to maintain the equipment. Regardless of whether it's a pull or release.

 

[BIGDON]

I have never been able to understand the need for these things. (Release triggers). I suppose if someone ONLY shot trap, and nothing else, and had some type of problem they thought that this would fix, then perhaps. Even then I would be extremely leery.

But I shoot ALL different type of firearms. And have for the last 55 years. Rifles, pistols, as well as shotguns. And to me release triggers in that type of constantly varied firearms environment, are nothing more than a disaster waiting to happen.

Disaster, not from a release trigger. I have competed in trap, skeet and sporting using a release. Competed in cowboy action using pull triggers, hunted using pull and not even close to any disaster. Please name one disaster from a release. The potential disasters in the shooting sports are from the newbies who go the range, rent a gun with little or no instruction and try to shoot. Also those that go with a friend, use his gun and shoot any of the clay sports. I have seen more potential disasters on the sporting courses away from any supervision. A gun is only as safe as the operator.

Don

 

[SEWER DOG]

My journey into the release trigger world came about when on average I was loosing 7 targets per 100 due to my version of flinching. My options were to quit trapshooting or go to a release. Shooting singles or handy cap was not a issue, double's my O/U is a R/P. Very easy to transition to. My O/U sporting clays gun is also set up with a R/P trigger, I always shoot a mounted gun when shooting sporting clays. While shooting a pull trigger rifle my pre trigger operation is SMOOTH trigger pull, eliminating a trigger setting procedure I have on my clay target guns

 

[SEWER DOG]

YES...All of the shot marks on our trap houses were caused from release triggers accidentally shot.

Shot marks on the back of the trap houses at our club generally show up in the spring when we have our high school league. On average we host about 225 athlete's per year with about 10% being very new to the sport and gun handling. We spend considerably more time with the new athletes reinforcing safe gun handling practices until they can demonstrate handling their gun comfortably and safely. After 2-3 outings there are rarely any issues.

 

[Oyeme]

I know for a fact from past experience, that if I was to ever try to compete in Trap again, I would immediately go to a release trigger!

I had one on a Super X 1 that Al Timney himself made for me after I visited him at his house in L.A.

Should have held onto that gun or at least the release trigger assembly because he also gave me back mine that was still in Pull configuration.

I had no trouble getting used to a release and believe they help my shooting by making me swing smoother through the shot and of course eliminating any flinch.

Release triggers are for me like a heavenly blessing.

IMO I am convinced that everyone would benefit from using one. I know that will set some folk's hair on fire, but it's only my opinion based on my experience.

However, I know that some would not be willing to learn to use one. So be it.

 

[Two Dogs]

Unbelievable that you can even come to this conclusion, since there are more shooters that shoot pull triggers and by shear numbers there are more accidental discharges by individuals using pull triggers.
I assume you don’t believe in the use of release triggers.

To the person who started this thread my best advice is if you don’t need a release trigger don’t even try one.
The only reason I went to a release is because a so called surgeon cut nerves into during a surgery and I couldn’t always get a consistent pull with my trigger finger, but I could set a release and hold it consistently until I want to release it.
I didn’t want to go to a release, but was forced to by the disability
Then there is the added cost of a release.

It's not unbelievable as I've been shooting trap for over 40 years, have over a quarter million reg. targets and twice that many in practice and I've witnesed many accidental discharges on the line and MOST were caused by a release trigger. BTW I'm not against release triggers..

 

[skunkhouse]

I've shot a release in both a 870TB and a 1100, never had a accidental discharge in over 35 yrs. Lot of good advise has been given above. Practice is a great idea. I found out in the early years was stop thinking about it. It really becomes a natural reflex afterwards.

 

[Duck 51]

I was also one of the trap shooters that suffered with a flinch. It was either quit shooting trap or go to a release trigger. I can normally shoot skeet or 5-stand with a pull trigger without much of a problem. It doesn't matter whether you are shooting a release or pull trigger, you still need to utilize great safe gun handling habits.

 

[KEN W.]

I've witnesed many accidental discharges on the line and MOST were caused by a release trigger. BTW I'm not against release triggers..

I will respectfully disagree with this. I've never seen an accidental discharge caused by a release trigger. Its physically impossible for a release trigger to accidentally discharge on its own. What inevitably happens is you add a human to the equation and the shit hits the fan. What I have witnessed is many accidental discharges caused by humans who happen to be shooting a release trigger. Thats not to say a mechanical malfunction can't happen, but I believe they are few and far between, enough so that I've never seen it in my 42 years, what I have seen is the rocket scientist behind the gun cause the problem.

 

[ktt]

1. Make sure your release trigger was made by a reputable gunsmith with experience in release triggers.
2. If you are buying a used release trigger have the trigger examined by a reputable gunsmith with experience in release triggers.
3. Know your set weight and release weight set-up. My Precision Trigger on my Perrazi is set up with an 80 ounce set and a 20 ounce release. The smaller the spread between set and release, the "faster the trigger." Too fast of a release trigger could be difficult to manage.
4. I set the trigger with the required set weight and hold. I only set with more force if I do not take the shot and need to disengage the trigger. At that point, I am holding the trigger with significantly greater force.
5. I set the trigger after I mount the gun, I then pause to set the eyes and call for the target. I know a few shooters who set the trigger before the mount, but I am not comfortable with that.
6. I agree with the dry fire practice. Definitely be clear about your procedure for disengaging the trigger after you have set it in the instance of your not taking a shot. I agree with the non-trigger hand disengagement. Different guns will have different ways of deactivating a set trigger (basically opening the action).
7. When you first start, be aware. Set the trigger, release the trigger. I have seen people trying release triggers forget to set the trigger, so they get a delayed set and release, and I have seen people who have set the trigger pull the trigger instead of release and then get a delayed fire when they finally release the trigger.
8. Avoid shooting a release trigger or allowing others to shoot a release trigger without practicing. I have seen people with release triggers allow people to "try" their release triggers and that is when you get results like I mentioned above.

 

[Two Dogs]

I will respectfully disagree with this. I've never seen an accidental discharge caused by a release trigger. Its physically impossible for a release trigger to accidentally discharge on its own. What inevitably happens is you add a human to the equation and the shit hits the fan. What I have witnessed is many accidental discharges caused by humans who happen to be shooting a release trigger. Thats not to say a mechanical malfunction can't happen, but I believe they are few and far between, enough so that I've never seen it in my 42 years, what I have seen is the rocket scientist behind the gun cause the problem.

Yes, it's all human.

 

[Randyflycaster]

Why would the shot go down range? Do you honestly believe release triggers are more apt to discharge accidentally than a pull trigger. That is delusional.

When I was refereering a registered trap shoot a shooter had two accidental discharges with a release trigger. While accidental discharges are rare with release triggers they do happen, and with pull triggers as well.
Randy

 

[DavidB55]

When I was refereering a registered trap shoot a shooter had two accidental discharges with a release trigger. While accidental discharges are rare with release triggers they do happen, and with pull triggers as well.
Randy

Agreed, but it's not the trigger that is causing the infraction, it's the shooter. I like to put the responsibility where it belongs.

 

[wrd]

I use a release for all shotgun sports and have for many years. With a pull trigger , should you not take the shot, you take your finger off the trigger and thumb the release lever. No problem. With a release trigger you MUST maintain pressure if you have already set it. The slightest relaxing of the trigger finger will cause a discharge. Very short learning curve for most folks. I have seen accidental discharges from both trigger types. But, I still think a release is the most natural way to shoot. Get on target and the gun goes bang.

 

[kmf]

I set my trigger when the shooter in front of me has completed his turn shooting or after the referee calls lost. I then mount my gun and when I’ve completed my set up I call pull. My barrel is always pointed at the ground when set and out into the field as I mount the gun, just like mounting a gun with a pull trigger.
Al Ljutic told me when I set my trigger hold on to it and my buttstock / grip like I was holding on to a King Cobra. I started shooting in 1977 and went to a release in 1978 and have had a release trigger pull through only once in over 40 years when the trigger broke (Citori double release). Nothing happened because I always practice gun safety, when and where pointing a gun, loaded or empty..
I also had a shotgun with a pull trigger go off when I slammed it shut that first year of shooting. Gun safety also prevented any damage that time as well.
Set your trigger in a manner that allows YOU to be confident in your gun safety standards.
JMO

 

[George MT.]

It's not unbelievable as I've been shooting trap for over 40 years, have over a quarter million reg. targets and twice that many in practice and I've witnesed many accidental discharges on the line and MOST were caused by a release trigger. BTW I'm not against release triggers..

I will respectfully disagree with this. I've never seen an accidental discharge caused by a release trigger. Its physically impossible for a release trigger to accidentally discharge on its own. What inevitably happens is you add a human to the equation and the shit hits the fan. What I have witnessed is many accidental discharges caused by humans who happen to be shooting a release trigger. Thats not to say a mechanical malfunction can't happen, but I believe they are few and far between, enough so that I've never seen it in my 42 years, what I have seen is the rocket scientist behind the gun cause the problem.

When I was refereering a registered trap shoot a shooter had two accidental discharges with a release trigger. While accidental discharges are rare with release triggers they do happen, and with pull triggers as well.
Randy

Maybe we should be using the term Negligent Discharge either thru not following proper procedures including maintenance of said release or pull triggers or for that fact the whole firearm.

 

[George MT.]

Exactly how long do I need to be around the sport of trap? I've been shooting a release trigger for 20+ years in a variety of makes and models and have not one accidental discharge. I have however seen a lot of cords shot in half and trap houses attacked by both release and pull triggers. I can honestly say that neither poss a greater threat then the other. Y'all need to stop bashing release triggers and call accidental discharges what they are, a failure by the handler to control their weapon.

Again maybe the term Negligent Discharge....I have seen some really bad stuff happen with both pull and release and yep I'm one of those guys who is fixing the blasted cords and the Negligently patterned trap houses with fresh paint etc.

 

[cbuster]

The house is designed to protect the trap machine from accidental discharged. The worst case is you have to paint the house. This still is the safest sport.

 

[SEWER DOG]

Shot marks on the back of the trap houses at our club generally show up in the spring when we have our high school league. On average we host about 225 athlete's per year with about 10% being very new to the sport and gun handling. We spend considerably more time with the new athletes reinforcing safe gun handling practices until they can demonstrate handling their gun comfortably and safely. After 2-3 outings there are rarely any issues.

As I posted #25 most trap house patterns show up in the spring with VERY new HS athletes. The high school Legue prohibits release triggers. Also our club rule is closing the action is only permitted with the muzzle up over the front of the trap house and the trigger finger can not be in the trigger guard until the muzzle is above the front of the trap house. Getting the new athletes comfortable sometimes comes quick and with others it takes a bit more time and supervision. ALL the coaches are on the same page as to this safety drill. Should a negligent discharge occur most couches turn the incident into a learning moment. We must remember we are dealing with athletes that are very new to the sport much like driving a car for first few times.