when does the "beginning of the small arc" start

[ronpistolero]

Hi again,

I have been going through Don Nygord's notes and I am quite sure I have read a similar advise as well within this forum, with regards to starting the trigger squeeze at the beginning of the smallest arc of movement (if I interpreted that correctly); not in the middle, and certainly not towards its end. Question now is, how do I discern when this beginning starts without any technical equipment? Is it just a matter of timing after having done the routine hundreds of times?

Thanks

Ron

[RobStubbs]

Hi again,

I have been going through Don Nygord's notes and I am quite sure I have read a similar advise as well within this forum, with regards to starting the trigger squeeze at the beginning of the smallest arc of movement (if I interpreted that correctly); not in the middle, and certainly not towards its end. Question now is, how do I discern when this beginning starts without any technical equipment? Is it just a matter of timing after having done the routine hundreds of times?

Thanks

Ron

The 'arc of movement' is different for every individual. I'm not sure it's possible to consciously detect the smallest bit of movement as by the time you detect it and react to it, it's been and gone. You just have to train your subconscious to release the shot at the optimum time. Do that by repeating the shot process hundreds, or really thousands, of times. Very generally speaking though, optimum release is something like between 4 and 6 seconds in my experience.

Rob.

[2650 Plus]

I have no way to confirm the information but reports have been made about the best European shooters firing the shot in one or two seconds after the settle. Again this supports commiting to the trigger prior to achieving the settle. The shooter seems to be anticipating the time of best stillness and committing to the shot prior to its occurance. This is the proceedure I learned to use before I could shoot in the 2650's. Good Shooting Bill Horton

[ronpistolero]

I see your point. To the untrained person, it's a guessing game, to the trained shooter, its like an "educated" timing, if I may say it so simply. It indeed is a confirmation that this particular aspect of shooting is somewhat mind over matter, which is what makes it so difficult. Trust in the force sort of thing.

Thanks for your replies,

Ron

[ronpistolero]

Another thought. Does this timing vary from shot-to-shot within a match?

[Fred Mannis]

Another thought. Does this timing vary from shot-to-shot within a match?

Your goal should be to replicate the shot process you use to shoot a ten for each of the 60 shots of the match. So the answer is the timing should be the same for every shot. If, for some reason, the timing doesn't feel right, put the gun down and start over.

[2650 Plus]

What fred said !!!! good shooting Bill Horton

[SteveT]

Another thought. Does this timing vary from shot-to-shot within a match?

To an outside observer, the timing should not vary, however that is not your goal as a shooter. We don't want to shoot the pistol in 6.3 seconds; we want to shoot the pistol at the time that the arc of movement is minimal. If you have a well established routine and you follow it, the time spent raising, settling and firing the pistol will be very consistent, however I do not recommend training for consistent time of the shot delivery. Train so you know what a good shot process looks like and to recognize when the shot process is proceeding properly and when it is not.

Best of luck,
Steve Turner