Release triggers

bdft

bdft

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I had the opportunity to shoot a Ljutic 73 with a release trigger yesterday. First time for me. It takes a little getting used to and I doubt that I would grow to like it. Any idea who thought this up, and why? I have read everything about flinching etc and talked to trapshooters that swear by them and some swear at them. Personally, I think they are more dangerous than anything else. More trap houses have been shot by a release trigger than any other kind. It certainly takes a higher level of concentration to use them. For me, anyway.
 
I know a few old guys who use release triggers. Trap IMO is a game of concentration and perfection. I guess when it comes to trap, anything that seems like it will give you an edge, people are willing to try.

The guys who shoot release triggers seem to flinch the most and is very evident when the forget to release the trigger, ha!
 
I know what a release trigger is, and what it’s for, but what is the preferred method of use. Pull trigger wait for bird and release when ready, sight bird and when ready pull and release. If you pull the trigger how do you change your mind and not fire when you release?
 
The normal process is to pull/activate the trigger and then call for the bird. If you do not fire, you hold the trigger and open the gun. I have a Buddy that has used one for years in autoloaders and O/U’s and you would never know he uses a release. If used properly and safe gun handling procedures are followed, they are as safe a a pull trigger. Every time I try it I am nervous as hell. I guess you have to get used to it.
 
Interesting. Learned something new today.

I’d be interested in trying it. But on the surface it sounds inherently more dangerous than a regular pull trigger.
 
And endurance.

rmsg0040 said:
I know a few old guys who use release triggers. Trap IMO is a game of concentration and perfection. I guess when it comes to trap, anything that seems like it will give you an edge, people are willing to try.

The guys who shoot release triggers seem to flinch the most and is very evident when the forget to release the trigger, ha!
Click to expand...
 
Easier to let go of something rather then pull it.


Long time bow shooters use a break away release of some sort that let’s go after a certain amount of pulling I believe.
 
The idea is to prevent a flinch and it works for some who have developed an uncontrolled flinch. I’ve seen some shooters then develop a release trigger flinch. If you’re flinching both coming and going you might as well find a new hobby. I don’t have a flinch ( usually) but I’ve tried one a couple of times out of curiosity and definitely not for me. I would not recommend them except as a last resort to try to tame a flinch.
 
Well said Jim ,and how do you shoot doubles with a release release ???Way too much thinking there
 
I shot a buddies MX8 that he had 4 sets of triggers for, 2 pull/pull and 2 release/pull. He developed a bad flinch and the release trigger kept him in the high 90's average. I didn't find it hard to figure out but I really didn't care for it. It made me nervous though not only from my being behind it with a gun held over the house with trigger pulled while some kid setting targets in the traphouse but also of other shooters in the same scenario. I always pictured some kid popping his head out to ask for help when there was an issue with the machine(which they often did) instead of sitting until someone investigated why targets were not emerging, as they were always instructed. The normal reaction for all shooters on the line is to remove the finger from the trigger when an issue was at hand and with a release that milisecond could have spelled disaster imo. Of course nowadays with auto traps that is an issue of the past. I'm showing my age here as some young shooters have never seen such a machine never mind sat in a house setting targets listening to the bang overhead after that big western arm let go with a loud metallic shakluk sound as it launched a target followed by the loud metallic snap when it popped back into rearm position. Those were fun times!
Now back to release triggers. Overall not my cup of tea and fortunately I have never had to switch to one. A buddy of mine was on post 2 at the 2021 Canadians in the Rod Boll Handicap next to me as I led the squad from post 1. I had just lowered my gun after shooting, had my head down emptying my gun to reload when I hear BANG on the station next to and one yard behind me, but I had not heard Jim's distinguishable drawn out call. Before my mind realized what happened Dwight Smith who was then President of The Canadian Trapshooting Association on post 3 says "what are you shooting? The running rabbit? This isn't sporting clays!" I looked up to see what he was talking about and our buddy Jimmy had shot the top right corner of the back wall of the traphouse. There was this fresh beautiful looking 14"-15" circular pellet pattern in the fresh paint. He was just trying out a new to him release trigger in his Kolar and let go of the trigger while setting up for his hold point. I can't recall who it was, Dwight I think that again lightened the mood allowing Jim to recover from a state of shock and embarassment when he said "man that is one tight choke, that's a beauty of a pattern for 26 yards"!
We all had a good laugh, got refocused and back at the shooting and despite being just a wee bit(sarcasm) nervous the next few shots with Jim 1 yard behind and to my right I managed a 25x25 on that round.
 
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So how many people that use release triggers for trap, also shoot skeet or sporting clays? How many hunt? I can't help but wonder, if it would be awkward going back and forth between release and pull triggers?
 
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