Requesting Alaskan critique

[JFB]

This is my first double action. My plans are to learn to shoot double action, in a defensive response. Now given the outrageous ammo shortage, I have been very sparing in by range time. Single hand, double action fire is hitting really low (feet at 20 yards). When I fire double hand, single action it is pretty much dead on.
What should I be trying to correct to get my double action hits on target?

 

[Jim Puke]

This will help to identify the mechanics of what is causing the miss based on where the shot is hitting.

Dryfire practice will be your best friend in learning to shoot double action.

 

[JFB]

Ok, I need a little help with what is meant by "breaking wrist down"
my dry fire trigger pull stays pretty level
Is this the same as limp wristing? and I need to devolp some strenght in my grip?

flinching, jerking, is something I am trying to work through, but when I feel like i made a good trigger pull, I still hit real low.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

You don't say what caliber you are using. I have a 454 and a 480, I'd suggest letting someone else shoot it that's used to heavy recoiling hand guns. I suspect you will be surprised how well they shoot. Or try lighter loads. If you have a 44 mag, try shooting some 44 special cowboy loads. If you have a 454 try shooting some 45 Colt cowboy loads. You will find out pretty quick.

 

[Cholo]

JFB, breaking your wrist down is done subconsciously in anticipation of the gun firing. I never can count to six when firing a six shot revolver :lol: Even if it's a .22, I embarrass myself with the barrel dipping slightly when I pull the trigger. I could swear I didn't do it, but I can't deny that slight dip. Years ago, when I shot a lot more, I cured it by loading the cylinder with 2 empty chambers. If you're breaking your wrist down, it will be obvious.

I know this sounds like common sense but... Dry fire never takes the place of live fire! It sure helps, but you know it's just going to go "click". At least it better :shock:

:wink:

 

[Jim Puke]

Ok, I need to devolp some strenght in my grip?

You need grip and finger strength...it will come with a little work and make all of the difference.
Might want to order one of these as it will improve grip and finger strength.
And, again...dryfire practice is your best friend as you can do it every day, at your home and gain the muscle memory that is necessary for consistent accurate shooting. Then, all you have to do is replicate that in live fire.
I have shot steel challenge with a revolver a lot, and dryfire was the key to my improving quickly when I started.

http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11168964&gsidynamic=GooglePLA-_-EXERCISE-_-EXERCISE-_-SKU-9473907&camp=CSE:GooglePLA:11168964:9473907:EXERCISE-

 

[hittman]

I agree with putting only 4 or 5 live rounds in the cylinder. You'll notice the flinch or wrist break when there's no bang. Also when dry firing put a coin on the top of the barrel and try to keep it from sliding off, forward or back.

Practice, practice, practice. And, it's be a huge help if you reloaded or found someone who did that for you. Cut your ammo costs by 2/3 or so.

 

[JFB]

Thanks guys, you are confirming what I am trying to work out. I didn't think there should be POI change between DA to SA.

It is a 44. I find recoil managable, actually less than with 7" SBH. I'll have to admit I have devolped a flinch when firing double action.

JFB, breaking your wrist down is done subconsciously in anticipation of the gun firing. ...Dry fire never takes the place of live fire! ...you know it's just going to go "click"..

I have been doing the load one round. I do flinch 50% of the time it goes click but I don't observe which way the barrel goes.

So more dry fire and a lot more ammo down range

 

[frank n texas]

As Jim suggested, you can improve your entire situation if you will squeeze a ball several times a day and hold a brick in your hand while extending your arm straight out for a few minutes every day or night..

These two exercises will strengthen your grip, fingers, wrist, arm and shoulder..

I followed this regiment 7 days a week for 2 years while shooting on the Army pistol team...

It does work and it is free

frank n texas

 

[JFB]

My hand/arm strengh is fairly low. dry firing the alaskan 10/15 times is tiring. that thing is as heavy as a brick

 

[Biggfoot44]

Trust us , that jerk is the muzzle dipping in anticipation of recoil.

Gripmaster. Other field expedient exercises sorta work , but Gripmaster is the most specific and effecent way.

Dryfire. Dryfire some more. Dryfire until you can place a coin on thre topstrap , and have it stay in place for at least six trigger pulls. And pardon me for bringing up the basics , but rythem and follow through are important to DA shooting as well. Your finger should be moving forewards ( away from you , back twords muzzle ) at the same pace as it came back. And the trigger should be pulled back in a smooth continous movement. It is a neophite temptation to halt the pull if the sights wobble , but starting and stopping cause major errors themselve.

 

[larry237]

+1 on the Gripmaster. I have used one for many years and it has been helpful. I bought one that came with a snap on sight plane made of plastic, so you can concentrate on holding a sight picture while squeezing the trigger. It also had a spacer that dampened movement in the back half of the Gripmaster, making the movement more like a trigger pull. I don't know the brand name of this sight setup and it doesn't seem to be made anymore. If anyone knows where to get one, I would recommend it. Hand strength is helpful, however you choose to exercise.

 

[Biggfoot44]

It is (was ? ) Simply a Red (medium) Gripmaster with those snap on pieces , and marketed primarily thru shooting outlets.

I wasn't particulaty impressed. The 90 deg grip angle is unnatural to practice maintaining sight alignment. Yes that spacer will isolate the trigger finger , but I feel there is advantage to exercising all fingers. You want to tone your overall grasp , not just trigger. And for the SD/ LE oriented , overall handstrength & endurance is critical in gun retention ( aka countering gun snatch attempts).

 

[larry237]

I agree that the Gripmaster with the sight was a little awkward, but when I was an LEO, I found that it was enough to help me keep my qualification scores where I wanted. At the time, I didn't dry fire and even the practice in holding a sight picture and upping my strength a little was helpful. Of course, practice at the range was most helpful. I have a 44 Alaskan and the weight of that gun makes strength training relevant. I'm sure that there are a lot of ways to address that.

 

[gramps]

Trust us , that jerk is the muzzle dipping in anticipation of recoil.

Gripmaster. Other field expedient exercises sorta work , but Gripmaster is the most specific and effecent way.

Dryfire. Dryfire some more. Dryfire until you can place a coin on thre topstrap , and have it stay in place for at least six trigger pulls. And pardon me for bringing up the basics , but rythem and follow through are important to DA shooting as well. Your finger should be moving forewards ( away from you , back twords muzzle ) at the same pace as it came back. And the trigger should be pulled back in a smooth continous movement. It is a neophite temptation to halt the pull if the sights wobble , but starting and stopping cause major errors themselve.

Wow I must be a neophyte, cause if I am about to aim off the center of the target I don't pull on the trigger anymore. In fact I was taught to do a two stage pull of the trigger DA to increase accuracy. 1st stage cocks the hammer, get on target and then fire, which at that point is SA. Perfect practice makes perfect. Instead of holding a brick, just hold the Alaskan out at arms length. Both strong arm and weak. Of course dry fire gets you used to how the mechanism feels. Good luck.
gramps