Day 1 at the Firing Range

**Autumn2009** · 07-21-08, 07:48 PM

Today was our first day out on the range for the academy. We shot revolvers and I can officially say I'm not a huge fan. I'm having a real problem with trigger pull and finger strength. I know I need to do some exercises to strength those muscles and was curious if you guys had ideas about what to best do and such. I really felt like an idiot out there barely being able to pull the trigger on the revolver.

Thanks guys.

**Terminator** · 07-21-08, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by Autumn2009

Today was our first day out on the range for the academy. We shot revolvers and I can officially say I'm not a huge fan. I'm having a real problem with trigger pull and finger strength. I know I need to do some exercises to strength those muscles and was curious if you guys had ideas about what to best do and such. I really felt like an idiot out there barely being able to pull the trigger on the revolver.

Thanks guys.

Aside from fingering yourself, I'd try working a rubix cube repeatedly.

**Autumn2009** · 07-21-08, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by Terminator

Aside from fingering yourself, I'd try working a rubix cube repeatedly.

One of those I do quite regularly, must not be working.

**Just KC** · 07-21-08, 08:14 PM

LMAO Autumn!!!
Maybe one of those hand strengtheners...that you have to grip and squeeze??

**narcodog** · 07-21-08, 08:53 PM

Get yourself one of those hand spring squeezer things. Turn it upside down. There use to be one on the market that has spring for each finger.

**Cidp24** · 07-21-08, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by Autumn2009

One of those I do quite regularly, must not be working.

Well, put the cube down and do what Narco and KC said.

**lewisipso** · 07-21-08, 09:02 PM

If you have access to a revolver of your own throw some lead down range on your own time. Have fun with it. Not only will it improve your skills but also your fingering,,,,ahhh finger strength.

**2 Blue 4 U** · 07-21-08, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by narcodog

Get yourself one of those hand spring squeezer things. Turn it upside down. There use to be one on the market that has spring for each finger.

Got to build those muscles, exercise the hand gripper while you are watching television. Excellent tip narcodog, turning it upside down.

Make sure you are holding the weapon properly and the gun fits in the hand comfortably. Like Lewisipso said, practice shooting on your own time. If you do not have access to a weapon some ranges have loaners. When I first started shooting the gun my problem was anticipating the shot, my range instructor put a penny on my gun to make sure I held it steady while I dry fired for a bit. Once you build the muscles you will do fine. Your hand may be hurting for a bit though.

Good Luck!

**jmur5074** · 07-21-08, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by Terminator

Aside from fingering yourself, I'd try working a rubix cube repeatedly.

Excellent advice.

**TXCharlie** · 07-21-08, 10:05 PM

I've heard that Jerry Miculik has a revolver frame with a 30-lb trigger pull to exercise his trigger finger. If you live under a rock and don't know who he is, look at this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsLx5ISBXw4

Since spare frames and trigger assemblies aren't cheap, I bought one of those exercisers with individual springs for each finger that Narcodog was talking about - It was like $15 at a sporting goods store, in the barbell section. I don't shoot my .357 Magnum very much, but I think the exerciser helps. Note that different colors have different strength springs.

**Hannah87** · 07-21-08, 10:30 PM

I had the same problem and I got one of those hand squeezer things and it worked wonders. Or... like others have said, go to a cheap range to shoot... a lot

The range I went to had a small fee for a loaner gun. It can get pretty expensive though.

**MacLean** · 07-22-08, 12:13 AM

Get one of these, and attempt to pull ONLY your trigger finger as many times as you can every day two times a day.

Don't do it on range day.

**Willowdared** · 07-22-08, 12:23 AM

Originally Posted by maclean

Get one of these, and attempt to pull ONLY your trigger finger as many times as you can every day two times a day.

Don't do it on range day.

FYI - they are color coded for resistance level. I got one for physical therapy after breaking and dislocating a finger. I found mine at REI.

**Whitepaw** · 07-22-08, 02:20 AM

Get some snap caps (plastic bullets) and dry fire the weapon. Like everyone else says, use the "finger" thingy..

**dadyswat** · 07-22-08, 07:22 AM

One other little thing, as you build the strength in your hand if you prectice with the revolver you'll find as you slowly pull the trigger you'll feel a point before it breaks that you can actually stop the hammer. If you practice it it becomes second nature and doesn't really hurt your speed. As Bill Jordan used to say "No one was ever hurt by a fast noise".

**jmiahhenry** · 07-22-08, 01:35 PM

One of the best ways to work hand muscles with out buying that spring device is to get a racquetball or tennis ball and try to push it flat with each finger and then as a hand. Works great!

**Bob Loblaw** · 07-22-08, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Terminator

Aside from fingering yourself, I'd try working a rubix cube repeatedly.

that's what made Brad's shooting so awesome, although everyone did start to wonder why he was in the bathtub so long every night....

**Terminator** · 07-22-08, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by Bob Loblaw

that's what made Brad's shooting so awesome, although everyone did start to wonder why he was in the bathtub so long every night....

Rubber ducky, you're the one...
...you make bath time lots of fun...

**Autumn2009** · 07-22-08, 07:03 PM

We shot Glocks today and I started off so-so but by the end of the day things were really starting to look great. Love those tight groupings, makes you tingly inside.

**Terminator** · 07-22-08, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by Autumn2009

We shot Glocks today and I started off so-so but by the end of the day things were really starting to look great. Love those tight groupings, makes you tingly inside.

Good job, Autumn. Sounds like you've really taken my advice seriously!!!