[sremington]

I was just reading an article in the new North American Hunter October edition about how to determine whether or not you are flinching when you pull the trigger. Sometimes people will for some reason develop a habit of flinching in preparation of the recoil.

They say this tip works best if you suspect it of another shooter and want to show them proof. Most people will not admit to flinching. Load the gun one round at a time for them and have them shoot each one. Then when they aren't looking after a few shots leave the chamber empty and hand the gun back to them. When they go to squeeze the trigger you will both know right away if they are flinching.

 

[Ithaca37]

Sounds like good advice, just don't dry fire your gun too many times, its bad for it.

 

[sremington]

Yea I wouldn't try repeating the test several times in an afternoon. I think a one time deal to prove a point would be well worth fixing your problem. If you don't correct your problem then you might as well have a busted gun.. :lol: :lol:

 

[Ithaca37]

Yeah, sometimes those magazines have pretty decent advice.....always worth reading anyways.

 

[Canerod]

When I was in infantry school, we used to do a similar exercise, substituting snap caps for live ammo in a magazine. We would also have your "buddy" balance a penny on the barrel. Of course it would fall off when a live round went off, but if the shooter followed through, it usually stayed balanced for the dummy load. Flinching was a sure way to "Pushin' up Gawgia!"

Kevin

 

[Ithaca37]

That is an interesting way to check for flinching. When my shoulder gets real sore, I don't need anybody to tell me, I flinch so hard, I can't stay on target before I even get the shot off, thta is usually when I know it is time to call it quits.

 

[Earlthepearl]

I would think it would be better to use a gun that doesn't kick so bad that you would be flinching....................
I like my 243. No kick..........No flinch............Bullet always goes where it is suppose to go.

No Kick.....No Flinch....No scared of da gun---A.

 

[Robert L. Brown]

Flinching?

The empty chamber or snap cap trick (when coaching another shooter) is a common practice to see if someone is flinching. I use this method as an instructor for competative shooters. With regards to heavy recoil inducing flinch - indeed it does. However, developing a flinch isn't limited to big bore shooters or heavy recoiling rifles (or handguns). I've seen small bore (.22LR) competative shooters develop flinches bad enough to pull the shot completely out of the black at the 50ft. gallery range when they anticipate the "let-off". Big bore revolver shooters can actually "test" themselves to determine if they are developing a flinch by using a snap cap in 1 of the 6 chambers. I call it "Flinch Roulette". You can figure out it works without an explanation.