GutShot John
10-26-2009, 01:39 PM
I was explaining to someone who had a question why increasingly you see the thumb-roll technique employed by the best shooters out there. It's become so common but I'm not sure many understand the physiology involved. I thought I had it pretty well understood but in considering it after the discussion a couple of questions occurred to me.
First I had explained it that the thumb-roll locks the pinky flexor tendon creating rigid pressure against the front strap, controlling muzzle flip (pitch) during the firing sequence. For it to be effective the thumb has to be rigidly rolled forward with the thumb pointing straight not only as an index point, but to insure the power of the pinky was applied. To achieve that however you need to make sure the strong hand is "pushed" into the support hand so you're not really squeezing the grip with the strong hand as much as pushing the gun bracing the strong-hand against the rigid off-hand.
Simultaneously this push keeps the trigger finger loose to move rapidly and mitigate the effects of sympathetic movement. The support-hand thumb, rigid anyways, also rests against the frame to brace against yaw caused by sympathetic movement of the trigger pull.
While visualizing this whole process it occurred to me that with a rigid support hand, pushing the strong-hand forward will cause those fingers to yaw slightly to the support side which the thumb along the frame also mitigates.
Am I understanding this properly?
I hope what I wrote makes sense
First I had explained it that the thumb-roll locks the pinky flexor tendon creating rigid pressure against the front strap, controlling muzzle flip (pitch) during the firing sequence. For it to be effective the thumb has to be rigidly rolled forward with the thumb pointing straight not only as an index point, but to insure the power of the pinky was applied. To achieve that however you need to make sure the strong hand is "pushed" into the support hand so you're not really squeezing the grip with the strong hand as much as pushing the gun bracing the strong-hand against the rigid off-hand.
Simultaneously this push keeps the trigger finger loose to move rapidly and mitigate the effects of sympathetic movement. The support-hand thumb, rigid anyways, also rests against the frame to brace against yaw caused by sympathetic movement of the trigger pull.
While visualizing this whole process it occurred to me that with a rigid support hand, pushing the strong-hand forward will cause those fingers to yaw slightly to the support side which the thumb along the frame also mitigates.
Am I understanding this properly?
I hope what I wrote makes sense