The TTPOA Podcast: TTPOA "Train-Up's" - Ben Stoeger Discusses Trigger Control
Released on November 20, 2024
Introduction
In the latest episode of The TTPOA Podcast, hosts Derek and Brandon delve deep into the intricacies of trigger control with renowned shooting expert Ben Stoeger. Aimed primarily at SWAT officers, military personnel, and first responders, this episode underscores the critical importance of mastering trigger control to enhance shooting accuracy and effectiveness in high-stress scenarios.
Understanding Trigger Control
The episode kicks off with Brandon introducing the topic of trigger control, emphasizing its complexity within law enforcement training. Derek echoes this sentiment, simplifying trigger control as "pulling the trigger without moving the gun" (00:22). However, both hosts acknowledge that while the concept is straightforward, executing it flawlessly is challenging.
Notable Quote:
“Trigger control is as simple as said. Pulling the trigger without moving the gun.”
— Derek (01:34)
Traditional Methods vs. Modern Approaches
Brandon critiques traditional trigger control methodologies such as "prep and press," "reset riding," and "click banging," arguing that these techniques complicate the fundamental concept of trigger control. He points out that many of these methods, often advocated by competitive shooters, are irrelevant to law enforcement scenarios where speed and aggression are paramount.
Derek concurs, highlighting the negative impact of overcomplicating trigger control with unnecessary steps. He emphasizes that the focus should remain on maintaining gun stability and pulling the trigger aggressively to prevent recoil from disrupting aim.
Notable Quote:
“It's not easy, but it's relatively easy to do it slow. The more slowly you're doing trigger control, the easier it's going to be.”
— Derek (02:43)
Ben Stoeger’s Insights on Effective Trigger Control
Brandon introduces Ben Stoeger, who brings a fresh perspective to trigger control. Ben advocates for a more aggressive approach, especially in scenarios requiring rapid response. He emphasizes the importance of "rolling through the trigger" and maintaining gun stability, regardless of the target's distance.
Key Points:
- Aggressive Trigger Pulling: Ben suggests pulling the trigger aggressively to minimize gun movement, especially at closer ranges (02:42).
- Adaptability: Adjusting trigger pull speed based on distance—faster for closer targets and controlled for longer ranges (02:43).
- Simplification: Moving away from complex techniques to more straightforward, effective methods (07:10).
Notable Quote:
“I was pretty sure I knew the answer. Trigger control is... pulling the trigger without moving the gun. It's simple. It's not easy.”
— Derek (01:34)
Effective Drills and Training Techniques
A significant portion of the discussion centers around practical drills that can enhance trigger control. Ben introduces a drill he finds invaluable for law enforcement training:
- Dry Fire Drill: Starting with the finger outside the trigger guard to simulate real-life scenarios where quick access is necessary.
- Stimulus Response: Using auditory cues (like a beep) to initiate the trigger pull, thereby training responsiveness under pressure (08:22).
- Progressive Difficulty: Gradually moving the finger further away from the trigger guard to increase difficulty and improve muscle memory (10:21).
Brandon shares his experience with a similar drill, noting the immediate impact it had on trainees' awareness and control during live fire exercises.
Notable Quote:
“That's one of the light bulb moments of my shooting... I'm really putting input in this gun. I'm really doing this, or I'm really not pulling the trigger like I should.”
— Brandon (08:07)
Building Confidence and Speed
The conversation transitions to the balance between accuracy and speed. Derek emphasizes that once a shooter is confident in their trigger control and accuracy without time constraints, they can begin to increase their shooting speed. This progression ensures that speed does not come at the expense of accuracy, a critical consideration for first responders in the field.
Key Points:
- Confidence in Control: Mastery of trigger control without pressure allows for gradual speed enhancement (13:28).
- Individual Pace: Recognizing that each trainee progresses differently, with some excelling quickly and others requiring more time (14:13).
Notable Quote:
“Once you're confident with the controls of the gun and you were confident that I could put bullets where I wanted given no time limit... then it was like, cool. Let's go faster.”
— Derek (13:40)
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
The episode concludes with Derek and Brandon reiterating the importance of prioritizing aggressive and controlled trigger pulls over rigid adherence to traditional methods. They advocate for practical, scenario-based training drills that foster both speed and accuracy, ensuring that first responders are well-prepared for real-world encounters.
Final Thoughts:
- Simplify Training: Focus on fundamental trigger control without unnecessary complications.
- Aggressive Practice: Encourage aggressive trigger pulls to build stability and reduce recoil disruption.
- Continuous Improvement: Utilize drills that simulate real-life scenarios to enhance responsiveness and accuracy under pressure.
Notable Quote:
“The whole point was of talking to guys, hey, how many times do you point your gun at someone in your career and you've never shot them?... We've never trained that well. I've never trained that way until I was with Ben.”
— Brandon (08:22)
Take Action
For first responders looking to improve their trigger control, incorporate the discussed drills into your training regimen. Start with dry fire exercises, progressively increase difficulty, and always emphasize aggressive yet controlled trigger pulls to maintain accuracy under pressure. As Derek aptly puts it, "Keep training hard."
Train Hard. Stay Safe.
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