It did take me a while to get use to the set trigger.
Several rounds hit dirt and sky before I was in shooting position. Fortunately I was at the range alone, to hide my embarrassment.
I discovered a technique which helps me have better control over the set trigger. Notice where the finger is placed in the top photograph. There is nothing to stabilize the tip of the finger. It is hanging out in thin air.
This becomes a problem when trying to control the larger muscles in the hand and arm which support the pistol while, at the same time, control the smaller muscles which operate the finger to squeeze the trigger.
All of these factors are very well known to all of us.
I got tired of putting rounds in the dirt and into the top of the backstops or target frames. While looking at the pistol one evening, I was trying to solve the problem of controlling the tip of my trigger finger without surprising myself with an early discharge of the pistol.
Keep in mind that the method that I am about to describe can be practiced without cocking the pistol, at least on the Charlie Moore. The bottom photograph illustrates my technique.
With the hammer down, push forward on the back of the trigger to set it. Without putting your finger on the trigger aim the pistol at an imaginary target. All the while that I am doing this, the tip of my finger is on the trigger guard or very close to it.
This is the important part. Make sure that the TOP side of your finger is up against the BOTTOM of the pistol in the region of the trigger. So while you are keeping the sights aligned with the target, you can DRAG the top of your finger against the bottom of the pistol while feeling for the trigger.
By now, you are getting the idea that by dragging the top of the finger along the bottom of the pistol you are prevented from over controlling the finger.
You should be able to feel the trigger without setting it off. Then when the sights are aligned perfectly you can touch the trigger off and know exactly when the pistol is going to discharge.
I practice this technique quite a bit and the hair trigger of the CM pistols don't pose a problem anymore. Then when I go to the range, I surprise everyone with how well a flintlock pistol shoots.
I taught this technique to a few friends who noticed the difference right away and have been able to fire the gun and hit their targets. Let me know how this works.
