Whether you’re a veteran, an enthusiast, or just getting started in the sport, shooting a firearm can be a fun way to relieve stress.
Recent University of Maryland, College Park research found that gun owners are happier than non-owners. Interestingly, however, the relationship between gun ownership and well-being isn’t as apparent as you might think.
The Feeling of a Recoil
The recoil a shooter experiences while shooting results from the rearward thrust generated when a gun is discharged. It is a result of the law of conservation of momentum, which states that if something is moved forward, it will exert an equal but opposite force backward.
This effect, or kickback, is often called recoil and can be highly intimidating for someone new to firearms. However, the feeling of recoil is standard and necessary for firing a gun.
How a shooter perceives many factors, including body mass, shooting position, experience, small arm fit and environmental stressors, influence the recoil of a weapon. No single measurement standard can be applied to all shooting situations, but it is essential to have a target system like Origin Target Systems.
The Feeling of a Bang
When you pull the trigger on your firearm, it fires a bullet. This bullet then leaves the barrel, producing a loud noise and body-jolting recoil.
A gunshot, however, consists of more than just this. Some bullets travel at speeds that exceed the speed of sound, producing a sonic crack when they break the sound barrier.
These two events co-occur, so we hear the sonic crack before hearing the BANG. It also helps us distinguish the sounds of bullets from other objects that travel faster than sound.
The Feeling of a Squeeze
One of the most gratifying sensations of firing a gun is the feeling of a successful squeeze. It’s like walking into a room and seeing an open door for the first time, only it isn’t. It’s an adrenaline rush that isn’t always a pleasant experience, but it’s one that every shooter should embrace and enjoy.
It’s well-known that most firearms will feel recoil to some degree, but how much does it matter? The feeling can be reduced with a solid grip and proper shouldering. The third rule of motion, which states that there is an equal and opposite response to every action, causes the recoil feeling. The best way to reduce the sting of recoil is to be aware of its effects before the shot.
The Feeling of a Sight
Sights are designed to help you hit your target like any other gun part. They provide a clear and recognizable image of your enemy’s body, making it easier to know precisely where to place the bullet after the shot is fired.
Sight control, when used correctly, requires a shooter to press the trigger in conjunction with maximum concentration and peak visual perception of sight alignment. It also involves maintaining smooth, even pressure that doesn’t alter the gun’s position or sight alignment.
Trigger control can be difficult, and many inexperienced shooters jerk on the trigger when it’s time to fire. It can result in an inaccurate shot because it disturbs sight alignment during brief moments of stability called “minimum arc of movement.”
The Feeling of a Trigger
The feeling of a trigger is an essential component of the accuracy of a shot. It is what controls the movement of the firing pin or hammer and the alignment of your sights.
The amount of compression you apply to your trigger can make or break the accuracy of a shot. The amount of reduction you use will depend on factors such as your emotional state and the type of firearm you are shooting.
Your finger position on the trigger will also affect the amount of compression you apply to your motivation. Generally, it would be best to compress the trigger straight back so that the muzzle does not move left or right when the shot is released.
