Don’t Jerk It: Pistol Trigger Control Tips With Brian Zins

by
posted on January 16, 2018
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Last week for Part 1 of our “Precision Pistol Tips with Brian Zins” video series, we covered pistol grip improvement. Now for Part 2, Brian, a 12-time NRA National Pistol Champion, reviews his pistol trigger control tips (watch the video above).

Part 2: Trigger control
What is trigger control? Brian Zins believes that trigger control is the ability to manipulate the trigger without disturbing the sights. Trigger control, simply put, is “getting the gun to shoot, once you get the sights where you want them.” Brian tweaks this advice to, “Align the sights as you pull the trigger.” More on this later.

Brian Zins on pistol trigger control
Stance, grip and aiming are important, but you can have a perfect grip, and hold perfect sight alignment all day long―but it only counts when the gun goes bang and only one action causes the gun to do that―pulling the trigger.


According to Brian, there are two fundamentals in shooting, aiming and trigger control. Trigger control is the more important of the two, because it’s the only part of the gun that’s actually moving before the shot breaks. There’s no sense in aiming if you can’t pull the trigger without disturbing the sights. This is not limited to precision pistol―trigger control is key for all pistol shooting disciplines.

Trigger finger placement in bullseye
Now for bullseye, where should the trigger make contact on the finger? We touched on this a bit in Part 1, so if you have not watched it yet, be sure to review it. The trigger should be centered in the first crease of the trigger finger. Why you ask? We have always been taught to place the pad on the trigger. Brian would rather have the hard surfaces of the creases on the trigger, because when pressure is applied, we know the trigger is actually moving to the rear, and we are not just feeling the fat and skin of the finger being pushed out of the way.

Brian Zins shares his tips for pistol trigger control in bullseye
In Part 3, which is upcoming, Brian will marry up his concepts of sight alignment and trigger control.


Trigger control, you should make yours nice and smooth. Learn it, live it, love it!

In Part 3 of our video series, Brian will cover the relationship between sight alignment and trigger control. The tips in these videos are taken from Brian’s instructional clinics. Learn more about Brian Zins pistol training at www.pointblankrange.com/training-instructor-bios/brian-zins

Latest

Federalpursuitriflecase 1
Federalpursuitriflecase 1

Federal’s Fit Pursuit Rifle Case Adjusts Its Length to Match Your Setup

Federal’s Fit Pursuit Rifle Case is now shipping with adjustable length, heat-resistant lining and suppressor-ready storage in 40- and 45-inch sizes.

Art and the Sporting Tradition Takes Center Stage at Hillsdale College

Hillsdale College’s Nimrod Education Center hosted Art and the Sporting Tradition, a two-day program exploring wildlife art, decoys and conservation.

Kiersten Sales Wins Main Event Lady Champion Title at 2026 Jack Link’s Cup

Kiersten Sales claims Main Event Lady Champion and three more titles as Team Krieghoff posts multiple podium finishes at 2026 Jack Link’s Cup.

New: Real Avid Smart-Torq and X3 Driver System

Real Avid’s Smart-Torq and X3 Driver System is now shipping in five kits with torque limiters and ratcheting drivers.

Milan Cortina 2026: U.S. Women Close Olympic Biathlon Campaign With 18th Place in 4x6 km Relay

Team USA women take 18th place in biathlon 4x6 km relay at Milan Cortina 2026, closing out their Olympic campaign at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena.

A Year of Classic Battles: 1988 National Matches

Wind and comebacks defined the 1988 National Matches, where Lenardson, Wigger, Weaver and Tubb each claimed titles in dramatic fashion.



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.