Pull or press the trigger?

[jimlj]

Over the years I've pulled hundreds of different triggers, some of them thousands of times. I can't remember ever pressing or pushing one.
I have used a rope or chain to pull vehicles out of mud, snow or to the shop for repair, but I've never had much success using a chain or rope to push or press one.
I grew up reading about a gentle trigger pull, slow pull, steady pull but until recently none of the gun writers ever talked about pressing them. At 60 "recently" could be 40 years, I may have lost track of when this became vogue.
The talk of "pressing" the trigger got me thinking. In my opinion there are few people who have done it repeatedly who are successful. Exhibition shooters sometimes can do it, but most who press a trigger only do it once with the gun pointed the wrong way.
What do you call it? Enlighten me as to why some refer to it as a trigger press.

[trails4u]

Completely guessing here....but maybe pressing is more subtle and precise than pulling?? Semantics any way you slice or dice it. I have, however, taught my children to think of pressing the trigger, with the pad of your finger, straight back into your shoulder where the gun is mounted. Maybe that's where the pressing thing comes from??

[lefty o]

squeeze the trigger.

[Houndog]

I think my old DI used the term "squeeze" the trigger and he had a way of getting his point across you didn't ignore!

[RED BEAR]

As long as it goes bang whats the difference?

[JBinMN]

"Squeeze" is the way I have said it since I was a young lad, and don't remember using "pull the trigger".

I am certain I have never heard of or used, "Press the trigger".

New one for me, anyway.

[lightman]

I have used both "squeeze" and "pull". Never have used the word press. On my benchrest trigger I just caress it.

[Texas by God]

Press a button. Press your luck. Press on. Squeeze oranges. Squeeze through the gate. Squeeze your principal squeeze.
Pull the trigger!

[slim1836]

I was always taught to "squeeze" the trigger, so you stayed on the target and did not know when the weapon would go off. If you got "off target", you released the trigger until the target was re-acquired. That worked in hunting and target shooting for me.

Slim

[Wheelguns 1961]

I squeeze the trigger like I am taking a baby’s pulse. I also follow through.

[Gaseous Maximus]

I imagine for the rest of my life, I'll probably either pull or squeeze the dang thing, depending or my mood at the time. Although in some instances, I have been known to jerk it.

[Omega]

Context..When I shoot a single round, I squeeze the trigger, but when in FA, I pull the trigger.

[varmintpopper]

"B A S S"
Breath, Aim, Slack, Squeeze.
That"s the way I was taught in the military.

Good Shooting

Lindy

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

the Tactical boys don't "punch" the trigger or "jack" the trigger,
they Press Press Press the trigger.

[RU shooter]

the Tactical boys don't "punch" the trigger or "jack" the trigger,
they Press Press Press the trigger.

Lol guess I'll never be "tacticool" then , heck I don't even own a drop leg holster !

[MrWolf]

Squeeze the trigger and yell pull to release the birds.

[slim1836]

"B R A S S"

Breath, Relax, Aim, Slack, Squeeze.

That's the way I learned.

Slim

[Budzilla 19]

Squeeze it, pull it, the end result should be the same every time. Just my .02
And as for the game of skeet, I was taught this way to call for targets; “ pull” for high house, “ mark” for low house and “birds” for doubles. Guess it depends on training.

[BigMagShooter]

I just yank it.

[Lead pot]

I used to have a gun (shot gun) you squeezed the trigger then release it to make it go off

I know a lot of good off hand shooters that like to slap the trigger......LOL to cold to shoot this morning......