Teche

I don't think it's an AD when the shooter fires too early in a safe direction towards the targets, but he needs to be more careful (prep the trigger a bit later) because this would have been an AD on a stage with movement if the target to be engaged was not yet visible. Richard 2nd! Teche

You are corect in that there was not a gun malfunction. The reload was executed with finger out side the trigger guard.

"I remember thinking while I was shooting that the gun was going off and it was almost like being on autopilot...nothing along the lines of "okay, pull the trigger now". I'm pretty sure I could have let one off early, it would have still been a hit, and nobody would have known any different....and really, it would have been safe. That's not what I'd want or plan on, but I can see it happening and not being dangerous." We have all "hose and go" on up close targets... it is part of the game in order to keep your time down. I think it raises an interesting question which is if you are shooting on auto-pilot are you not shootting AD's since you are not CONCSIONSLY thinking about calling each shot? Teche

I must confess... I'm the one that this thread is regarding. I was practicing El Prez drills when the shot went off early. I had just finished the first string of 2+2+2 then executed a reload. After the reload I brought the gun to bear on the first target and just before full extension, while prepping the trigger the shot went off early. The shot DID hit the target. From the RO's POV I was aiming at the target with full intention for engagement. I agree with you that if the shot was w/in 3M or over the berm clearly this is an example of USGH but I think we have all experienced this type of "early shot" while engaging a target. All the same, for my own edification I would be very interested in know if anyone has had a similar experience that did result in a DQ. Reasons for the DQ? Embarrassing for sure! I need another Guinness! Teche